The feel of Tru Calling

10-19-2003, 02:24 PM

Ok...I've read from 3 people so far on numerous forums(One being the official Tru Calling forum and another being a forum at zap2it), that TC is a surprisingly 'dark' show. One guy posted that its too dark for his liking.

People have mentioned how Tru is a dark character at times...apparantly not every case is solved right away, and it may leave her feeling down. People have said how this may be bad for the show, since a lot of people don't like watching shows where the heroine is dark. Take for example, season six of Buffy. A lot of people didn't like seeing Buffy that way.

I personally really liked season six of Buffy, and I take the idea of 'TC' being a dark show as a good thing. I don't know about you guys, but I would much rather see a show where everything isn't solved every week...where Tru doesn't just save EVERY single person when she goes back in time a day or two. It would get boring and repetitive...and I think that Tru wouldn't be the same dark kind of character as Faith, it would be something totally different. And when a lot of attempts by Tru to save people end up being in vain, the times that she does succeed could be all the more special and entertaining to watch.

But I don't know how the American public feels about that...they may not like it and this may cause the ratings to go down if TC pulls an ok rating for the first few episodes.

ThisYearsGuy · 10-19-2003, 02:57 PM

Personally I think dark shows are really good - they often get into deeper things and really keep you interested and stimulated - if this is TRU (hehe [img]tongue.gif[/img] ) I personally think its a good point. [img]graemlins/thumbs.gif[/img] [img]graemlins/orbit.gif[/img] (Had to add the orbit one - I love it! [img]smile.gif[/img] ).

10-19-2003, 02:59 PM

That's exactly why I liked it. It fits Eliza pretty good I think [img]smile.gif[/img]

10-19-2003, 03:32 PM

I think that a dark show is really great! Take Alias for exemple: Sydney doesn't do well all the time! She lose a lot of mission and there's a lot of person who die!! It would be so much better if Tru doesn't always win!! If she lost some people!! She's not perfect and she makes a lot of mistakes!

10-19-2003, 04:59 PM

I agree with everyone so far [img]tongue.gif[/img] I thought s6 of Buffy was great and I hate predictable shows. It kinda depends on what kind of target audience the show has if it will affect ratings. I think the 'older teen' 'young adult' group will like it a bit dark, while the 'young teen' prob. would have wanted a lighter show. And btw, I just watched the sneak-peek again and Harrison seems like a really interesting character and also kind of a dark. A character that doesnt really know whats good for him. I like that, kinda like me ;) :D

10-19-2003, 05:30 PM

Well, Angel is a really dark show, but I enjoy it fine enough when I can get into it [img]smile.gif[/img]

10-19-2003, 07:32 PM

Nice comparison, hollyrosealyssa. Alias is a cult hit, and it does alright in the ratings. It doesn't get huge number, but its in its third season now because ABC has faith in it and knows how dedicated the fans are. I think that 'TC' could end up being a show like that...not a mainstream hit, but a show with a lot of huge fans and a network that supports it.(I know that doesn't describe FOX at all, but hey [img]tongue.gif[/img] )

schmemmm · 10-19-2003, 10:18 PM

I think it depends on the type of show and the type of darkness.
Take American Gothic, it was very dark and it got axed. Probably because of the things it said about human nature. The X files was dark and yet it still maintained a great following until the last 2/3 seasons.
Crossing Jordan - Jordan has a certian air of sadness to her, they always play with this idea from time to time that she never coped with her mothers death or had any closure and that she runs from love. The Guardian, I feel this show can get a little too emotionally dark at times because every good thing that happens to the characters is followed by something terrible.

It all depends on whether you can identify with the characters. If you like a character you will watch, if you can identify you will watch. If you feel disconnected from what is happening on screen then you will probably lose interest. If you hate the characters then you may just tune out. As long as Tru the character can engage an audience and make them care then the show will be fine. Dark content is fine, but if it becomes too far fetched or too depressing without a good story arc or good character development it can ruin the show.
I liked aspects of season 6, I actually identified more with Buffy in season 6 than 7. In season 7 I felt disconnected to the characters.

