RavenU,

Thanks for posting all these stories. It's fascinating how America's television critics seem to have reached critical mass at the very same time.....they're all waking up to the shared horrible realization that tv has become ghastly, an utter disaster. Dreadful shows rule the airwaves while gems like Wonderfalls are ignored by the great unwashed hordes. It feels good to be reading this begging from critics; it makes me feel not so alone. I don't think it'll help one whit, though. The network suits care only about money. Period. Screw network tv. HBO, here I come.

phlebotinin | March 27, 09:46 CET

At least one thing in favor of Wonderfalls is that I don't think it is an expensive show to make. So maybe they will treat it like tru calling and give it a chance to build an audience.

pesoto74 | March 27, 10:49 CET

Well the third ep wasn't bad. I'm starting to like Jaye more. Although I was really afraid they were going to start with the religious overtones too much. And end on "and this is why we should all go to church". I'm not a christian and I can't enjoy music, TV or movies that seem to suggest that I should be.

(Another reason I like Joss' shows. They're morally right, have great themes about goodness and even looks at spirituality, but atheists, agnostics, christians, etc etc alike can find the good common ground in them)

And while the religious overtones were there, and I hope not as a new habit (no pun intended) at least there was no such 'lesson'. Although the basic of the show still has that 'higher power knows best even if it's just playing head games' feel to it, which just generally doesn't interest me.

Loved the scene where her family explains why catholics are nuts and THEIR christian view is correct though. And Jaye's "Homer Simpson" escape. (Running footsteps. Slamming car door. Car engine starting. Tires screeching)

I wonder if we'll ever go into the mythology of what happens to her. I would appreciate it. As long as they don't go all 'Signs' on me.

Oh and did anyone catch the "is god just a big bully in the sky" line? Wonder if that's a nod to Joss who calls god 'the sky bully', hehehe.

Oh and favorite line of the evening: 'Maybe she's a lazy whore. They can't all have hearts of gold and good work ethics.'

Now THAT'S why I still watch this show.

EdDantes | March 27, 12:33 CET

Ed if you listen to the commentary on the first episode that was on the Wonderfalls site. They talked about that - Todd said it was either a nervous breakdown from losing the promotion or when she choked on the sandwich she was eating - thus a near death experience either one or both may have caused the hearing voices she is now experiencing. That's all he would say.

RavenU | March 27, 12:54 CET

"Sky bully" is actually a phrase that Joss used and credited to Tim Minear.

lalaa | March 27, 16:00 CET

I caught that "phantom bully in the sky" reference! I didn't know who made that up but I've heard Joss use it.

Here are my thoughts on last night's episode:

That Wonderfalls episode almost made me cry at the end.

You know, I just have to say that I think Wonderfalls could be as addictive as Buffy (or close to it) given time. The dialogue is very Buffy-esque and the chemistry of the main characters make them seem like a new type of Scooby gang.

There's just something about Wonderfalls.

"I bet he Agnes of God her. I bet he Agnes of Godded all over her!"

That had me cracking up so hard.

[ edited by electricspacegirl on 2004-03-27 22:27 ]

electricspacegirl | March 27, 19:03 CET

I watched. I laughed. I thought just about all the 'Christianity' scenes were savagely funny - especially the scene EdDantes mentioned. The exorcism scene was a bit over-the-top - and is her trailer an Airstream?

My only criticism (and it's very tiny) is that I don't feel any chemistry between Jaye and the bartender. Don't get me wrong, I like him alot, I just can't seem to see him as a viable love interest for her. I hope they shelve that whole storyline and concentrate on the other stuff.

And I was glad to see that she's keeping all her new 'friends', although I thought her mom's shrink demanded the monkey back. And for some reason I cannot explain, I just love that wax lion and want him to be a regular.

It still has some problems, but I was entertained, and that's what it's all about, so I'm sticking with it.

wissxwe | March 27, 19:30 CET

Last night's episode was pretty darn good. Her mom is probably the most annoying character on the show...but I don't mean that in a bad way. She is entertainingly annoying. Does that make sense? I thought the exorcism scene was hilarious. The show is slowly reeling me in and getting me hooked....or should I say "converted"...especially after last night's episode.

