Everybody needs money.
Jan. 12th, 2004 04:52 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
out_thereWell, that's why I'm sleeping at work instead of sleeping at home. Hence, as I'm stuck here but don't wanna do anything (like, really, really, don't), I'm going to ramble on about Sports Night.
I have now seen every episode of Sports Night. As much of a shame as it is that SN was so prematurely and viciously killed, it's kinda nice to be part of a fandom where I know all the canon there is to know. Where it's impossible to be Jossed (or, Sorkined, if you will) by the PTPB. Where I know we aren't suddenly going to be introduced to Natalie's ex-husband, or find out that Casey once served in the armed forces. (Yes, I know the guy screeches at a papercut, but still...)
It's nice to know that there will be no character assisination, that this is how the characters will always be, according to canon. Where they're going to stop playing with my emotional responses.
Now, before last weekend, I'd seen the the first two thirds of S1, and the last third of S2. Unfortunately, that left feeling rather unsympathetic to Casey, since he was left punishing Dana for choosing Gordon over the show. After seeing the missing episodes, I am once more filled with Casey-love.
I view the show as basically pre-slash for Dan and Casey. I don't think they're actually sleeping together on the set, but I can't help but see the potential there. However, the show is wonderful, and manages to make me cheer for Rebecca/Dan and Casey/Dana, even when they're doomed. (As a matter of fact, it also makes me cheer for Sam/Dana and Jeremy/Natalie.)
I love this show. I love the characters. Seriously, I totally adore Casey, Dan, Dana, Natalie, Jeremy and Isaac. I'd probably love Kim, Dave, Chris, Will and Eliot if they had more screentime, but at the moment, I'm just very fond of them.
Since this is purely a time-filling exercise until I wake up enough to actually work, I'm going to ramble at length.
The first thing I'm going to talk about is my stunned and amused reaction to "Napoleon's Battle Plan". You need to remember that I'd just finished writing "That Guy", a fic that plays with the idea of Casey cheating on Lisa (with Dan) before they married and his basic belief that's he's "not that guy". It was a fic written out of annoyance at Casey's moral superiority, at his ability to do nasty things and still consider himself the good guy.
Can you imagine how surprised and amused I was when the episode not only featured Dan's strong and vocal objections to Casey allowing Dana to marry Gordon without telling her about his infidelity with Sally, but also featured the following dialogue:
"You don't get to decide what the high road is, Casey. You're not that guy."
I absolutely cackled over that. It was incredibly... encouraging to hear the characters actually say a line of dialogue I'd written for them in fic, to know that I had the characterisations firmly enough in mind that the actual show was supporting my attitudes. Truly mindboggling.
The next thing I'm going to ramble about is Dana. Specifically, Dana and her relationships with Gordon and Casey. I still view it as highly unfair that Casey blamed her for abandoning the show. There are a couple of points I'd like to remind him of. Firstly, she was within her rights to hand it over to Sally. Secondly, it's her job, not her life. She didn't sacrifice the show. She's better than Sally, and could have done it better, but it wasn't necessary for her to stay. She didn't bow out of any obligations. Thirdly, hypocritical, thy name is Casey. She stuck her neck out for Casey for six months after his divorce and she doesn't deserve to have her loyalty repaid with such self-righteous punishing from Casey. And, finally, one of the big reasons Casey was upset was because she chose Gordon, who is not worthy of her in any way, shape or form. Considering he'd refused to tell her about the Gordon/Sally thing, I don't think he can blame her for her lack of knowledge.
Next thought, is Dana's reaction to Gordon cheating on her. I don't think she reacted badly to Casey sleeping with Sally because she was secretly in love with him. I think it's pretty clear that she reacted badly to that because she loved Gordon and wanted to marry him. She wanted to marry him so badly that she forgave him for cheating on her, she graciously accepted his explanation and didn't show just how hurt she was. Of course, she was also hurt that Casey would have the bad taste to sleep with a woman like Sally, a woman who she knows is mainly interested in Casey for his contacts. Unfortunately, Casey got to bear the brunt of that anger.