[ October 19, 2003, 09:30 PM: Message edited by: schmemmm ]

10-20-2003, 12:02 AM

I don't really see it as being dark. I'm not sure what exactly the word I would use is...but dark isn't it. I suppose any time you're constantly dealing with deaths that are unnatural you could say that..but it just doesn't have a disturbing type vibe to me(that's kind of what I think of when I hear the word dark). I do like that aspect of the show though, whatever you want to call it. I guess it gives it room to go a bunch of different place.

Faith_Fan · 10-20-2003, 02:53 AM

I wouldn't call Tru Calling exactly a dark show, except that it's like Season 6 of Buffy that it's unrelenting dark for Tru.

The show presents a rather positive light in that Tru can go back and change things. Yet, it's never a happy ending. Not to get too spoilery, but it's incredibly depressing even when Tru saves people sometimes. It's to the point of being overly melodramatic that there's some huge trauma or drama playing out.

Tru's life sucks beyond belief and it keeps getting worse and worse, just like Season 6 of Buffy. Both have this kind of similar theme of starting out in life in your early 20's and struggling.

Personally, I hated Season 6 of Buffy. The ratings plummeted as Buffy sank into her depression and things just kept getting worse and worse. The thing that bugged me was how it almost looked like she'd had an epiphany and had figured it out (like the end of Gone) yet things never improved.

The repetitiveness of Tru Calling is the biggest issue. Every episode is basically the same. But the issue that bugs me more then the plots being the same is the trend of Tru's life plummeting. She's loosing everything. Again, don't want to get into spoilers, but it's not like Tru's life is going well.

I do like the idea of Tru having this burden, that she has to save people. But the unrelenting nature of the burden ruining her life just sucks. A few episode is fine, but like Season 6 of Buffy, it just can't keep going on and on.

schmemmm · 10-20-2003, 04:10 AM

Yes I agree, all these false epiphanies started getting tiresome. I think the issue is that if you are going to put your character through these trials there has to be some growth involved or some reward for their pain and suffering. There has to be a reason why these things exist in the story other than dramatic tension or the device/formula becomes obvious and tiresome.
That is what I cannot stand about the Guardian, the things that happen don't advance the storyline or the characters over a specific season. They are there purely to create a cheap emotional response from viewers.
Also with Buffy, by the time her cookie speech came, I was very disappointed. After so many so called epiphanies I really didn't want her last epiphany to be that she still felt emotionally immature and unready, that she still hadn't found herself.
If Tru is like this, then it's going to get very tiresome. IMO, storylines need balance, if it's all about how much pain a writer can inflict on its main character then it's going to get old very quickly.

10-20-2003, 03:34 PM

Its cool that you two aren't describing it as dark when I've seen some other people describe it as a very dark show...I guess its going to be up to the viewer's opinion.

And Faith_Fan makes a good point...I don't want or expect it to be a dark show forever, but its kind of natural for someone's life to be drastically changed when they get a huge responsibility like this. And repitition is one thing that I am afraid of...someone else mentioned how they first four episodes are a lot alike.

Quote:

Personally, I hated Season 6 of Buffy. The ratings plummeted as Buffy sank into her depression and things just kept getting worse and worse. The thing that bugged me was how it almost looked like she'd had an epiphany and had figured it out (like the end of Gone) yet things never improved.

I definately didn't see the end of "Gone" as an epiphany. I saw it as Buffy not being able to feel as happy about her acheivements like she should feel...another aspecr of her depressoin. The episode was weak, but I loved the ending.
Season 6 of Buffy was necessary...we needed to see Buffy in that way after what happened to her.
Maybe the reverse could happen for Tru...she starts off taking this whole thing very hard and her life is affected for the worse by it and she eventually gets more used to it and eventually learns how to deal with it.

