Random Thoughts X: Impromptu Interpretations

[Phrossack]

In the tv shows I've watched lately, there were scenes in Lovecraft Country, New Amsterdam, The Expanse and The Boys that I thought worked pretty well. I'm trying to think of one that was a clunker.

I haven't seen those, but it's worth mentioning that with that many shows with sex scenes you could list off the top of your head recently, they've practically become required in shows.

 

[EgonSpengler]

I haven't seen those, but it's worth mentioning that with that many shows with sex scenes you could list off the top of your head recently, they've practically become required in shows.

I watch a lot of television, especially lately, so the fact that I came up with only four actually isn't a lot. But thinking more on shows I've liked this year, I don't think there were any sex scenes in Tales from the Loop, Transplant, The Rookie or any of the YA superhero shows. I can't remember if there was one in The Umbrella Academy or Upload, even though the stories would've supported one. If there was, it obviously didn't make an impression.

 

[The_J]

Can't remember in the Umbrella Academy either, don't think there was (S1).

I can't think of any fiction I've read or seen where sex scenes added anything of value.

Well... what is the value of the fiction itself?
If you define it purely as entertainment, then it adds as much value as whatever you're consuming.
If you think about story progression and character development, yeah, then probably not.

 

[aimeeandbeatles]

I haven't seen those, but it's worth mentioning that with that many shows with sex scenes you could list off the top of your head recently, they've practically become required in shows.

https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/RomanticPlotTumor

 

[The_J]

https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/RomanticPlotTumor

The entire cast of The Big Bang Theory. Especially in the later seasons, it is very difficult to find an episode that doesn't revolve around their various relationship issues. Even Sheldon, who has a near total lack of romantic desire, is not immune to this. The sole main character who doesn't have a girlfriend spends the bulk of his time either trying to get a girlfriend or being miserable because he doesn't have a girlfriend. The series has effectively gone from being about geeks and geek culture to being about geeks and their hot girlfriends.

Oh boy, so true.

 

[EgonSpengler]

Well... what is the value of the fiction itself?
If you define it purely as entertainment, then it adds as much value as whatever you're consuming.

Right, the entertainment value can't be dismissed. I mean, I like good action scenes for the exhilaration, and for watching skilled people do something remarkable; if an action scene also moves the story or develops a character, all the better. Funny jokes don't have to move the story or develop the character, either, they can just be funny.

If you think about story progression and character development, yeah, then probably not.

I think sex scenes can and do move the story and develop characters. I just saw a great example the other night, in an episode of New Amsterdam. Because of how prudish American network shows are, the fact that both characters were semi-dressed in the "morning after" fade-in didn't tell me whether they'd done it or not. It was up in the air whether they would do the deed or not, and it was vital to know for the progression of both characters, one of whom is the show's lead. As it happened, it was cleared up a moment later, so I wasn't pulling my hair out for long. But that moment of being unsure what had just happened, whether they'd slept together or just next to each other, made me crazy, because it was important to know.

Just had a sudden thought: The Americans had a lot of sex scenes, and I can't think of a single one that didn't move the plot or develop the characters.

 

[H4run]

I think sex scenes can and do move the story and develop characters.

I'm not saying it can't, but when it become excessive and repetitive to many series (like what Phrossack said as if it's become obligatory) it's becoming tiring. I can even make a generic plot to the series, look:

You get a group of character in the beginning of the series and each of them likeable and adorable in their own way. After that induced lots sex scenes and lots more steamy affairs between them, that also come with lots of internal conflict, bickering and jealousy that cracked the cohesivity in a cringy way, hence the dynamic screw, many of the previous character that you like in previous season now sucks and cranky, and the plot turned to be corny, so induced more steamy affairs to keep the viewer attention to the series, however it only makes me lost my interest even more, then I stop watching the series.

It can be medieval, viking, this that and of course those, but the core story, the essence turn out to be a Beverly Hills or sex and the city like series with explicit sex scenes. They can even name the series like Sex and Castle or Sex and the Viking Boat, Sex and Rome. But heyyy that's just my view.

And thanks for recommending a non excessively sexual series and movies.

 

[aimeeandbeatles]

Rant/Rave: I am not dead.

 

[Takhisis]

I haven't seen those, but it's worth mentioning that with that many shows with sex scenes you could list off the top of your head recently, they've practically become required in shows.

Stig Larsson, author of the Millennium trilogy, was asked by his boss to add more sex because it sells and he did so deliberately. And it shows, which I think was also deliberate.

 

[aimeeandbeatles]

I started reading what I mistakenly assumed was a horse novel, but it turned out to be a really badly written romance novel (thankfully not with the horses). I slogged through the damn thing anyways because I'm some sort of weird masochist and towards the end I was treated to a sex scene that could be summed up with one sentence:

They got it right and it felt good for both of them and they were both making noise.

 

[amadeus]

If they name a college campus building after Arsenio Hall, what the heck are they gonna call it?

Spoiler :

And do you think he’s related to Anthony Michael Hall?

 

[Birdjaguar]

If they name a college campus building after Arsenio Hall, what the heck are they gonna call it?

Spoiler :

And do you think he’s related to Anthony Michael Hall?

Arsenio Hall works quite well and has a humorous ring to it.

 

[Takhisis]

Would everyone who lived or worked there be called squares?

 

[Valka D'Ur]

If they name a college campus building after Arsenio Hall, what the heck are they gonna call it?

The Arsenio Hall Hall, of course.

I used to watch his night-time talk show waaaay back when. It was okay most of the time, but he had this really annoying giggle that grated on my nerves.

 

[Ajidica]

If they name a college campus building after Arsenio Hall, what the heck are they gonna call it?

Spoiler :

And do you think he’s related to Anthony Michael Hall?

North Hall, obviously.

 

[amadeus]

Worst decade for neckties: 1990’s

Don’t pretend it isn’t true!

 

[Takhisis]

I don't wear neckties.

 

[Broken_Erika]

I don't wear neckties.

Bowties are superior!

 

[BenitoChavez]

Bowties are superior!

I associate bowties with Tucker Carlson and Peewee Hermann. Not exactly great role models.

 

[MaryKB]

I’ve seen mountains high with snow-capped peaks, and ice like crystal glass
Beyond the sun rose high and bright, and at night the stars did shine
Mirrored lakes reflect the azure sky, and pines of evergreen
They please me much, for though I do find the love of God’s design
That in all the world I have not seen the light that’s in your eyes

A drop of snow, like an angel’s wing, a feather on my nose
Pleasant grass feels beneath my feet, a tender touch of earth
Cool winds of autumn blow through my hair, the summer joy replete
Though my skin exults the touch of God, my heart is filled with bliss
I long yet still for your gentle lips to press against my cheek

Music from a running stream as it does weave and find its way
Birds who sing their morning songs to gently wake me from my dream
Summer rains drip on the leaves of trees who talk of wind and sun
All the world of prayerful sound does bring delight to my own ears
But still no word stirs my heart so true as when you speak my name