(I wrote this entry via the school years, as it seemed to be easier to remember things that way).
For Angela, who wanted to know what it was like growing up 80’s-style.
(I wrote this entry via the school years, as it seemed to be easier to remember things that way).
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Don’t get me wrong, I love Chuck and will love it until the end of time; however, this season has been a big letdown for me.
First, I miss the Intersect. I know we had it briefly in Morgan’s head and I still think that was a lame plot device, although I appreciate the comedy back this season. It was one of the elements missing from season four. The whole Morgan having the Intersect was stupid to me (whatever were the writers thinking?) and am glad it is out of his head. However, I miss the Intersect in Chuck. It is what made the show unique. Yes, I understand Chuck now has the training wheels off and it is nice having him think and act like a spy, but what made me like Chuck was the concept of a fish out of water and the Intersect made him different, now Chuck is just like any other spy serial. Second, the ‘jump the shark’ attitude of the writers regarding Chuck and Sarah. Last week, Sarah worried she might be pregnant and I thought that could not be possible; it appears, Chuck and Sarah have taken an oath of celibacy since their wedding. All we need now is separate beds like we saw in I Love Lucy. Casey, Morgan, Devon, and even Big Mike appear to be getting more 'action' than Chuck and Sarah. There has been little spark and even less romance. Come on writers, they’re newlyweds—let them act like newlyweds! Third, the romance between Casey and Verbanski (Carrie Anne Moss) falls flat to me. I am a hopeless romantic and to me this is hot and heavy sex and not love and tenderness. I much rather see Casey get back together with Alex’s mother. I love Kathleen and have missed her this season. Fourth, no Bruce Boxleitner. Of course, I have been complaining about that since the end of season two. When Devon’s parents were first introduced we learned his parents lived in Massachusetts. Now it appears in this season, they have moved to California, because there have been a couple references that Clara has been staying with his parents, so why have we not seen Dr. Woody and Honey Woodcomb? Hmm? I would love to see some doting grandparent scenes. Fifth, and final reason, is I hate to see it come to an end. I love this show. I love the humor. I love the chemistry. I love the cast. I love the antics of the Buy More. I love Jeffster. I love Chuck and Sarah. I love Casey’s one-liners. How I am going to miss this show! I know, without a doubt, I am going to need a big box of Kleenex for the finale. Yes, I am going to hate seeing it all end. I finished the third installment of my Chuck/Scarecrow and Mrs. King crossover stories, Chuck versus the Doppelganger. Again, this one can stand alone, although there are a couple references to the other stories.
Probably the final crossover story and the last fan fiction story for awhile with me being busy homeschooling and with Christmas break right around the corner. Received some great news from tvshowsondvd.com yesterday, WB will be releasing season three of Scarecrow and Mrs. King on March 20, 2012!! Bring on the near kisses, the interruptions, and the tush grab! The hand-holding, hugs and budding romance! The bickering, the jealousy, and the smoldering glances! Some of my all time favorite episodes are in this wonderful season!
Available for pre-sale through WB Shop and Amazon. No, I’m not talking Wall Street; I’m talking the one million viewers who watch Chuck, who fall into the 18 to 49 age demographic. Every week, I look forward to a new episode and enjoy the antics of the Buy More, and the humorous one-liners from Casey--a man of few words, the amazing chemistry between Chuck and Sarah, and the comedy, action, espionage, science fiction, romance, all rolled into one amazing little television show.
