That's it, the final part of the countdown, all truth revealed. I knew about my number one at once, no second thoughts.

And I am all healthy by now, thank god. My weekend was a little working (still have to catch up after my vacation), having friends over for diner (I made Indian food), some TV (with Queer as Folk, Dr. Who, and The Closer) and a bubble bath (haven't done that in ages).

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TV Geek's Songbook

Queer as Folk

I have been spending quite some time watching Queer as Folk (US) lately. The characters are so lovable with Michael, Emmet, and Brian being my favorites. The outstanding song moment is the admittedly cheesy Prom dance. It was so cute and the lyrics are just perfect for them. Since some you haven't seen the show, I shall say no more. *sigh* My runner up is David Bowie, by the way, at Michael's 30st birthday (Boys Keep Swinging).

Prom Scene (Mild Spoiler): Ben E. King & The Drifters - Save The Last Dance For Me

Dr. Horrible

That one is long overdue, it gives me the chills. What's not to love? Great lines, Dr. Horrible as ambulatory bush, and Captain Hammer with the most awkward smile ever.

Scene: On the Rise

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Firefly Countdown Part #6

Finally, the top three.

*SPOILERS for the episodes ahead*

#3 Jaynestown

I just had to have a funny episode in my top three and I go with this one. The crew poses as mud buyers in Canton and Inara services the shy son of the local tyrant. Jayne in disguise was a blast and the whole worshipping was hilarious. The song is great as well and Wash's comment gets me every time.
Also, River fixing the bible is cl@ssic and how awesome was it to see Book's hair? Simon was cute, when he said that Kaylee is "pretty pretty" but of course he managed to mess it up again, who is surprised?
The end is more serious. Jayne's speech was great and we get to see him, probably closest to noble in the whole series.

Favorite visual:

The crew seeing the statue for the first time. Those expressions on their faces are priceless.

Favorite quotes:

Jayne: (to the Mudders) Far as I see it, you people been given the shortest end of the stick ever been offered a human soul in this crap-heel 'verse. But you took that end and you - well, you took it. That's, well, I guess that's something.

Book: River? Please, why don't you come on out?
River: No! Can't. Too much hair.

Favorite Jayne lines:

Jayne: You guys had a riot on account of me? My very own riot?

Jayne: You're gonna talk me to death, buddy, is that the plan?

Jayne: Living legend needs eggs.

Favorite Wash quote (as I mentioned before, I know):

Wash: We gotta go to the crappy town where I'm a hero.

#2 Ariel

A serious episode which I found to be very gripping. River attacking Jayne with a knife made for a surprising start and it was nice to see Simon really being useful for a change. He needs advanced equipment for River, so he advises a heist on a hospital. It was fun seeing the crew getting trained in medical speech; River's sixth sense becomes more obvious; and Simon gets to save a life.
It broke my heart to see Jayne turning on the others and the blue handed man caused very creepy deaths. I also liked the scanner visuals. Finally, I loved that Mal knew at once what Jayne had been up to. The last scenes at the airlock were very strong.

Favorite visual:

River's drawings in the end. They remind me of the Asian cartoon characters in the commercial featured in Serenity.

Favorite quote:

Jayne: What are you gonna tell the others?
Mal: About what?
Jayne: About why I am dead.
Mal: I haven't thought about it.
Jayne: Make something up. Don't tell them what I did.
Mal: (closes the airlock) The next time you decide to stab me in the back, have the guts to do it to my face.

Favorite Jayne quote:

Jayne: Hell, I don't know. If I wanted schooling, I'd have gone to school.

Jayne: Genial high-tech Alliance crap. (tries to break the door open with the fancy Alliance gun)

Favorite Wash quote:

Wash: It's all very sweet - stealing from the rich, selling to the poor.

