Journal Entries
Last *ever* Buffy
Posted Jun 12, 2003
*sniff*
This journal entry will contain spoilers for the final episode (and, indeed, the final season) of Buffy The Vampire Slayer.
So stop reading if you haven't seen it.
You too, Sean...
Well, it's over. And now that I've stopped blubbing, I have to say I can't imagine a better ending for such a great series. I was doubtful that they could reach a satisfactory conclusion in a single episode, but I guess I should have had more faith in Joss Whedon.
I think the thing I like most about Buffy in general is the way he sets up 'obvious' situations, then resolves them in completely unexpected ways. Case in point: The end of the previous episode, with Spike jealously watching Buffy with Angel. You immediately assume that he'll somehow betray everyone in the final episode, but Whedon completely surprises you by having Spike and Buffy *actually talk about it* and resolve their feelings (to some extent anyway).
I liked Caleb's 'Dead Villain not really dead' schtick, cheesy though it was. He didn't really get a good enough end last week, so they made sure this week.
But the true genius behind this episode was the central plot device. Empowering all potential slayers, wherever they were, not only gives a good way of wrapping up the 'First' plotline (and, naturally, some top-notch vampire slaying) but also beautifully restates the core premise of the whole show. A perfect move for the last episode - the vignettes of the slayers around the world discovering their power I thought was wonderful, but I guess I'm an old softie.
Spike and Anya's sacrifice was sad, although I suspect we've not seen the last of Spike - after all, mystical death, vampire with soul, saving the world, he's prime material for being reborn by the Powers that Be.
I was a little dubious about the necklace from Angel - without the context that (I hope) we'll get from Angel's show it smacked a little of Deus Ex Machina - but that's a minor quibble.
It's always sad when TV shows come to an end, especially ones that have been as consistently good as Buffy, but at least we got a finale that is a suitable conclusion to such a great show.
After all, I still remember Blake's Seven...
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Latest reply: Jun 12, 2003
Handheld History
Posted May 23, 2003
Robbie, the former CEO of h2g2 Ltd has launched his new venture, handheld history - http://www.handheldhistory.com. I think it's a great idea - you phone a number and you can listen to a short 3 minute talk on the history of a particular place, or a longer talk which will take you on a guided tour.
It's concentrating on Covent Garden in London at the moment, which is doubly interesting to me because I work just around the corner. As it grows, it'll add more locations and cities.
I think the idea is a great one. It's also interesting how many of the historical stories are 'unsuitable for children under fourteen' - proof if it were needed that filth and depravity didn't start with the internet. How better to kill half an hour than to wander around Covent Garden with Stephen Fry telling you all about Mrs Jenkins' flogging house.
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Latest reply: May 23, 2003
Saudi bombs
Posted May 13, 2003
I've been watching some of the news reports, and reading the online news services about the bombs in Riyadh yesterday. We've been worried because Bernadette's parents and her sister live and work in Riyadh, although they are all OK right now. But her mother and sister both teach at the British School, which was the target for one of the accounts.
A close family friend, Momen, was there when it happened, and provides some chilling eyewitness accounts:
http://www.sky.com/skynews/article/0,,30000-1090477,00.html
http://www.sky.com/skynews/article/0,,30200-1090527,00.html
and
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/3023529.stm
Of course, this is nothing new - there have been large bomb attacks on western targets before, but it still makes me very fearful for their safety.
Which is odd, really, since London has had its fair share of terrorist attacks, but that never really made me worried about being in London. It's strange how different your view of danger is when it's happening elsewhere.
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Latest reply: May 13, 2003
It makes me proud
Posted Apr 25, 2003
The thread titled Interracial Breeding on Ask h2g2 sums up everything that makes me most proud about the h2g2 community.
F19585?thread=269688
Whilst the initial post is obviously a troll, the reaction sums up the differences between h2g2 and many other online communities. First, there was (deliberate) bemused (and amusing) misunderstanding, just to check that the poster was indeed asking what we all thought they were asking; then Hoovooloo's concise demolition job.
And Bob the Farmer went from being insulted, through 'sitting with damaged genes' to boasting of his hybrid vigour.
Many other online communities would have descended into an inferno of flaming and troll baiting. We started talking about Mr Blobby.
It just goes to show that, while certain opinions are repellent to the vast majority of people, it's better to confront them than try to stifle them. h2g2's unique combination of facts and ridicule does the job perfectly.
Who knows - maybe someone reading it might even have their opinion changed?
It makes me enormously proud to have had something to do with creating such a community.
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Latest reply: Apr 25, 2003
Things I never knew, part 94
Posted Apr 24, 2003
Saint Isidore of Seville is the patron saint of computer users (and the internet).
http://www.catholic-forum.com/saints/sainti04.htm
I wonder if he's on email?
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Latest reply: Apr 24, 2003
Jim Lynn
Researcher U6
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