The only thing that has be bummed now is the fact that I will be on vacation for a month(don't get me wrong, I'm happy about that) but I probably won't get to see the show at all. I seriously hope they re-air them at some point this summer.

Tracy | March 27, 20:04 CET

So Tim is the one who started the 'Sky Bully' term? Are you sure? I remember Joss saying it in his commentary of 'The Body' in S5. Well I certainly feel more secure about Wonderfalls not turning into Joan of Arcadia then.

The Agnes of God line was a winner too.

"It still has some problems, but I was entertained"

Yeah that's kinda where I am at. I certainly deserves a chance to grow.

EdDantes | March 27, 23:47 CET

Well, I'm enjoying Wonderfalls a lot. Last night's ep was full of surprises and laughs. Maybe I'm a sucker, but that twist ending really caught me offguard and made me cry. Plus all the great funny lines mentioned before. I'm not taking any chances, I'm taping every ep from now on!

Ravenu, thanks for all the updates. Very heartening to know that there's this groundswell of critical backing for the show. Hell, if Tru Calling's numbers can improve without any critical raves, why not Wonderfalls?

punkinpuss | March 28, 00:49 CET

I'm completely hooked on Wonderfalls now. Last night's ep was the clincher. I now have some hope that next fall there will be something amazing and addictive to watch on TV.

In support of the show I had someone make me a banner to put in my LJ to advertise the show. I wouldn't normally advertise a TV show like that, but as long as I'm waiting for Fox to pick it up for a second season, I'll do my part.

Here's the link if you want to see the banner.
http://img6.photobucket.com/albums/v16/electricspacegirl/wonderfallslarge.jpg

electricspacegirl | March 28, 01:02 CET

I still like it. Don't love it yet, but at least want to keep watching. The ending was too schmaltzy for my taste. Even more so than the pilot. But whatever.

I hope they never, ever go into the mythology. Things talk to her. That's just a fact. She'll never know why, just as we'll never know why the wonder falls. That's not where I was going with that sentence. I meant to say, just as we'll never know why there is suffering in the world, or why people have to die.

I too remember "sky bully" as being originally credited to TM. I think perhaps by Joss and perhaps exactly in the commentary for The Body.

Did that guy up and leave the priesthood? Just because he found out he has a kid? Can't he be a father and still keep being a Father? It's not as if he's suddenly going back to the girl's mother (shall we call her Agnes?), is it? Maybe he's just "taking some time off' to "clear his head" or "find himself" or something.

Very glad the show backed off from the religious whatever. Was starting to make me uncomfortable. Though I liked that she could show respect for the others' beliefs without feeling compelled to pretend to believe too much. And that "bring her back" was to small him and not big Him.

That is all.

melsta | March 28, 03:53 CET

It's funny that people say that they're glad it's not overly religious like Joan of Arcadia when for me I thought this show went way beyond anything JoA has done so far where religion is concerned. I too was starting to feel a little uncomfortable with the religious feel of this last episode and having watched JoA from the beginning I've never felt that way at all. I also am not a Christian and just wonder if those who have commented that they feel JoA is a religious show have actually seen it. A matter of taste I guess. And EdDantes, I'm not singling you out, other threads have had people comment about JoA and religion so that's why I'm wondering. The last episode of JoA ended with the entire family sitting around the table pulling the finger of one of the characters while he passed gas. Not exactly what an overly religious show would do in my opinion.

Other than the religious theme of this episode I liked most of it. I'm not loving it yet either but like it a lot and hope it doesn't get cancelled. I loved the very Buffyesque "I bet he Agnes of God her. I bet he Agnes of Godded all over her!" That just totally flashed me back to any conversation on Buffy, especially the line "I'm the one being Single White Femaled here!" It was a nice nod to Joss I think.

I did enjoy the whole family suddenly desiring to go to Church because they thought their daughter was being lured by the crazy Catholics. I loved her reaction and her asking if she missed Christmas because that's the only time we go to church. That was just all too funny.

