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Post by Fritz on Jan 13, 2005 11:45:12 GMT -4
I don't know what it is, but it seems like twins are a popular idea for them. I came up with it way back in like 1988. I was a little amazed when one of the first fan fics I read about three years ago had mention of twins (a boy and a girl even, too!). "Miss Janine" a former member of GBN mentioned a similar idea in stories she wrote and never released. Makes you wonder what there is in the zeitgeist that makes so many writers have the same idea independantly, huh?
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Post by TheRazorsEdge on Jan 13, 2005 19:58:43 GMT -4
I've been something of an XGB defender in the past. I could go into a whole speil just reitterating what everyone else who likes the show has already said, which is mostly that Eduardo and Kylie are cool characters.
But you know what always bothered me and I've never really stopped to discuss?
I don't think anyone else every really elaborates on it either, because they're so hung up on the "they're only there to be PC" thing, but the fact is, Garrett and Roland are really very boring characters in the show. Garrett is extremely one-dimensional with the athelete-adrenaline junkie thing, and Roland doesn't have any damn dimensions at all. He's this quiet guy who could even blend into the background in a close-up, and all we know about him is he likes to build things.
And I hate to admit this, Rosey, because I love your work as much as everyone else, but even in your stories, those two aren't much more fun to read. Sometimes it feels like Garrett becomes the one sinking into the background, and Roland has gone from "boring guy" to "boring guy whose siblings we hear about constantly"
I dunno, maybe it's just that because Eddy and Kylie are always the main focus in the fics, you can't help but pay less attention to the other two.
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Post by EGBFan on Jan 14, 2005 10:49:06 GMT -4
I've been something of an XGB defender in the past. I could go into a whole speil just reitterating what everyone else who likes the show has already said, which is mostly that Eduardo and Kylie are cool characters. But you know what always bothered me and I've never really stopped to discuss? I don't think anyone else every really elaborates on it either, because they're so hung up on the "they're only there to be PC" thing, but the fact is, Garrett and Roland are really very boring characters in the show. Garrett is extremely one-dimensional with the athelete-adrenaline junkie thing, and Roland doesn't have any damn dimensions at all. He's this quiet guy who could even blend into the background in a close-up, and all we know about him is he likes to build things. And I hate to admit this, Rosey, because I love your work as much as everyone else, but even in your stories, those two aren't much more fun to read. Sometimes it feels like Garrett becomes the one sinking into the background, and Roland has gone from "boring guy" to "boring guy whose siblings we hear about constantly" I dunno, maybe it's just that because Eddy and Kylie are always the main focus in the fics, you can't help but pay less attention to the other two. *sigh* I know. Fritz has pointed it out to me a few times, and I did realise it by myself. I've tried to do more on Garrett lately cos I like him, there's a couple of fics based around him on ff.net, and there's something pretty big coming up for him but not for like more than a year - I dunno, maybe I could release those stories a bit early. Garrett did strike me as kinda one-dimensional in the cartoon, but when I'm out of ideas on Kylie and Eddie he does inspire me. Roland, as I say, I find very uninspiring. I hoped bringing the family into it would push him out of the shadows a bit, but it's kinda backfired because now I find I like them more than I like him. Quite honestly I don't what to do with that man. If anyone can come up with anything please tell me - or even better take him off my hands and write a story yourself.
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Post by Captain Nate on Mar 28, 2005 16:12:49 GMT -4
I've been watching my EGB tapes recently and this show really stands up after these years. The characters are all entertaining, it has some really good directing and has some pretty funny moments. The biggest "problem" is that I miss the old equipment, but in the end its really the same old Ghostbusters concepts, just with a new design. Early plans for the show totally scrapped the Proton Pack & Trap all together, luckily for us they were there.
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Post by Captain Nate on Mar 28, 2005 16:20:17 GMT -4
I He's this quiet guy who could even blend into the background in a close-up, and all we know about him is he likes to build things. other two. Re-watching my EGB tapes, I've come to appreciate Roland a lot more. The writers didn't do much with him, but I find myself relating to him somewhat. The "good" student that just isn't caught up in pop culture and is somewhat uncomfortable in crowds, but always comes through when you need him
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Post by Fritz on Mar 28, 2005 21:17:20 GMT -4
Yeah...I know Roland is dull, and I've tried to come up with some ideas myself to make him more interesting...
