<![CDATA[MikeJer's Buffy Reviews / News]]> en-USSat, 28 Aug 2010 13:12:31 -0700 <![CDATA[Season 1: Revisited]]> As promised a long, long time ago, I've finally started rewriting my Season 1 reviews! Check out my more thorough look at "Welcome to the Hellmouth" [1x01] and "The Harvest" [1x02] to kick things off.

]]> <![CDATA[The Fuuuuuuture!]]> 144 episode reviews and 7 comprehensive season reviews. I clearly don't have a life. I'm going to take a moment here to just marvel at that (both the accomplishment and the not-having-a-life thing). (beat) Okay, moving on.

Here's a list of the latest news on my site along with what's next for me:

1. First, don't forget to read my incredibly thorough Season 7 Review.
2. Over the weekend I developed a RSS feed for CriticallyTouched.com. Take a look at this forum post for information on using it.
3. When I began this site I really didn't know what I was doing or how far I really wanted to go. It was as I was reviewing S2 that I began to realize just how much I had to say about the show. In light of this, my S1 reviews are mostly terrible. Since I've already devoted an insane amount of hours to this site, I can't leave those reviews in their current state. So I will very soon be doing complete rewrites of all my S1 reviews. This is the next piece of content you can expect from me.
4. After I re-review S1 I will be embarking on what I'm calling my 'polish pass.' This polishing process will mostly involve review improvements, typo fixes, and grade tweaks. The end goal here is to have a polished, tight, and complete package of a site that I can be proud to show people from episode 1 to episode 144. Obviously the further I get into the series the less polishing will be required. In light of all of this, the polish pass will be much faster than the initial reviewing was.
5. You should head over to the Angel site for some breaking news about what's next there. Ryan will not be finishing those reviews and I've enlisted the community to help me get them finished. This means that, yes, I will be reviewing ~10 S4 and S5 Angel episodes! My reviews will start popping up sometime after I finish rewriting my Buffy S1 reviews.

So I think that covers it for now. That'll keep me plenty busy for a little while. Thanks again for all the gracious e-mails, comments, and forum posts I've been getting lately! It's genuinely appreciated. Now, onward! More Buffy awaits!

]]> <![CDATA[Season 7 Review]]> At long last my Season 7 Review is complete. I'll let the review speak for itself. Expect some news on what's next for me very soon. For now: enjoy!

]]> <![CDATA[Twitter Time!]]> Hi all, status update time. A couple things to report:

1. The Season 7 Review is partially complete and is still being working on. Admittedly it's been slow going, but progress is being made nonetheless. The primary reasons for it not being done yet? Lingering health issues resulting from a mean food poisoning episode a few months back and, well, the StarCraft 2 Beta sucking up a bunch of my free time.
2. You can now follow me (and the network) on Twitter: http://twitter.com/CriticallyTouch. Small status updates, information on bug fixes, and early news on new things happening with the network (including my site) will be posted there, by me.

I'm really looking forward to starting my 'polish pass' over the whole series again (and re-reviewing S1) as soon as I get that Season 7 Review wrapped up. Sorry it's taking so long, but it'll be worth it in the end. :)

Also, thanks to all the new readers who have sent me e-mails, joined the forum, and started commenting on various reviews. Huzzah for Netflix Watch Instantly! It's lovely to see fresh faces in this wonderful community. Welcome!

]]> <![CDATA[mikejer's ghost]]> Hi all! I know it's been a while since I've said anything, but the holidays and personal stuff have kept me plenty busy as of late. With that said, I'm looking to spin up my writing wheels and get going on that Season 7 Review I know you're all anxiously biting your nails for. So please stop biting your nails -- it's just not becoming.

It'll still likely take me a little while to put the review together though, so don't get too excited quite yet. It'll be done at precisely the moment it is done. Comforting, isn't it?

Thanks for your patience! Please know that I still check for and read new comments daily and frequent the forums even if I don't post much.

]]> <![CDATA[4 Years Later...]]> Can you believe it's been four whole years since I posted my very first reviews? Can you believe how much better not only this uniquely brilliant television show got over its seven seasons, but also how much better my reviews of it got? I'd like to take a moment here to just marvel at how much this show and this site have challenged me: my beliefs, my intellect, my writing skills, my web development skills, and my communication skills. I set out four years ago to unleash my unfiltered enthusiasm and amazement for this modern classic upon the world. Back then I never imagined what the site would end up becoming. Well, you can now finally read the culmination of this journey in my review of the final episode, "Chosen" [7x22].