#1 Out of Gas

I just love this episode, it has a great atmosphere, a brilliant score, and wonderful colors. There is plenty of drama but also immensely lovable scenes. The timelines are handled perfectly and I love the flashbacks that reveal more about the history of our heroes. It never gets old for me.
In the beginning we get a very nice scene in the kitchen area which is always good in my book. I loved Mal and Zoe setting foot on Serenity for the first time, Kaylee being all smart, Jayne's bad ass attitude, and Zoe despising Wash at first.

Favorite visual:

Seeing Wash with a mustach, no question!

Favorite quotes:

Mal: (about Serenity) Try to see past what she is, on to what she can be.

Inara: Oh, one further addendum. That's the last time you get to call me whore.

Favorite Jayne quotes:

Jayne: Hey! What do you two think you're doing? Fighting at a time like this. You'll use up all the air.

Jayne: Tell us where the stuff's at, so I can shoot ya.
Mal: Point of interest? Offering to shoot us might not work so well as an incentive as you might imagine.

Favorite Wash quote:

Wash: What do you expect me to do, Mal?
Mal: Whatever you have to! And if you can't do it from here, then get a suit on and go outside on the side of the boat—
Wash: And what? Wave my arms around?

.

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I am almost sad it's over. Enjoy your week!

Here it is, my second to last edition of the Firefly Countdown. I don't know what to do after that – I'd be open to suggestions.
I had a very nice time over my birthday. Thank you guys for your nice congratulations! I missed you. I'm back for a couple of days, now, and currently a little handicapped by a cold. I ignored that at first – I hate being ill – but I guess I'll be having fun with that one for a couple of more days. Work starts tomorrow, I guess I'll deal.
My mood is a little foul because one of my submissions got a rejection which I perceive as unfair. I shouldn't complain, it's my first experience in that regard but the rejection comment was a standard half sentence completely unrelated to my submission comments. Now, he's not responding to my PM asking for an explanation, although he read it. I'll try to stay cool about it.
What more is new? I am a proud new member of the AEA (Accidental Entertainers Association) founded by Inge and Viktor. Do some of you have experiences with spontaneously bursting into song? Then join!
Oh, and I changed my icon. I was playing with this thought for quite a while and I think this one will be it. A big yay for TwistedConverse, Katherine, Ashley, and Elly for encouraging me despite my numerous attempts - you are awesome! Here are some of the other contestants (the last one being my blog header, now):

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Update on the TV Geek's Songbook

Dr. Horrible

Well I might end up linking every song but why not? There are at least two more in my mind. This time, I'll link Man's gotta do. Just because it is a perfect entrance for Captain Hammer and made me ultimately fall in love with this show. Also, it's Ashley's favorite.

The full video of Dr. Horrible can still be watched here.

Scene: Man's Gotta Do

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Firefly Countdown Part #5

To cause more speculation about the top, I am breaking my habit to only post two episodes. I'll do three now and the top three next time.

*SPOILERS for the episodes ahead*

#6 Our Mrs. Raynolds

I loved this episode. What a nice twist to introduce Saffron as a shy and devoted wife. They really had me fooled. The reactions of the team members were wonderful, especially Jayne wanting to trade her for his beloved gun and Book's reference to the special level of hell (*winks to Hari, who prepared me for that one*). Kaylee's delight and Inara's jealousy were also fun to watch.
Wash craving for Saffron's food and later resisting her seductions were other treats of this episode. And wasn't it a shame that Inara didn't come clean about kissing Mal?

Favorite visual:

Jayne approaching Mal with his Vera

Favorite quote:

Book: If you take sexual advantage of her you're going to burn in a very special level of hell. A level they reserve for child molesters and people who talk at the theater.

Favorite Mal quotes:

Mal: But she was naked and all... articulate!

Favorite Jayne quote (That wasn't hard to guess, was it?):

Mal: Are you offering me a trade?
Jayne: Trade?! Hell it's theft. This is the best damn gun made by man! It's miles more worthy than what you got!
Mal: What I got? She has a name.
Jayne: So does this. I call it Vera.
Mal: Well, my days of not taking you seriously are certainly coming to a middle.

