Buffy Series Finale Tonight

Bittorrent ;-) by FyRE666 · 2003-05-20 09:33 · Score: 5, Interesting

I'm in the UK, and watched the finale last night courtesy of BT ;-) In fact I've been watching the entire series 7 using Kazaa and BT - it's nice to be able to see the episodes without the censoring we get on Sky and the BBC over here... Of course, no adverts is also nice!

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Re:Bittorrent ;-) by koh · 2003-05-20 09:35 · Score: 4, Funny

I don't think BT is such a good shortcut for BitTorrent... especially since you live in the UK ;)

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Michael plays it safe.... by FurryFeet · 2003-05-20 09:33 · Score: 3, Funny

...by not adding anything. Guess we learned something from the "Lone Gunmen are dead" fiasco? ;)
What? Yeah, they're dead. Get over it.

AWW MAN! by freeze128 · 2003-05-20 09:34 · Score: 2, Funny

I haven't even seen the MOVIE yet...

Re:Not trolling. by mb12036 · 2003-05-20 09:35 · Score: 4, Insightful

I just wish that Buffy had its own topic like Anime so I could remove it from my news... =(

I'd rather watch that special on Hitler on CBS. by bluemeep · 2003-05-20 09:37 · Score: 3, Funny

Vampires or Nazis... Vampires or Nazis... Hmm. I can point my NES Light Gun at the Nazis and pretend I'm playing a crazy Wolfenstein mod... Yeah, Hitler it is.

Full Script? by Richardsonke1 · 2003-05-20 09:39 · Score: 5, Informative

Full script here: part one and part two. Even mentions TROGDOR, the BURNINATOR! :-)

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Good Science Fiction by LamerX · 2003-05-20 09:39 · Score: 2, Insightful

I think that this show IS totally revelant to Slashdot. It comprises a genre, which totally appeals to nerds. It's so different for the kind of shows that we usually watch. Usually we are watching Space-Based sci fi, like Star Trek, Star Wars, Stargate, etc. But here is a down to Earth show that takes place on Earth. It's the classic Vampire horror, reborn into a modern reality. (Not to mention the hot girls!) It has everything that appeals to geeks.

Re:Good Science Fiction by pldms · 2003-05-20 09:59 · Score: 2, Insightful

It has everything that appeals to geeks.

I don't know. The series initially had great geek appeal in the form of Willow, who spent years showing the Sunnydale Water Company that the system holding the sewer plans was hopelessly insecure.

Alas Willow went to college, discovered Wicca, and her laptop gathered dust.

The message for geeks is "you'll grow out of it". And, er, become a lesbian. And become addicted to magic.

Ok. Confusing message. But anti-geek.

(btw the finale demonstrates that you can't fix a bad season in the last episode. Good explosions, mind)

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Huh? by Anonymous Coward · 2003-05-20 09:39 · Score: 3, Funny

One of the best written shows on television comes to an end tonight in North America.

We're still talking about Buffy here right?

Re:Huh? by WINSTANLEY · 2003-05-20 10:15 · Score: 2, Informative

An ignorant comment, pure and simple. If people knew how many prestigious awards the show has been nominate for and how many critical raves Buffy gets or read any of the background articles written about the writers and the show in some fairly august places (e.g., the NYT's) they might be less prone to embassing themselves with such drivel.

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Re:Huh? by Brendan+Byrd · 2003-05-20 11:04 · Score: 2, Insightful

I could quote a few episodes of X-Files that were absolute shit, too. Unforunately, long-running series are at the whim of multiple show writers, some of them bad.

Besides you wouldn't be a deprived geek and "different" person if you were reading Slashdot, News for Nerds. At least I'm not reading Ain't It Cool News or videotaping myself waving a shower rod in crazy motions.

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Zodiac Survey

Not trolling either by dragoncortez · 2003-05-20 09:40 · Score: 2, Insightful

why does this come up every time Slashdot posts an article on Buffy? I am a nerd, and it does matter to me. There are plenty of other nerds who also care about Buffy. The CNN article even makes a point of saying that nerds and other social outcasts could relate to the characters, and that this fueled the show's cult following. I mean, if you need a scifi tie-in, Nathan Fillion (the actor playing the major villain in the finale) was the captain on Firefly.

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In Canada... by Dixie_Flatline · 2003-05-20 09:44 · Score: 4, Informative

You may have already seen it. At least, in Alberta, it was on last night.

Here's a no-spoiler summary: the ending doesn't suck. I really mean that. I hate nothing worse than something that ends poorly, be it a book or a movie or a television show, because it tends to ruin all the good things that went before. This is an ending worthy of Buffy.