So, after you consume that review faster than I can write another word, you'll probably be wondering what's next for this site, and for me. Well, for starters, don't forget that I still have the comprehensive Season 7 Review left to post. This review will be fantastic and will have my complete thoughts on the entirety of S7 and the series as a whole. So definitely don't miss out on that. Although it may take me a month or two to put together.

Beyond that though? Well, while my focus will no longer be on this site anymore, I do plan on re-reviewing S1 and then entering what I'm calling a 'polish pass.' I intend on re-watching every episode of the series for the fun of it and to fine-tune all my previous reviews and scores one last time. After this I will put the site to rest, aside from the occasional article from me or someone else. So while the bulk of my work here is done, there's still a little bit of tweaking left to do. Note that the forums will always remain up, and that I'll likely still read most of the comments posted throughout the site, and occasionally reply to some.

I'd like to thank all of you for being such fantastic and patient readers over the years. A lot of you have not only helped me in my understanding of the series, but have been a blast to have discussions with. Thanks!

Now, go enjoy my review of "Chosen" [7x22] while it's still fresh! I'll reveal more about what my new major project is a bit later. Let's just say it will be very different from this one. :)

  
]]> <![CDATA[Journey's End... Almost.]]> Hey all! I had plans for a big post tonight, but I ran out of time. So expect this post very, very soon, likely tomorrow night. Stay tuned!

]]> <![CDATA[The Most Overhyped Title Ever?]]> "End of Days" [7x21] is reviewed in all its over-baked glory! Thank God for that wheelchair fight. Only one episode left! Can you believe it? I know I can't. My review of "Chosen" [7x22] will be posted on a very special day. If you can understand what I mean by that, you'll know when it will be posted. Journey's end is upon us! Are you here with me? :)

]]> <![CDATA[Love Inspired Quips]]> First of all, welcome to CriticallyTouched.com!!! What do you all think of the new site? Okay, okay, for those of you still just visiting my site not a lot has changed. But be assured that a lot of code has been rewritten and is now built as a platform to support as many similar review sites as I can find people to review. Ryan's Angel site got the benefit of this change in a big way.

Going forward my goal is to bring on board new people to review other quality shows. In time, I expect to expand the CriticallyTouched.com network to include movie reviews and possibly even game reviews and book reviews. So if you're a great writer and want to tackle a project of your own, I encourage you to tell me. But before you do, be sure to visit this page for more information.

Some new features added to my site include a site search now at the top of every page, a link to our Facebook group (please join it and spread the word), some subtle graphical enhancements, and a few functionality enhancements. A lot of this code is pretty new, so if you encounter anything strange or dysfunctional, don't hesitate to let me know!

Now that we're clear on all of that, let me present you with an additional present: my review of the wonderful "Touched" [7x20]! Enjoy!

]]> <![CDATA[What? Why? How?]]> As promised, here's your fresh review of "Empty Places" [7x19] in all its troubled glory (the episode, not the review). ;)

]]> <![CDATA[Faith with Blades]]> Wow, that sure took a while! "Dirty Girls" [7x18] is finally done! Sorry for the long wait. The delay was a combination of work on the project I've been poking at behind the scenes and sheer exhaustion from reviewing. So you're all in "the know" going forward, I'll be reviewing "Empty Places" [7x19] shortly and then take a hopefully not-too-long reviewing break to wrap up and launch this new project. My review of "Touched" [7x20] will coincide with this launch. Following that moment, I intend to then review the final two episode as quickly as I can. I'll have information about my timetable for the Season 7 Review at that time. I assure everyone that some really cool stuff is just on the horizon. I just have to get off my ass and finish it!

OT: If you're having a hard time figuring out what to do while waiting for my clearly brilliant reviews, I strongly encourage you to play 2001's Silent Hill 2 (watch this opening and then this trailer) on your preferred system (Xbox/Xbox 360/PS2/PC). I recently played through it for the first time, and it has a seriously amazing story. Now go forth. Read. Play. Go.