She didn't get so angry at him just because she was jealous and wanted Casey herself. She got that angry at him because she was hurt and angry at Gordon, and needed to let off steam somehow. Casey was just a convenient target.
I think that Gordon was an idiot for not seeing her supoosed "jealousy" for what it was, displaced anger over Gordon's infidelity. I think she deserved far better than that.
Mind you, I also think her flirtation with Casey in early S2 was a rebound effect. She'd spent months of Natalie trying to convince her she was secretly in love with Casey. Gordon called off her engagement supposedly because she wanted Casey. She was used to Casey flirting with her whenever he was unattached and needy. I don't think it's a stretch of the imagination to see why she'd turn to him, give him the same mixed signals that he gave her in S1, and be entranced by the idea that he actually wanted her.
I do think that the six month dating plan was her way of trying to avoid having to tell Casey that she wasn't seriously interested in him. I don't think she was consciously aware of her own motivation, but I think that in hindsight, she would have eventually realised that she sabotaged the relationship on purpose. She seems most happy when they're flirting, without the threat of being able to date.
Generally, I think she sees Casey as a romantic equivalent of not removing her panties at the dinner table. It's socially acceptable behaviour, he's the type of sweet, nice guy that she's supposed to want. He's habit and familiar, and flirting with him is something she does because she's used to it, and people keep telling her it's what she should do.
I think the removal of the panties really shows Dana starting to change her mind. She starting to explore things because she wants to, not because people expect it of her, not avoiding them because they're supposedly wrong or "dirty". She's starting to stand up as a grown woman and explore who she is. Likewise, she can't explore who she is if she dates someone who insists upon seeing her as who she was in college.
I wonder if the six month plan was also related to this new exploration. She wanted to explore her own boundaries, but would feel guilty doing it alone. Hence, she spent a lot of her time trying to force Casey to explore his, to experience more of the world and to change with it.
Although she was undoubtedly hurt when he finally changed so much that he no longer wanted her, or who he'd thought she was, it didn't come as a surprise. In fact, it seemed to almost come as a relief. It gave her a way out of having to follow up on her flirting, without having to be cruel to Casey. It meant that while she was still uncertain about who she was becoming, she no longer had any entanglements stopping her from changing.
As you can probably tell, I really like Dana. She's an intelligent, capable, funny, gorgeous, sexy, professional woman. She's the boss and she knows it, even if she chooses not to use the carrot more often than the stick. But, she needs someone who can see her for who she is, not tie her down to who she should be (Gordon) or who she used to be (Casey).
These are the reasons that I loved the introduction of the Sam/Dana relationship, and loudly cursed the screen when Sam just left.
Well, I did no work, but I did manage to fill in the last hour. Guess who's coming in early tomorrow?
I have now seen every episode of Sports Night. As much of a shame as it is that SN was so prematurely and viciously killed, it's kinda nice to be part of a fandom where I know all the canon there is to know. Where it's impossible to be Jossed (or, Sorkined, if you will) by the PTPB. Where I know we aren't suddenly going to be introduced to Natalie's ex-husband, or find out that Casey once served in the armed forces. (Yes, I know the guy screeches at a papercut, but still...)
It's nice to know that there will be no character assisination, that this is how the characters will always be, according to canon. Where they're going to stop playing with my emotional responses.
Now, before last weekend, I'd seen the the first two thirds of S1, and the last third of S2. Unfortunately, that left feeling rather unsympathetic to Casey, since he was left punishing Dana for choosing Gordon over the show. After seeing the missing episodes, I am once more filled with Casey-love.
I view the show as basically pre-slash for Dan and Casey. I don't think they're actually sleeping together on the set, but I can't help but see the potential there. However, the show is wonderful, and manages to make me cheer for Rebecca/Dan and Casey/Dana, even when they're doomed. (As a matter of fact, it also makes me cheer for Sam/Dana and Jeremy/Natalie.)
I love this show. I love the characters. Seriously, I totally adore Casey, Dan, Dana, Natalie, Jeremy and Isaac. I'd probably love Kim, Dave, Chris, Will and Eliot if they had more screentime, but at the moment, I'm just very fond of them.