Runner up:
Jayne: That's why I never kiss 'em on the mouth.

Favorite Wash quote:

Wash: Okay, everybody not talking about sex, in here. Everybody else, elsewhere.

#5 War Stories

This time Wash is the jealous one. The conflict was well developed and made for a great storyline. Having Mal and Wash bickering in custody was awesome and made my laugh, admittedly. Zoe choosing to save Wash over Mal without a second thought made for another very strong scene. We saw her in complete warrior mode. Shortly after that Mal lost his ear. On a side note, Inara's customer being a woman was an ok twist as well.

Favorite visual:

River blindly shooting all the attackers while Kaylee was watching.

Favorite quotes:

Zoe: Jayne, this is something the Captain has to do on his own.
Mal: No. No it's not!
Zoe: Oh.
(my runner up visual is following this quote: Zoe, Wash, and Jayne shooting Niska)

And this time Book was a blast:

Simon: I've never shot anyone before.
Book: I was there, son. I'm fair sure you haven't shot anyone yet.

Zoe: Preacher, don't the Bible have some pretty specific things to say about killing?
Book: Quite specific. It is, however, somewhat fuzzier on the subject of kneecaps.

Favorite Jayne quote:

Zoe: I understand. We have no choice. Take me, sir. Take me hard.
Jayne: Well, something about that is just downright unsettling.

Favorite Wash quote:

Wash: Hey, I've been in a firefight before... Well, I was in a fire once... Actually, I was fired from a fry cook opportunity. I can handle myself.

#4 Objects in Space

This episode even grew on me since I first watched it. It broke my heart to see River imagining all the thoughts of the others but it made for nice insights. Seeing everyone suspicious of her was very sad but I enjoyed Simon rooting for her, no matter what. Bounty hunter Early was a very creepy villain in his polite way. Especially his exchange with Kaylee was painful to watch. At first I was kind of turned off by the "River is the ship" idea but since it played out as a trap, I was pleased. Seeing River as a real member of the team was great.

Favorite visual:

Mal suddenly showing up in his space-suit behind Early and throwing him off Serenity.

Favorite quotes:

Mal: You know, you're not quite right.
River: That's the popular theory.

Kaylee: Don't let the space bugs bite.

Simon: Are you Alliance?
Early: Am I a lion?
Simon: What?
Early: I don't think of myself as a lion. You might as well, though. I have a mighty roar.

Favorite Jayne quote:

Jayne: Let's move this conversation in a not Jayne's fault direction.

Favorite Wash quote, kind of:

Wash: Psychic, though? That sounds like something out of science fiction.
Zoe: You live on a spaceship, dear.

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Enjoy the rest of the weekend. See you around!

Are you curious which episodes are left or do you want to be surprised?
Here is a sneak peak in alphabetical order:

***SPOILER***

Hey guys, me again. First of all, thanks for your reactions to my unusual post last time, it was a pleasure reading your thoughts. This weekend, I am leaving to see friends and family. It is a birthday marathon for us in August. My brother-in-law is having a big birthday party and afterwards I will stop by a late celebration of my mother. Also, next week will be my own birthday. Since Hari joked I could have had my teens in the 50 or 60s, I am coming clean, I'll turn 32 on Monday. I am leaving tomorrow and I'll be back to blogging sometime next week. Still, I'll be checking in once in a while until then.

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What I'm Watching

My new Discoveries

Still, not much tv by my standards but I got a few glances into my new series and I wanted to let you know.

Jericho Season 1

I loved the pilot but the show didn't really click with me, so far. I looked at the tv.com ratings and they have a real boost in the second half of the first season. I finished episode five, now. I enjoy it but my expectations were too high, I guess.

Jekyll mini-series

I had a passionate recommendation of Phin and I was hooked with the first scene. It is a BBC mini-series with six hour-long episodes and it is a modern adaptation of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hide. I already know it will be over too soon. I'll try to pull it out a little.

