Reviews for Running on Faith, Season One
| Selene |
03/13/05 - 02:53PM |
8: Episode 8: Can We Just Pretend |
Signed |
Dawn's self reliance in this story is great. She has matured into a woman and out of her whiny brat phase. Buffy jealousy over Faith is so perfect. If her men aren't falling all over themselves about her she gets miffed! Connor accidentally killing the witch and his animalistic rage on Ethane was chilling. Great chapter I enjoyed it thoroughly.
Author's Response: I definitely want to show Dawn gradually growing up in this story. I too thought she was a whiny brat on the show. If I was going to write a story with her in it, I really needed her to grow. But I didn't want it to be like *Pow*- all grown up. I wanted it to be a process. As for Connor, I want to show he's a lot like his dad. he too has a demon inside scratching to get out. And it will if he's not careful. |
| Selene |
03/13/05 - 02:36PM |
7: Episode 7: Sunnydale |
Signed |
This is fan-freakin-tastic. Thank God you have the next chapter up already or I would have been dying here. I really love this story. Angel's reappearance was a nice touch. I loved the touching moment between Father and Son. The jail break was such a inventive escape plan. I loved it. The continuing friendship between Spike and Connor is probably one of my favorite aspects of this story line. I would have loved to see a black haired Spike! And the Minnesota accent was just priceless!
Author's Response: I was hoping black haired and Minnesota accented Spike would be good for a few laughs. I too wanted Angel and Connor to have at least one father/son moment. Thanks again for the review. It made me feel so up. |
| Selene |
03/13/05 - 02:19PM |
6: Episode 6: Almost a Jailbreak |
Signed |
I love this story! You brought in Ethan Rayne and Willow. I couldn't be happier. The abduction by Spike and Connor was brilliant. I also love how you have so many story lines going on and it is easy to follow along. Your put so much action in each chapter but pull me in by revealling some of the inner workings of each character. (Like Kennedy becoming mad at Willow when she pulls away from her in front of other people) I am dying to know who the risen is... Great chapter!
Author's Response: Thanks for the review. I’m so glad you love the story. Ethan and Willow are fun characters and I’d have to be an idiot not to bring them in. I try to keep several story lines going. You know, it’s funny, I feel my current season of RoF is dragging and now I think I know why! I’m glad I[‘m managing that delicate balance between action and emotion, at least so far as you’re concerned. Thanks again for reading! |
| Selene |
03/13/05 - 01:59PM |
5: Episode 5: Heartland and Homeland |
Signed |
I absolutely love the friendship that seems to be growing between Spike and Connor. It is so natural and easy. I also think that Buffy is acting like her typical self in not really focusing on Dawn after finding out that she isn't in immediate danger. Dawn continally reaches out for comfort from her and it's like a black hole... I love the Faith and Eve's "talks". Eve is so sublimely evil. Faith's uncertainty in handing over Connor is such a natural and realistic impulse in the situation she is in. Great work in showing how emotionally unbalanced she is by the death penalty threat...
Author's Response: Thanks for the review! The Connor/ Spike friendship is something I really wanted to build. The two of them have a few things in common. Yes, Buffy is back to acting her typical self. “I love you when you’re in danger, but other than that, I haven’t got time.” I hope you keep enjoying the stories. |
| Selene |
03/13/05 - 01:45PM |
4: Episode 4: Failed Transport |
Signed |
I love the darkness that you infused into Dawn. Having been through such horrible kidknapping again and again would have made her snap. I am sort of sorry that Amy is dead, but I have a soft spot for her. She really deserved it. She was really evil. (No grey area at all) Your Buffy is so hard edge. I can't wait to find out what the status of her realtionship with the men in her life. Great action sequences and plot twists. You continually keep me guessing where you are going with this one... Great work!
