the writing's really good, from what i've read. but sadly i don't have the patience, or that much interest.

narky | September 12, 08:33 CET

I thought it was great. I started it late at night, just to check it out, and ended up getting sucked in and not getting to bed. I'm sleep deprived, but it was worth it.

ladyforash | September 12, 08:39 CET

I've got similar conflicting feelings, Narky. In the past I've wanted to get excited over these virtual television shows, but ultimately I just get frustrated because they never do what I'd do with the show if I were pulling the strings. So I've tried writing continuations of tv series myself, but then I get frustrated cuz I never do what I'd really want to do with the show.. and I write myself into corners or go off on tangents that seemed like a good idea at the time but I end up doing what I feel these other virtual tv series writers do too - it's some kind of unwritten law or writers' code or something: the show stops being what it was and becomes something entirely not anything like what it was or what it should be.

ZachsMind | September 12, 08:41 CET

You know, I just may check this out. My problem is that I have a short attention span on the computer and always want to multi-task so it's hard to commit to reading stories or series like this.

I'm interested though. I don't know if Illyria is in it, but I hope she is and if she is, I am curious what they will do with her. If I wrote a season 6, I would write a long drawn out plot concerning resurrecting Wesley in order to fulfill a prophecy. At the same time I would want to deal with Illyria's Fred disguise and how it would lead to Fred coming back (possibly). That's what I would do anyway.

EDIT: I just found out whether Illyria's in this or not. Ok then.

electricspacegirl | September 12, 09:37 CET

Hey ZachsMind, I don't think you have to worry about this one as much as other V. series. I've been following the production of this since it was just a mere idea and the organization and effort that has gone into the whole thing is on a scale I've never seen before. They've even created their own E!-like spoiler site. They've got people making fake TV Guide ads. And from what I've read they're committed it keeping it was much like the show as possible.

I've been busy this week and haven't had the time to read the first ep yet, but I've yet to see a bad or poor review.

icafreak | September 12, 10:43 CET

An enjoyably intriguing season opener. The quality of the first story is a definite incentive for me to keep coming back; when I saw the Brat Queen was the author, I had to read the whole thing immediately instead of downloading it for later (her FG characterizations are some of the best I've come across in all of AtS ficdom).

If the other VS6 'episodes' continue Angel's saga in this vein, maybe Wednesdays this fall won't feel so horribly devoid of intelligent genre entertainment after all.

Wiseblood | September 12, 12:25 CET

I'm not going to read it 'cause I'm just not into fanfiction Especially after most of the mediocre and sometimes downright awful main run of the Buffy comic book series, which was basically glorified fanfiction that you paid for. I read all of it. *shudder* Nice of Dark Horse Comics to try at least. The one-shots, graphic novels, and mini-series written by actual Mutant Enemy writers were almost always great though.

Back when I used to read a bit of fanfic during Buffy's earliest seasons, my #1 rule for successful fanfic that you could actually believe would be a genuine episode of the series? NO UNBELIEVABLE RATINGS STUNTS. So many fanfic writers were relentless in their apparent need to have their fics feature the hugest of huge events and/or a highly unlikely gathering of fan-favorite recurring characters...My #2 pet peeve is not-so-clever wink-and-nods to the fans. Past references, acknowledging what's come before, that can be very effective and much-appreciated, but even Buffy Season 7 suffered a bit from overusing it and going about it in the wrong way. Ugh, now I'm thinking of Season 7, itself resembling a fairly mediocre piece of fanfiction overall.

Kris | September 12, 12:50 CET

I enjoyed the read, it was written quite well. I also don't normally read fanfiction. Though there are certainly talented writers out there, I've found when several start writing on a series-based story, they start going in different directions with the story arc. Now, if they got a "story runner", someone who kept the arc on track, it could be interesting. I'll have to keep an eye on this site to see if this plays true.

[ edited by Madhatter on 2004-09-12 12:50 ]

Madhatter | September 12, 13:12 CET

There is good fanfic out there, you just have to know where to look. *cough*my fanfic*cough*

electricspacegirl | September 12, 20:20 CET

For me it isn't how good or bad the fanfic is, it's just that i'm not interested in reading anything that isn't actually part of the shows true continuity.

I'm certain that there are some brilliant writers out there doing some really great continuations of the slayerverse (you included Electricspacegirl, hehe) but no matter how good it is it still won't be official.

Sorry fanfic writers but for me it's Mutant Enemy or nothing at all.

