Hello faithful readers! I apologize for the length between posts...life has a way of just becoming extremely busy. In the past few months, I have started yet another new job--though this one hopefully more permanent. I'm working as a librarian again, and I love it. I have missed what I loved most about working at my job as a librarian assistant, helping people to find the information they need. In this case, that role has been expanded to helping readers find new books to read, and I really enjoy finding good recommendations for people of all sorts.
Me at my job.
However, these past few months, I have also been a neglectful blogger. I have been searching for something that really sparks my interest, and something that would help me keep to a schedule--and last Friday, at the library, I stumbled across a book that jump-started a blog idea in my head. The book I found, on my lunch break, eating a PB&J sandwich (because peanut butter and jelly is God's gift to humanity), was 501 Must-See Movies.
Blog Inspiration.
My thought process went thusly:
Cool book! I love movies! I want to see what they recommend. *Takes book from donation shelf* I wonder if Lord of the Rings is in here? It better be. *Goes back to table to finish my lunch*
Mmm...PB&J... *Opens book*
It would be really cool to watch every movie in this book....heeeeey, WAIT A MINUTE! I could watch a movie a week and blog about it! *Flips through Sci-Fi/Fantasy section*
Where the f*ck is Lord of the Rings?!
So my idea for a blog was born. I spent the rest of Friday and Saturday hashing out some specific details. Now I know a lot of my readers are cinephiles, and so I have a question for you. Right now I am thinking that I shall create a brand new blog, solely dedicated to this epic movie watching undertaking. However, that would mean the Casual Geek would probably fade into the dusty archives of the internet. I am open to continuing to post here, on the Casual Geek, with the understanding from my readers that the subject content is going to change--though I like the idea of posting the occasional off-topic geeky blog post. Which would you prefer as my beloved readers? A new blog? Or keepin' on here? If no one responds I will probably flip a coin to decide.
I make all my major decisions this way.
I plan to have a opening post, detailing the specifics of how I'm going to approach my reviews of the films, as well as the title of the first film I will be watching. I plan to post the next's week film with each blog post, so that way, if you want to watch along, you can. I am really excited--I have been flipping through the book and there are some classic movies I have never seen that I am super looking forward to (though the horror movies not so much). I feel that with a clear goal in mind (watch all 501 movies) that will help me keep to a clear schedule, and will more importantly, give my blog a focus and drive that I feel it has been lacking. I also think it will be a lot of fun. I plan to invite friends to join me to watch films and hopefully guest blog with me. I think most of you realize by now how much I love movies, and so I am excited to challenge myself to watch every film in this book.
So those are my plans for my future blogging career. I will be checking in next week, with either my opening post here, or a post with a link to the new blog.
Fun Fact: It's gonna take around 10 years (10 YEARS!!!) to watch all 501 movies.
It has been too long since I last sat down to write a post for this blog. I remember thinking to myself last March--'I will update it before Spring Break, and then that way I will not have to worry about missing my second update for the month, and can return to it in April.' Obviously, that didn't happen. *headdesk*
I hope in my absence, my readers have been continuing to fly your geek flags. Did you finish the homework I assigned? You better have, because over half a year is plenty of time. I look forward to your thoughts on 'Severus Snape? Great complex character, or just a bastard and a bully?'
So, in celebration of my return, and on my last day before I start a new job, I've decided that today I shall discuss one of my all time favorite books--one that examines intricately the nature of life and death and much more. I am, of course, talking about *lightning crashes* Frankenstein *thunder booms.*
Where to start with Frankenstein? It is an iconic story in English literature. Written by Mary Shelly, Frankenstein explores the idea of what if man could create life? But like most great novels, the story delves into much deeper themes, including the idea of what makes someone evil? Your parents? Society? Yourself? All three? The story also explores the relationship between science and religion, knowledge and emotion, parent and child and makes the reader question, who is really the monster? (Answer: This guy below. He is always the monster.)
