Posted by Vee | July 9, 2009, 18:52 (EST) | 10 Comments
Category: TV Series
Craig over at the KryptonSite Network has tossed his hat into the ring with a review of The Vampire Diaries pilot. It’s a positive one (4.5 stars out of 5), but also fair; he touches on several points here that previous reviewers have not, including a more in-depth look at the supporting cast (he seems especially impressed with Katerina Graham as Bonnie) and the small town atmosphere of Mystic Falls.
From the very first moments, the pilot reminds me of the first episode of a WB Network show from the times when The WB was good. There’s the pop-culture banter between a soon-to-be-doomed couple, there’s a dark and moody backdrop, and already some action and mystery… all within the first minute. Those worried that this is going to be a Twilight love-fest redux can relax. There’s a lot more going on than the romantic stuff.
He also gives his personal perspective as a fan on Smallville‘s shift in the CW line-up (Vampire Diaries is taking over that show’s 8 p.m. timeslot on Thursday night), which he sees as a potentially good thing for the network and Smallville.
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7:12 pm on July 9th, 2009
I should tell you though that my feeling on the timeslot change is not shared by most Smallville fans, many of whom are angry about it. I think it could all ultimately be a good thing, as I pointed out in my review. If TVD is huge, and the CW cares to promote SV during the show, it could ultimately benefit Smallville’s Friday ratings. Craig(Quote)
8:01 pm on July 9th, 2009
Yeah, we’ve kind of noticed a lot of hostility about it from many Smallville fans. I can’t decide if they’re more angry than the upset LJS fans or not. It might just be that the Smallville fanbase is bigger so a little bit louder. Red(Quote)
8:53 pm on July 9th, 2009
It could also be that it messes with a routine – a lot of Smallville fans are used to going out on Friday nights, and they really liked their Smallville/Supernatural combo. (Who could blame them?)
Even if SV had remained on Thursdays though, there’s only one or two years left in the SV/SPN combo anyway. There’s no way Tom Welling will do more than 10 seasons (though I also said he’d never do more than 8- oops), and the Supernatural folks say they have a 5 year plan which could go to 6 possibly. I think it’s smart for the network to try out something new.
I also think SV fans are angry – and rightfully so – that SV is paired with crap (aka, a Top Model repeat) on Friday nights. Wish it was a TVD encore, or heck, even a Melrose Place encore would beat microwaved Tyra Banks. Craig(Quote)
9:05 pm on July 9th, 2009
I’m one of those fans that are so used to my SV/SPN combo Thurday nights. The two shows fit very well together and I think they complement each other well. Then again, I am also a big fan of TVD books and am interested in seeing how the show turns out. I totally agree about SV’s ratings and the Friday timeslot. I’d follow SV to any timeslot they put it in and I look forward to seeing the pilot! Aims(Quote)
9:09 pm on July 9th, 2009
…no, if they actually showed Tyra Banks being microwaved, they’d get some awesome viewing figures. ;)
But yeah, I can understand the move would make fans angry, though it’s one of those things that they might be able to overlook… if it weren’t for the fact it’s being paired with crap, which just makes the whole thing a slap in the face. :/ Red(Quote)
9:21 pm on July 9th, 2009
Yeah, I’m one of those gripes. I adore the Vampire Diaries, but I adored the SPN/SV combo more. Smallville has already plummeted downhill from the glory days (umm…the real Lex Luthor would not get blown to pieces in a scooby van). I’ve had a steady work schedule to be off on Thursday nights to watch that combo. Now, I somehow have got to make it work for Friday nights too.
Now, I wonder if Tyra will suck all the energy of Smallville. :(
I’ll live. Besides, I really can’t wait to see TVD! Jezebel(Quote)
11:05 pm on July 9th, 2009
I kind of figured that they were going down the Salem Witch route with Bonnie. Even though, descedents of druids would’ve been far more interesting. Jezebel(Quote)
9:42 am on July 10th, 2009
“…Those worried that this is going to be a Twilight love-fest redux can relax. There’s a lot more going on than the romantic stuff.”
Hopefully yaysh! Lily(Quote)
11:30 am on July 10th, 2009
But Salem witches…how’s that convo going to go?
Bonnie: I’m descended from the Salem witches.
Elena: The what now?
Bonnie: Salem wiiiiiiiiiiiitches.
Elena: You are an idiot.
LOL. Sigh. It does make more sense, though, I guess. Tara(Quote)
9:53 pm on July 10th, 2009
I’m glad to see the town taken into consideration as its own character. It’s one of the more important aspects for me, personally. And though I’ve long come to terms with the loss of the Italian Renaissance background (and expected it the moment the series was announced – and it’s obvious why they tweaked it), I can’t say I’m disappointed that the Civil War will be more of the focus as that itself is a big player in the books. Do I worry about the inevitable True Blood comparisons that are going to come down because of it? Yes. Hell, they’ve already been happening. But it’s in the series’ DNA and it makes sense. AND it excites me because for those who HAVE read the books, it doesn’t take long to start connecting the dots about we do know of the town and certain other details. I think it has the potential to go to a very interesting place.
Of course it remains to be seen how much of Fell’s Church’s history will be in Mystic Falls – but I think it’s going to be closer than some may think. Vee(Quote)