Queer as Folk (US) Season 1

I watched the first two episodes and I admit, I went . I really thought, I wasn't a prude but the pilot challenged that assumption. Still, it's intriguing and different and I am already a little emotionally invested in the characters, especially Michael. That one's a keeper.

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Update on the TV Geek's Songbook

Dr. Horrible

I will link another song, I just have to. The full video of Dr. Horrible can be watched here for another couple of weeks.

A quick one this time: I love the voting of "neigh".

Song (*SPOILER*): Bad Horse Chorus - The Call

Buffy the Vampire Slayer

I think it is time for another silly entry. Remember Cordelia on stage? I found it on youtube and I have to share. The scene is directly at the beginning, starts after a couple of seconds, no need to bother with the rest of the clip. Crappy pictures but still; it was a nice early episode and who would be better for this song than Cordelia? I love Giles' reaction as well.

Scene: Charisma Carpenter – Greatest Love Of All

Just the song: Whitney Houston – Greatest Love Of All

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Firefly Countdown Part #4

We are definitely entering the part of the countdown where I LOVE those episodes! I am also getting in trouble to select quotes, there are more and more that I want to add.

*SPOILERS for the episodes ahead*

#8 Shindig

I just loved this episode and it marks the point where I really fell in love with Firefly. I already swarmed about it in an earlier blog. I just loved that sign over the pool table "Management is not responsible for ball failure." The boiling jealousy of Mal, as well as him and Inara picking on each other was very entertaining to watch. I know this episode is a little cheesy, again, but enjoyable for me. I liked the dance between Mal and Inara and them practicing sword fighting. Also, the crew planning their rescue mission was too cute; we had the first words of River; and Kaylee being the centre of the party conversation made me cheer with joy.

Favorite visual:

Kaylee going down to her room with that hand-painted sign. It was so nice seeing her there; listening to music, admiring her dress and eating chocolate. Also, the cows in the cargo room, I loved that twist.

Those are the two quotes, I already mentioned in my blog (creative cheating again, isn't it?):

Jayne: What we need is a diversion. I say Zoe gets naked.
Wash: No!
Jayne: I could get naked?
Wash and Zoe: No!
(a little later, when River ended her speech)
Jayne: That there, exactly the kind of distraction we could have used.

Kaylee: Is that him?
Mal: That's the buffet table.
Kaylee: How will we know? Unless we question it?

Favorite Mal quotes:

Mal: Mercy is the mark of a great man. (stabs Atherton shallowly) I guess I'm just a good man. (stabs him again) Well, I'm alright.

Inara: Are you in pain?
Mal: Absolutely. I got stabbed, you know, right here.

Favorite Wash quote:

Wash: You want a slinky dress? I can buy you a slinky dress. Captain, can I have money for a slinky dress?

#7 Serenity1&2

I already said, once, that I stopped watching Serenity after the first couple of minutes. I am so glad that I gave it another go. The pilot has plenty to love! First of all, the introduction of the ship. The way it flies and lands is genius. Having Kaylee as a female technical expert is so great and I love her swarming about Serenity with Book .The characters in general were very well introduced, it is such a pity that the original order of viewing was messed up.
The mistrust as to the passengers worked perfectly on me. I even was so bold to think that Simon played it a little obvious. When it turned out that it wasn't Book, either, but this other guy - well, I had to admit they got me fooled. Having River as baggage was a great twist and really got me hooked. Wonderful episode!

Favorite visual:

Seeing River for the first time. Although, everything about the ship is a close second.

Favorite quote:

Simon: I'm trying to put this as delicately as I can...how do I know you won't kill me in my sleep?
Mal: You don't know me, son, so let me put this to you plainly: If I ever kill you, you'll be awake. You'll be facing me. And you'll be armed.
Simon: Are you always this sentimental?
Mal: I had a good day.
Simon: You had the Alliance on you, criminals and savages. Half the people on this ship have been shot or wounded including yourself. And you're harboring known fugitives.
Mal: We're still flying.
Simon: That's not much.
Mal: It's enough.