Author's Response: Dawn is growing up. Part of that process, sadly, is growing a bit darker. Basically, what Dawn learned about herself, was that if it came down to her dying or killing a human, she could and would kill to stay alive. I actually really like Amy as well and was sad to kill her, but I wanted to kind of send a message that a lot of the old rules weren't applicable to the series. Buffy won't be a very well-rounded character. This isn't her story, so I think a lot of people will think she's two-dimensional. Well, she is. I mean, how many dimensions to Kendra have? I’m glad the action sequences have you hooked and guessing where I’m going next. Thanks so much for the review. |
| Selene |
03/10/05 - 10:01PM |
3: Episode 3: Everybody’s Got an Angle |
Signed |
Gah! Another great chapter! I love the Spike Connor interaction. Very funny. I am glad that you chose to have Amy in this. She always brings in another level of chaos. I can't wait to find out who the Risen One is... Very cryptic and Giles-esque.
:D
Author's Response: Thanks for the review. I had a lot of fun writing the Spike/Connor interactions, so I'm really happy they came off as funny. I like bringing back old villains, thus Amy's inclusion. Hopefully the Risen ONe will live up to your expectations. |
| Selene |
03/10/05 - 09:52PM |
2: Episode 2: Trial Separation |
Signed |
Very good... I love the whole Dawn/Connor snarky comments. I am so glad that Spike has shown up even though he is much worse for the wear. He should add even more taunts into the general mix... Great work! Must read more.
Author's Response: Thanks again for the reviews. I had a lot of fun writing the snarky comments, so I’m glad they came off as funny. Poor Spike did take a beating, but he should be here to stay for a while. He’s one of the central characters I want to build around. I hope you keep enjoying the story! |
| Selene |
03/10/05 - 09:41PM |
1: Pilot: Goodbye Boston |
Signed |
Wow! What a great beginning. I love your Connor. You start out by REALLY explaining how it felt to him being left by Angel to fend for himself and have him realize the sacrifice that Angel made for him. That's brilliant! Usually most writer's either make Connor whiny or just all psycho crazy... This was a nice change of pace. You definately nailed Faith I could picture her all attitude giving Connor the once over... I can't wait to see where you are going with this. Oh! and vampires with guns... and body armor... This is going to be great. Thanks!
Author's Response: Thanks for the review. I’m glad you like Connor version 2.1 as I like to call him. There are a lot of unresolved issues between Angel and Connor that I really want to explore. I *WISH* I nailed Faith. Oh, wait, you mean nailed as in got the character down. Thanks. Hopefully Cool Connor, nailed Faith, and my body-armored vamps will keep your interest. |
| tamzinrose |
02/18/05 - 03:31PM |
22: Episode 22: You Call This a Finale? |
Signed |
You know, stuff like this is really rare. Stuff that's like an actual episode. Stuff that's powerful, believable and emotional. Stuff that captures the characters and the relationships. Stuff that pulls the readers right in. I got hooked reading this. It took me all damned day but I read it. And you know what? I didn't feel like I'd wasted my day sitting here reading this. Because it's brilliant. You have a very rare, very special talent. I am glad I read this. You rock muchly! If you don't write a Season 2, it'll be just as bad as the whole ending of Buffy and Angel thing in the first place. Don't take away my subsititute. I'm slowly weaning myself off my addiction and this is perfect help! Well done! Oh My Goddess!
Author's Response: Um . . . wow. And thank you. This is all I really have to say. Wow and thank you. I’m really, really happy I was able to create a story that made at least one person so happy. Season 2 is being written. At this point, a few chapters are up, so you can check them out if you want. I hope you’ll read it and enjoy it as much as you did this one. Thanks again for reading and for you very, very kind review. |
| crzybree |
01/25/05 - 07:21PM |
22: Episode 22: You Call This a Finale? |
Signed |
AI really loved this story. You are a great writer. I can't wait to read the second season. Well here I go off to the next one. Keep writin.
Author's Response: Glad you liked it. Hopefully season 2 will keep you just as entertained. |
| Kevin |
01/16/05 - 03:58AM |
17: Episode 17: Baggage, Ghosts, and Destiny |
Signed |
Creepy chapter. Vail's mansion was a GREAT place to set this. Lorne and Eve made an excellent odd couple. Angel seems like he's going off the deep end.