]]> <![CDATA[Cloak and Surprises]]> So, yes, there's been no new reviews in the last month. The good news is that I've been using this time to build something new and quite wondrous. My site along with (even more so) Ryan's Angel site will be undergoing a bit of a change sometime in the next month or two -- a change that will shake the very foundation on which your expectations are built! Okay... maybe not quite that much, but there's definitely something new on the horizon that is shaping up to connect and expand our wonderful little community. As an early hint, I'll just say that SuperJer.com will soon be a thing of the past for this community. We're going to soon be moving to bigger and better heights.

In the meantime, you can expect another couple reviews hopefully sometime in the next week or two. I can promise all of you that the wait for both the new review and the upcoming launch will be worth the wait! :)

]]> <![CDATA[We Mean Business]]> I've got a special treat for all of you to start off the weekend! My review of "Lies My Parents Told Me" [7x17] is done! But that's not all! At the end of my main review text, keep reading for a special treat from long-time forum troll, err... I mean presence, and good online friend of mine, Rick. Only the final 5 episode arc is left!

]]> <![CDATA[Wheat-flakes FTW!]]> The final comedy-heavy Buffy episode, "Storyteller" [7x16], is all up and shiny. Please indulge me by actually reading it. :p ...Only 6 episodes remaining!

]]> <![CDATA[Unexpected Irony]]> Yes, everyone, I'm fully aware of the irony of me taking so long to "Get it Done" [7x15]. Irony notwithstanding, only 7 episodes left!!! Also, keep an eye out on Ryan's Angel site this weekend for a big surprise!

]]> <![CDATA[Awkward Situations and the Dateless Reviewer]]> Look upon my datelessness fondly: I get to bring you more reviews! Speaking of, here's my take on "First Date" [7x14]. Oh, and the countdown has begun: only 8 episodes left!!

]]> <![CDATA[A Whole Lotta 'Why']]> Want to see me objectively rip apart an episode? Well, here's another chance! Check out my take on "The Killer in Me" [7x13].

]]> <![CDATA[Dawn's Potential with the Vampire Pirate]]> Time for some fresh munchies all you incredibly gentle and precious readers. Check out my very (not-so) special review of "Potential" [7x12], and be rewarded with the gift of MikeJer's opinion.

]]> <![CDATA[Season 7 Double Feature - Redux]]> Another two episodes have been reviewed! Just don't start expecting me to keep reviewing at this pace consistently! For now, though, please check out my deepest and wondrous thoughts and feelings on "Bring on the Night" [7x10] and "Showtime" [7x11]. ;)

On a side note, I've heard from the Powers That Be that a certain real Ryan over at the Angel site might just be planning a coup against the Ryan that doesn't review anymore! Good news, indeed. Head over there for some more illuminating information.

]]> <![CDATA[Never Leave Me]]> Not a very inventive title, I know. I think I'm allowed one every now and then though. ;) Anyway, as the title suggests, my take on "Never Leave Me" [7x09] is now ready for mass consumption. Read, love, and be angry, but remember to explain why. :)

]]> <![CDATA[Tune in for "Soulful Spike the Killer," Mondays @ 9!]]> I got another one! Tell me how much my stunning new luminous review of "Sleeper" [7x08] rocks the house! Really, just tell me it rocks -- I don't care what you really think. This reviewer is a delicate one. ;)

]]> <![CDATA[Can I Spend the Night, Alone?]]> It's here! Take a gander at my superlicious review of "Conversations with Dead People" [7x07], a beautiful Season 7 stand-out! My apologies for taking a while on this one -- some personal stuff came up that sucked away time. I will do my best to continue chipping away at these episodes on a regular basis. The march to the end continues! :)

]]> <![CDATA[Fun for the Whole Family!]]> Although I was hoping to release this together with "Conversations with Dead People," you're going to have to wait a little bit longer for the latter. In the meantime, though, I figured I'd be nice and put my review of the insanely funny "Him" [7x06] out there now.

]]> <![CDATA[Vengeance is What I Do. Vengeance is What I Am]]> Although it slowed down my speeding wave of reviews, it was definitely worth the wait! Check out my thoughts on the blissful "Selfless" [7x05].

]]> <![CDATA[Buffy the Counselor is Here for You]]> Hey, look at that, my review of "Help" [7x04] is up. Three new reviews in one day! I bet you didn't expect that. Enjoy the rush while it lasts!