Favorite Jayne quote:

Mal: How come you didn't turn on me, Jayne?
Jayne: Money wasn't good enough.
Mal: What happens when it is?
Jayne: Well, that'll be an interesting day.

Favorite Wash quote:

Wash: (playing with toy dinosaurs) Yes, yes. This is a fertile land and we will thrive. We will rule over all this land and we will call it... "This Land."

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Have a good weekend, everyone.

Here I go again! Vacation is still wonderful and I thought I'd go on with the Countdown. By the way, look at the quality of my pictures. I am a very satisfied user of photobucket, now. Silly webshots, I can't recommend it. Those are the same pictures, I used before!

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Exploring TV.com

Being an Editor

I love submissions to the guides, don't stop! Most of them are great and I wouldn't want to miss them for the world!
Still, I am beginning to get a slight sense why some editors seem so annoyed. I hate to admit that because this bad vibe was actually what put me off from submitting, at first. Let's just say I had a few less delightful experiences.
My goal is to accept your submissions; the content should be influenced by the fans, that's my opinion. I don't mind helping, correcting, or making it consistent and I try to keep the new submission guide updated with common changes: click here.

Still, there are two things I want to ask for. Please try to include them.

1. Provide details on what you did. Please don't just say, "I made some changes" or "I corrected it." I want to understand your changes and why they are important for you. Sometimes I wouldn't agree without question. Remember, I checked the content and thought it was fine. Still, when you make good arguments, you can convince me. Please use the comment section in that regard.
2. Provide sources whenever possible, especially for allusions and notes. On which webpage or other media did you get the information? A good source-website should have an author responsible for the content. If you cannot provide sources, you should make arguments for your observation or formulate the item as an educated hypothesis.

I needed to get that off my chest. Just give me the impression you care a little about your submissions, I care about them as well. And to the vast majority of great submitters: stay exactly as you are.

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Reflections on Berlin

A very personal point of view

I just had a friend from the US over for a couple of days and we did an amazing amount of sightseeing. I don't get to play tourist in my town too often and it got me thinking. This is completely off-topic TV, so please feel free to skip it. It's also getting a little serious and political to be honest. I simply wanted to share some thoughts, me and my friend talked about.

Some of our stops

The icon above is the Brandenburg Gate, the probably most famous crossover between former East and West Germany. Very close to that Gate, which is in the center of the united Berlin, is one of the newer memorials for the holocaust victims, specifically dedicated to millions of Jews, Sinti and Romanies, and homosexuals. It reminds us of all those murdered, exploited, repressed and expelled during the Nazi Regime in Germany. Also pretty close is the Jewish Museum, explaining the early development of Jewish communities, origins of stereotypes, artistic and cultural bilateral influences of people with Jewish and Christian religion and selected fates of victims in the Third Reich.

Germany was united in 1990. You can visit a memorial for the victims shot at the Berlin Wall with video footage of people trying to jump out of their windows to escape when the wall was built in 1961. Also, there is the former prison for the politically inconvenient in the German Democratic Republic, where you can take tours guided by former victims. The former Ministry of state security, the East German secret service, is also open for visitors and you can see propaganda, means to spy on citizens and stories about expelled and murdered members of the opposition and ways to keep the country quiet.

What I was thinking

Denk ich an Deutschland in der Nacht,
Dann bin ich um den Schlaf gebracht.

When I think of Germany at night,
I am loosing sleep.

(Beginning of a famous poem by Heinrich Heine, German writer and poet, 1797-1856)

I am not proud of being German, on he contrary, and I share this with many people I know. There are horrible parts in our history and the concept of patriotism is hard for me to grasp, even though I enjoy seeing it in others. Part of me expected some hostile reactions towards my nationality on this site, I had no such experiences and I am thankful for that.