Author's Response: Angel always goes off the deep end where Connor is concerned. Vail's creepy mansion will hopefully keep you entertained for a couple ep's. |
| Angeldove |
12/15/04 - 02:07AM |
22: Episode 22: You Call This a Finale? |
Signed |
I have to of course start with mentioning how much I was loving the Firefly reference in "Shiny". Just warms me thinking about it again as I write this. Secondly, I enjoyed Angel and Connor’s interaction that spilled over from the previous ep with: ”Connor, I . . . I overestimated your understanding of this place,” Angel conceded sadly. “I thought you’d learn your lesson if you were on your own a while. You were right. I never should have thrown you out like that. I thought you needed some tough love. Now I think maybe you’ve gotten about as much of that as one person could bear.” Didn’t this just need to be said? Although the ”Champions” speech will forever be immortalized, the action of throwing Connor out onto the street, into a world he didn’t know, or understand, at no fault of his own, seemed overly harsh. Especially given the fact that Connor’s lack of knowledge about our world was, although indirectly, largely Angel’s fault. So as this episode ends, I am glad to see there is a second season. Thank God some of you other readers came out and reviewed!!! I can see that many of you wanted to wait until the end to review, but if you only knew how close to’ no end’ there would have been to review, you would have thrown a few out here and there along the way!!!! To all readers, especially those who are not also writers, reviews are important to keeping a writer motivated. If the writer doesn’t feel like anyone out there is reading or cares, then he has little incentive to continue or finish. I tend to review chapter by chapter (no matter how long it may take me as is seen by my tardiness in posting this review) however, a review here and there, just to let the author know you are still there, enjoying the story, goes a long way to making the writing process less stressful and more enjoyable, as fanfic should be. Enough of my soapboxing – just happy Filmtheory is finally getting his deserved credit, and hoping that it will only increase as ”Running on Faith” season two begins.
Author's Response: hanks for the review. That was real Shiny of you. Am I using that right? I think Angel apologizing for booting Connor out had to be said. Even when it happened, I thought it was a really, really dumb thing to do. You realize that your son's moral compass doesn't exactly point north, and your solution is to send him off on his own and hope he figures things out. I hesitate to say that Holts was a *better* father than Angel. However, I think Holtz certainly was a more *responsible* father. Or rather, he did a better job at fulfilling the responsibilities of a father. One of the things fathers must do for their sons is to teach them how to function in the world in which they exist. Holtz very thoroughly prepared Connor for existence in Quar'Toth. Angel's few attempts at teaching Connor how to live in this world was giving him vague and sanctimonious lectures in the vein of "Be a champion!" and "Get over it!" I can understand how Angel could make the mistake of throwing Connor out. It's his inability to acknowledge that as a mistake that always drove me nuts. Thanks for the soapboxing there. I'm definitely feeling the love these days. Chapter 6 of RoF, season 2 is *almost* ready. |
| Angeldove |
12/15/04 - 01:23AM |
21: Episode 21: I Shanshu, You Shanshu, He Done Been Shanshued |
Signed |
I absolutely loved your explanation for the Shanshu prophecy. So simplistic, yet nothing I would have ever come up with on my own. Here you have a definition that in the tradition that is the vagary of prophecies, provides a beautiful, definitive explanation. I loved it! And this is coming from a person who still believes that in the end, Angel regains his humanity and he and Buffy live happily ever after – Shanshu! So the fact that I reacted so strongly positive to this explanation means a lot. I can’t say anything better than that I loved it and it was pure genius. Who knew you had that waiting in the wings (especially since we chat so often. Seriously I am amazed that you kept me spoiler free from that, with me being such a spoiler-slut and all.) All I can say is that without a doubt this was your finest chapter, and the perfect start for a second season. (Yeah, I know there is another episode, but that can only be icing on the cake after this one which could have easily served as the season finale.) This chapter, in one word, Brilliant. Giving this episode a mere 10 seems an insult!