He's standing behind you right now.
When most people think of Frankenstein, they think of the iconic monster movie images--the tall green man with bolts out of his neck (Fun Fact: He's NOT called Frankenstein. He's Frankenstein's Monster, or the Monster, or the Creature. I cannot emphasize this enough, that the monster is NOT CALLED FRANKENSTEIN.) and the mad scientist, (who IS FRANKENSTEIN) cackling over his creation, screaming 'IT'S ALIIIVE!!! IT'S ALIIIIVE!!' (Like you would react any differently. The guy just literally created life--I think my mind would be blown too.)
Pop Quiz!
Frankenstein (Fun Fact: Some people may pronounce it differently)
The Monster (Fun Fact: He is NOT Frankenstein)
If you can name them correctly, give yourself a piece of Halloween candy.
I first read Frankenstein in high school--but I didn't appreciate the book then. It was only later, in college, that I fell in love with the story. It frustrates me to no end that there isn't a really faithful adaptation of the novel for the big screen. In the novel, there is no Igor character, and the story of isn't about a mob of villages chasing down a monster. Frankenstein ultimately becomes a tale of revenge--of the Monster against Victor Frankenstein and Victor believing the Monster is a devil and needs to be destroyed. (It's quite a cheerful read, as you can imagine.)
My favorite adaptation, that I was lucky enough to see at the movie theater, was a play that was produced in 2011, starring Benedict Cumberbatch and Johnny Lee Miller (Fun Fact: both of these actors play Sherlock Holmes on tv, in modern adaptations). National Theater Live filmed the production and showed it in theaters this last October. What was brilliant about this play was the two leads swapped the roles of Frankenstein and the Creature, so one night Johnny Lee Miller would play the Creature and the next night he would be playing Frankenstein. I love how that highlights the relationship between the characters, and makes the audience question how different they are.
Pictured above: Brilliance.
*dramatic music* Who is the monster?
No, I couldn't possibly have another glass...well, maybe just one more...
If you have a chance to catch a screening of this play, I definitely recommend it. I wasn't able to see Benedict Cumberbatch's performance as the Monster, but his Victor was incredible. Cold, arrogant, and manic, his gradually sinks into madness, only to come to the heartbreaking realization at the end that he could have a long, happy life. His obsession to create life basically robs him of his.
Pictured Above: Dramatic Irony.
Johnny Lee Miller's Monster is one of the most incredible performances I've ever seen. The play follows the Monster--starting at his creation, and his exploration of the world, to his introduction to pain and rejection and loneliness, ultimately ending in hatred for his creator abandoning him. Miller took inspiration from children, and that is what the Monster is in the story-an abandoned child. Miller is just AMAZING--fully conveying the wide range of the Monster's emotions and physicality.
Currently, the play hasn't been released on DVD, but National Theater Live has encore performances occasionally, usually around Halloween I think. Definitely go see it if you have a chance. (Or, alternatively, build a time machine and go back to 2011 to watch it performed live).
However, if you really want to experience Frankenstein at it's very best, read the book. As the first science fiction novel, it has some truly terrifying passages that are far scarier than anything that is shown on a screen--the imagination is always more frightening.
READ?! THE HORROR!
I leave you now, with this very important scene, from one of my favorite Frankenstein movies, one that examines what would have happened if Frankenstein hadn't abandoned the Creature. If you haven't seen Young Frankenstein you are missing out. Enjoy.
Fact of the Day: Mary Shelly wrote Frankenstein as part of a ghost story contest with her husband, Percy Shelly, and Lord Byron. See? Even back then people thought it was fun to scare each other.
Can it be? Have we really reached the last post for this list? Why yes! *and there was much rejoicing* Since last February, I have been blogging about my Top 20 Favorite Fictional Couples, which was inspired by being single this past Valentine's Day. (Fun Fact: I'm still single.) From Mulder to Scully, to Kira and Odo, I've talked about why I love certain couples and probably revealed way more than I meant to, that I have no life. But you know what I do have? Um...Dignity! Yes, I have dignity. (Fun Fact: No, I don't. But I do have cats.)