In the last couple of days, I was again reminded of the cruelty that happened in my country. I have to sharply distinguish between the Nazis and former East Germany, but both is part of our history which is part of my history. Of course the Third Reich is inexcusable and we have to keep the memory fresh in order to avoid anything in any resemblance in the future. I feel that this is a general opinion, here, and I am happy about that.

Some of this clarity lacks in regard to the crimes of the East German Government, sometimes. The Reunion is latest history and I want to elaborate a little.

I was born in West Germany and I live and work in East Germany, now. It is not without problems for me to criticize the East German Regime because I don't want to appear to be on a High Horse. In the end, I didn't live there. Still, I had a lot of conversations about this topic and I am happy that the criticism as to this government is getting louder. I understand the tendencies which we call "Ostalgic". (from "ost" = East, i.e. nostalgic about the East). Life was sometimes perceived simpler in a way, no unemployment, and many cultural accomplishments. One has to keep in mind, though, that the way critics were treated by this government and the way citizens were spied on makes it a dictatorship. I cannot understand that you can easily buy belly-free t-shirts with the East German symbols as souvenirs. It must be horrible for the victims to see this. For those, whose family members were killed when attempting to escape or stating their opinion, for those who were mentally tortured (no wounds should be visible because the government sold many prisoners to the West), for those who were sabotaged or restricted in any possible way, f. e. rumors were spread, they weren't allowed to study, or see their families. A friend of mine had a hard time in the German Democratic Republic and I know that it hurts him to see souvenirs like that and a lack of public criticism. You can love things in your past and be nostalgic about them without pretending that the system wasn't wrong. The movie "The Life of Others" is the first boxoffice success that takes a mainly critical perspective on former East Germany. I highly recommend it and I am happy that it is made by someone from East Germany. I am not criticizing the citizens, I want to be clear about that. It was them who made it possible to have a peaceful Reunion, after all! I just think we owe a certain courtesy to the victims and I know that many East Germans think so, too.

In sum, I am not proud being German. Period. There are many things I am ashamed of, also contemporary things. For example the fact that the extreme right is becoming more influencial in the Eastern border areas of Germany. It went so far that other countries published travel guides that recommend to avoid certain areas for foreigners of this country. That makes me really sad.

I am proud of some actions, though. I am proud that Germany doesn't hide the inconvenient parts of its history and builds places of information and memorial in the most prominent parts of the city. There are still many things to improve, no doubt, but I think this is the way to go when your Nation has historical guilt. I am also proud of our basic rights. They are fully written on glass next to the Spree (main river in Berlin). They emphasize equality, free personal development, freedom of speech, freedom of press, freedom of travel, freedom of sexual orientation, woman's rights, children's rights and many more values that I support. Following those guidelines means to prevent things to be ashamed of in the future. I am also proud that the Reunion was demanded by the East German public and took place peacefully. Still, there remains the necessity to keep dealing with more and less recent history.

I know, I made it a long entry. There were some things I wanted to say that are relevant in my opinion.

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Update on the TV Geek's Songbook

Jericho

Tom already linked the Killers which I planned to add this time. If you missed it, go here – I love that song.
Being flexible, though, I take the runner up for Jericho, it was played pretty much in the beginning also, when Jake goes to see his family. The music of the first episode was wonderful and a big part of what I loved about it.

Music video: Goo Goo Dolls – Better Days

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Firefly Countdown Part #3

Woohoo, we are entering the top 10.

*SPOILERS for the episodes ahead*

#10 The Message

Here, the crew is asked to deliver the apparent corpse of Tracey to his family. I am absolutely in love with some aspects of this episode, I simply didn't care too much for the blind passenger plot and the war memory scenes with him. Coming to the good stuff. Jayne getting that hat from his mother was plain awesome and who didn't scream at the screan when Simon messed up the mood with Kaylee, again! Silly him.
My favorite part of the episode is the ending, no doubt. Incredible score, as well. I heard on the DVD commentary that the cast and crew of Firefly received the note of cancelation around the time they shot this scene. They said that it was also Farewell Firefly, in a way. Makes me sad. If you don't remember the scene - watch it again.