I admit I had my doubts about season five. (Warning contains spoilers). I screamed at my television set when Morgan downloaded the Intersect into his head the end of last season. I believe the Intersect was not meant anyone other then Chuck and has been constantly proven throughout the series. I also hate how Morgan having the Intersect invalidates Chuck's very existence and the entire mythology of the show. In addition, I was worried this year was going to be silly, corny, and slapsticky and I did not and still do not like Morgan as the Intersect; however, the direction of the show has made some interesting twists and turns and I confess I am intrigued. "Chuck versus the Zoom" I enjoyed. It was great to see the whole gang back, and it was good to see the comedy return, season four had been so serious and I missed the charm and humor. The line about premature zoom was classic Chuck. I also had some serious fangirl moments. First, seeing Mark Hamill in the episode was great. I just love all the sci-fi, comics, and pop culture icons that appear sprinkled throughout the series. I also squealed when Sarah’s dream house, the cute little white house, with the red door and white picket fence, ended up being Amanda King’s house from Scarecrow and Mrs. King. Yet, another comparison between the two shows. I love it! However, in some ways it was as if the writers were trying to recapture some of season one’s naïveté with a bumbling, spy in training, but instead of Chuck its Morgan—and it just doesn’t work. I also thought the fight sequences with Morgan were corny, as lame as the battle between Count Dooku and Yoda in Star Wars: Attack of the Clones. "Chuck versus the Bearded Bandit" I enjoyed, too. It also got me thinking and wondering where the writers are taking us. I had to think back to the season finale. Who left those glasses for Chuck? I assumed General Beckman, but what if it was Decker and this was all part of his master plan. In addition, you can see how this is changing Morgan, so either the mythology of the show continues and only Chuck can handle the Intersect in his head or Morgan turning evil and ‘joining the dark side’ is what Decker hoped, after all, isn’t this what happened to Alexei Volkhoff, who turned from mild-manner scientist to evil villain? (Portrayed brilliantly by Timothy Dalton, by the way). I can’t believe Morgan sold out to his team and switched sides. I look forward to Chuck’s reaction over the news. He is the ‘worst handler ever.’ I am intrigued by Morgan forgetting Star Wars and Indiana Jones, a big part of who he is. I also liked the introduction of the character Gertrude Verbanski (Carrie-Anne Moss) as the leader of another rogue team of spies and competition to Carmichael Industries. Although, I don’t trust her and don’t like the idea she is supposed to be a love interest for Casey. I really think Casey needs to get back together with Kathleen, after all they had a child together, she now knows he is alive, and I think the few moments we have seen the two together on screen have been sweet. There were some great comic moments is this episode, I laughed out loud at the old Buy More commercial with Big Mike’s afro and the beta machine on sell for $2000 dollars. Ah, memories of the 80’s. Chuck has had its ups and downs and the 'will they or won’t they'—no, not talking Chuck and Sarah, but NBC renewing the show. The writers strike, story arch, directional problems, constant risk on cancellation, all has affected the course and direction of the show. However, I am excited about this season; I am excited to see how the show plays out now that Chuck and Sarah are married. I am excited to see how being rogue spies incorporates into the new direction the show is taking and I am anxious to see Chuck get the Intersect back on his head, back where it belongs. I have enjoyed the ride and will be sorry to see all come to an end. Occupy Chuck!! A fandom is a community that surrounds a particular television show, movie, book, or other medium. Fanfiction writers, artists, poets can all be members, but one does not necessarily need to write to belong to a fandom, sometimes we are just fans. Fandoms often consist of message boards, i.e. livejournal communities or people who share the same interest. Here is a list of my favorite fandoms, although I admit the ones I usually write for are Scarecrow and Mrs. King and Chuck, but someday I hope to branch out.
No, I am not thinking the star-crossed lovers Romeo and Juliet—in my opinion, the best couple ever is Scarecrow and Mrs. King’s Lee and Amanda. There are three reasons why I believe Lee and Amanda are the best couple ever; these reasons are fate, chemistry, and the natural progression of their relationship.
To begin with, I am firm believer in fate. On a train platform swarming with people, Lee grabbed Amanda from the crowd. Why her? And why did she agree to take the package? In addition, if she had been able to pass the package, their paths most likely would have never crossed again. Was it destiny? Yes, they were meant to be together. Moreover, what is more romantic then meeting your soulmate at a train station? The train symbolizes a journey—perhaps into a new facet of life, or a new relationship. It symbolizes a powerful force that is guiding like fate. A chance encounter at a train station changed both their lives. The second reason, I believe Lee and Amanda are the best couple ever is their chemistry. I don’t think any couple from any television series had more chemistry then Bruce Boxleitner and Kate Jackson. They were never supposed to become a couple. In fact, in the original pilot script Amanda was married to Dean. How different the show would have been if Amanda was sneaking out on her husband, instead of my mother and sons and spending her evenings with the handsome spy. However, from the very beginning, there was an instant spark, unresolved sexual tension, and as a fan of the characters, I wanted to see them get together. Lee and Amanda were the first television characters I shipped. Shipping is derived from the word relationship. It is the belief two characters have romantic feelings towards each other and these feelings will lead to a potential relationship. Which leads into the third reason I believe Lee and Amanda are the best couple ever, the natural progression of their relationship. One of the reasons I do not care for television today is the loose morals. How couples hop into bed without the development of being a couple first. Therefore, I could not care whether they stay together or not. Lee and Amanda’s relationship was slower, therefore more natural. Both coming from different worlds; he is Lee Stetson, one of the top federal agents in the country, a risk taker, a rule breaker, looking for the quick thrill, whether running in with the gun or cheap one-night stands. She is Amanda King, a homemaker, divorced mother of two small boys, whose days are filled with little league, Junior Trailblazers, bake sells, and PTA meeting. Lee thought of Amanda as an untrained civilian, a nuisance, a homemaker having no business being involved in the world of espionage. She thought of Lee as a skirt-chaser, insufferable, and ungrateful, yet what do they say about opposites attracting. Slowly Lee began to trust Amanda and began to rely on her instructs, and Amanda was able to see behind the ‘Scarecrow’ mask to find a caring, sensitive man, who would even risk treason for her. Reluctant partners brought together by an unlikely ‘emergency’, coworkers to partners, friends to best friends, strangers to falling in love with each other. Both believing they were content in their own worlds, neither looking for the other, yet a moment of desperation led to the ultimate declaration of love. It was pure magic! For these reasons, I believe Lee and Amanda are the best couple ever. Their relationship has always given me contentment, warm fuzzies, and intense joy. Image an early October morning and you are walking down the train platform after dropping off your boyfriend, minding your own business, when suddenly a stranger dressed in a waiter’s uniform grabs you, tells you he is in trouble, and then begs you to give the package he is carrying to the “man in the red hat?" After following his instructions—with only a few minor missteps, you are thrust into the world of counterespionage. Now your ordinary life of PTA meetings and Little League is mixed with all-night stakeouts, courier assignments, and government secrets. . . Welcome to the world of Mrs. Amanda King, a divorced, unemployed, housewife, and mother of two small boys (Phillip ,10 and Jamie, 8). Between balancing the checkbook and a station wagon making a suicide pack with the lawnmower, she helps out at an ultra-secret government intelligence agency working as an amateur ‘spy.’ It is so secret she can’t even tell her family, friends, or boyfriend about her new found job - A clandestine job filled with danger, excitement, intrigue.