The Watcher | September 12, 20:40 CET

See, I was about to be enthusiastic and go read it until you mentioned BratQueen. Not that I question her ability as a writer, but doesn't she normally write slash? How do we know the writers aren't going to pull a quick one? I have nothing against characters discovering that maybe they lean towards their same sex, but I can't help but be leary.

lekiare | September 12, 21:06 CET

When I write fanfic, I'm pretty much married to canon. I even wrote a scene for season 7 that answered questions about Beljoxa's eye. If it doesn't seem like it could have happened in the series, then I don't write it. The only exception to that so far is my Anya story which is actually her spirit's interpretation of what happened in Chosen. I've tried writing non-canon and I just can't do it. I cannot write the characters doing things that the writers wouldn't have them do.

I am very picky about the fanfic I read. And it is difficult to weed through the bad stuff to get to the good stuff. I usually don't bother reading it unless a friend wrote it or if someone recommends it to me.

[ edited by electricspacegirl on 2004-09-12 19:19 ]

electricspacegirl | September 12, 21:16 CET

After all the virtual seasons 6 I've read this one still remains my favorite.

mandalin | September 12, 22:05 CET

I`m agree with you, Senior Partner.
Now here in Spain we just started with the comic books. We only have (at this moment) Origin and the first 3 numbers of the regular series.

Well, i enjoy Origin, because is something official, but i read the regular series or the novels, and they are fanfics. I don`t like that. I mean, in Immortal (the first novel we`ve got) Joyce is sick (cancer). Errr?? In S3 that did not happen!
And the Scooby-Gang donpt fight Big Bads so often... every day! I don`t like that.

But, i really like storys (if they are written by Joss or other Buffy writers, better) of the past. Oz, Spike and Dru... Tales of...

And sorry, but i have to say... S7 Powah! :p

[ edited by Angel TheVampire on 2004-09-12 21:10 ]

Angel TheVampire | September 12, 23:10 CET

I read the whole thing and enjoyed it. The dialogue/characterization is very faithful, which is what makes it work, in my opinion. I'm rather less interested in the story (not much into reading fanfic), but I like to "hear" our friends again!

Gaudior | September 13, 00:25 CET

Okay, just read it due to the fact i hate giving an opinion without informing myself on what i'm giving an opinion on (that made sense right?).

I have to say that it is pretty impressive. I know these characters very well and for the most part everything i read rang very true to who they were and what they would actually do.

I still hold with what i said before however. As good as that was it isn't Whedon approved continuity and therefore not something i'll be following all that closely. One important thing it does do though is make a point very well that i've been adamant about since Not Fade Away aired.

I've seen countless people in multiple forums who are totally convinced that the only outcome of the battle was that Angel and the guys all died. No matter what you cannot convince certain people that they walked away from that fight because of how overwhelming the odds were.

Newsflash, the slayerverse is anything but predictable and there are countless reasons why Angel and everybody else could have walked away. The fact that this was to be how the season ended even if season six happened should be evidence enough of that but still some people will not accept that they could have survived.

This story takes a very simplified turn of events admittedly, saying that the SP's just threatened them and walked away, however it works regardless. Joss had something else planned no doubt but it is nice to see that other writers can see the possibilities as well.

The Watcher | September 13, 01:18 CET

electricspacegirl,

From what little I've read so far of your fanfic (which I must admit I normally dislike), I think it is really well done!

creepy6

creepy6 | September 13, 03:06 CET

Haven't read it all yet, but it is pretty solid. Not sure I agree with all of their choices though. And I too have that problem that I can't even eally enjoy the comics unless really written by Joss or other Buffy writers, let alone fan fic.

I've written and read fanfic myself (not so much lately) and if well written and most importantly with good characterization it can be a nice little 'fix' for Buffyverse cravings. But it's never the real thing and I'm always way too aware of that.

Btw there's some horrid characterization out there! Giles calling Buffy a 'dumb bitch' would be a nice example. Or stories where people clearly hate Angel (or Spike) and write it so all the other characters hate him too. Especially Buffy completely hates him and then kills him and laughs! (Either Angel or Spike, depending on the writer's preference) Really, there's loads and loads of absolute crap out there, that are not even real attempts to write genuine stories.

So yes, this project is very well written and as such, refreshing. I don't know if I'll continue it though....it just sort of reminds me so strongly that there is no real Angel anymore.

EdDantes | September 13, 05:12 CET

From what little I've read so far of your fanfic (which I must admit I normally dislike), I think it is really well done!