Favorite visual:

The final scene. The crew delivers the coffin to the family. It has a cameo of Joss Whedon and Tracey's letter is read in a voice over. Music and acting is plain wonderful.

Favorite quote:

Tracey: When you can't run you crawl, and when you can't crawl, when you can't do that...
Zoe: You find someone to carry you.

Favorite Jayne and Wash quote:

Jayne: (wearing his mother's orange hat) How does it sit? Pretty cunning, don't ya think?
Kaylee: I think it's the sweetest hat ever.
Jayne: Yeah, yeah.
Wash: A man walks down the street in that hat, people know he's not afraid of anything.
Jayne: Damn straight!

Honorable mention of Book:

Jayne: I got post?
Book: Might we all want to step a few paces back before he opens that.

#9 Heart of Gold

This is actually an episode that has some Western feel about it when the crew is helping one of Inara's companion friends. I didn't like the villain too much, he seemed to cliched for me and some aspects of the episode were a little over the top. I liked the focus on Inara, though, and that we get more information on being a companion. Even if I am kind of shipping Inara and Mal, I enjoyed the romance between Mal and Nandi. In general, the Mal and Inara interaction in this episode was great and her reaction was so sad! Also Zoe's and Wash's baby conversation was cute.

Favorite visual:

Mal chasing down the villain on his own for shooting Nandi. This was pure determination.

Favorite quote:

Nandi: (after their first kiss) You okay with this?
Mal: I'm just waiting to see if I pass out. Long story.

Favorite Jayne quote (I am slightly cheating again, it is more of a Mal line. I have high expectations when it comes to Jayne and this wasn't his funniest episode in my book):

Jayne: Whoa now, girl, that's just plain dirty.
Mal: Jayne, you aware your radio's transmitting? Cause I ain't feeling particular girlish or dirty at the moment.

Favorite Wash quote:

Kaylee: Wash, tell me I'm pretty.
Wash: Were I unwed I would take you in a manly fashion.
Kaylee: 'Cause I'm pretty?
Wash: 'Cause you're pretty.

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Bye guys! Have a nice week everyone.

Long time no blog! I missed it but I was also a little bit lazy to start again. The congress went well. I was nervous but it's getting better every time. Now, I am kind of exhausted. I am having three weeks of vacation and after a lot of sleep on the weekend, I am starting to actively enjoy it!

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Exploring TV.com

Dr. Horrible

I am still delighted to get submissions for Dr. Horrible and I check my queue a ridiculous number of times. I had my fair share of learning to do but I think it works fine, in general (thanks again, grailwolf). Any notes on Act II or allusions for Act III out there? Also, an expert in English punctuation is welcome to check for improvements everywhere. Please provide some details in your comments and your url-sources whenever possible, that makes it a lot easier. I am actually working on a submission guide which I hope to be helpful.

Also, would you like to open some kind of off-topic thread in the forum? I was wondering whether this would be a good idea.

Submitting to other Guides

Beside Dr. Horrible, I started submitting and it's addictive. I looked for neglected people and shows. Needless to say that most of my attempts led to proper guides. I saw a lot of familiar editors, isn't that funny? And you have to note, that I actively searched for less famous people and in shows that are long gone. As it turns out, Mädchen Amick (Twin Peaks), Lauren Ambrose (Six Feet Under), and many other people are well taken care of, which is wonderful.

Anyways. I started submitting to Oliver Platt. He was in Huff and in many movies, for example Flatliners. I love him and he is editorless. Adhir Kalyan is also pretty neglected. You don't recognize the name? I didn't either but he is the adorable guy who played Raja in Aliens in America. I am not for sitcoms, in general, but this one intrigued me and I think it was very sensibly done.

