Unseen Horrors & Shadowy Manipulations

by Kevin Andrew Murphyon Buffy the Vampire Slayer

On television, Buffy and her gang must contend with unseen horrors, unspeakable evils, and the dark and shadowy manipulations of secret organizations bent on reshaping the world in their own image. In reality, the writers, producers, and cast of the show contend with much the same.

The names are different, of course, but the objectives and methodologies are remarkably similar–as are the tools at their disposal, the main ones being censorship and pressure. Censorship to remove thoughts and images they find offensive, and pressure to incorporate ones they deem desirable. The degree of success in achieving these goals depends on the power of the entity.

Starting with some of the most powerful beings, in the Buffyverse, the Powers of Darkness are opposed by the mysterious Loa, the Spirit Guides, and the Powers That Be–benevolent entities that guard, protect and shepherd, but not to be trifled with lightly. In the real world, there … read more»

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What It Means to Mourn

by Martin Shusteron Dollhouse

In “Omega,” the twelfth episode of the first season of Dollhouse,
Alpha explained to Caroline: “that’s just a body–they’re all
pretty much the same.” Through the course of Dollhouse’s two
seasons, it was difficult to determine whether Alpha was right
or wrong. … read more»

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Pieces of Sydney

by Joyce Millmanon Alias

Dimpled grad student by day, spy chick in a sprayed-on rubber dress by night–that was the original premise of Alias when it premiered on ABC in 2001. And while Sydney Bristow is no longer in college, she remains the sweetest, most uncorrupted CIA operative in TV history.

Sydney is unflinching under … read more»

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Wed 8/5

A Special Hero

by J FitzGerald McCurdyon the Uglies series

In fiction, heroes and villains are usually main characters, often in opposition to one another. Heroes are distinguished by their exceptional courage, fortitude, and boldness, while villains are depicted as egregiously wicked, corrupt, or malevolent.

In the Uglies series, Dr. Cable is clearly the villain. Her lust for power and control … read more»

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Tue 8/4

Modeling the Writer’s Life

by Lois McMaster Bujoldon Anne McCaffrey and the Dragonriders of Pern series

The first Anne McCaffrey tale I ever read was also one of the most memorable works of its era. Sometime in the mid to late ’60s, which was my mid to late teens, I encountered the short story “The Ship Who Sang” quite by chance in my random SF reading, … read more»