Since this is purely a time-filling exercise until I wake up enough to actually work, I'm going to ramble at length.
The first thing I'm going to talk about is my stunned and amused reaction to "Napoleon's Battle Plan". You need to remember that I'd just finished writing "That Guy", a fic that plays with the idea of Casey cheating on Lisa (with Dan) before they married and his basic belief that's he's "not that guy". It was a fic written out of annoyance at Casey's moral superiority, at his ability to do nasty things and still consider himself the good guy.
Can you imagine how surprised and amused I was when the episode not only featured Dan's strong and vocal objections to Casey allowing Dana to marry Gordon without telling her about his infidelity with Sally, but also featured the following dialogue:
"You don't get to decide what the high road is, Casey. You're not that guy."
I absolutely cackled over that. It was incredibly... encouraging to hear the characters actually say a line of dialogue I'd written for them in fic, to know that I had the characterisations firmly enough in mind that the actual show was supporting my attitudes. Truly mindboggling.
The next thing I'm going to ramble about is Dana. Specifically, Dana and her relationships with Gordon and Casey. I still view it as highly unfair that Casey blamed her for abandoning the show. There are a couple of points I'd like to remind him of. Firstly, she was within her rights to hand it over to Sally. Secondly, it's her job, not her life. She didn't sacrifice the show. She's better than Sally, and could have done it better, but it wasn't necessary for her to stay. She didn't bow out of any obligations. Thirdly, hypocritical, thy name is Casey. She stuck her neck out for Casey for six months after his divorce and she doesn't deserve to have her loyalty repaid with such self-righteous punishing from Casey. And, finally, one of the big reasons Casey was upset was because she chose Gordon, who is not worthy of her in any way, shape or form. Considering he'd refused to tell her about the Gordon/Sally thing, I don't think he can blame her for her lack of knowledge.
Next thought, is Dana's reaction to Gordon cheating on her. I don't think she reacted badly to Casey sleeping with Sally because she was secretly in love with him. I think it's pretty clear that she reacted badly to that because she loved Gordon and wanted to marry him. She wanted to marry him so badly that she forgave him for cheating on her, she graciously accepted his explanation and didn't show just how hurt she was. Of course, she was also hurt that Casey would have the bad taste to sleep with a woman like Sally, a woman who she knows is mainly interested in Casey for his contacts. Unfortunately, Casey got to bear the brunt of that anger.
She didn't get so angry at him just because she was jealous and wanted Casey herself. She got that angry at him because she was hurt and angry at Gordon, and needed to let off steam somehow. Casey was just a convenient target.
I think that Gordon was an idiot for not seeing her supoosed "jealousy" for what it was, displaced anger over Gordon's infidelity. I think she deserved far better than that.
Mind you, I also think her flirtation with Casey in early S2 was a rebound effect. She'd spent months of Natalie trying to convince her she was secretly in love with Casey. Gordon called off her engagement supposedly because she wanted Casey. She was used to Casey flirting with her whenever he was unattached and needy. I don't think it's a stretch of the imagination to see why she'd turn to him, give him the same mixed signals that he gave her in S1, and be entranced by the idea that he actually wanted her.
I do think that the six month dating plan was her way of trying to avoid having to tell Casey that she wasn't seriously interested in him. I don't think she was consciously aware of her own motivation, but I think that in hindsight, she would have eventually realised that she sabotaged the relationship on purpose. She seems most happy when they're flirting, without the threat of being able to date.
Generally, I think she sees Casey as a romantic equivalent of not removing her panties at the dinner table. It's socially acceptable behaviour, he's the type of sweet, nice guy that she's supposed to want. He's habit and familiar, and flirting with him is something she does because she's used to it, and people keep telling her it's what she should do.
I think the removal of the panties really shows Dana starting to change her mind. She starting to explore things because she wants to, not because people expect it of her, not avoiding them because they're supposedly wrong or "dirty". She's starting to stand up as a grown woman and explore who she is. Likewise, she can't explore who she is if she dates someone who insists upon seeing her as who she was in college.
