I Miss John Connor

Everyone knows about my love of the show Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles and my grief at its cancellation. I even wrote a post about it here. I thought my wounds had been healed until I read this interview with Thomas Dekker. He really seemed to love the show and even gives some info on where it would have headed in its 3rd Season. Of course, we'll never know because, as Dekker says himself, "In the end it really came down to Dollhouse or us and that was sort of what happened."

I'll refrain from what I really want to say right now and just go back to being a broken-hearted TV watcher once again.

fanvid sunday: the bean edition

It's official. From now on the only man I will ever want to see Buffy with is... Dean Winchester. That's right. My reasons? Please see the fanvid below as my exhibit A.



You see? ADORABLE! And they'd totally work together too. It's my dream 'ship which can never be. I will say once again that I'd pay good money to see SMG in an episode of Supernatural though. Oh, well. Happy Sunday, kids. I'm off to wish my uncle a happy birthday.

What's the Sitch? - The "We Love Summer Glau" Edition

Disclaimer: "What's the Sitch?" is a Whedonverse news recap and usually contains spoilers.

Summer Glau has been confirmed to save the show for a stint on Dollhouse starting with ep 5. She won't be playing an active/doll as Joss feels she's done that type of role quite enough, thank you very much. Previously confirmed is the handsome Alexis Denisof and Amy Acker will be back as well. What's the count on Whedonverse actors so far?

Speaking of Stunning Summer Glau, she's completed a pilot for a show called Good Morning Rabbit. Looks weird and stylized and cool. And if it's really, really cool, and I love it more than any show on television, it'll prolly get picked up and get canceled in it's first or second season. Check out the trailer here.

Day 3 of I09's Smackdown of Tv's Biggest Badass was River Tam vs. Terminator Cameron or for those not following along at home: Summer Glau vs. Summer Glau. River won, then beat Buffy (of all people), and is still the reigning champ so far! Today she is up against what looks like the David Tennant version of The Doctor, but I guess she's up against The Doctor in general.

Wizardworld's Big Apple Comic Con will be the weekend of October 16th. Some stars of the Whedonverse will be in attendance including Emma Caulfield, Miracle Laurie, Mark Sheppard and others. What, no Summer Glau? Sorry, trying to stay consistent. We'll be there too, of course! Although Bits might just be going to stalk Ernie Hudson.

JustJared has season 2 promo pics for Dollhouse, which starts it's 2nd season in that damned time slot on Sept 25th. Looks like it'll be more of Eliza (now blonder) in leather pants. With a gun. I think I just might have to do a post about how Sarah Connor Chronicles had the best damn costuming department in television and maybe Joss should have called them up the same time he called Summer Glau? Just saying.

Top 10 Most Obsessive Whedonverse Tattoos

Ahh fanatics...what with their Fanfic, signed limited editions and Jayne hats. We're fanatics, obvs, but one thing that no one here on the Buffyfest staff has is a marking permanently etched into our skin that says "I am a Whedonite." A Whedonverse tribute tattoo (Buffy tattoo, Angel tat, Firefly, you know the drill.) They certainly are out there, though, and I'm surprised we haven't touched on this topic before. We definitely have loads of respect for our fellow fanatics...but that doesn't mean we can marvel at their decision to wear it proudly until the grave!

So we give you a list of the top 10 most OBSESSIVE Whedonverse Tattoos. Some are old internet favorites, but some I personally haven't seen before. Enjoy!

#10 - Coming in at number 10, you have your run of the mill Faith tribal tats, Signs of Vocah, Knights of Byzantium symbols, Marks of Eyghon etc. I'd place the Serenity symbol in this category too. They surely are fannish, but overall these are basic tribal looking tats and any fan could get them without giving away too much about their OBSESSION. Outsiders might just think they are cool symbols but of course, Whedonites would know better.

#9 - Quotes from the shows are a subtle, classy way of showing your OBSESSION to the world without too much fanfare. People will say "what's that from?" and you will simply explain. There are so many meaningful Whedonverse phrases, it shouldn't be too hard to find one that speaks to you...so this type of tat is totally understandable.

#8 - OBSESSED with the Whedonverse, but can't decide which Whedon show is your favorite? Not a problem, the Mutant Enemy Grr Arrgh monster covers them all. The little guy makes a pretty cute tat, actually.

**UPDATE** Added May 2010, a VERY awesome Grr..Argh tat, indeed:

#7 - This is where things start getting interesting. Unless your name is Buffy (unlikely) or Angelus (even more unlikely) then I'd say you're pretty OBSESSED to get these logos on you like an advertisement.

