My first impressions of the first two episodes of J.J Abrams's series Felicity.
I'm not American. I have never technically watched the WB. Despite this, I have a certain fondness for that channel. In a way, it kick-started my obsession with television. The first television programme I obsessed over that wasn't a sitcom or Pokemon was Charmed. Buffy is my favourite show, bar none. Angel, Roswell, Smallville and Gilmore Girls are all firmly slotted amongst my favourite shows of all time. I kind of love the WB. I had been interested in Felicity for a long time, even beyond my love for almost everything the WB. J.J Abrams was behind another of my favourite shows, the addictive as hell spy series Alias. I have always wanted to see Keri Russell in what may be the defining role of her career so far. I'm not going to lie; I'm dying to see the dreaded haircut the media has often spoken of.
I'm two episodes in, and fairly enjoying it. It is nice seeing a show start basically from the beginning at college, as the tranisition from high school can often be troubling for a lot of teen tv. Felicity is a likeable leading lady. Intelligent, but not the most decisive person in the world. It will be interesting to see her grow from the girl that followed a boy that barely knew her to New York, to a strong character in her own right (I mean, she has already begun to find a new form of independence, she is finally living for herself, by herself, without her 'overbearing' parents to do everything for her). The 'therapy' scene with her parents in the second episode was well done. I loved her mother's intense, accusatory reaction. Jumping straight to 'you're embarrassed by me?!', before the show wrapped up the storyline in typical WB fashion (yes, they made up at the end of the episode). I like the supporting cast, too (the pink power ranger, Elliot Reid's ex-boyfriend/Teddy Altman's current boyfriend, and Scott Speedman).
The dialogue can be a little distracting, and, for the life of me, I'm not sure why. However, not everything can be amazing right from the get go. I'm liking the bursts of humour too - Felicity's voiceover stating that both she and Julie had gotten over Ben, while we watch both women look at him in awe, John Cho's roommate might have accidentally revealed his plans to murder him due to his loud sleep-talking, and Felicity's roommate's non reaction at her presence in the dorm.
I, however, truly enjoyed the opening episodes of Felicity and will continue to watch. When I finish, I may just delve further into the WB's back catalogue.
Title; 'Suddenly, I'm Felicity without the hair issues.' - Paris Gellar, Gilmore Girls.
Although, obviously, I haven't quite reached the stage where Felicity gets all scissor happy and ditches her very pretty curly hair.
Currently watching; Gossip Girl season five, Happy Endings season one, Felicity season one, Ringer season one, and South Park season fifteen.
I've never watched this before, but you've intrigued me a little! I may check it out after a while.
ReplyDeleteJust out of curiosity, how is Gossip Girls fifth season? I haven't started watching it, I'm probably going to do that out of season this year. Any improvement over last year?
You should definitely check Felicity out, since writing that blog I have seen three more episodes. It's get increasingly more entertaining. Felicity herself is a very likable protagonist, even if some of her behaviour is so far has verged on insanity.
ReplyDeleteGossip Girl is fine, still watchable. At this point, I would say that season four was better actually (quite liked the trip to Paris). The last episode was pretty good, and there have been flashes of fun here and there, but it definitely isn't on par with seasons one or two. I'm still only really watching for serena and Blair though. It's fun, but you shouldn't be in any rush to watch it to be honest (at least so far, anyway - since the last episode was pretty great, actually).
Thanks for the comment, pandaman! :D
I never watched this show, either. Which is odd because I pretty much watched every WB drama in the late 90s. I think I just had a Keri Russell aversion, which I got over when I saw Waitress, which she was great in.
ReplyDeleteI should probably check it out at some point.
Great review, tvfan. Loved the Pink Ranger shout-out, too. Man, I had the biggest crush on her when I was a kid. I remember stumbling across some bad Lifetime movie where Amy Jo Johnson played an anorexic gymnast and I swear to god with all the bending and stretching, I hit puberty right there.
Sorry for the icky visual.
Thanks for the GG lowdown! Let me know if I should quit my hiatus or not =)
ReplyDelete