HE'S SO FLUFFY!!!
Now we have reached the Top Five Couples. Brace yourselves readers--these are all couples with many devoted fans--some more crazy than others. So without further ado, let's get to it...
# 5. Wesley and Fred Show: Angel
Nope, not a gay couple. Fred is a girl. This is yet another couple from Joss Whedon. So, as you probably should be aware of by now, it ends tragically with both Fred and Wesley dying. What's particularly torturous about this relationship, is that after Fred dies, her body is used to host an ancient demon king, so Wesley gets to see her face every day to remind him of the woman he's lost.
Wesley: Are you f**kin kidding me?!
Even more torturous? They were literally together for less than one episode before Joss killed Fred. They FINALLY hook up, after many, many episodes, nay, seasons even, of sending yearning looks, or being with someone else, before realizing that they're perfect for each other. They kiss in one of the best and funniest episodes ever, and then in the next episode they're being super adorable and cute together and then this:
Excuse me, there's a gaping hole in my heart that I have to go take care of.
This, as you can imagine, sends Wesley spiraling into a depressing, kinda crazy place that he never fully recovers from. Seriously, Joss Whedon loves to torture his characters. *shakes fist* CURSE YOU WHEDON!!
However, Wesley and Fred are both some of the best characters on the show. Wesley went through tons of character development which was awesome. He has a one-sided crush on Fred for a while, but Fred doesn't begin to return his feelings until the last season. They went through ups and downs as friends, alas that we didn't really get to see any of their time together as a couple.
# 4: Remus Lupin and Nymphadora Tonks Book/Movie: Harry Potter series
This was a couple that I did not see coming in the books, and yet, once they happened, I absolutely fell in love with them. Lupin is a werewolf and Tonks is a metamorphmagus--meaning she can change her appearance at will. Lupin is initially hesitant to start a relationship with her, because he is worried that since he is a werewolf, Tonks will be hurt, or will be ostracized from society. However, Tonks eventually convinces him that she doesn't care about those things, and they wind up getting married. Aww... And in the seventh book, they have a baby. Awww...
Seriously, tell me they're not adorable.
And then of course, also in the seventh book they both, (spoiler alert) FRIGGIN DIE!! (STILL MAD ABOUT THAT!) And not only do they both die, we don't even get a death scene for them. Yup, they die off-page. *NOOOOOOOOOOO* In the movie, same thing, death off-screen. The most we get is a shot of their bodies in the Great Hall. I'm still upset at JK Rowling for this. Yes, I get that war is a bad, bloody mess and people die in it, but don't you think the deaths of Cedric, Sirius, Dumbledore, Hedwig, Dobby, Mad-Eye Moody, Snape and Fred Wesley are enough to teach us that? I think they are.
Not cool JK Rowling, not cool.
Well, at least there's fanfiction to read about them, plus a really good one that actually reverses their deaths, but also makes it line up with cannon, so in my head, they never actually died.
#3. Westley and Buttercup Book/Movie: The Princess Bride
In case you haven't seen The Princess Bride, first may I congratulate you on successfully living in a cave all your life, and second, may I say that you are definitely missing out on one of the best movies ever made. This movie is considered a classic, and for good reason. It contains some of the most quoted dialogue of all time, and it contains one of the most epic romances ever put to screen. Don't believe me? I present to you Exhibit A:
What's that? He's cupping her cheek? Aww, so sweet.
Gazing into each other's eyes. Check.
Holding each other's arms at sunset, *swoon*
Silhouettes kissing, I told myself I wouldn't cry.
And that's all like in the first 15 minutes of the movie by the way...it only gets more intense from there...