[ October 20, 2003, 02:36 PM: Message edited by: Andrew ]

schmemmm · 10-20-2003, 11:17 PM

I really really hate to say this, since I was once accused of being a Faith fan rather than an Eliza fan; but I'm going to anyways (and then run and build myself a bomb shelter to sheild myself from the attacks). [img]graemlins/uhoh.gif[/img]

I watched the 13 minute preview.. and I didn't really connect. I have read some of the reviews and I too am a bit concerned with the writing. I mean I support the show and stuff, I really do want it to do well... but just as I have been very critical of the plot holes, character retcons and emotional detatchment I felt existed in some episodes of Buffy, I have to say, it seems that Tru is suffering from average writing. When I watched it, it could have just been the lack of background music or something, but I really didn't feel emotionally engaged.
Now I know this is only the first episode and I only watched 13 minutes, but I am scared that if as the reviews say, this episode sets the tone and structure for the rest of the episodes then it's not something I am going to like.
As someone said on the fox boards, it's about the journey not the end result. If just keeps on doing the same thing and the other characters aren't engaging to watch or are too predictable, it would need something else keep me watching.

Comparing and contrasting...
The things about a show like CSI is they have science to fall back on. With CSI Miami I don't feel a connection to the characters and their scientific leaps seem too big, that's why for me CSI is the better show, cause the characters are easy to relate to, it has drama, humour, emotion and science, strong writing.
Tru is kinda looking like the CSI Miami at this stage, which I am sure rates very well and can capture my interest, but doesn't hold it.
I am wondering if Eliza being in this show will be enough to keep people watching... I know Eliza fans will watch regardless but I am interested to know what you guys think the demographic for the show is ... who is their primary target audience?

Ok... you can all shoot me now for my hopelessly pessimistic views.

[ October 20, 2003, 10:54 PM: Message edited by: schmemmm ]

10-21-2003, 03:39 PM

Quote:

Now I know this is only the first episode and I only watched 13 minutes, but I am scared that if as the reviews say, this episode sets the tone and structure for the rest of the episodes then it's not something I am going to like.

I don't see why ANY reviewer would say that. It just makes zero sense to me...actually, reviewers make zero sense to me a lot of the time anyway. [img]tongue.gif[/img] A pilot shouldn't be used to determine what the show will be like for the whole season. So many changes are made after the pilot, and look at all the changes made so far with TC. I do think the show can improve from the pilot, I think any show can. People just need to give it time.

[ October 21, 2003, 02:40 PM: Message edited by: Andrew ]

ThisYearsGuy · 10-21-2003, 06:01 PM

I do see what has been said that in S6 of Buffy it did get dark and that she didn't do anything about it but I think that led well to the S7 cookie speech cos that was her realising that she didn't attempt to improve or change cos she wasn't ready to....

Anyway off topic - I have just watched the 13 minute preview - although it started a tad slow, by the last 3 minutes I was absolutely hooked. I thought it was good writing and great acting but I felt that if it is the final cut it seemed a bit rough and the lack of background noise and music was noticeable. BUT, overall, GREAT! :D [img]graemlins/thumbs.gif[/img]
The only thing I can even think of changing is that background noise and music but hey that ain't important lol. [img]tongue.gif[/img]

(Now I want to see the last 1/2 hour - damn it! Fingers crossed UKers hehehe).

schmemmm · 10-21-2003, 08:52 PM

Well aparently the music was taken out ... maybe for bandwidth issues, It's in the actual ep.
Yeah I guess we can't really know yet, information is out for up to ep. 9 but it could be that crucial information is missing from the spoiler sources.
There is no information out yet about ep. 8, which is interesting, but may just mean that they haven't finished producing it yet.

I guess we'll have to wait and see, Ep. five is supposedly co written by Petrie so it can't be all that bad :D

Yay Petrie ! *schmemmm does a little dance*

And I agree about that shows shouldn't be judges solely on a pilot, as you said, a lot can change.

