h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Couple of name spelling mistakes that I noticed (but only because I'm a rabid fan)

Buffy Anne Summers (anne has an 'e')

Tara Maclay (Maclay has another 'a')

Also, once a character's full name has been established (for example, Buffy Anne Summers), it isn't really necessary to refer to them by the full handle thereafter. Just Buffy, or Buffy Summers would do.

And 'the First' is actually called 'The First Evil', it's just that they more often referred to it as the first. The full name makes it make much more sense.

The only thing I noticed was that in a couple of cases, especially when describing Spike's popularity, you've used foootnotes when they might not be needed.

I think you've done great work, I'm glad you were the person to finally stand up and write this.

Iago

I'll try and take a look tomorrow.

Name changes made, must have been having another Xander moment and thinking of the wrong Ann Summers...

Iago - Great to hear from you again, been a long time. I didn't really think the footnotes were overly necessary, but one person did point out (when I had this in the Workshop) that I was sometimes writing as a fan rather than objectively, remembering that non-fans maybe reading the article and certain things may not make sense and little snipets of imformation may help to improve on their understanding.

Thanks guys for all your input though, it's been a great help.
The_Xand

So, now that it all seems to be sorted out and in ready condition. What happens next?

I have just one more addition to make to this page (namely the Trio), and it should be done.

Hi Xand!

Good Entry! Seems to cover the TV show well.

Need to perhaps include how come Faith is also a Slayer. Because you do mention that One girl is chosen and there are a lot of potentials.



mini

I'll put that in as a footnote.

done

Sorry I've not had the chance to go through this with you sooner, Xand, and I hope getting all this feedback in one go doesn't put you off. I'll try to make it as step-by-step as possible.

This entry was in serious need of an update and you've done a superb job here. I could actually just port this straight across right now, but as it's the first time I've really addressed this entry in ages, I think it might be good to give it the best shot possible.

I'd like to suggest an introductory paragraph, if I may.

While science fiction and fantasy genre TV shows have been a major part of American TV programming ever sincethe 1950s, it's fair to say this has generally been an area aimed at teenage boys. Buffy the Vampire Slayer still had its fair share of male fans - its attractive female leads saw to that - but this was a rare cross-over hit where a large proportion of the fans were teenage girls and young women. It boasted positive role models for its audience and acted as a metaphor for the problems of growing up: bullying, peer pressure, sexuality, ambition and personal loss. What was all the more surprising was that this particular series was based on a feature film that everyone - including its writer - believed to be a complete flop.


I think it's important to spell out the cultural power of Buffy right at the start.

I think it would make more sense to write just a little more on the movie - not too much because that leaves someone else free to write that entry. But if we restructure this a bit, it will flow better:

'Buffy' - the Film

Writer Joss Whedon cut his teeth on TV comedies such as Roseanne before he finally go the chance to write a feature film. He wanted to challenge the idea of the blonde woman always in peril and instead make her the tough, ass-kicking heroine. The film starred Kristy Swanson as Buffy Summers, a cheerleader who discovers that she's a powerful vampire slayer. Sadly, the film that resulted was not the one he'd hoped for: the studio executives just didn't get the joke of the film's title, feeling Buffy the Vampire Slayer didn't have the right kind of impact for an action movie. Co-star Donald Sutherland, in the pivotal role of Buffy's 'Watcher' Merrick, didn't understand the film either and Rutger Hauer, in the role of lead villain Lothos, chose to play the part camp, undermining any threat it might have carried. Joss ended up walking off set, as he saw his vision being turned into a second rate, tongue in cheek 'B' movie. The film was a complete flop at the box office and received a pounding by critics.

Then you can carry on from the point of the next header, A New Birth.

Under 'A Phenomenon begins, change 'veteran actress' to 'experienced young actress' because 'veteran' is reserved for really old people

On the castlists and the Big Bads, get rid of the Blockquotes. Only sue blockquotes for really big quotes.

A little reformatting would make 'The Big Bads' look better. Like this:

Big Bads

Season 1

The Master (Played by Mark Metcalfe)

An ancient and powerful vampire who became trapped in an underground prison during an earthquake. He spent his time organising for 'The Harvest', a ritual blood letting which would release him from his underground prison, leaving him free to wreak havoc and take over SunnydaleThe episode The Wish shows an alternate universe where 'The Master' has actually risen..

By using bullet points as sub-subheaders, you can then account for the multiple big bads of later series, like this:

Season 2

Spike (Played by James Marsters)
Drusilla (Played by Juliet Landau)
Angelus(Played by David Boreanez)




Everything else is pretty much spot on, I'd say. Just the conclusion now, I think:

In the end
... Or is it? Buffy the Vampire Slayer may be gone, but she lives on in the hearts of fans. The ending of Buffy led to numerous websites springing up across the web, like a phoenix from the ashes, Buffy fans across the world were determined to keep Joss' vision alive, through fan fiction, chat sites and a multitude of online tributes. Not since the likes of Star Trek or The X-Files has an American TV show founded such a huge cult following. The characters also live on in comic book form: in June, 2006, Dark Horse Comics launched a reboot of their Buffy the Vampire Slayer comic book, written by the show's creator, Joss Whedon.

Across the world, fans continue to meet up at conventions, social events or just each others' houses, forming their own 'Scooby gangs' and reliving the adventures who 'saved the world - a lot'. As the voice of the collective Scoobies say while fighting Adam:

We are forever.


So... how does this sound?

Done and done.

Plus I added a little piece on season 6 about The Trio.

Smashing. I think now, theer's a little repetition in the 'In the Beginning' section and the second paragraph of the 'So, what's it all about?' section. If the Beginning could be moved down and merged with that second paragraph, it will flow better as it tells the story kind of in the right order.

(And after that, I'll definitely stop meddling - I'd love to see this in the Guide by the weekend!!)

Updated. Thanks and you're not meddling.

Fantastic - it's my pleasure to be able to make this an official update.

Editorial Note: This conversation has been moved from 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer - TV series ' to ''Buffy the Vampire Slayer' - the TV Series'.

Grins like a big Cheshire Cat... and lets out a few woo-hoo's!

Thank you guys, Yay us!

*Starts realising how geeky he sounds*

Just one last favour and then I promise I'll stop annoying you all!
Could you reference Black Eyed Girl U516181, as some of the material that we wrote together, helped to put this together.

... thank you GB

I think I'm finally getting the whole EG thing now and hopefully I won't be so annoying to you all in the future... I think one stint under the rock of shame with glistening red cheeks was more than enough for me!

Congratulations, the Xand! Fantastic job on this, really well done!

Oh, and you weren't annoying at all. You're clearly dedicated to getting this as good as possible, which is what we want! I wish everyone writing for the EG was as "annoying" as you!