I mean:
When you look up "Romance" in the dictionary, they have this pic.
just look:
Possibly the most romantic line in the history of the universe.
at them:
If saving someone from the Fireswamp isn't love, I don't know what is.
seriously:
Excuse me, I have to go cry alone in my room.
Basically, watch The Princess Bride. You won't regret it.
#2: Han Solo and Princess Leia Movie: Star Wars
Star Wars is another classic. Do I even need to tell you why Han and Leia are so awesome? Has anyone in the universe not seen this scene?
If you haven't seen Star Wars I don't think we can be friends. Han Solo is the lovable rouge charmer, and Leia is the responsible, stubborn, princess. Of course they wind up together. With an off the charts level of chemistry between them, disguised under all their bickering, they just fit perfectly together. Also, I like that they save each other--it's not just Han coming to the rescue all the time.
They totally earn the number two spot on my list for being just so badass, awesome, sweet, and appearing in one of the coolest, funnest, awesomest, bestest movie trilogies ever made.
Han: Okay, so we're not #1 on the list, no big deal. Leia: Do you not see the position of my hands? It's a big deal, you nerfherder.
And now, finally, we have reached...
#1: Elizabeth and Darcy Book/Movie/Mini-Series: Pride and Prejudice
Is there any fictitious romance more famous than that of Elizabeth's and Darcy's? Elizabeth is smart, stubborn and jumps to conclusions. Darcy is awkward, a bit proud, and also stubborn. They are perhaps the most iconic example of the "slap, slap, kiss," relationship. Elizabeth actively despises Mr. Darcy for more than half the novel, and his first proposal to her comes as a complete shock.
This kids, is what we call a plot twist.
She completely rejects him, which has the effect of him making an effort to be a better person, in order to win her love. This is where both Elizabeth and the reader sees the sweeter, kinder side to Darcy, and realize that he's actually not all that bad as we once assumed he was.
The fact that he lives here has nothing to do with our attraction. Nothing I say!
Elizabeth's attitude towards him softens, and she spends some time with him while visiting her Aunt and Uncle. Of course, Elizabeth loves to read, so one day, Darcy decides he wants to do something for her. So from the advice of his talking candlestick he gives her the entire library at Pemberly...
Yeah, Beauty and the Beast is pretty much just an animated version of Pride and Prejudice.
In the end, after much angst from both sides, Darcy proposes again, and this time Elizabeth accepts. What I love about them as a couple is that their relationship comes after much struggle on both of their parts. They both change, and both admit that they were wrong about each other. The fact is that they fit so well together, that Elizabeth, who has sworn to only marry for nothing but the deepest, truest love, agrees to marry Darcy.
You can just see their souls connecting in this gif.
Also, what I like about Elizabeth and Darcy, is they get to go live at Pemberly together, and be filthy rich and in love. Darcy literally rides a white horse. They are just such a perfect representation of what ideal happy endings are like that there is no way they would ever not make my number one spot of Favorite Fictional Couples.
So did I miss any of your favorites? Let me know with a comment. : )
Until next time readers, I leave you with a Fun Fact: Joe Wright (director of the 2005 version of Pride & Prejudice) was not initially keen on Keira Knightley playing Elizabeth, believing her to be too attractive. He changed his mind upon meeting her, deciding her tomboyish attitude would be perfect for the part.
This week's blog post is brought to you by two very special sponsors: Chocolate and Cats. Thank you chocolate and cats for always supporting me as I write, and by support I mean, I eat chocolate while my cat lies on my keyboard as I try to type.
They don't even pretend they care.
For the past two posts I've been blogging about my favorite fictional couples--well, now we're finally getting down to the good stuff--the favorites of the favs. The best of the best. The top ten. (Do you have chills? Or is it just me?) These are the couples that I spend hours searching for good fanfiction about them (alas, there is not a lot of good fanfiction), these are couples that cause fans to melt into puddles of goo every time they see them on screen. Couples from shows and movies that you re-watch because they are so perfect together.
Why can't you be real?!