[ October 21, 2003, 08:45 PM: Message edited by: schmemmm ]

**andrew r** · 10-24-2003, 11:39 AM

I do like a dark tone to shows (and I though S6 of Buffy was great - nice to know I'm not alone on that). So it's nice to hear that this is happening in TC. I know that Tru can't always save a person from dying, as the show would become pretty boring. Though the premise of time travel is interesting and hopefully that can be put to good use. Such as will it cause any psychological or physiological effects on Tru? And also the effect on the time line once she's saved a life. Will the consiquences be too great? Will Tru become to understand how she got her gift? I'm only throwing around a few idea's but from what I've read about the show and what Eliza said recently, it does seem to have a number of avenues to explore, so I'm looking forward the show.

schmemmm · 10-28-2003, 03:17 AM

I was thinking last night how dark 'Six feet under is' and how that doesn't seem to have had any negative effect on it's popularity. I don't think dark = death for a show, it is imo always to be looked at on a case by case basis and has a lot to do with what kind of audience the show has built.

10-19-2003, 02:24 PM	#1 (permalink)
imported_Andrew Posts: n/a	Ok...I've read from 3 people so far on numerous forums(One being the official Tru Calling forum and another being a forum at zap2it), that TC is a surprisingly 'dark' show. One guy posted that its too dark for his liking. People have mentioned how Tru is a dark character at times...apparantly not every case is solved right away, and it may leave her feeling down. People have said how this may be bad for the show, since a lot of people don't like watching shows where the heroine is dark. Take for example, season six of Buffy. A lot of people didn't like seeing Buffy that way. I personally really liked season six of Buffy, and I take the idea of 'TC' being a dark show as a good thing. I don't know about you guys, but I would much rather see a show where everything isn't solved every week...where Tru doesn't just save EVERY single person when she goes back in time a day or two. It would get boring and repetitive...and I think that Tru wouldn't be the same dark kind of character as Faith, it would be something totally different. And when a lot of attempts by Tru to save people end up being in vain, the times that she does succeed could be all the more special and entertaining to watch. But I don't know how the American public feels about that...they may not like it and this may cause the ratings to go down if TC pulls an ok rating for the first few episodes.

10-19-2003, 02:57 PM	#2 (permalink)
ThisYearsGuy Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: England - home to Keira and Orlando!! Posts: 767 My Profile	Personally I think dark shows are really good - they often get into deeper things and really keep you interested and stimulated - if this is TRU (hehe [img]tongue.gif[/img] ) I personally think its a good point. [img]graemlins/thumbs.gif[/img] [img]graemlins/orbit.gif[/img] (Had to add the orbit one - I love it! [img]smile.gif[/img] ).

10-19-2003, 02:59 PM	#3 (permalink)
Jonny Posts: n/a	That's exactly why I liked it. It fits Eliza pretty good I think [img]smile.gif[/img]

10-19-2003, 03:32 PM	#4 (permalink)
hollyrosealyssa Posts: n/a	I think that a dark show is really great! Take Alias for exemple: Sydney doesn't do well all the time! She lose a lot of mission and there's a lot of person who die!! It would be so much better if Tru doesn't always win!! If she lost some people!! She's not perfect and she makes a lot of mistakes!

10-19-2003, 04:59 PM	#5 (permalink)
Foo Posts: n/a	I agree with everyone so far [img]tongue.gif[/img] I thought s6 of Buffy was great and I hate predictable shows. It kinda depends on what kind of target audience the show has if it will affect ratings. I think the 'older teen' 'young adult' group will like it a bit dark, while the 'young teen' prob. would have wanted a lighter show. And btw, I just watched the sneak-peek again and Harrison seems like a really interesting character and also kind of a dark. A character that doesnt really know whats good for him. I like that, kinda like me ;) :D

10-19-2003, 05:30 PM	#6 (permalink)
lil_faith Posts: n/a	Well, Angel is a really dark show, but I enjoy it fine enough when I can get into it [img]smile.gif[/img]

10-19-2003, 07:32 PM	#7 (permalink)
imported_Andrew Posts: n/a	Nice comparison, hollyrosealyssa. Alias is a cult hit, and it does alright in the ratings. It doesn't get huge number, but its in its third season now because ABC has faith in it and knows how dedicated the fans are. I think that 'TC' could end up being a show like that...not a mainstream hit, but a show with a lot of huge fans and a network that supports it.(I know that doesn't describe FOX at all, but hey [img]tongue.gif[/img] )

