Yep, more linkspam
Jul. 3rd, 2012 11:13 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
next_to_normal* The Newsroom has, after two episodes, been renewed for a second season. That is HBO's usual MO, though, so it's not as much of a glowing endorsement as it might seem. After I said I wasn't going to bother, I ended up watching the pilot, because HBO put it up on YouTube.
I found it entertaining, if for no other reason than I enjoy listening to people say Aaron Sorkin dialogue really fast. It didn't exactly leave me craving more, though, especially having read in reviews that it's downhill from here. All the things I liked about it, Sorkin has already done better with The West Wing, and more than a few things tripped my warning bells. Like, for instance, I actually agree that this whole "America is the best country in the world" sentiment is misguided patriotism and generally total bullshit, and I wasn't sorry to see Will skewer that, even if he unnecessarily harangued a college student in the process. (And she is, of course, the first of many strawmen Sorkin sets up so that his protagonists can knock them down with a witty, incisive, and impassioned speech.) But all that nostalgia for the "good old days" when old, white men told us what to think? No fucking thank you. I do not have time for your smug, paternalistic bullshit, dude. It also bothered me that we start off with Mackenzie groveling for forgiveness from Will, without knowing how or why their relationship ended. All that matters is IT'S ALL HER FAULT, apparently, despite the fact that from what I've seen so far, Mackenzie is awesome and Will's a jackass, and I would not blame her for dumping his ass in the most humiliating way possible. I'm not saying there's no room for interesting character development going forward, but knowing what I do about Sorkin's female characters, it's disappointing that right out of the gate, he's undercutting her professional success with a relationship failure. BECAUSE THAT IS WHAT HE DOES. Anyone else have ~feelings? Will you keep watching?
* ETA: Perhaps I posted too early, because I just came across another good Newsroom read, which addresses Sorkin's "women problem."
* Most useless Dexter promo EVER. If you're really curious, you can see screencaps of the flashing scenes here, although even that doesn't tell us much.
* Interesting Doctor Who news re: next season's guest stars.
I found it entertaining, if for no other reason than I enjoy listening to people say Aaron Sorkin dialogue really fast. It didn't exactly leave me craving more, though, especially having read in reviews that it's downhill from here. All the things I liked about it, Sorkin has already done better with The West Wing, and more than a few things tripped my warning bells. Like, for instance, I actually agree that this whole "America is the best country in the world" sentiment is misguided patriotism and generally total bullshit, and I wasn't sorry to see Will skewer that, even if he unnecessarily harangued a college student in the process. (And she is, of course, the first of many strawmen Sorkin sets up so that his protagonists can knock them down with a witty, incisive, and impassioned speech.) But all that nostalgia for the "good old days" when old, white men told us what to think? No fucking thank you. I do not have time for your smug, paternalistic bullshit, dude. It also bothered me that we start off with Mackenzie groveling for forgiveness from Will, without knowing how or why their relationship ended. All that matters is IT'S ALL HER FAULT, apparently, despite the fact that from what I've seen so far, Mackenzie is awesome and Will's a jackass, and I would not blame her for dumping his ass in the most humiliating way possible. I'm not saying there's no room for interesting character development going forward, but knowing what I do about Sorkin's female characters, it's disappointing that right out of the gate, he's undercutting her professional success with a relationship failure. BECAUSE THAT IS WHAT HE DOES. Anyone else have ~feelings? Will you keep watching?
* ETA: Perhaps I posted too early, because I just came across another good Newsroom read, which addresses Sorkin's "women problem."
* Most useless Dexter promo EVER. If you're really curious, you can see screencaps of the flashing scenes here, although even that doesn't tell us much.
* Interesting Doctor Who news re: next season's guest stars.
no subject
Date: Jul. 3rd, 2012 11:09 pm (UTC)OH MY GOD
BLESS YOUR SOUL
I LEGIT CANNOT WAIT UNTIL I AM DONE MY SHIT FOR THE NIGHT AND CAN WATCH THIS TRAIN WRECK.
no subject
Date: Jul. 3rd, 2012 11:42 pm (UTC)This review also backs up that feeling:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/maureen-ryan/the-newsroom-women-aaron-sorkin-hbo_b_1641982.html