So let's get to it, beginning with number...
10. Barney Stinson and Robin Scherbatsky
Show: How I Met Your Mother
Why do I love Barney and Robin so much? Because they're AWESOME!!
And they know it.
Barney and Robin is an example of when the actors have such great chemistry that the course of the show changes so that the characters get together even though that wasn't the initial plan--to the point where a majority of fans care more about them, than they do about the main character Ted.
What I really like about Barney and Robin, (like Chandler and Monica) is that they start off as friends. Their romance develops naturally between them, growing out of how well they sync together in just about everything. This culminates in them kissing in the season four finale and deciding to be a couple.
Yeah, they're in the hospital. It's a long story. Just ask Ted's kids.
When the writers broke them up a couple of episodes into season five, they were unprepared for the level of backlash and outcry from the fans. In fact, I stopped watching after they broke up, and refused to watch until I knew that they got back together ( also stopped watching because that I feel the humor of the show takes a steep drop after the first four seasons). What followed after their breakup was a Ross and Rachel-esque of 'will they or won't they' over the course of the next couple of seasons, until finally the last season takes place entirely on the weekend of their (spoiler alert) wedding.
Barney and Robin have fun together. It's fun to watch a couple that actually like to spend time together and want the same things out of life. They're both commitment-phobes, so it's hilarious to watch them try to overcome that, (especially on Barney's part). Everything about them just works.
If this isn't unrealistic expectations of romance, I don't know what is.
9. Buffy Summers and Spike (William Pratt)
Show: Buffy the Vampire Slayer
Why yes! It's another human/vampire relationship, and what makes this one especially ironic is the human woman is actually the Slayer-- in that it's her job to kill vampires like Spike. In fact, they indeed start out as firm enemies, Buffy doing all in her power to try to bring Spike down. But's that's what I love about shows by Joss Whedon--he let's characters grow and develop and change.
Seriously they go from this...
to this.
The change starts to happen around season five--when Spike realizes that he's falling for her. Buffy doesn't buy it and spurns him at just about every opportunity. The first sign of a real connection and the fact that Spike's feelings are sincere, is when he doesn't give up the location of Buffy's sister, even under horrendous torture. It's visible evidence of how much he cares for Buffy and she sees it, and acknowledges it.
But then of course, Buffy has to go and die (awkward). When she is pulled out of heaven by her friends (more awkward), it is Spike she confides in. Here is where their relationship takes a more dark tone into an abusive one. Buffy basically uses Spike all season long, toying with his emotions in an effort to feel alive again. Spike lets her, but by the end of the season he's had enough, and it culminates in him attacking Buffy, to his horror and disgust. He leaves town, and goes off to make himself worthy of her--aka, he leaves on a quest to reclaim his soul (something vampires don't have in this universe).
This leads to season seven, where Buffy is a bit better adjusted to being back on Earth, and now it's Spike who's gone a bit crazy. He has gotten his soul back, and his guilt from all the evil he had done with no remorse as a vampire overwhelms him and drives him to insanity. So Buffy takes care of him. When she realizes that he's going through all of this for her, you can see the shock and realization on her face. She stands by him when others doubt him, and he does the same for her. They've reached a more stable place in their relationship, and they depend on each other for strength.
What I really love about souled Spike, is that he makes no demands from Buffy. He doesn't try to force anything to happen between them. Just look at this speech he gives to her towards the end of the season, after Buffy has been abandoned by all of her friends:
It's scenes like that between them, that make them one of my favorite couples ever. Unfortunately, Spike dies at the end of the season, believing that Buffy doesn't love him, which is typical for Joss Whedon show. *shakes fist* WHEDON!!!
