Obligatory Thursday Skins Post

[botherd]

NAOMI!! D: D: D:

So I feel kind of bad that all my favourite parts of the episode were ones that didn't involve Thomas, like JJ being adorable and oblivious, and Effy showing up at the end! Sorry, I just... don't care about Thomas's emo manpain.

Good things: there were some hilarious lines ("Like God but with better weapons", "Jesus says shut up"), and they managed to have people singing without hitting my major embarrassment squick (I have a weird thing about it) and DOUG'S HAIR, OMG I DIED. But... IDK, I think the way they have a really tight focus on one character just doesn't work. Or maybe it just doesn't work with Thomas, because he's so isolated from the group. NEEDS MOAR ENSEMBLE. And I felt like we didn't even go *that* in-depth into his emotions, because it was just a whole lot of Merv standing around looking miserable.

I feel bad that I didn't love it as much as I wanted to! I haven't seen anyone else's reactions yet (I don't understand how people can liveblog stuff, I never want to divert my attention) so I don't know if I'll be harshing anyone's squee, but yeah, this won't be one I'll be endlessly rewatching. Still, I'm hopeful for next week! It looks like angst central, but hopefully in a good way. :D

Comments

[boppingalone.livejournal.com]

LOL, I AGREE WITH EVERYTHING YOU JUST SAID.

BRIGHT BRIGHT BRIGHT SIDE; I will never see Thomas on my screen for such an elongated period of time looking that emo ever again.

Possible downside, emo-est; THOMAS VS FREDDIE.

[botherd.livejournal.com]

THAT IS A VERY BRIGHT SIDE.

Oh God, can you imagine an emo-off between Thomas and Freddie? BRB, slitting my wrists.

[old-wp.livejournal.com]

I really didn't enjoy it, and I agree that it didn't even delve into his emotions that much. He was jut miserable and I wasn't sure why. Something bad happened, but I couldn't see that as his turning point? IDK. I was SO FUCKING HAPPY to see Effy. And for a second, when they called Katie, I was sure she was going to get to talk and when she didn't I may have yelled at my computer.

[botherd.livejournal.com]

Yes to all of this! There really didn't seem to be a particularly good reason behind Thomas's manpain, and cutting away from Katie was CRIMINAL. Effy showing up really was the best part of the ep.

Also, they dissed Gaga. FOR SHAME.

[old-wp.livejournal.com]

I think the Gaga and American diss was Jamie unfortunately showing his own feelings. lolll

EFFFFYYYYYYYYY.

[botherd.livejournal.com]

LOL is it stupid that it actually bugged me quite a bit? Probably just because it wasn't actually funny.

... I just remembered what *was* funny: the part where Andrea's dad was like, "I WANT YOU TO GIVE ME YOUR SOUL". I'm pretty sure it wasn't meant to sound as creepy as it did, heh.

EFFY! I was going to say that her return will save the show, but given her storyline last year...

[letsgetfitched.livejournal.com]

its going in the same folder as S3 ep 5.

boring.

[botherd.livejournal.com]

Yes! Also in that folder: 3x10.

[karatam.livejournal.com]

If you are not a spoilerphobe, there's a new preview up for download here with Naomily: http://community.livejournal.com/lilykatlove/270316.html

[botherd.livejournal.com]

I am kind of a spoilerphobe, but I saw the preview on TV. It looks good! I'm keeping my fingers crossed that it'll get better from here.

[karatam.livejournal.com]

(Just making sure we're talking about the same preview - the one with Emily, Naomi and Cook, shoving people into lockers, and the goggles)

[botherd.livejournal.com]

Ohhh, maybe not then. I saw the trailer they aired after the episode but is this an actual scene from the next ep? If so, I'll probably avoid it.

[karatam.livejournal.com]

Yeah, it's an actual scene
sorry if I already told you more than you wanted to know)

[botherd.livejournal.com]

Oh, no, I think all that stuff's been in previews. Don't worry about it. :)

[botherd.livejournal.com]

I sort of feel like, It was only his to explain the club setting and link to the group

I agree, and I think that's why it fell flat - it didn't really have much to do with him, so exploring the repercussions through Thomas didn't make much sense.

I'm sure there's more Katie coming up! Honestly, I can't wait. :D

[lovely-noise.livejournal.com]

Cook was best thing here, but I actually liked Thomas only scenes next bext after that. Naomi has thrown me for such a loop that I'm having to try fucking hard not to just give up on this whole series on the back of one tiny detail.

BLAH.

[botherd.livejournal.com]

The Naomi thing is... IDK. I think I'm going to have to see how it plays out before I judge the storyline.

[lovely-noise.livejournal.com]

That's what I'm trying for but basically I'm more concerned that I'd like to be.

[botherd.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I really felt the lack of Katie and Effy. A bit more of them would have made up for a lot, I think.

Naomi dealing drugs feels a bit forced. "People like Naomi, let's give her an interesting storyline! No, it doesn't matter if it makes sense." IDK, I guess we'll see.

If we end up with Thomas and Freddie eps instead of JJ and Panda I'm going to be completely unsurprised but VERY annoyed.

[shadowings.livejournal.com]

It was high on emo, but I think Thomas's emo is way more justified than Effy's epic run-away last year.

a) Someone died and he feels guilt. I think this is entirely reasonable, as he knew people dealt drugs, underage people were let in yet he still DJ'd, and he feels bad about that.
b) He has to adapt to being in a foreign country. I thought the episode actually did a really good job showing this. It's not home. It will never be home.
c) He got fucking expelled from the school. Fabulous. There were like 50 people at the scene, and he gets to be expelled. I would be miserable, maybe punch that snot in the face since hell, I'm not allowed to go to this school anyway.
d) Money issues, family & friends issues, that all hurts.