#6 - Angel's own tattoo. It's cool and I can't see any reason not to get it put on your own body so you can walk around pretending you're Angel/Angelus himself. Especially if you're OBSESSED!

Now if you're doubly OBSESSED and love Angel's gryphon bird dude, you can just get 2!

#5 - The Angel Investigations symbol is worth mentioning if not only for the fact that they made fun of it on the show. Didn't Angel tease Cordy for designing what looked like a fricken "lobster"? The fact that you'd want to dig one of these shellfish looking guys with an electric needle on your body forever makes you truly OBSESSED.

Wait a minute...is this one being staked with an iceberg? A nail? What in the world is that thing? Oh my god, I just figured it out...it's a RAILROAD SPIKE IN ANGEL'S HEART!! It's a "Spikehard anti-Angel" tattoo. Oh man, this person is totally OBSESSED!

#4 - Whedonverse accessories. This includes Buffy's Scythe, Serenity and any other piece of hardware or machinery from the verse. These are truly geeky tats and they'll need full explanation to the outside world so they can understand how truly OBSESSED you really are.

#3 - Spike & Angel tats. The vamp men take the number 3 spot because you have to be a true die hard to put one of these blood sucking fiends on you, especially if they're in vamp face! The reason these aren't placed higher is because they're so damn cool. I mean, you might be a die hard fan, but no one is going to make fun of you for having one of Buffy's boys in all their horrific glory. (special mention goes to Puppet Angel, though...surprised that one didn't take the top spot for OBSESSIVENESS!)

2. The second most OBSESSED Whedonverse tattoo owners are those that have gone all out for the full color portrait OBSESSIVENESS. Collages or even single portraits of actors/characters, doesn't really matter. If you went for the gusto, you're OBSESSED! Check out the gorgeous examples below.

#1 - And the number 1 most OBSESSIVE Whedonverse Tattoo owners are definitely:

......drumroll please....

THE SPUFFIES!

Look, Spuffies are the super die-hards of the fandom as it is, I'm sure everyone can agree...so loving the Spuff so much that you've tattooed Spuffy on you takes the cake! But to tattoo any 'ship on your person for all of eternity is truly OBSESSED!!!!!!

Safe to say, these folks will not Spuff 'til they've spuffed enough!

Updated to add this super-fun video of James Marsters' reaction to "Psycho fans with tattoos of Spike (aka himself)":

Update #2, now with even more OBSESSED Whedonverse tattoos, sent in by their owners.

Bill Compton, I'm disappointed in you

I feel a bit betrayed by Bill. I know the problem I'm about to rant about was revealed the episode before last of True Blood...so it's a bit late, but I admit that we here at Buffyfest are definitely slacking. We'll fix all that in the next 2 weeks as September has some super fun in store. Back on subject, this whole business of Sookie conveniently having a "sexual bond" with Eric now that she's sucked his blood is pissing me off. It rings like bad continuity at best, ugly betrayal at worst. Here's why: Sookie drank from Bill back in the beginning of season 1 and he/the writers never mentioned this little fact. So she's been hot for Vampire Bill for a year and he's basically slipped her a permanent vampire Roofie himself? REAL CLASSY! I'm sorry that's so deceiving, Sookie's feelings may not even be her own. And now you're jealous that Eric pulled the same con job? Please. Holy hypocrisy. I'll say it before and I'll say it again, the vampires on this show would be slayed by the Buffster without a second thought. Well, unless they looked like Angel. Or Spike. Or Dracula, for that matter...but you know what I mean.

Poor writing or Bill's a date rapist? You decide.

Meanwhile, I'm ashamed to admit, date-rape accidental metaphor and all, I'm still addicted to this show. This past Sunday's ep was fantasic. Jason Stackhouse has become the baddassiest dude in all of Bon Temps. Sookie's Jesus or something. Reluctantly staying tuned!

fanvid sunday: faith with a side of slash

It's a lonely place out there in fanvid land, kids. Wherever can one find good new videos cobbled together by expert artisans? This week is a quickie Faith video which will only please me and other Faith fans. C'est la vie. I like her. So here's that on the embed tip.



But the real video I want to show you may only be reached via a link. What is it, you ask? Why it's a slash video concerning one Dean Winchester and one angel named Castiel. That's right. I'm going there and I bet you're willing to go with me. Time to freaky get with your Supernatural self. Click here to make the magic happen.

And with that, I bid you a fond adieu. I'm, as the British say, in the country this weekend. Hope your having as much fun as I am. Happy Sunday, everyone!