8. Dimitri and Anastasia
Movie: Anastasia
An animated couple that's not Disney makes the number eight spot on my list. Dimitri and Anastasia are a classic example of 'fighting = unresolved sexual tension = love.' (seriously, that's a legit formula for romance). Dimitri is a con man, and Anastasia is the lost princess of Russia who has lost her memory and has grown up in an orphanage. When Anastasia's grandmother offers a reward to anyone who can return Anastasia to her, Dimitri cooks up a con to hire someone to impersonate the princess so he can collect the reward money. What he doesn't realize until almost the end of the movie, is that he's actually stumbled upon the real Anastasia.
Both of them are stubborn people, with strong personalities that clash almost from the moment they meet. As Dimitri teaches Anya (as they call her in the movie) how to act like the princess they slowly start to grow closer.
Psh, nobody ever fell in love while dancing...oh wait...
When Anya finds out about Dimitri's deception, she of course, feels betrayed, and they have the inevitable fight. However, Dimitri refuses to accept the reward money because he's just happy that Anya has found her family. Believing there's no chance for them, he goes to leave. This, naturally, allows him to make a big damn hero entrance later on to help save the day, just when it seems Anastasia is going to die. In the end, they elope, and we FINALLY get to see them kiss, and head off to their happily ever after.
I ship them as they kiss on a ship.
7. Zoe and Wash
Show: Firefly
Another Firefly couple makes it into the top 10. (Yay!) Zoe and Wash are the best couple in the show--they are happily married, and devoted to each other.
Pictured Above: Devotion
What I like about them, is that they are just a normal couple. They support each other, make each other laugh, but they also have their occasional fights, and Wash tends to be jealous of Zoe's friendship with Mal. Their relationship is real, with its ups and downs, but when all bets are off, they know they can rely on each other.
A warning, if you want to picture them together and happy for a long time, don't watch the movie, because, (spoiler alert) Wash dies. (*ugly sobbing*) WHY JOSS?! WHY MUST YOU KILL THE BEST CHARACTERS?! *deep breath* I'm okay, I'm okay.
6. Kira and Odo
Show: Star Trek: Deep Space Nine
Yet again, we have another love that grows out of friendship. Kira and Odo are not only one the sweetest couples, but also one of the most badass. Kira is an ex-resistance fighter who grew up on a war-torn planet all her life, and Odo is a shapeshifter, chief of security and all around gruff badass. Together they make up one of the many power couples on Deep Space Nine, but their relationship is probably the most popular one on the show, (I know that because my gut tells me so).
Seriously, can I please get an 'Awww'
Odo has had feelings for the majority of the show, but Kira doesn't realize it until almost the end of the sixth season. When the finally got together, the writers didn't let us down, delivering one of the best scenes in the entire series.
Really, you should just watch Deep Space Nine--it's an excellent show, that once again is so great because it allows its characters to develop. In the end, Kira and Odo are key players in resolving the war with the Dominion, and Odo goes off to his homeworld in order to help his people recover after the war. Kira stays on the station, but it's implied that their love isn't over and that they will see each other again. (whew! I hate sad endings).
Well, there you have it, only five more couples to go! Who will they be? Will your favorite couple make the list? Will Batman escape from the Joker's trap? Tune in next time to find out, same bat time, same bat channel!
Fun Fact of the Day: James Marsters originally auditioned for Spike with a Texan accent. This was quickly jettisoned in favor of a London accent instead. Good call show executives!
Last week I started off the countdown of my personal favorite fictional couples, in honor of Valentine's Day and being single (pftt, boyfriend? Nope, not for this crazy cat lady). We saw some truly epic couples last week, (not to mention every Disney couple EVAH), but brace yourselves readers, because this list is only going to get even more intense.
Bring it.
So without further ado, let's get right to it, with number...