I guess I just feel like I "have" to--Sinister once posted one of those "Which Ghostbuster are You?" quizzes back on the old GBN and it said I was a "Roland" (lol)...
A couple of things I've tried...
Roland is the only one who stays in school post-graduate and earns a Doctorate in May of 2004. This will be mentioned some in a part of "Chronicles of Gozer" that (sigh) hasn't been released yet. So in stories set after that I will be referring to him as Doctor Jackson (one bit of the prevented timeline of "Ghost Apocalyptic Future" that still comes true)
And I generally find myself tending to write him as the EGBs unofficial leader. Actually, there's a story I'm working on right now which takes place in early 1998, and two new agents have been hired by the New York office...there's a little bit of a power struggle (or at least Roland percieves it as one) between him and one of the "new" characters, whom he feels is trying to cut him and the EGBs out of their importance.
He's not totally in the right, and yeah, there will be some other stuff going on (lots of it) but maybe, well, if nothing else it'll be him intentionally trying NOT to fade into the background...
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Post by EGBFan on Mar 29, 2005 8:19:52 GMT -4
To be honest with you, Fritz, I've been hoping you'd take some of the pressure on me. I do like Roland, and all 4 characters make the EGB team, but I just don't find him at all inspiring (did I already say that? ). Get this: I'm writing the next EGB story on-and-off, although I'm almost done now, and Roland has not appeared once. There's just not really been any place for him - when you read it you'll kinda see why. This one is a bit... different. I've been finding it hard, because it's a wedding story and I hate weddings (and I don't reckon much on marriage either), so obviously Roland's inclusion hasn't been my priority. Actually - sorry to keep going on about myself and what I'm doing (I am totally looking foward to that story, Fritz, BTW) - but I have got so much planned fanfiction wise, not a great deal of which is EGB. There may be some potential crossovers with it, although as a general rule I'm not that into crossovers, but I guess we'll see. Like one idea is just a premis based on a movie: I wouldn't mind crossing that with EGB. But anyway, we'll... um... see.
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Post by Kingpin on Mar 31, 2005 18:13:26 GMT -4
Well, hmm, where to begin? Initially, I suppose, I was excited with Extreme Ghostbusters...Initially I found out about it when Citv was about to air it, so, just about to head out the door to the barbers, we set a tape rolling, they'd played some of the intro sequence as a preview, saw the Firehouse and Ecto-1, along with the logo, and knew it was something Ghostbusters. After I saw it, I loved it, it was an interesting show, and I replayed the intro several times. Then I became a teen and became deeply cynnical. In addition, I got the Internet. I now disliked the new equipment, not to mention the fact that there were other bits I didn't like...and with the Internet, I fould out what other stuff I missed... However...despite the stereotypes...the 'extreme equipment'...the recycled RGB storylines, the 'everything's fine and dandy when you beat the ghost' thing, and the even the somewhat poorly laid out reintroduction of the original Ghostbusters...it's been the stuff that Rosey and Fritz have written which have shown me how good the show can be, could be, and should have been...they needed Fritz and Rosey on their staff, I swear. And now...well, it isn't published yet, but this June you'll be seeing my first proper persuit into writing the EGBs, it isn't spectacular...but I liked it, so keep your eyes open for Seperated at RebirthAs for Roland...you know, I take him for maybe having a closet fandom...something he's deeply embarrised about...and when I have the time, I might try to write something to that effect. But EGB has earnt it's way into my approval, albeit, from the help of external forces.
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Post by EGBFan on Apr 3, 2005 8:53:57 GMT -4
Am I mad with Ben or not? Hmm... dissing EGB... pouring praise on me... The scales aren't tipping much either way here...
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Post by Kingpin on Apr 5, 2005 17:29:23 GMT -4
Lesson for the learning, never do anything that looks like it might be dissing EGB in a place that Rosey stops by on on a regular inteval.