I wonder if the six month plan was also related to this new exploration. She wanted to explore her own boundaries, but would feel guilty doing it alone. Hence, she spent a lot of her time trying to force Casey to explore his, to experience more of the world and to change with it.
Although she was undoubtedly hurt when he finally changed so much that he no longer wanted her, or who he'd thought she was, it didn't come as a surprise. In fact, it seemed to almost come as a relief. It gave her a way out of having to follow up on her flirting, without having to be cruel to Casey. It meant that while she was still uncertain about who she was becoming, she no longer had any entanglements stopping her from changing.
As you can probably tell, I really like Dana. She's an intelligent, capable, funny, gorgeous, sexy, professional woman. She's the boss and she knows it, even if she chooses not to use the carrot more often than the stick. But, she needs someone who can see her for who she is, not tie her down to who she should be (Gordon) or who she used to be (Casey).
These are the reasons that I loved the introduction of the Sam/Dana relationship, and loudly cursed the screen when Sam just left.
Well, I did no work, but I did manage to fill in the last hour. Guess who's coming in early tomorrow?
![[identity profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small}
no subject
Date: 2004-01-11 11:36 pm (UTC)Yeah...it's different, isn't it? I've been mostly Smallville and Everwood until now, both of which are changing all the time.
As for the way the show ended...The thing that I'm really glad about? That we didn't have to endure more Rebecca angst. Or rather, that *Dan* didn't have to. Because the way that last episode ended? They were planning to bring her back for a bit. Probably to break poor Dan's heart again. I'm very glad not to have to watch Danny's heart get broken again.
And this way, I can just go with the fact that he threw her number away. *g*
I like your description of Dana. I'm not sure I wholly agree with it, but it's interesting. I think she's just so *afraid* of what could happen that she pushes the stupid dating plan on him as a delay tactic. And then it bites her in the ass. During all those episodes, I'm constantly going, "Oh my GOD, Dana, you're an idiot!!" But then I feel bad, because I *love* Dana.
I totally agree with you about the absolute love for all the main characters. I love Dan and Casey the most, but I think I'd be hard-pressed to choose between them at this point. Dan was the one I first fell for, but now that I've seen all the episodes I am *so* in love with Casey, too.
It makes it really fun to write them!
Also, they really left a lot of holes for fanfic. Like, not that I want to see it because, yeah, I'd rather see Dan/Casey, BUT...Pixley called Casey at the studio, and then I don't remember it really being mentioned again. And there's all kinds of stuff you could do with the Sam/Dana if you wanted to, probably.
And the Dan/Casey vibe is so strong in this show that I think you could make a case for them being together at almost any point, but I do see what you're saying about them getting together after S2. It would be simpler in many ways--and more satisfying, really, because it could be seen as a long term thing. Harder to do that in the midst of all the dating of other people. Not that I'm not going to try. *grins*
Anyway. Enjoyed reading your thoughts...hopefully mine weren't too random and rambly. *g* And now I really should get to bed. No snow day tomorrow!
no subject
Date: 2004-01-12 03:12 pm (UTC)Plus, with WW and SV, being over in Australia, means that if we get it screened, we get it nearly a year after you guys. It means that if I want to enjoy the episodes as they were meant to be shown, I have to drop out of fandom for a while to keep myself unspoiled. In SN, I've seen as much and know as much canon as everyone else does. *g*
I'm very glad not to have to watch Danny's heart get broken again.
Oh, yeah, good point. Although, drunk!Danny, after Rebecca breaks it off in S1, is one of my favourite Danny's ever. ("You are my sworn enemy! ... I love you, man. Give me a hug." Hee!)
The other great thing is that the Dana/Casey thing didn't go for years. I have a feeling Sorkin would have been playing with them for the next few seasons. (Think about the Donna/Josh flirtation on WW...)
I like your description of Dana. I'm not sure I wholly agree with it, but it's interesting. I think she's just so *afraid* of what could happen that she pushes the stupid dating plan on him as a delay tactic. And then it bites her in the ass. During all those episodes, I'm constantly going, "Oh my GOD, Dana, you're an idiot!!" But then I feel bad, because I *love* Dana.