The movie was outstanding by eGabriel · 2003-05-20 09:45 · Score: 4, Funny

Rutger "Batty" Hauer, and Paul "PeeWee" Reubens stole the show. Kristy Swanson was beautiful and perfect, and the cast was filled out with both stars and people who would become stars. It was hilarious (the Paul Reubens death scene was classic), smart, silly, and fun.

Because of this, I held off on watching the TV series. How good could that be compared to the film? I finally caught a couple of episodes over the last couple of weeks, and it does look like a clever show, but they should have called it something else, and let the film stand by itself.

Can someone please explain... by WIAKywbfatw · 2003-05-20 09:49 · Score: 3, Interesting

What's the big attraction with Buffy? What makes it so worthy of attention? Why does Buffy count as "News for Nerds" or "Stuff that matters" whilst the similar Charmed doesn't rate a mention?

I'm not suggesting that Charmed should register on Slashdot's radar, rather I'm asking why Buffy does. Can someone please explain it to me?

I've watched several episodes of Buffy, as well as a handful of Charmed. I can't say I've ever for a split second thought that either show had much merit but, obviously, there are those out there that disagree with me?

Not that I think she's that attractive but is it a Sarah Michelle Gellar thing? I've read so many posts on Slashdot, in various discussions about quality television and I find it amazing that Buffy is even mentioned in the same breath as shows such as CSI, The West Wing and 24.

I'm not looking to troll here - seriously, that's an honest statement - but just what is it about Buffy that has some of you ga-ga over it? Schoolboy fantasies? Demonic possession? Please elaborate.

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"Accept that some days you are the pigeon, and some days you are the statue." - David Brent, Wernham Hogg

Re:Can someone please explain... by Brymouse · 2003-05-20 09:55 · Score: 5, Funny

Hot lesbian witches! Think about it! It's fucking genius!
Re:Can someone please explain... by Rorgg · 2003-05-20 09:57 · Score: 2, Informative

Nah, I don't think so. While I think there've been a number of reasonably attractive women over the years on the show, they're not really doing much for me. Personally, I enjoy the writing and the consistent mythos for the world they build. Plus, there have been a handful of episodes that stand singly as just great works of television. May not be for you, but it definitely has its merits.
Re:Can someone please explain... by tealover · 2003-05-20 10:03 · Score: 2, Insightful

You have to understand that the series although seemingly about vampires and werewolves was a thinly veiled analysis of high school life and much of the symbolism explored the aspects of fitting in and getting bullied, two topics that practically all geeks can identify with.

Also, a couple of years ago there was the Columbine incident. John Katz wrote an article that to this date is still the second most visited story.

The name of the story is Voices From the HellMouth, a reference to the mystical portal from whence the creatures that Buffy battles come.

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-- You see, there would be these conclusions that you could jump to
Re:Can someone please explain... by Dr_LHA · 2003-05-20 10:07 · Score: 5, Insightful

Unfortunately a couple of episodes won't do it for you. Try watching a whole season of Buffy and a whole season of Charmed and then come back and explain how you can't tell why one is good and one isn't. Buffy has a mythos and a running storyline in each season - you need to give it time. Everyone I know who had your opinion of Buffy has changed their opinion after watching it for a while.

Quite simply Buffy has been one of the best shows on TV, and some of the epidodes (e.g. Hush, The Body) rank amongst some of the best TV ever made. This is why people like it so much.

Buh-bye Buffy
Re:Can someone please explain... by pod · 2003-05-20 10:09 · Score: 2, Informative

Can't believe you stole my sig! Aww, that's ok, I didn't attribute it either. It's from Being John Malkovich.

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"Hot lesbian witches! It's fucking genius!"
Re:Can someone please explain... by lubricated · 2003-05-20 10:19 · Score: 2, Insightful

The reason that Buffy makes it to slashdot is simple. The people that run slashdot like it. Therefore they choose to run Buffy stories. That's one of the perks of running your own website.

Either that or there's some kind of payoff.

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Re:Can someone please explain... by vTalon · 2003-05-20 10:27 · Score: 5, Insightful

There are a whole lot of reasons why Buffy rocks much...

1) It's fun. Cute woman with mad martial arts skills kicks bad monster ass every week. How can you complain?

2) It's clever. It takes cliches and flips them upside down. Joss Wedon (the show's creator) has stated that the inspiration for the show was the typical cute blond who gets cornered and savaged by the monster in your basic horror movie. What if the cute blond was ready for the monster, and kicked its ass instead? Reversals like that are fun.