Thanks, creepy6! Buffy's Diary is an ongoing series that is my newest project and the one I'm most proud of.

electricspacegirl | September 13, 05:23 CET

I have to say, the Season 6 Mandalin linked to looks just great. I only read the Character Bios so far, but they have such a sharp eye for each character's style of prose, and unlike most fanfics, they don't go for the cheap, easy mannerisms. Seems very promising.

PeliG | September 13, 05:24 CET

I like this Angel season 6 story very much - I haven't completed it yet but am more than half way through and intend to finish it - thanks for the link. I do miss Angel so much and as said previously it is nice to hear the characters I love "speak" again. As I am reading this I can visualize how it would look in my head. I feel the writting is impressive since it allows me to do this. I will continue following this site's activities.

I understand people who say they don't want to read stories unless they are "Joss" approved; however at this time I'm not seeing any Buffyverse from Joss and so far this story is very well done and the characters are very much acting faithful to the show.

Passion | September 13, 16:40 CET

Just want to say thanks to you folks who posted alternative V6 sites to check out, I will check them out, and sooner or later, I will find the one that suits me best.

wissxwe | September 13, 18:23 CET

Jeez, I read "New episodes should continue to appear on Wednesday nights," and my heart stopped. For about a fraction of a second I forgot our show was cancelled, and then it really hit me that AtS isn't coming back this fall. I feel just sick, and oh, how I hate WB. I swear I'll never watch that channel again. Sorry for the off-topic rant, but I'm feeling upset all over again. Thank goodness for this Virtual Season 6. It sounds pretty good, so thanks for letting us know about it. I know it won't fill up the Angel-shaped hole in my heart, but maybe it'll make me feel a little better. BTW, I'm getting more off-topic here, but I thought some of you might be interested to know that AtS season 4 was sold out and Best Buy and Target where I live. I was so happy when I found out.

obsessed | September 13, 22:29 CET

Interesting read, quite well done. The one Mandalin recommended was very good as well (several eps already up on that one so it was easier to get deeper into it). Both are some of the better fics out there in my opinion...I do like the whole "Showtime" take with TV Guide ads and everything. To me that's a nice slap in the face to the networks, shows what "we" would watch if we could.

Also stumbled on another one: Legends Never Die, that's a pretty decent read, not sure how often this one is producing 'eps' though.

[ edited by T. on 2004-09-13 20:45 ]

Grace | September 13, 22:43 CET

Thanks for that link, Mandalin. Looks like another interesting project!

After reading through this thread, I wonder if a term meaning "Fanfic for the Non-Fanfic Reader" exists :>

Although like many others I fervently hope for a continuation of the Buffyverse in film/televised form, I find fan fiction to be an interesting exploration of paths not taken. There is never enough time within a season to truly explore characters and issues in the way one often wonders about. In some cases it doesn't even seem a matter of time but an odd lack of attention (i.e., reactions to Cordelia's death, greater clarity on just what Lindsay's plan had been). Issues of writing quality aside, fan fiction can often provide both explanations as well as "lost moments." And it doesn't suffer from budget cuts :D

The discussion about "canon" is rather interesting, especially within a show that seemed to violate its own canon dramatically with events such as Connor's birth, Dawn's appearance and PuppetAngel. Characters often went through substantial (and sometimes sudden) transformations over the course of a series. Technically anything the writers decided on would be canon, no matter how much it violated prior expectations (and boy, haven't there been plenty of arguments in fandom about some of those decisions!)

So while I don't think anyone wants to read poorly written stories complete with author vendettas and characters who need name-tags to be recognized, I think it is exactly the possibilities fan fiction offer that television or official works can NOT offer which are the most intriguing.

yourlibrarian | September 14, 01:29 CET

I think you are missing my point a little there Yourlibrarian.

It isn't the quality of the fanfic i'm disputing, some of it is very good, some may even be on the level of anything Mutant Enemy could deliver.

The problem with fanfic for me though is that Mutant Enemy didn't deliver it. You may not always like where the official story goes or what happens to the characters but nevertheless it is official.

Canon is not neccessarily about sticking to the rules of your fictional universe anyway. In fact all of the examples you mentioned, Connor, Dawn and especially Puppet Angel, were not going against canon at all, they just bended the rules of said canon a little and usually in a way that made perfect sense in the end.

Canon is what Mutant Enemy, or more to the point Joss, says is the official story and that is what i choose to go by.

The Watcher | September 14, 02:26 CET