Post by Chalice_Of_Evil on Nov 17, 2020 8:13:05 GMT 1
I've been meaning to start this thread for some time and just decided to get around to it now. I think I was originally going to start it back when I watched the time loop episode of Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. (which was back in August).
A 'time loop episode' seems to be a prerequisite for shows in the supernatural/fantasy/sci-fi genre. I've lost count of how many time loop episodes I've seen on different shows. I've seen some really good ones and some pretty mediocre ones. I feel like I've been in a time loop because I'm so used to time loop episodes and the pattern to them.
Typically shows like to have fun with the concept, characters die so often that the one experiencing the loop becomes 'blasé' about those deaths, they do things they'd never normally do because they know it'll be undone/forgotten after the next loop, etc. At this point it's almost like having a list of things you expect from time loop episodes and ticking each one off as they occur:
There's the things that occur which you know you'll see many times, there's the shock of a character (or more) dying, the shock of the one experiencing the loop waking up in the same place they began the episode, slowly starting to figure out what's going on, then starting to predict things that will happen (complete with predicting what other characters are going to say), trying different things, getting annoyed/angry, getting to the point where they DGAF, and then something serious happens before the final loop, followed by the solution and then dealing with everything the character experiencing the loop had to go through/see happen.
That's not to say that I've become sick of the concept. I don't mind it...if it serves a point or if the show does something different/new/unique with the concept.
Anyway, if I had to pick my favourite time loop episodes, my #1 favourite would probably have to be 'Been There, Done That' from Season 3 of Xena: Warrior Princess (this seems like the appropriate time to mention that I've never actually watched the movie that inspired the 'time loop episode' - ie. Groundhog Day (1993). Watching the episode of this show was the first time I think I became aware of the concept).
It featured both drama and comedy. There were so many great moments throughout. The stand-out ones, for me, were Xena finally having enough of Joxer and just killing him already, as well as her knowing whatever both he and Gabrielle were going to say and answering them before they had the chance to ask. I also loved Gabrielle's expression after Xena thought the best bet for keeping her and Joxer both safe/from dying was to just simply tie them both up.
My #2 favourite time loop episode would be 'Mystery Spot' from Supernatural (which, coincidentally enough, was also from Season 3 of that show).
Favourite moments - the inventiveness of Dean's various deaths (the top one for me was the "These tacos taste funny to you?" - I loved the simplicity of and and the fact that they don't even show the deaths that results from the taco-eating. You just know from his comment what happens) and both he and Sam talking at the same time (which is like a different version of Xena predicting what Gabrielle and Joxer were going to say in that show's episode...except here instead of answering before Dean has the chance to ask questions, he just says what Dean's going to say at the same time as him).
These^ are the two time loop episodes I compare all others to. Some have come close, but most fall short of matching the hilarity from these ones.
So, what would be your favourites? Or don't you have any and you despise ALL time loop episodes from all shows?
A 'time loop episode' seems to be a prerequisite for shows in the supernatural/fantasy/sci-fi genre. I've lost count of how many time loop episodes I've seen on different shows. I've seen some really good ones and some pretty mediocre ones. I feel like I've been in a time loop because I'm so used to time loop episodes and the pattern to them.
Typically shows like to have fun with the concept, characters die so often that the one experiencing the loop becomes 'blasé' about those deaths, they do things they'd never normally do because they know it'll be undone/forgotten after the next loop, etc. At this point it's almost like having a list of things you expect from time loop episodes and ticking each one off as they occur:
There's the things that occur which you know you'll see many times, there's the shock of a character (or more) dying, the shock of the one experiencing the loop waking up in the same place they began the episode, slowly starting to figure out what's going on, then starting to predict things that will happen (complete with predicting what other characters are going to say), trying different things, getting annoyed/angry, getting to the point where they DGAF, and then something serious happens before the final loop, followed by the solution and then dealing with everything the character experiencing the loop had to go through/see happen.
That's not to say that I've become sick of the concept. I don't mind it...if it serves a point or if the show does something different/new/unique with the concept.
Anyway, if I had to pick my favourite time loop episodes, my #1 favourite would probably have to be 'Been There, Done That' from Season 3 of Xena: Warrior Princess (this seems like the appropriate time to mention that I've never actually watched the movie that inspired the 'time loop episode' - ie. Groundhog Day (1993). Watching the episode of this show was the first time I think I became aware of the concept).
It featured both drama and comedy. There were so many great moments throughout. The stand-out ones, for me, were Xena finally having enough of Joxer and just killing him already, as well as her knowing whatever both he and Gabrielle were going to say and answering them before they had the chance to ask. I also loved Gabrielle's expression after Xena thought the best bet for keeping her and Joxer both safe/from dying was to just simply tie them both up.
My #2 favourite time loop episode would be 'Mystery Spot' from Supernatural (which, coincidentally enough, was also from Season 3 of that show).
Favourite moments - the inventiveness of Dean's various deaths (the top one for me was the "These tacos taste funny to you?" - I loved the simplicity of and and the fact that they don't even show the deaths that results from the taco-eating. You just know from his comment what happens) and both he and Sam talking at the same time (which is like a different version of Xena predicting what Gabrielle and Joxer were going to say in that show's episode...except here instead of answering before Dean has the chance to ask questions, he just says what Dean's going to say at the same time as him).
These^ are the two time loop episodes I compare all others to. Some have come close, but most fall short of matching the hilarity from these ones.
So, what would be your favourites? Or don't you have any and you despise ALL time loop episodes from all shows?