SPN vs. BtVS

Obviously, there's tons to compare and contrast between the two shows, but I'm starting shallow.

Worldbuilding. In terms of myth and monsters that make even a little bit of sense, Supernatural wins hands down. Some stuff is definitely stronger than others - BtVS, at least, did not have a killer racist ghost truck - but overall, I believe the stuff that happens on SPN, and I almost never did on BtVS. This is fine when the mystical stuff is played for comedy, but when things get serious, uncontrolled giggling is not the optimal audience response.

This isn't to say there aren't lots of big unanswered questions about the larger SPN universe, but I gather that there will be MUCH MORE on the topic later on, so I am unconcerned for now.

Color. It feels like everything in SPN is in shades of gray. It's the lighting more than anything, although naturally our heroes dress almost entirely in dark, manly colors. Gah, I never knew how much I appreciated Buffy's bright wardrobe until I didn't have it to look at anymore! Remember that this is me, who kept watching both Bones and The West Wing because they were so pretty to look at and who grumbles about how drab BtVS S7 is.

Teh wimmenz. SPN is, so far, a purely male-centric show. The boys help the damsels in distress, they occasionally get help from damsels not in distress, and every so often they face off with a villain who's female. In at least this first season, though, this is a show about two guys and their dad, period. After BtVS, with its huge ensemble cast and many more female characters I cared about than male characters, this feels like a very peculiar mental space.

SPN vs. BtVS

Obviously, there's tons to compare and contrast between the two shows, but I'm starting shallow.

Worldbuilding. In terms of myth and monsters that make even a little bit of sense, Supernatural wins hands down. Some stuff is definitely stronger than others - BtVS, at least, did not have a killer racist ghost truck - but overall, I believe the stuff that happens on SPN, and I almost never did on BtVS. This is fine when the mystical stuff is played for comedy, but when things get serious, uncontrolled giggling is not the optimal audience response.

This isn't to say there aren't lots of big unanswered questions about the larger SPN universe, but I gather that there will be MUCH MORE on the topic later on, so I am unconcerned for now.

Color. It feels like everything in SPN is in shades of gray. It's the lighting more than anything, although naturally our heroes dress almost entirely in dark, manly colors. Gah, I never knew how much I appreciated Buffy's bright wardrobe until I didn't have it to look at anymore! Remember that this is me, who kept watching both Bones and The West Wing because they were so pretty to look at and who grumbles about how drab BtVS S7 is.

Teh wimmenz. SPN is, so far, a purely male-centric show. The boys help the damsels in distress, they occasionally get help from damsels not in distress, and every so often they face off with a villain who's female. In at least this first season, though, this is a show about two guys and their dad, period. After BtVS, with its huge ensemble cast and many more female characters I cared about than male characters, this feels like a very peculiar mental space.

So, about that Buffyverse worldbuilding

I've been complaining about Buffyverse worldbuilding since my first viewing of Prophecy Girl, if not earlier. Recently angearia called me on it and asked me just what I meant, and my response was so long I'm reposting it here for general edification. Or something.

( The nitty gritty )

So, about that Buffyverse worldbuilding

I've been complaining about Buffyverse worldbuilding since my first viewing of Prophecy Girl, if not earlier. Recently angearia called me on it and asked me just what I meant, and my response was so long I'm reposting it here for general edification. Or something.

( The nitty gritty )