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« on: August 14, 2013, 04:12:03 AM »
I don't think Roger knows about Tony-and-Cassandra, dom... though it's hard to keep track of all this. Cass seems to be smiting anyone who sees them together, to keep them from talking.
Julia leaps to one of many weird assumptions, which disappointing DS storylines will be filled with. She declares with certainty that a restored alcove will mean Cassandra's vanquished. It's the kind of plot "information" that's just thrown bluntly at the audience, who are expected just to swallow it because some "expert" said it, so the plot can speed along. Julia knows nothing that could lead her to the conclusion and is hardly an expert on any of this.
I've seen bad horror and bad sci-fi written like this. I think this kind of writing assumes an attitude of befuddled, uncomprehending awe for "experts", with no expectation whatsoever that the audience will ever have the slightest hope of understanding the reasoning leading to the conclusion. Experts are those magical wizards who just "know"-- so it's enough for them to have "eureka" moments where everything becomes clear to them. We don't expect to follow their train of thought, therefore no need to explain it and make it believable.
I'm over-analyzing that little moment. I really think it's more a matter of being rushed and not caring so much, and believing they were writing more for children, or DC pressing them to think this way. What I said above is worth saying still, though, I think.
The exact opposite of the attitude I was criticizing is the better stuff from 90s Star Trek, in which half the interest is with the drama, and the other half is how they explain the science so even a smart layman can follow, in just a few words. I'm watching DS9 all over again now, and appreciate this more than ever. I hate plots that depend on godlike "experts" going "eureka" for no explained reason, as if we'd never understand...
Cass programs Liz to fear being buried alive, then changes minds in midstream and reprograms Liz to poison herself. All this was handled unexpectedly well. There were reflective moments, mood moments, some good dialogue. Sam Hall's name means nothing, no writers' credits do, since quality doesn't seem related to them anymore. I'd forgotten this stuff happened, Liz poisoning herself like Naomi.
Ninth and tenth mentions of the word "vampire", by Julia and Barnabas? Since I'm unsure, it's time to stop counting.