3) It's funny -- and the geekier your are, the more sly references you get and the more you appreciate the interesting things that the writers do with the English language. From one character's comment that somebody "makes Godot look punctual" to Xander's perfect sumnation of the effects of an all-night study session: "too much research...need beverage," the writers delight in bouncing their jokes off of culture high and low, and in simply messing around with the language.

4) And, most importantly, the characters ring true. Every character on Buffy is well drawn, three dimensional. Even though they're combating fantastic monsters every week, the characters behave like real people, experiencing all the joy and hurt that real people experience. And the fantastical situations they run into are often just exagerations of events that all of us have experienced.

Basically, the show engages you on visceral, intellectual, and emotional levels; it's exciting, witty, and touching. What more could one ask?
Re:Can someone please explain... by osgeek · 2003-05-20 10:53 · Score: 2, Interesting

I'm not suggesting that Charmed should register on Slashdot's radar, rather I'm asking why Buffy does.

I think that if you'd examine the demographics for the two shows, you'd find the Charmed audience to be centered around teenaged girls.

You'd find the Buffy audience to be centered around older females and young and middle-aged men.

Case in point, my sister and her 15 year old daughter just love fantasy programming, and wouldn't miss a Charmed episode. I've tried to get them into Buffy, but I think it's a bit to "male" for their tastes: more action, more male-oriented humor, less PMSing witches living together.

Not that I think she's that attractive but is it a Sarah Michelle Gellar thing?

*shrug* Not for me. I much preferred Charisma Carpenter (Cordelia) for the eye candy value. For me, it's all about the writing.

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Why are you letting these clowns ruin our country?
Re:Can someone please explain... by seawall · 2003-05-20 11:38 · Score: 3, Interesting

Mostly it was pretty good (personal opinion) but every once in awhile: Wow. Buffy generally had a few of those Wow episodes every year.
A really excellent example being the famous "Earshot" which was pulled from the air when the Columbine shootings happened a few days earlier which had some parallels. This named the whole "Hellmouth" discussion of Columbine on Slashdot.
Another example: "The Body". Somebody just dies. Bang. More or less natural causes and then dealing with the paramedics and doctors and such afterwards.
Another: Buffy wakes up in a mental institution, which is an often used device but we don't really know which is 'real' in Buffy: The institution or Sunnydale. The doctors make an awfully strong case for her being mentally ill.
Or maybe the whole "High School as Hell" thing just resonates for the nerdly among us (a feature that some of the other similar shows lack).
Throw in some nice character twists (just when you think you know who a character is, some new and often unexpected side turns up....and that twist usually stays with the character...it usually doesn't just disappear the following week as so often happens in series TV), some snappy banter and a willingness to do something unusual from time to time (e.g. the episode "Hush" had almost no dialog and "Once More with Feeling" was a musical) and a penchant to run a parallel between the outer story (e.g. demons steal the voices of everyone) and the inner story (e.g. how DO you communicate with your new love?) and usually a sense each season of a season-long story being shown via the individuals episodes and you have a pretty cool series.
I'm going to miss it. If you don't care for it: that's fine too.
Re:Can someone please explain... by Sloppy · 2003-05-20 11:49 · Score: 3, Informative

