Wholly Schmidt!

“Desslock” at the Quarter To Three forums sums up why I don’t anymore:

I preferred the very beginning of the series, when it was more of a science fiction/disaster film/military survivalist series, and wish they hadn’t brought in and gradually expanded the supernatural elements and mysticism. Although even that is preferrable to some of the goofy “let’s pretend we’re not in a survival situation under military protection” to rationalize goofy episodes to be include analogues to our elections, press, media, entertainment, and current events almost like a Law & Order episode would. The military/shoot-em-up/revenge or escape the Cylons aspects of the show are long gone, to the point where once lead characters like Adama have been literally reduced to playing nurse.

Now all that’s left is self-loathing for not being able to just stop watching the stupid thing.

When people ask me about this movie, I’m going to tell them it was amazing. I won’t be lying, but then I’m going to point to something shiny or maybe yell “fire!” and run away before they press me for more information. I need smarter people to explain to me why it was awesome so I can steal their intelligent remarks before I’d feel comfortable trying to explain it to anyone else. I can give it some really bland praise: it’s perfectly shot, perfectly delivered, we’re shown, not told, the dialog is great, etc., but it will take a few days, and maybe a few more showings, for the messages and themes to really sink in. I’m clinging to bits I understood while puzzling through the rest. I highly recommend it, but please don’t ask me “What’s it about?”

*****

What will arrive first, my coworkers’ realization that some of the easy listening stations have already flipped the switch to Christmas music, or the headphones I just ordered to block it out? The stakes couldn’t be higher.

(say the title aloud to yourself in your best Mr. Bean voice and watch your day brighten!)

UPDATE: Headphones won!