I also found shows in very bad shape. This takes a whole lot of time. And I want to add a big shoutout to Lin and Bill for their valuable help in getting me started. It was so nice of you to take some time for a newcomer.

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What I'm Watching

Recent Progress

I hardly watched any TV in the last two weeks. Well, except a million runs of Dr. Horrible, of course. But here's a quick update:

Dr. Who Season 1

I finished episode 9 of the first season and there were many adorable moments. I loved the flat human watching the end of the world and it's great when they go back in time. I admit that I am not a hardcore fan, yet, but I will stick with it. The end of the season should get really exciting.

Jericho Season 1

I watched the first episode and I liked it. It's hard for me to imagine where they would go from here but I will keep watching.

How I Met your Mother Season 1

I broke my no-sitcom-rule. I was so amazed by Neil Patrick Harris in Dr. Horrible that I had to give this show a try. It's very cute and has some laugh-out-loud moments. Love Alyson Hannigan, as well, and the main guy whose name just slipped away. Very nice, not a must-watch for me but very nice.

What I Plan to Watch

The Wire Season 3

Thanks Hari, I always wanted to continue with this show and I will take the advice to jump to season three in order to get me hooked.

Queer as Folk Season 1

Again an inspiration, thanks Ashley. I just have to get my own opinion on this one. What better timing than summer and vacation.

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Update on the TV Geek's Songbook

Dr. Horrible

Just one entry this time but I just have to link a song from Dr. Horrible. If you haven't seen it - go ahead! There are three parts with roughly 15 minutes each. In the US and Canada you can download it from itunes, the rest of us can see the trailer here. EDIT: Full video of Dr. Horrible can be watched here (Thanks Caryn!!).

It was very hard to choose, I love almost every song but this one is special to me.

Scene (*SPOILER*): Neil Patrick Harris - Brand New Day

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Firefly Countdown Part #2

Here is the continuation of my Firefly countdown. I am kind of cheating as to the quotes because I added two additional categories, namely "best Wash quote" and "best Jayne quote". Fairness reasons. *winks to Tish* And still, all animals are equal, some animals are just more equal.

*SPOILERS for the episodes ahead*

#12 Safe

This is a wonderful episode for Simon and River but for me it lacks either fun or pace to be higher in the list. We get interesting flashbacks and it helps a lot to understand their relationship. It was also awesome to see River enjoying herself for once (the dance). I will add my Jayne and Wash quote, although it really isn't the funniest episode, at least for them.

Favorite visual:

The rescue mission. I was so touched by Mals words, and I loved the man hanging out of the spaceship with the gun (aka Jayne).

Favorite quote:

Simon: Captain, why did you come back for us?
Mal: You're on my crew.
Simon: Yeah, but you don't even like me. Why did you come back?
Mal: You're on my crew. Why are we still talking about this?

Favorite Jayne quote:

Jayne: (snooping trough Simons stuff) Dear Diary. Today I was pompous and my sister was crazy. Today we were kidnapped by hillfolk, never to be seen again. It was the best day ever.

Favorite Wash quote:

Zoë: Next time we smuggle stock, let's make it something smaller.
Wash: Yeah, we should start dealing in those black-market beagles.

#11 Trash

I know, naked Mal and a comparably low ranking, what's gotten into me? Still, there are just many episodes I like better. It was fun to have Saffron reappear and her interactions with Mal were definitely a highlight. I also liked the interaction between Inara and Mal and the fact that she got to save the day.

Favorite visual:

Mal and Saffron meeting for the first time and pulling guns on one another. Well, and a confident Mal who couldn't care less about his nakedness.

Favorite quote:

(naked in the desert)
Mal: Well, that went well...

Favorite Jayne quote:

Jayne: Well, Jayne ain't a girl!

Favorite Wash quote:

Wash: We're in space! How did she get here?
Mal: She hitched.
Wash: I don't recall pulling over!

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Next time I'll add more than two episodes but I got sidetracked from other stuff I've wanted to blog.

Bye for now! Take care, everybody.