]]> <![CDATA[Season 7 Double Feature]]> Was the wait worth it? I'm going to answer for you! Yes, it sure was! In return of your patience, you get two brand new shiny reviews! Check out how great of an actor James Marsters is in "Beneath You" [7x02] and how endlessly adorable Willow is in "Same Time, Same Place" [7x03].

]]> <![CDATA[Upgrade Fever]]> Unless you haven't been to my site at all in the last two years, you'll have noticed the gradual but significant improvements I've made to this site over the years. These improvements came out of a lot of dedicated time I devoted to a complete code overhaul. To take in what I've accomplished, click on this link for a snapshot of what my site looked like back in early 2007. Notice a difference?

I must confess that I did not put this much work into the site simply for the sake of my administrative experience and your reading experience. The truth of the matter is that I have plans to build out many more sites like mine for other shows to be reviewed, very likely by other people. Fortunately, you guys have gotten the benefit of me using this site as a web development playground over the years. I'd like to spend a moment to specifically point some of these upgrades out:

  • A vastly improved site splash image and navigation section.
  • A complete visual re-design that, I feel, introduced a bit of professionalism to what was previously a very amatuer-looking site.
  • A re-written code base that helped increase site efficiency while allowing me, as an administrator, to much more easily put up new content.
  • A comment system that has also now been improved to use AJAX technology for posting without needing the page to reload. Also new is the ability to preview a comment and leave comments on individual articles.
  • A slew of unique Review Extras, such as the new Site Search, the Today's Comments page, a Random Episode Generator, and a Buffy Writer/Director Episode Search.
  • Some smaller touches that may have gone unnoticed, such as the fact that the navigation at the top and bottom of reviews now also provides instant access to the previous season review, and the current season's comprehensive review.
  • A Podcast! And yes, you can expect some new podcasts down the stretch.
  • A News Archive that allows you to filter by year and link to individual news posts.
  • Dark and light color schemes (in the top-left corner of every page) that will remember your preference.
  • An overall more visual and organizationally consistent design.

All those items only begin to describe the effort and little touches I've made to this site over the years. As I'm nearing the end of this series, I just wanted to spend a moment to look back on what has been accomplished besides simply putting out quality reviews. Another reason why I'm bringing it up now is that I've finished almost everything I wanted to do with the site, design-wise. I feel it's nearing the point where the code is flexible enough to withstand very different-looking sites while providing minimal effort to the reviewer.

Now that this work is pretty much complete, I'll be that much more focused on bringing all of you reviews to the final episodes of this brilliant series. Expect a new review up sometime in the next few days.

If you have any thoughts or feelings about the evolution of this site, feel free to let me know via e-mail or forum post! I'd love to hear what other, not-me, people think. :)

]]> <![CDATA[Emphatically *Not* Stuck]]> Yeah, yeah, I know I said my review of "Lessons" [7x01] would be up by, uhh, yesterday, but as far as I'm concerned is still is yesterday, because I haven't gone to sleep yet. So there!

My Season 7 reviews have started! Go consume some useful "Lessons" [7x01] from the most important person... that wrote a review for this site tonight. Also, take note of a new feature added to the top-left corner of every page on the site. You can now switch from the default "dark" color scheme to a light color scheme (for those of you that prefer dark text on a light background) by clicking on the appropiate link. Your selection will be 'remembered' by the browser so that when you navigate to other pages and/or return to the site at another time, the styling you chose will remain the same. You can switch between the two as much as you desire.

]]> <![CDATA[You Can't Fight a Ghost]]> If you're interested in what I thought of the pilot episode of Dollhouse, head over to this post on the forums. Feel free to join in on the discussion! Note that my review of "Lessons" [7x01] will be going up sometime tomorrow.

]]> <![CDATA[A Special Week]]> I've got several pieces of news to relay. The first is that you can expect to see my first Season 7 review go up sometime this week! The second is that Joss Whedon's new show Dollhouse airs its first episode this Friday @ 9PM on FOX. I'm looking forward to having discussions with everyone on these initial episodes over in the forum. The third is that I've made excellent progress on my site code upgrades, and am nearing completion. What this means for all of you is a steady diet of new reviews coming in the near future! One new "feature" to come out of these upgrades is that you can now leave comments on articles.

So, to wrap this news post up: S7 reviews are starting this week, go watch Dollhouse this Friday, and I'm a huge code monkey. You'll be hearing from me again soon!

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