10-19-2003, 10:18 PM	#8 (permalink)
schmemmm Junior Member Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 233 My Profile	I think it depends on the type of show and the type of darkness. Take American Gothic, it was very dark and it got axed. Probably because of the things it said about human nature. The X files was dark and yet it still maintained a great following until the last 2/3 seasons. Crossing Jordan - Jordan has a certian air of sadness to her, they always play with this idea from time to time that she never coped with her mothers death or had any closure and that she runs from love. The Guardian, I feel this show can get a little too emotionally dark at times because every good thing that happens to the characters is followed by something terrible. It all depends on whether you can identify with the characters. If you like a character you will watch, if you can identify you will watch. If you feel disconnected from what is happening on screen then you will probably lose interest. If you hate the characters then you may just tune out. As long as Tru the character can engage an audience and make them care then the show will be fine. Dark content is fine, but if it becomes too far fetched or too depressing without a good story arc or good character development it can ruin the show. I liked aspects of season 6, I actually identified more with Buffy in season 6 than 7. In season 7 I felt disconnected to the characters. [ October 19, 2003, 09:30 PM: Message edited by: schmemmm ]

10-20-2003, 12:02 AM	#9 (permalink)
IKillChildren Posts: n/a	I don't really see it as being dark. I'm not sure what exactly the word I would use is...but dark isn't it. I suppose any time you're constantly dealing with deaths that are unnatural you could say that..but it just doesn't have a disturbing type vibe to me(that's kind of what I think of when I hear the word dark). I do like that aspect of the show though, whatever you want to call it. I guess it gives it room to go a bunch of different place.

10-20-2003, 02:53 AM	#10 (permalink)
Faith_Fan Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Los Angeles, CA Posts: 611 My Profile	I wouldn't call Tru Calling exactly a dark show, except that it's like Season 6 of Buffy that it's unrelenting dark for Tru. The show presents a rather positive light in that Tru can go back and change things. Yet, it's never a happy ending. Not to get too spoilery, but it's incredibly depressing even when Tru saves people sometimes. It's to the point of being overly melodramatic that there's some huge trauma or drama playing out. Tru's life sucks beyond belief and it keeps getting worse and worse, just like Season 6 of Buffy. Both have this kind of similar theme of starting out in life in your early 20's and struggling. Personally, I hated Season 6 of Buffy. The ratings plummeted as Buffy sank into her depression and things just kept getting worse and worse. The thing that bugged me was how it almost looked like she'd had an epiphany and had figured it out (like the end of Gone) yet things never improved. The repetitiveness of Tru Calling is the biggest issue. Every episode is basically the same. But the issue that bugs me more then the plots being the same is the trend of Tru's life plummeting. She's loosing everything. Again, don't want to get into spoilers, but it's not like Tru's life is going well. I do like the idea of Tru having this burden, that she has to save people. But the unrelenting nature of the burden ruining her life just sucks. A few episode is fine, but like Season 6 of Buffy, it just can't keep going on and on.

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10-20-2003, 04:10 AM	#11 (permalink)
schmemmm Junior Member Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 233 My Profile	Yes I agree, all these false epiphanies started getting tiresome. I think the issue is that if you are going to put your character through these trials there has to be some growth involved or some reward for their pain and suffering. There has to be a reason why these things exist in the story other than dramatic tension or the device/formula becomes obvious and tiresome. That is what I cannot stand about the Guardian, the things that happen don't advance the storyline or the characters over a specific season. They are there purely to create a cheap emotional response from viewers. Also with Buffy, by the time her cookie speech came, I was very disappointed. After so many so called epiphanies I really didn't want her last epiphany to be that she still felt emotionally immature and unready, that she still hadn't found herself. If Tru is like this, then it's going to get very tiresome. IMO, storylines need balance, if it's all about how much pain a writer can inflict on its main character then it's going to get old very quickly.