Okay, you know what? I think people need to cut Dana more slack. Seriously. When S1 starts, Casey is far less likeable, Dana is more sympathetic, and Dan is loved by all. By halfway through S2, Casey is loved, Dana is nutty, and Dan is still loved by all (even if he's falling apart psychologically).
In S1, Dana tries to put an end to Casey's flirting, but you need to remember that Casey's done this before. Every time his life starts falling apart (in college, in Dallas, in LA), he make her believe he cares for her and then when he gets her, he doesn't want her. He doesn't mean to be cruel, he honestly convinces himself that he cares, but it's all in his head. He uses her for a safety net, as a security blanket, as a way to heal himself and get his life together. She's his fallback position, his rebound, and she's been hurt by him before.
If you think about it in that light, you realise that while she may be tempted by that kiss, she's had years of experience with Casey and knows that as much as he's convinced himself, as soon as she lets herself seriously believe him, he'll walk away. From that perspective, the dating plan wasn't insane. It was a way of making Casey reassess his feelings.
She can't convince him that it's all in his head. (Plus, he's a sweet, handsome, articulate and convincing guy. I think, deepdown, she wanted to believe he was in love with her, even if she knew that he'd hurt her before.) Using the dating plan forces him to get his life back together without relying upon her emotionally (well, relying on her less), and note that once his life was back together, once he'd gotten his confidence back when it came to being single and dating, he wanted to move on.
It's very easy to see it from Casey's viewpoint, that Dana's insane and unneccessarily punishing him, but I think you need to remember that even though Casey acts innocently, he's not. He's hurt her before with similar behaviour, so it's not surprising that she's doubtful of his real motivation now.
Mind you, I'm not made of stone. When they kissed, you have no idea how loudly I was cheering for them. They're a convincing couple, but I don't think they're actually good for each other.
no subject
Date: 2004-01-12 08:21 am (UTC)I'm torn between being happy that the show is completed and so easily digestible and not stressing me out from week to week as the writers go to places I don't like, and unhappy that a show that was so brilliant was so unappreciated to not make it past two seasons. It's a tough call...
no subject
Date: 2004-01-12 02:53 pm (UTC)In summary form, I'm choosing to be glad that it ended because it works better in DVD form, and my characters can't be screwed with. (Compare S1 & S2 WW to S3 & S4. You can't tell me the quality *improved*.)
When it comes to Dana and Casey, I think we need to remember early S1 SN. Dana says that Casey's done this before. When his life falls apart, he turns his attention to her, and when it's fine again, he no longer feels that way about her. He did it in college, in Dallas, in LA, and just because he's convincing (just because all of the staff at SN have expected Dana to go after Casey since his divorce), doesn't mean that it's real. Sure, he believes it at the time, but subconsciously, he's still using he to heal and distract himself, as a safety net and a security blanket.
no subject
Date: 2004-01-13 09:59 am (UTC)I have a hard time respecting Dana's relationship savvy at any time except when she and Casey are talking/yelling in Intellectual Property. There she seems to realize that this is just a thing he does and that her thing with Gordon is just a fun thing. After that, though, she spends so much time trying to keep Gordon, who isn't good for her. It's actually funny; some of the time during season 1 I actually get tired of their attraction being a bit forced. During season 2, when they're flirting and whatnot during the first part of the season, I do believe that they both like each other a lot. However, in season 1 I don't get the feeling very much at all.
Also, from what happens at the end of season 2 ("in the last days of a war" etc.), I get the strong feeling that Sorkin was going to have them sleep together. I think that would have been interesting, although there's also the possibility it could have been done very badly.
I'm not sure there's a coherent message in this post, but I just had a bunch of different thoughts that came to me as I was typing... ;)
no subject
Date: 2004-01-13 05:05 pm (UTC)Depends who you ask. In S1, Dan says that at 23 Casey married a woman he met at 18. In S2, Dana makes some reference to Casey's lack of romantic experience, and says that he met Lisa at 19. *shrugs* I'm assuming that as Dan didn't actually *meet* Casey until Casey was 23, Dana's technically right, and that he met Lisa in second year of college, when he was 18 turning 19.