What's the sitch? - Whedonverse News Round-Up

Tthe upcoming DVD release of Bones: The Complete Fourth Seasonwill apparently include a Buffy Season 8 Comic Book Adaptation "Forced Trailer." Will this be for the rumored motion comic? Scott Allie said Dark Horse wasn't really involved when we spoke to him at SDCC last month, so we're not sure. Either way, it's nice that David "Boreano" is still being associated with Buffy, even though he'd clearly rather that wasn't the case.

Bid on these super duper cool Doc Horrible figurines on eBay. The Captain Hammer one is signed by Nathan Fillion and all the feet are signed by the artist underneath. 100% of sales will support Kids Need to Read. I want one. That is all.

James Marsters will be appearing on both the BG prequel Caprica (exec produced by Jane Espenson, of course) and the Fox series Lie To Me, allowing him to put the pause on his pimping for a minute, much to the dismay of Spikehards everywhere. Yeah, I just made that pet name for super Spike fans up, what?

Gina Torres is currently slated to appear on at least 2 episodes of Gossip Girl, playing Gabriela Abrams - mother to home-schooled vid-kid Vanessa. I'm sure Bitsy will review that in his "Watcher's Council" or something when the time comes as like many, he's a GG fiend.

The Guild Music Video "Do You Want to Date My Avatar?" has been released to the public. Check that out below in all it's 80's dance track goodness and see Felicia Day get spanked with a cosplay sword.

Until next week!

Buffyfest's Two Cents on the SFX 26 Greatest Tearjerkers

My sweaters are fuzzy and I feel so guilty!!

Dawn: "Get out, get out, get out!!" Buffy: "Fine, I will then!" ::plunge::

Yoooooou bastard.

So, SFX published the "26 Greatest Tearjerkers" this week which can be found here. Among Star Trek and Lord of the Rings were a few of our Whedonverse favorites. We here at Buffyfest decided we'd make our own Top Ten list (in no particular order) of the "Greatest Whedonverse Tearjerkers" just for fun.

"The Gift"
Buffy's speech at the end is breathtaking and it's kinda unanimous thinking around here that this would have made the perfect series finale.

"The Body"
There's about a gazillion scenes in this episode that'll make you cry. Buffy's puke on the floor, Buffy's revelation to Dawn and, of course, Anya's monologue.

"I Will Remember You"
At the end of the episode with Buffy and Angel's faces all tear-stained and scrunched up in agony. Oh man.

Serenity
Wash's death. Really, Joss? Really?

"Hell's Bells"
Anya sits in her white dress with make-up running down her face, all against a black background. Damn you, Xander Harris for being such a douche and making Anya cry and us cry right along with her.

"Hero"
Doyle's death. Really, Joss? really?

"Becoming Part II"
Buffy. Angel. Sword in heart. Cue the sadness.

"You're Welcome"
Cordelia's shining moment. She's snarky and strong with a perfect amount of empathy. And when we find out she's died...well, enough said.

Dr. Horrible
Penny on the floor with shrapnel in her chest and Dr. Horrible with tears in his eyes. It gets you every time.

"A Hole in the World"
Fred's line, "Please, Wesley. Why can't I stay?" is so simple, yet so powerful.

And Honorable Mention goes to...

"Forgiving"
It's just the opening scene, maybe 10 seconds long, but Angel on the floor next to Connor's charred empty crib makes his choke hold on Wesley at the end of that episode not so bad.

How do I put this delicately?

It's a frickin' Twilight sex toy. There, I said it. There IS no delicate way of putting it. IT SPARKLES!! I soiled our lovely blog and probably made half of our readers scream in terror and the other half reach for their credit cards. I made our home into an abomination so that we could pass through Reaver space. I'm sorry fellow Buffyfest bloggers, but I feel I had no choice. What in the hellmouth is becoming of this Twilight fandom?????

Look, it fucking sparkles, people. It sparkles, it has a "deathly pale flesh tone reminiscent of the new moon's glow" and you can put it in the fridge for that "authentic" (i.e., dead vampire penis, for those that are still in shock) experience.

What would Twilight creator/Mormon Stephenie Meyer have to say about this?

via @Sunfire via Twitter who was wondering is this what she's missing by not reading vampire fanfic? Are there lots of references to this? Is it a thing? Please comment because inquiring (and disgusted) minds kinda want to know!

My 'Can't Stop the Serenity' T-shirt Arrived

They didn't have the one I wanted when Bits and I attended our local NYC CSTS event, so I went ahead and ordered one....and look at how cool it is! What with Buffyfest listed smack dab in the middle on the back. We're so proud to have added to this great cause in our own little way. Again, check CantStopTheSerenity.com to see if there is still a 2009 event in your town - and don't hesitate to donate to CSTS any time of the year in support of Equality Now!