10-20-2003, 11:17 PM	#13 (permalink)
schmemmm Junior Member Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 233 My Profile	I really really hate to say this, since I was once accused of being a Faith fan rather than an Eliza fan; but I'm going to anyways (and then run and build myself a bomb shelter to sheild myself from the attacks). [img]graemlins/uhoh.gif[/img] I watched the 13 minute preview.. and I didn't really connect. I have read some of the reviews and I too am a bit concerned with the writing. I mean I support the show and stuff, I really do want it to do well... but just as I have been very critical of the plot holes, character retcons and emotional detatchment I felt existed in some episodes of Buffy, I have to say, it seems that Tru is suffering from average writing. When I watched it, it could have just been the lack of background music or something, but I really didn't feel emotionally engaged. Now I know this is only the first episode and I only watched 13 minutes, but I am scared that if as the reviews say, this episode sets the tone and structure for the rest of the episodes then it's not something I am going to like. As someone said on the fox boards, it's about the journey not the end result. If just keeps on doing the same thing and the other characters aren't engaging to watch or are too predictable, it would need something else keep me watching. Comparing and contrasting... The things about a show like CSI is they have science to fall back on. With CSI Miami I don't feel a connection to the characters and their scientific leaps seem too big, that's why for me CSI is the better show, cause the characters are easy to relate to, it has drama, humour, emotion and science, strong writing. Tru is kinda looking like the CSI Miami at this stage, which I am sure rates very well and can capture my interest, but doesn't hold it. I am wondering if Eliza being in this show will be enough to keep people watching... I know Eliza fans will watch regardless but I am interested to know what you guys think the demographic for the show is ... who is their primary target audience? Ok... you can all shoot me now for my hopelessly pessimistic views. [ October 20, 2003, 10:54 PM: Message edited by: schmemmm ]

10-21-2003, 06:01 PM	#15 (permalink)
ThisYearsGuy Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: England - home to Keira and Orlando!! Posts: 767 My Profile	I do see what has been said that in S6 of Buffy it did get dark and that she didn't do anything about it but I think that led well to the S7 cookie speech cos that was her realising that she didn't attempt to improve or change cos she wasn't ready to.... Anyway off topic - I have just watched the 13 minute preview - although it started a tad slow, by the last 3 minutes I was absolutely hooked. I thought it was good writing and great acting but I felt that if it is the final cut it seemed a bit rough and the lack of background noise and music was noticeable. BUT, overall, GREAT! :D [img]graemlins/thumbs.gif[/img] The only thing I can even think of changing is that background noise and music but hey that ain't important lol. [img]tongue.gif[/img] (Now I want to see the last 1/2 hour - damn it! Fingers crossed UKers hehehe).

10-21-2003, 08:52 PM	#16 (permalink)
schmemmm Junior Member Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 233 My Profile	Well aparently the music was taken out ... maybe for bandwidth issues, It's in the actual ep. Yeah I guess we can't really know yet, information is out for up to ep. 9 but it could be that crucial information is missing from the spoiler sources. There is no information out yet about ep. 8, which is interesting, but may just mean that they haven't finished producing it yet. I guess we'll have to wait and see, Ep. five is supposedly co written by Petrie so it can't be all that bad :D Yay Petrie ! schmemmm does a little dance And I agree about that shows shouldn't be judges solely on a pilot, as you said, a lot can change. [ October 21, 2003, 08:45 PM: Message edited by: schmemmm ]

10-24-2003, 11:39 AM	#17 (permalink)
andrew r Moderator Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: England Posts: 31,548 My Profile	I do like a dark tone to shows (and I though S6 of Buffy was great - nice to know I'm not alone on that). So it's nice to hear that this is happening in TC. I know that Tru can't always save a person from dying, as the show would become pretty boring. Though the premise of time travel is interesting and hopefully that can be put to good use. Such as will it cause any psychological or physiological effects on Tru? And also the effect on the time line once she's saved a life. Will the consiquences be too great? Will Tru become to understand how she got her gift? I'm only throwing around a few idea's but from what I've read about the show and what Eliza said recently, it does seem to have a number of avenues to explore, so I'm looking forward the show.

10-28-2003, 03:17 AM	#18 (permalink)
schmemmm Junior Member Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 233 My Profile	I was thinking last night how dark 'Six feet under is' and how that doesn't seem to have had any negative effect on it's popularity. I don't think dark = death for a show, it is imo always to be looked at on a case by case basis and has a lot to do with what kind of audience the show has built.