Amanda: No! I can't sleep here. How would I explain it? I'd feel like I was lying and sneaking. Lee: You are lying and sneaking. You're working for the government. Amanda is paired with the Agency’s top intelligence operative Lee Stetson, codename Scarecrow. Scarecrow is a ladies man, a lone wolf, has been known to take careless risks, and does not work with a partner. . . after losing his last partner to a bullet he believes was meant for him. At first, Lee wants nothing to do with the housewife from Arlington, but later comes to rely on her instincts, her ability to think outside the box, and “her own style" of solving the cases. Most people often discuss Lee Stetson and how much he changed from season one to season four: however, I feel Amanda’s change although more subtle, was equally just as important. In some ways, she is similar to Lee because she carries her own emotional scars and baggage—the loss of her father, the sting of a painful divorce, pitting her family needs ahead of her own. Most likely, she put off her life ambitions to help Joe through college and then through law school, and raised two young children on her own, because her husband choice to put his career above his family. Although, I doubt Amanda would have admitted she was a woman looking for love (sure she was dating someone who I feel she thought was ‘safe’—Mr. “I bought you new bookends” boring, weatherman Dean), after she divorced Joe, she was reserved about committing her heart again to another man. In addition, even if her mother was pressuring her into a long-term relationship with Dean, when she had only been divorced for a year, I believe Amanda might have continued her relationship with him, but when (and if) he ever popped the question; I don't know if she would have been able to say yes. I don’t believe she was ever in love with him; she cared for him greatly, but I don't believe she was in love. No, all that changed when she meet Lee at a train station. His daring and charming personality, further developed those seeds of doubts regarding Dean. And despite his faults, she was able to see behind the mask and found a caring, compassionate man, who would lay down his life for her, protect her, and would always be there for her. She was also a woman looking for a job or rather her place in society. More than just being a housewife and a mother, but making the world a safer place for Jamie and Phillip and helping the country she loved. Amanda had lost her confidence due to her divorce and had put herself and her ambitions ahead for the sake of the boys, her mother and even Joe. The day she met Lee changed everything and her. In addition, although not exactly fitting in with the Agency in the beginning, she proved herself a valuable asset. Moreover, once she got her confidence back and was secure in her role at the Agency, she moved up the ladder from part time civilian aide to full time agent, earning respect from her peers and her partner Lee. while she gained assurance as a woman and as an agent. Finally, I want to add a big thanks to Kate Jackson for doing such a wonderful job of bringing Amanda King to life. She is truly a gifted actress and I can't image anyone else who could have portrayed her as well as she did. Her chemistry with Bruce Boxleitner is what brought me back week after week. Last summer, my eldest son took a college credit course in video production, and one of their projects was to do interviews. They all wrote, directed, filmed, and starred in their on projects; however, they could use other class members as interviewees or to be part of the production team. Michael appeared in a faux news segment with another classmate playing the role of "Bruce the shark"—the famed shark from the blockbuster film Jaws.
Michael’s delivery was a bit off, because I don’t believe he understood the humor behind the jokes. He was asked why he looked different then he did in the movies, and he replied, “I haven’t been myself since I did the guest spot on Happy Days.” I love Chuck! I love it for the humor, the action, the romance. I love the wit and charm. Until a few days ago, I thought this would be the last Chuck episode ever. Needless to say, I was excited when NBC decided to renew Chuck for Season Five, albeit for only 13 episodes. I would have killed for 13 more episodes of Scarecrow and Mrs. King, so I was thrilled Chuck fans would get closure.