What's the sitch? - The Bitter Sunday edition

Ok, we failed to get the Saturday 'Week in Whedon News' recap up again, but surely will next week. Bitsy also isn't choosing a fanvid sunday today. Crazy weekend. In the lieu of all of that, I give you "What's the Sitch?- Sunday edition." It's a little bitter this time, not sure why...I'm in a good mood I swear!

Whedon.info has a million pics of Smidgie's swagtastic, corporate-sponsored, LA shmoozefest of a baby shower. Michelle Trachtenberg was a guest and it looks like it was a good time...but isn't the point to bring gifts and celebrate mother and child? It seems like these attendees are there to GET a bag full of eye cream, mp3 players and to cozy up to "it girls" to see if you can get a guest spot on their next hit CW show. Oops...sorry Shannen Doherty. I really did like you in Charmed.

James Marsters' pimping schedule. For enough money you too can meet Spoike himself at these and many other local events. He'll be in Cherry Hill, NJ, Birmingham & Cambersands, UK! Check his site to see if he'll be selling photos or peddling autographs in your town! You can even pay $75 to have breakfast with Jimmy-boy or $250 (cash only) to enjoy soft drinks and iced teas at a Dragon Con private party. Sorry, cocktails will be extra though.

Felicia Day and the whole Guild gang do it up in this free-ish xbox live download music video: "Would You Like to Date My Avatar?", previously only seen at SDCC. Too bad you need to own an Xbox to make it happen. Or Zune, but not if you have a Mac (Mac vs. Windows wars and all.) Grr. The rest of us can catch it on Amazon tomorrow. You can also catch a preview on all of those sites, as well.

A new actually-free comic centered around Harmony arrived this week on MySpace Dark Horse Presents entitled Buffy: Harmony Comes to the Nation - written by Jane Espenson and Karl Moline. Short, sweet, to the point.

Despite the internet buzz, the Dollhouse DVD sales are not really all that after all. Some sites have indicated that if the DVD doesn't perform well (like Firefly did), this really could be the nail in the coffin for Dollhouse. Not sure I agree or have an opinion on that either way - but at this point in the game I think it's fair to say that Dollhouse is the clunker in Whedon's TV show legacy. Let's see if season 2 can fix that.

And that's the (bitter) news!

I've Still Got a Theory...on Twilight and Buffy Having a Bun in the Oven

Angel as Twilight
Back in November 2008, I wrote a post called "I've Got a Theory...on Twilight" musing on the idea that Twilight is actually Angel. That was a long time ago and as we fast forward to the latest issue of Buffy Season 8, I still have that same theory. All of the reasons I listed in that post still apply today, including this awesome photo comparison:

In this latest issue, we get another clue as to Twilight's identity, the "Spike?" comments by both Twilight and Riley.

The only glitch here, and admittedly it's a big one, is that Angel is over at IDW and I'm not sure about the legal and canonical issues that would come into play.

A lot of people on the internets have been talking about this theory too and most fans of Angel are scared about the idea that he (not Angelus) would be the villain this season. 'Can he be redeemed?' is the real question at hand. As someone who puts Angel in their top three favorite characters, I say yes. The interesting thing about Twilight is that he's not out to end the world, in fact, he's out to save it. He might be going about it in a "black hat" way, but he still believes in a better future. And if there's any M.O. that fits the character of Angel it's that he's not beyond getting his hands dirty in order to save the world. He's a big-picture-guy to the end. Slayers have died, yes, but they're warriors in a battle. Twilight has yet to kill one innocent, non-magical person. Remember, Buffy was willing to sacrifice 6 billion people to save her sister. Things aren't black and white in the Buffyverse, just like in the real world. Angel will have blood on his hands for sure, but he'll be able to make amends (with snow!).

With that said, all these links to Angel could be a misdirect, but I for one am ready for the Twilight reveal even if I'm dead wrong with my humble predictions. Since when does Buffy have a mystery Big Bad? Let's get on with this already.


Buffy's Bun in the Oven
Crazy as it might sound, I'm starting to think Buffy might be pregos by the end of this comic, if not arc. There's a pretty infamous panel in Issue # 10, "Anywhere but Here" with the vision of Buffy on the floor, beaten and crying. There's a red egg above, cracked and empty. Then comes the line, "Betrayal. The closest, the most unexpected." I gotta say that a future version of Buffy's child coming back to settle some score is a bit (a lot) soap opera-ish to me, so I hope the child isn't Twilight. An egg does symbolize fertility and birth, and the red egg specifically in Chinese culture is given at the birth of a child. We also have the use of the word "Queen" in reference to Buffy and "Saving the Prince", as well.

It's probably a silly theory that proves me all sorts of wrong, but I'm okay with that because I don't much like the idea anyway.