Can't speak for others, but I can tell you what I liked. I should also mention that I only really liked the first 3 seasons. After that, the show rapidly went downhill IMHO. There were still a few good lines as late as season 6, though I had to sit through a lot of tedium to hear them. 7 has been a complete stinker, but I'm going to stick it out to the bitter end .. which is just a few more hours.
It isn't about SMG. I would even say she was almost expendible, except for being the title character, so... Anyway, no it wasn't SMG. Not that I have anything against her, but I think Xander and Willow and Cordelia were all portrayed by better actors than Buffy.
One thing I liked was that it was a horror show, and there aren't really many of those. Well, horror with some humor added. Later it became just another dreary drama, with a vague horror backdrop.
WBut back to the humor... Here, have a sampling of lines:
Cordelia: "Oh, I'm not saying that we should kill a teacher every day just so I can lose weight. I'm just saying, when tragedy strikes we have to look on the bright side, y'know? Like how even used Mercedes still have leather seats." [How I loved to hate Cordelia. Unfortunately, she starts to become a "person" and thereby loses the appeal. I watched a few episodes of "Angel" and it was unbearable. What a waste.]
Anya: "Look, I know you find me attractive; I've seen you looking at my breasts."
Xander: "Nothing personal, but when a guy does that, it just means his eyes are open."
Buffy: "Sorry, but I'm an old fashioned gal. I was raised to believe that men dig up the corpses and the women have the babies."
Buffy: "So something ripped him open and ate out his insides?"
Willow: "Like an Oreo cookie. Well, except for, you know, without the chocolatey cookie goodness."
Principle Snyder: "There are things I will not tolerate: students loitering on campus after school, horrible murders with hearts being removed, and also smoking."
Spike: "You were there? Oh, please! If every vampire who said he was at the crucifixion was actually there, it would have been like Woodstock. I was actually at Woodstock. That was a weird gig. I fed off a flower person, and I spent the next six hours watching my hand move."
Buffy: "Vampires are creeps."
Giles: "Yes, that's why one slays them."
Buffy: "I mean, people are perfectly happy getting along, and then vampires come, and they run around and they kill people, and they take over your whole house, they start making these stupid little mini-pizzas, and everyone's like, 'I like your mini-pizzas,' but I'm telling you, I am---"
Giles: "Uh, Buffy, I believe the subtext here is rapidly becoming, uh, text."
Cordelia: "But she's like this superman. Shouldn't there be different rules for her?"
Willow: "Sure, in a fascist society."
Cordelia: "Right! Why can't we have one of those?"
Spike: "I'm gonna do what I should've done in the first place. I'll find her, wherever she is, tie her up, and torture her until she likes me again."
The show was perverted, and I like perverted stuff.

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Don't worry no spoilers by quantaman · 2003-05-20 09:51 · Score: 4, Insightful

I watched it and it ended as well as it could have. The problem with this season has been the lack of definition. The fact that the First appears as dead people means that it doesn't really seem to have any strong characters of its own. They tried to have intermediate baddies like the Seekers. the uber-vamp, and finally Caleb but none of them really developed. Also there was alot of ambiguity in what the First wanted to do other than kill all the potential slayers and do general evil, along with any clear idea about what they were actually fighting. Many of the episodes suffered because there was no clearly defined goal or threat. In addition there were a lot of writing problems earlier in the season like everyone leaving town in fear of an apocalypse that wasn't manifesting itself at all. Over all this has probably been the weakest season due to these problems. That being said Joss Whedon did a very good job of pulling it up for the last episode and bringing the show to a good conclusion. Not one of their best episode but certainly one of the best this season, either way regardless of what I say you'll watch it anyways for the closure if nothing else :)

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I stole this Sig

WHAT!?! by Skyshadow · 2003-05-20 09:51 · Score: 2, Funny

The Lone Gunmen are DEAD?!? Thanks for the spoiler, prick. I guess I should really catch up on the shows stored on my TiVO.

Seriously: I think that Buffy has taken a serious step down this year. It's disappointing that the last few episodes end up concentrating on insignificant new characters (Kennedy, Wood) and got away from the things which made the scoobies a cool group of heros in the first place (how many superheroes prepare for battle by doing research?).

But oh well. Must be a universal truth that while all good stories deserve an ending, and not all good stories have good ones (Neil Stephenson fans, represent!).

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Every year during my review, I just pray the words "slashdot.org" aren't mentioned.

Poll by graveyhead · 2003-05-20 09:53 · Score: 5, Funny

Submitted this, but of course:

2003-04-30 15:01:48 How should Buffy end? (polls,tv) (rejected)

within like 10 seconds of submitting it :)

How should Buffy end?

( ) David Lynch Ending: The entire series was just a masterbatory fantasy for Zander. Somehow he still manages to lose an eye.

( ) Kubrick Ending: Calib chases buffy around the hedge maze and ends up freezing to death.

( ) Spielberg Ending: Buffy is revived by alien robots in the year 3010 who create the illusion of Angel for one day and then they euthanize her.

( ) Lucas Ending: "Buffy, you've turned off your targetting computer! What's wrong?"

( ) Joss Whedon Ending: The gangs carrers' suddenly end when they decide to write a sci-fi western.

( ) CowboyNeil Ending: CowboyNeil doesn't end.

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Re:Poll by Isca · 2003-05-20 10:11 · Score: 2, Funny

Don't forget:
() The Admiral Ackbar ending: "It's a trap!"
(required nerd joke)

Re:Censoring? by pldms · 2003-05-20 10:06 · Score: 2, Informative

What's missing on Sky/BBC?

Sky don't cut it, AFAIK. BBC do for the Thursday showing (6.45pm) but show it uncut on Friday night.