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Post by TheRazorsEdge on Apr 6, 2005 16:41:33 GMT -4
It just occured to me that Roland's problem is a trait shared among all of Marvel's classic team leaders. Cyclops, Capt. America, Reed Richards...all cursed with a "dull" image.
It occurs to me that there are seeds already planted one could expand upon...he likes cars, he's bookish...really, he's a lot like Ray without the childishness.
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Yami Mirai
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Post by Yami Mirai on Dec 14, 2005 1:45:25 GMT -4
I have mixed feelings about Extreme Ghostbusters. It was nice to see a new Ghostbusters cartoon on the air (especially since I really missed RGB) and I did enjoy Extreme Ghostbuster while it was on. However, I do have a few complaints about it(all of which, I've noticed, have already been mentioned). 1) Kylie's weapon. Why couldn't she have been given the same pack as the boys? Even if she had trouble with it at first she's busting on a regular basis so she would have gotten the hang of it in no time! I just think that it's stupid and doesn't make any sense. After all, if Janine (who only suited up when the guys were in serious need of extra help) could handle a pack easily enough, then Kylie (who would use it almost daily) should have handled it at least as well as she did. 2) Back in the Saddle pt. 1 I loved the other episodes of the series, but I just don't like this one. Sure, it was nice to see the RGBs again (even if they do look so old!) but the way it was written just rubbed me the wrong way. Why was Ray such a jerk? He completely belittled the new team and made it seem like he thought he was so much better than they were just because he was one of the originals. If anything, Ray should've been excited that there was a new team and treated them with the respect they deserved. (Not everyone has what it takes to be a ghostbuster, after all) And the way the old team just took completely over without any regard to the new team. It was like "Well, we're here now and that's what matters. We can handle things just fine; you kids go home and play with your toys or something". 3) Egon and Janine's character designs. I read somewhere that the makers of EGB couldn't use the RGB designs for them because of some legal issue, but couldn't those two have been drawn better? The first time I saw them I had no idea who the heck they were because they look so much different from their RGB designs. Do you think that maybe Makeoverus Lotsabucks came back and altered the both of them while nobody was looking? Anyway, that's really more of a minor peeve with me, but it does still bother me a little. Now, Rosey, when you read this don't jump down my throat, okay? Despite those three complaints I have, I do love Extreme Ghostbusters and think that it was a nice sequel to The Real Ghostbusters. I wish it had gone on longer, but oh well. I'm happy with what I got to see. It's just those three things that bother me, but that's it. As far as I'm concerned the rest of the cartoon was awesome. While I think The Real Ghostbusters was much better, this was still a thoroughly enjoyable cartoon and I would definitely watch it if it was back on the air.
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Post by EGBFan on Dec 14, 2005 7:55:57 GMT -4
Now, Rosey, when you read this don't jump down my throat, okay? Jump down your throat? Me? Who have you been talking to? Actually, I agree with most of that. I didn't like "Back in the Saddle" either. And. Kylie is exceptionally small, but she's ok with a proton pack in "The Unseen". It gets heavy after a while - I mean, it would, wouldn't it - but the next time she picks one up in "Ghost Apocalyptic Future" she's running around like a, um, chimney. Sorry, I'm a bit slow with similes. Like a gazelle, maybe? Anyway, I don't know why they did that. It is an effective little gun, and very practical - the whole team should probably carry them.
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Post by Fritz on Dec 14, 2005 10:49:38 GMT -4
The proton gun (considered the "Mark 3 Proton system" in GBOT continuity) did catch on just a little bit. Iain Bennett of the GBUK uses one regularly because he's hauling around Excalibur, and that thing makes it difficult to carry a more "normal" pack. And Robert Griffiths used on in "Curtain Call" when posing as Venkman's chauffeur, because it's a lot more concealable.
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BlackMaria
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Post by BlackMaria on Dec 14, 2005 11:42:36 GMT -4
They had some more mature & ambitious storylines so I'll give 'em credit. I must take away credit for the stalling of the Egon-Janine relationship, & the poor characterizations of the remaining staff. I don't buy the extremely young age of the new recruits [maybe that's why they called it Extreme Ghostbusters! 8^)]. The animation was of better quality than RGB.
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