I dunno. No one online likes the episode anyway, so you're not harshing on anyone's squee. It kind of angers me that no one cares about Thomas, because I can easily most relate to him.

[botherd.livejournal.com]

See, I get all that on paper, but it just didn't connect emotionally for me. I want to like Thomas, it bothers me that he doesn't interest me, but I just couldn't get into the ep. I really enjoyed his episode last year, and I think I would have enjoyed another Thomas episode if the writers hadn't chosen to turn it into an angst-fest.

[holeybubushka.livejournal.com]

Wait, what? *is prodded awake*

Like, yeah, that was dreadfully dull. Couldn't they have gotten rid of numerous shots of Thomas looking ~troubled~ to give Katie some lines? Maybe someone talking about Effy? (besides Freds, ugh).

I think they were drawing some parallels between Thomas's home life and the drug fuelled hedonistic life style of his peers. I don't think either was presented in a good light- I was creeped out by the reverend and his "give me your sooouuuuul" and Thomas's judgmental mother who can't accept compromise. On the other hand, Cook and the Club owner's amoral behaviour were just as objectionable. So, Thomas learns you can live a moral, upstanding life between the two extremes and....what? sorry, I fell asleep there.

The thing is, that storyline wasn't enough to keep me riveted. I could see it coming a mile ago, which meant every scene with Thomas feeling torn was just dullll. Also, the sex scenes were really random. It seems like girls want to have sex with Thomas just to shut him up (whereas I would just walk away but I'm a lesbian, so what would I know? ;) )

A lot of people say Merve can't carry and episode but I disagree- the corresponding episode last year was a delight. It was a fun and subversive with other characters getting decent screen time.

I want Thomas and Panda to stay broken up. Please, show.


I liked...

Thomas beating Cook up, because it's long overdue

The Loveless managed to take my breath away in one tiny scene, which bodes well for the rest of the season.

The little sister and JJ for inserting some badly needed levity.

And finally, Effy and Pandora at the end made me insanely happy. Effy giving aloof relationship advice always makes me happy. And Panda looked so happy to have Effy back. Aw. And I love pop tarts too.

Next week looks so much better, creepy stalker thing notwithstanding.

[botherd.livejournal.com]

I agree with all of this. I felt like the whole thing was really predictable and just way too tedious and drawn-out. I will never be interested in boys standing around looking emo, but it's worse than when Freddie does it because Thomas used to be such fun. Last year his episode turned the series around and made it good again, and this year his is the episode that the show needs saving from. It's really a shame, because I think so much more could be done with the character - or, failing that, so much more could be done with other characters who won't be getting episodes this year.

The creepy stalker thing just looks... blah. Another attractive blonde queer eighteen year-old getting stalked by someone whose name begins with S? Really? I'm hoping I managed to completely misinterpret the trailer, because DNW.

[holeybubushka.livejournal.com]

JB said he wanted to give Merv the chance to shine but he could have done that while not ignoring the other characters. Last years Thomas was great because every storyline was moved on in a meaningful way. This season nothing happened regarding Effy, Freddie, JJ, Katie and Emily. I suppose Naomi was explored, ie we have this dubious scenario of Naomi dealing drugs. I...well, she does use drugs and has sold weed before, but it feels a shade contrived for Naomi something heavier. Hopefully this will be explored. I have faith in the Loveless, if nothing else.


I did actually like all the Cook/Thomas scenes because it felt like a natural ramification of Cook's actions last year. If we could have focussed on the lingering fall out of last year rather than being so insular.

The creepy stalker thing just looks... blah. Another attractive blonde queer eighteen year-old getting stalked by someone whose name begins with S? Really? I'm hoping I managed to completely misinterpret the trailer, because DNW.

BWHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA- hmmmm, when you put it that way....;) No one can accuse Skins of being original. This is such a random thing to throw into their laps-I thought Emily's family and Naomi's emotional insecurities would have been enough to cause suitable skins angst but no! Creepy stalkers and their fugly brothers is what gets the skins writers excited. I hate sounding pessimistic but blah.

[botherd.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I really dislike the way the episodes now focus so closely on one character to the exclusion of everyone else. It's really difficult to build character arcs if most of them only get a couple of minutes of screentime in all the eps that aren't theirs.

I kind of hate the way Skins feels the need to invent ridiculous plotlines just to create drama. I think it would be plenty interesting if it was just character-driven rather than bringing in all these ludicrous external elements.

(Um, I've just realised that I completely forgot to reply to your last email. I'm so sorry! Feel free to send the finished draft my way whenever you're done. :D )

[holeybubushka.livejournal.com]

I kind of hate the way Skins feels the need to invent ridiculous plotlines just to create drama. I think it would be plenty interesting if it was just character-driven rather than bringing in all these ludicrous external elements.

This was my problem with inane characters like Mad Twatter and the like. They create these fascinating characters and then bring in caricatures. It's bizarre and I kind of want to find JB et al and SHAKE THEM and say "don't you realise you're onto a good thing here? Don't mess with it FFS"

(I haven't finished said story. My bad! I'm in Kalgoorlie which is in the middle of nowhere on work experience. The internet connect is shite here so I have loads of free time in the evening, which is when I'm going to get on it. Even more so, since the first ep re-affirmed my massive lesbo love for JJ)

BTW, my JJ/Thomas idea doesn't look so insane now, does it?