Of course C4 had the bright idea of show Angel at 6pm (think that's right), which is more violent. The result was often amusing, and invariably baffling. The endings (where the fights normally are) would become a rapid succession of cuts. Perhaps that's what the poster had in mind?

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Slashdot looked deep within my soul and assigned
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Re:the decline of slashdot by Jellybob · 2003-05-20 10:08 · Score: 5, Funny

I know I shouldn't be grabbing the bait, but I've had a crap day, and need someone to take it out on.

And this AC is it.

NOBODY MAKES YOU READ THIS!

And the only reason people are playing games on Friday night, is because they're big boys and girls, who are allowed to go out on a school night.

Thank you, this has been a pointless flame brought to you by One Pissed Off Bunny productions.

Buffy is NOT Good Science Fiction by WIAKywbfatw · 2003-05-20 10:13 · Score: 2, Insightful

How in the hell is Buffy "good science fiction"?

OK, the "good" bit is open to debate but where's the "science fiction" that you're talking about?

Philip K Dick is science fiction. Ray Bradbury is science fiction. Isaac Asimov is science fiction. Star Trek, Star Wars and Stargate are all science fiction (although, for Star Wars at least, the term space opera is more accurate) but Buffy is not.

Why? Because it's not science fiction. Period.

Buffy is fantasy fiction, just like Xena, Hercules, etc.

Pedantic perhaps but sci fi and fantasy are two seperate genres. Please, don't interchange the two.

After all, you wouldn't say Windows when you mean Linux would you?

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"Accept that some days you are the pigeon, and some days you are the statue." - David Brent, Wernham Hogg

Re:Censoring? by lightspawn · 2003-05-20 10:14 · Score: 4, Insightful

The endings (where the fights normally are) would become a rapid succession of cuts. Perhaps that's what the poster had in mind?

Now I see the pattern.

In europe, adults believe kids should not be exposed to violence.

In the states, adults believe kids should not be exposed to sexuality.

Re:this doesnt belong on slashdot by colinramsay · 2003-05-20 10:15 · Score: 2, Insightful

News for nerds mate. Sounds right to me.

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Re:this doesnt belong on slashdot by mattlary · 2003-05-20 10:18 · Score: 2, Insightful

I think this does belong here; while I'm not a "Buffy" fan, I do realize that many members of the target audience would be interested in this story. The theme of this site is News for Nerds. Stuff that matters. While a story on Buffy may not be part of Stuff that matters, it could surely fit with News for Nerds. If there's a different theme for the site that I don't know about, I'd be interested to know what it is.

Re:this doesnt belong on slashdot by thegrommit · 2003-05-20 10:21 · Score: 4, Insightful

Why? It's a show with *gasp* great writing and long running story arcs - unlike 99% of "prime time" TV. It's themes are understood by many "nerds" who didn't exactly enjoy high school.

A quick news google might be worthwhile if you're judging it purely by it's title and pretty cast.

Buffy Nerds by eegad · 2003-05-20 10:34 · Score: 2, Interesting

On the contrary, Buffy is a very nerdy subject. If you haven't noticed the intellectual side, you might check out The Online International Journal of Buffy Studies. I mean they've got PHDs writing papers about the show, for crying out loud.

Re:Spin-Off Idea by Tumbleweed · 2003-05-20 10:39 · Score: 4, Funny

Sorry, you'll have to have two shows if you want to see Caleb on TV after the finale. :)

"julienned preacherman" oh yeah

To everyone whinging about this story... by Acheron · 2003-05-20 11:38 · Score: 3, Funny

Everyone seems to think that "News for Nerds. Stuff that matters." is connected by a logical AND, but it's really a logical OR. Stop the whinging, you'll be alright.

Joss Whedon Q & A in Todays NYT by good+soldier+svejk · 2003-05-20 13:15 · Score: 2, Informative

Joss answered answered reader's questions in this feature in today's Times online.

$0 reg. etc.

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-James Baldwin

Buffy Schmuffy... by dentar · 2003-05-20 15:06 · Score: 4, Informative

24 is the thing to catch!

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-- I am. Therefore, I think!

Re:Attention Buffy fans: by nemski · 2003-05-20 16:16 · Score: 2, Funny

If anyone has the entire season or the season before that -- and probably any other season -- please mail them to me. It seems I missed out on the 'best show ever.'

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Some people have a way with words, others not have way.

Trogdor by Fubar411 · 2003-05-20 20:45 · Score: 2, Informative

This article became relevent when Giles, Andrew, and one of the Jr Slayers were playing a little DnD and were confronted by Trogdor the Burninator!

Hilarious!

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