(Mind you, that entire argument is based on the idea that Casey was in the same year as Dana, and hence is 33 in S1. You could argue that he *met* Dana at college, but was a few years older, and that totally screws my timeline.
Hmmm... no, actually, it's mentioned that the marriage was ten years, and Casey married at 23, so we do have proof that he's 33/34 in S1. Don't mind me...)
It's actually funny; some of the time during season 1 I actually get tired of their attraction being a bit forced. During season 2, when they're flirting and whatnot during the first part of the season, I do believe that they both like each other a lot. However, in season 1 I don't get the feeling very much at all.
*nods* I totally agree. I didn't really buy the Casey/Dana relationship until the start of S2. Then, I started cheering for it. In hindsight, I still don't think that they're good for each other, but I enjoyed the ride.
no subject
Date: 2004-01-13 07:05 pm (UTC)Also, I spend a lot of time wondering what person named Lisa did something to piss Aaron Sorkin off so much that all his TV show exes get that name. It sort of amuses me. ;)
no subject
Date: 2004-01-12 09:40 pm (UTC)I have to agree with you about Casey's rather pathetic behaviour where Dana and Gordon is concerned. It's almost like, 'she's my wannabe girlfriend, not your's, and even though I don't really want her, you still can't have her.' What was Dana supposed to do? Chose between what is only her job or a serious relationship she is trying to build with a man she might want to have a future with? Isaac didn't have any problem with Dana handing the show to Sally and since he's the boss, who's opinion counts the most? Casey, on the other hand, is just being pathetic and childish because he sees a 'rival' messing with what he perceives as his property.
no subject
Date: 2004-01-12 09:45 pm (UTC)Exactly. He's being petty and immature. And I don't think he honestly had any moral high-ground to look down at her from.
I just think that needs to be remembered when Casey turns all sweet and adoring in S2. He hasn't been a nice guy to Dana. She's not being too nice to him either, but I don't think she's being totally loony.
no subject
Date: 2004-01-12 09:56 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2004-01-12 10:01 pm (UTC)Yes, I think that might have worked. I could see Dana being a friend of Lisa's but having a crush on him. She wouldn't be the type of girl to try to break them up, but if they broke up, and Casey started being charming to her (as we know he can), I can see that happening.
In S1 she mentions that he did it in college, in Texas and in LA (in that order, oddly enough), so it does seem to be a force of habit.
no subject
Date: 2004-01-12 10:09 pm (UTC)I seem to recall dana saying something along the lines of "Lisa's my friend too and she can't stand me." so I'm sure they all met in college or there abouts. Quite a few of the stories I've read have had Lisa and Dana as room mates, which would seem right.
She wouldn't be the type of girl to try to break them up, but if they broke up, and Casey started being charming to her (as we know he can), I can see that happening.
Also, in Dear Louise, we learn that Dana went to series of exclusive girls schools so she might have been rather inexperienced around boys who weren't her brothers when she got to college. Imagine shy little Dana Whitaker, fresh from an an all-girls academy and used to men who treat her like a brother, adjusting to a co-ed dorm and suddenly being confronted with the slightly dorky, yet thoroughly charming and extremely good-looking Casey McCall. Who wouldn't develop a crush?
no subject
Date: 2004-01-12 10:24 pm (UTC)Dana & Casey scene, right? Dana says she was Lisa's friend, Casey says that Lisa can't stand her, and she corrects him tha Lisa can't stand him.
It's also mentioned that he met Lisa and Dana 15 years ago, so it makes total sense.
Also, in Dear Louise, we learn that Dana went to series of exclusive girls schools so she might have been rather inexperienced around boys who weren't her brothers when she got to college. Imagine shy little Dana Whitaker, fresh from an an all-girls academy and used to men who treat her like a brother, adjusting to a co-ed dorm and suddenly being confronted with the slightly dorky, yet thoroughly charming and extremely good-looking Casey McCall. Who wouldn't develop a crush?
*happy sigh* Who, indeed?
You know, that makes me want to read more about Dana in college. Not Dana nad Casey per se, just what Dana would have been like.