However, this morning I have mixed feeling about the Chuck Season Four finale. I thoroughly enjoyed the episode. I cried, I laughed, I screamed, I nearly peed my pants, I wanted to throw things, then I laughed and cried again. . . and finally the twist. . . and I hated it! Up to the point, it was a wonderful and delightful episode; Casey being a bad ass, Sarah's perfect vows, Chuck’s wiliness to give up everything, including his life to save Sarah, all the flashbacks were brilliant, Awesome punching out the CIA agent, and Timothy Dalton being near perfect in his dual role as Winterbottom and Volkoff. I loved that Chuck, Sarah and the gang are going into business for themselves, sort of as rogue spies, and how they are the new owners of the Buy More. The episode had just the right mix of humor and suspense. . . and then the lame twist. Whatever were the writers thinking? First, they rehashed a number of scenarios and lines. “Guys, I know Kung Fu” has been used three times and twice just this season. Chuck lost the Intersect already and now he has lost it again. In addition, how many times has the Army swooped down for the sky to save the day? It’s like shampoo. Wash, rinse, repeat. My biggest concern and gripe is Chuck is supposed to be special, only his brain was capable of handing the Intersect. Hence the removal of the Intersect for the two G.R.E.T.A.s. earlier this season. The “twist” ruined the idea that Chuck was "special" since now everyone can get the Intersect. Did Chuck just “jump the shark?” Taking a deep breath now. I've been with Chuck from the beginning and I'm not about to give up now. . . . . . I shall wait and see how this all plays out next season. Scarecrow and Mrs. King season two was released for purchase on DVD today. Yeah! What I dislike is the DVD did not come with any extras. . . again. Boo! I also did not like I had to stop at three stores before I found the DVD's on the shelf. Neither Target nor Walmart had it available for purchase at their stores. . . epic FAIL! However, Best Buy had several copies on the shelf. I'm just excited to finally have the series available on DVD and hope Warner Bros. releases season three and four soon. (My two favorite seasons).
I watched Chuck last night, and although there were funny moments the show has been disappointing me more times then not this season. In a lot of ways, it is similar to SMK's final season. A great episode followed by several uninteresting, unoriginal and unwitty episodes. I was talking with some friends a few weeks ago about Chuck and how this season is so much more violent. Yes, I understand he is a spy now and there will be more violence, but the show has a lot of the charm that made me fall in love with Chuck. From what I understand there are new writers this season and I don't think they have a clue what makes Chuck work. Even the humor at the Buy More has fallen flat. Certain fans are saying it 'jumped the shark,' because they finally have Chuck and Sarah together, further proving to these naysayers romance can not work and keep a show interesting and fresh and exciting. To them I give you a big raspberry!!! However, the show is hemorrhaging viewers. Last night was another drop in the rating. . . dipping to a new low. It is even losing its 18 to 34 demographics fanbase. Even my husband and oldest son have lost interest in the show. I will continue to support Chuck and watch it every week, and continue to support Subway. . . whatever it takes; however, it will require a miracle for us fans to get a fifth season. I’m reposting for Narelle who wanted all the details about the SMK reunion I attended back in 2008.
The Event: The 25th Anniversary of Scarecrow and Mrs. King. The Location: The Beverly Garland Hotel in Burbank, California. When: October 3-4, 2008 Fans got the opportunity to visit with SMK cast members and I was one of the lucky few! It was also a chance to meet many of my online friends, who share my addiction to SMK. Thursday I flew from Seattle to Burbank Thursday afternoon where I was picked up at the airport by the lovely Jen V. She took me to the Beverly Garland Hotel where I checked in, sharing a room with Buffy and Neeney. We hung at the pool for a while and then several girls and I took the subway to Hollywood Boulevard, we walked along the Hollywood Walk of Fame, found Beverly Garland’s star, viewed Grauman’s Chinese Theater and the famous hand-prints, walked past the Kodak Theatre, saw the famous “Hollywood” sign from the distance, and did some shopping. Then we took the subway back to the hotel for dinner. My top ten favorite Scarecrow and Mrs. King tags broken down by seasons. Magic Bus I love the teasing, so early Lee and Amanda. Already the chemistry is there and sparks are flying. And are they flirting or what? She asks him to say something nice about her work and him telling her, “Not bad.” Her leaning towards him and both of them looking into each other’s eyes, almost daring the other, “Care to change your opinion?” “That is so petty.” Love it! |
"Hey. . . it's me."I live in the shadows of the Olympic Mountains in the state of Washington and I love camping, boating, kayaking, hiking, and hanging out with my husband, our three adult children, and our Bernese Mountain dog, Henry. Tags
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