I thought the exorcist scene was just a little overly done and a little freaky to watch. Whether that nun found her way back to God or not, she needs to be in a nut house.

I thought it was a daring episode because I'm sure some Christian groups are not going to be happy with how it played out. Even though the priest wasn't a priest when he got that woman pregnant I'm sure they'll be some complaints and I already said why they might have a problem with the psychotic nun who also thinks it's okay to steal food.

I also am hoping they don't have her get together with the bartender. I like the friendship part of it but don't really see a lot of chemistry between the two. I missed her friend this episode.

Firefly Flanatic | March 28, 06:50 CET

I hope they don't get into the mythology. I'm fine with not knowing why figurines talk to her. I'd rather it be left to my own interpretation.

electricspacegirl | March 28, 10:45 CET

Last night's ep was great. And to echo everyone else here - it IS amazing that so many critics are pleading to save this show already. I think we may have (crosses fingers) reached absolute saturation point with crappy reality tv.

The monkey figure has so far been my favorite - not to mention - I FOUND THE MONEKY FIGURES!! Barnes & Noble sells them as bookends! I about died when I saw them earlier. I was so close to buying them, but couldn't.

cubiclesatan | March 28, 11:47 CET

I want a wax lion.

electricspacegirl | March 28, 11:53 CET

I didn't like this episode as much as the previous two. It felt a little schmaltzy to me at points, plus some of the Christian stuff made me uncomfortable. I still like the show very much, though, and I'll stick with it. It beats most of the crud out there, hands down.

phlebotinin | March 28, 20:39 CET

Not to add fuel to fire, but wow, you guys must really think ALL Christians are horrid. Not all of us are the stuff-shirts you think we are. One can be a Christian without slamming it down another's throat.

In my opinion, being a Christian is leading by example...not by words. How we are and how we treat our fellow human beings is what really matters. Religion is a man-made thing...please don't confuse that with what a true Christian is. I don't follow any religion. I am not perfect and I think the best we can all do is to treat each other how we would like to be treated.

I am really starting to feel like I am on the outside where this forum is concerned. I LOVE the same shows you all do and I really enjoy the forums and the feedback.

Please don't think Christianity is a dirty word because it is not. There are good ones and bad ones out there...just like with everything else.
Ok, I am off my soapbox...again. Sorry.

Tracy | March 29, 00:51 CET

Tracy I don't think anyone is anti-christian or anti-religion on this board as far as I can tell. That doesn't mean someone wants to sit down and watch an overly religious show either (not that I think Wonderfalls or JoA are). My point in bringing up religion is that a lot of people comment about Joan of Arcadia being overly religious and I don't think it is at all. Joan talks to God but God could easily represent any religion and frankly, that's how I see God. I see different religions as many paths that lead to God and you don't have to be a Christian to believe in God. I'm a Wiccan and my religion also believes you should treat other people well and be a good human being. And I would imagine all religions have that same basic truth to them.

The scenes with Jaye tied to the bed and the nun standing over her with a knife made me feel uncomfortable and, frankly, a little freaked out. And my comment about the "crazy Catholics" was in reference to what her mother said to her, not my feelings at all. And unfortunately we live in a world where there are Christians fighting against Christian and Muslims fighting against Muslims so it wouldn't surprise me if in real life a Protestant girl comes home and tells her parents she's going to a Catholic church that they'd freak out or vice versa.

I'm sure a good portion of the people who post on this site follow one religion or another and I doubt anyone is anti-christian or anti-religion, even if they aren't religious themselves.

Besides a lot of my family members are Christians and although I think some of them are a bit crazy, it's not because of the religion they follow!

[ edited by blwessels on 2004-03-28 23:35 ]

Firefly Flanatic | March 29, 01:23 CET

So its ok for a show to go into homosexuality but not explore christian themes without making people uncomfortable? Give me a break! Its hardly ever gonna be a preachy show or anything... I watch Bollywood films with Hindu themes and they don't make me uncomfortable... some people are just too fragile sometimes!

(Note: Vampires were repelled by crosses and holy water in buffy - omg, how preachy!)

Mort | March 29, 10:50 CET