Author's Response: I was worried how some people would react to the Shanshu prophecy. It's not that my explanation is so much of a leap, but I think a lot of people really got attached to the idea of human Angel. But the explanation does fit with the vagueness of prophecies in the Buffyverse. Connor's definitely the sort of occurrence that might warrant several prophecies. The idea for this actually came from a line at the end of "Not Fade Away." Connor wants to help Angel fight the SP's, but Angel wants him to go home. Connor says "They'll destroy you." Angel answers, "As long as you're okay, they can't." At this moment, Angel is, like many parents, investing his child with his legacy, future, etc. Children are the only way that most people can in any way achieve "immortality." (Some people get elected President or Prime Minister or maybe get a museum or University named after them). So, in that sense, his son is what makes Angel immortal. But his son also makes him mortal because his son makes him immortal in the same way mortals are made immortal. Try saying that ten times fast. Your reaction to this makes me really happy I kept this one under my hat. Thanks again for reviewing! |
| Angeldove |
12/15/04 - 01:04AM |
21: Episode 21: I Shanshu, You Shanshu, He Done Been Shanshued |
Signed |
“Let me show you parts of this world that are wonderful and beautiful and worth living for.” I love how this parallels Buffy’s words to Dawn in the BTVS Season 6 finale once Buffy realizes she has been doing all the wrong things for all the right reasons. I always felt the same between Angel and Connor…Angel always meant well, but the decisions he made were not the right ones. It was about time he was called on it. Some of this was dealt with in “Origin”, but for the most part Angel’s erroneous decision (in the sporting goods store) was disregarded. You brought that to the surface and finally made him deal with this mistake, no matter how well intentioned, you made it definitive that it was wrong. I like that you brought this out of the gray into the black. Even though (as strange as this is since I really like what you did here with this) I understand and agree with the choice that Angel made and do feel it was the only option he had at that time. But the fact that you make me, one who so strongly agreed with the path the show took (yes I do know a lot of it was to make a clean break from the “Connor Saga”), appreciate and enjoy this version of events, says a lot about you as a writer. I felt it. I enjoyed it. And a big part of me wished I had been able to see it first hand on the show. Great job!
Author's Response: I definitely felt Angel was often doing the wrong things for the wrong reasons. There were a couple times Angel was just being bratty, but for the most part he seemed to want to help his son. I'm glad I at least partially converted you on the sporting goods store decision. Thanks again for your way, way too nice compliments. *blushes* |
| Angeldove |
12/15/04 - 12:47AM |
21: Episode 21: I Shanshu, You Shanshu, He Done Been Shanshued |
Signed |
So many things I loved about this episode. I think this one may be my favorite…I know I have said that in the past (can you blame me, deviations… was fantastic!), but I really do believe this chapter has it all. The humor, the tension, the heart, the genius that is the explanation of Shanshu! (I’ll come back to that one). Let’s first talk about poignant parallels. “But I got so lost.” I loved how this paralleled Fred’s “I got so lost” to her parents in “Fredless” in reference to being in a hell dimension for 5 years. I felt that moment with Fred and her parents, just as I felt this moment between Angel and Connor. This is the moment when everything gets very real, slows down, and the heart of the Angel/Connor relationship is finally dealt with. I’m amazed at the amount of emotion that jumps off the page in this chapter. Not because I didn’t know you had it in you (I’ve seen it, I knew it) but that you were willing to take the chance and go there, to that place. It can be a risky place. The fear of seeming sappy. But you didn’t have that. All the emotion was there, and it was true and it was right. Very nice.
Author's Response: Thanks as always for reading. I can't even begin to thank you for reviewing. It would take at least two dozen thanks you's. The two episodes you picked as your favorite were mine as well, so it's especially nice to read this. I really enjoy being an iconoclast, so I guess it should be no surprise that an extremely unorthodox hook up and a rewriting of the Shanshu prophecy were my favorites. I'm so happy to know they were your as well. "I got so lost"- I think Connor and Fred have a lot in common. That's probably one of the reasons that, tazering aside, Fred seemed to be on Connor's side until the bitter end. If you think about it, Connor and Fred were both thrown more by returning to our world than they were by living in a hell dimension. They seemed to be able to manage an existence there. But when they came back and had to act normally, that's when the whole thing broke down for them. Although I have been accused of being sappy in this chapter (once), I was too afraid of that. Most of my story is so unsappy, that I wasn't afraid to pop a few holes in the maple tree jut this once. Thanks so much for reviewing. |
[Previous] 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 [Next]
|
