Because I haven't talked enough lately...

[next_to_normal]

So, as I mentioned to angearia on my last 30 Days post, I tend to need direction when it comes to thinking of things to talk about. I like being given a topic or having to answer a question. Thus, another asking questions meme! Snagged from snickfic.

Ask me one fandom-related question in the comments. This can be fandom specific, general, or about fandom/lj stuff/fic writing/etc. in general. Favorite character, favorite moment, unpopular opinion, something about a fic of mine... whatever. Subparts allowed. Wackiness encouraged.

I've talked about a lot of TV shows lately, so you should have a better idea of what fandoms interest me, but if there's anything you want to hear more about, now's the time to ask.

Comments

[lostboy-lj.livejournal.com]

I've never seen The West Wing. Is it a deeply political/preachy show? I'm only curious because I've been thinking of Netflixing the show, but I have a feeling it's not up my alley. I'm a pretty apolitical person, and usually get a little sick to my stomach when a show or movie tries to ram a bunch of political punditry down my gullet, be they of either the "Red" or the "Blue" variety. I understand that some people like political messages in their entertainment, but its always been the sort of thing that turns me off.

[next_to_normal]

Well, I'd say it's very political, but not especially partisan. I think it would be difficult to enjoy the show without some appreciation for the political process and the various policy debates. I mean, that's pretty much the plot of most episodes. But I don't find it to be too preachy - the President and the White House staff (who are Democrats) are definitely the good guys, but the good guys don't always do the right thing, and the bad guys aren't always wrong. Sometimes there is no right answer, and they just have to choose the lesser of two evils.

Then again, I am pretty steeped in politics all the time, so I'm not the best judge of what normal people can tolerate, lol. penny_lane_42 is more bipartisan than me, so she can probably tell you if she's offended by anything too preachy.

[lostboy-lj.livejournal.com]

I think it would be difficult to enjoy the show without some appreciation for the political process and the various policy debates

Hrmmm... well it's not that I hate policy debates, as long as their intelligent and respectful. I guess it's more the presumptuousness of some of the politically-skewed stuff I see on TV shows that bugs me. Giving the short-shrift to one position (Mr. X thinks that way about Issue Y because he is EVIL INCARNATE AND WANTS TO DESTROY RAINBOWS AND KITTENS!) and selling the other side like it is all sweetness and light is something I've always found really condescending. The whole Good Guy / Bad Guy thing you mentioned maybe doesn't bode too well... I tend to think of ALL of them as the Bad Guys.

I guess my real fear is that I Netflix it and then my better-half winds up falling in love with it even though it makes me want to light myself on fire and jump out a window. Sadly, this happened with "The L-Word", and I wound up having to endure mini-marathons of it for months and months.

[next_to_normal]

The whole Good Guy / Bad Guy thing you mentioned maybe doesn't bode too well... I tend to think of ALL of them as the Bad Guys.

I don't think I'd want to watch a show where everyone's a bad guy. Not in politics, anyway. The thing most people seem to like about The West Wing is that it's hopeful, the way politics ought to be, the people you want running the government. It's not wholly idealistic - they still have to make painful compromises and tough decisions where there's no good answer - but the bottom line is that these are people want to make the country a better place. They are smart, witty, hard-working people with a strong sense of civic duty, and the show makes you realize just how difficult (but also how rewarding) their jobs are.

If you're looking for a show that trashes politicians, this isn't it.

[lostboy-lj.livejournal.com]

If you're looking for a show that trashes politicians, this isn't it.

Heck, I have a whole channel that does that... it's called C-Span! :P

Thanks for the advice.

[dragonflylady77.livejournal.com]

Jumping it to add that I don't know much about politics, least of all the way it all works in the US of A (I did learn some stuff about in high school though) but I absolutely love The West Wing because of the amazing cast. :)

[lostboy-lj.livejournal.com]

Yeah that's what I heard too. That's what got me curious. I also heard it was really well-written, and I am a sucker for good writing.

[dragonflylady77.livejournal.com]

Well then I reckon you should give it a go!