15.Percy Jackson and Annabeth Chase Book: Percy Jackson and the Olympians & The Heroes of Olympus
What's awesome about this couple? Well, for one, they're both demi-gods. Percy is the son of Poseidon, god of the sea, and Annabeth is the daughter of Athena, goddess of wisdom. What this means is that they are one badass, powerful couple--Percy can control water, talk to horses, (so cool!) control ships with his mind, navigate on open seas through instinct, and even breathe underwater (again, I say, so cool!). And Annabeth is really, really, really, smart. (um, so cool? YES! YES IT IS!!) You'd be surprised how even though Percy apparently has all these badass superpowers, it's usually Annabeth who saves the day by coming up with a clever plan. They start off by irritating each other, but of course it turns into love, and by the second series, their relationship is so strong that Percy willingly falls into Tartarus (basically, Greek version of hell) with Annabeth, rather than be separated from her. If that's not love, I don't know what is.
Romantic Fan Art, awww...*
14. Sawyer and Kate Show: LOST
For me, my favorite couple from LOST will always be Sawyer and Kate--there was just something about them, their intense chemistry, how they were both broken down people who had criminal backgrounds, and how Kate was really the first person to look deeper than the persona Sawyer presented and find that even though Sawyer acted nasty, he actually had some good in him. Unfortunately for me and Skater shippers everywhere, they don't wind up together--(spoiler alert!) Sawyer ends up with Juliet, which while it was a very sweet romance, to me it wasn't nearly as exciting or interesting as his relationship with Kate in the earlier seasons.
Sawyer's and Kate's Relationship in 5 Pictures
*fans rejoicing*
Sawyer and Kate: I think we make better friends.
Fans: *ugly sobbing*
There was an entire love triangle over whether Kate would wind up with Sawyer or Jack--arguments over this destroyed many lives and may have caused an international diplomatic incident. In other words, it was serious business for the fans of the show. In the end, Kate declares her love for Jack, but they don't wind up together, as Jack is stuck on the island. So, alas, Kate is denied both the attractive, noble, doctor that is Jack and the smokin-hot, scruffy, bad-boy conman that is Sawyer. Life is cruel. But for me, her relationship with Sawyer was one of the best things about LOST, which is why the early seasons always have a fond place in my heart.
13. Josef and Sarah Show: Moonlight
What's crazy about this couple is they literally have one scene together where we get to see them interact with each other. For the rest of the episode devoted to some of Josef's backstory, all we see of Sarah is in a few scenes at the end, where she is in a coma. Because of this, we know very little about her, except for that one brief scene...how brief you say? Glad you asked. (also, as a bonus, some gratuitous Spanish in the beginning.)
That's all we got basically, of their relationship--one quick kiss outside. Theirs is a tragic story--they fell in love, and since Josef is a vampire, he tried to turn Sarah into one, so she could be with him always. Instead, something went wrong and Sarah is trapped in an immortal coma (No, I'm not crying! I've just got some dust in my eye! Okay?!). It's this loss that many fans believe is responsible for the way Josef acts in the show--keeping a wall up, acting aloof and sometimes even downright angry or rude--because he doesn't want to let people get close to him again. But even though the onscreen time was short, it has inspired many a fanfiction for those who want to see more of their relationship. What is so sad about their relationship is Josef has to live on without her, and the show was cancelled before we could find out if she ever woke up. I like to think that if the writer's strike hadn't happened to mess with the ratings, somewhere down the line they would have woken Sarah up and explored her and Josef together a bit more. Even in that brief scene, they had something that looked incredibly sweet and heartwarming.
12. Wolf and Virginia Mini-Series: The 10th Kingdom
This is the only relationship on this list that begins when the man tries to eat the woman's grandmother. Promise. Some friends of mine sat me down in college and made me watch 10th Kingdom and for that, I'm forever in their debt. Besides for sometimes really bad special effects, 10th Kingdom is an absolutely hilarious, fun and unexpectedly romantic adventure that takes a twist on classic fairy tales and shows you them like you've never seen before.
Wolf is a half-man, half-wolf, and he starts off a minion for the evil queen, sent to find the prince and recapture him. Instead he runs into Virginia in New York City, and falls hopelessly in love and lust for her. Virginia ends up accidentally stumbling into the fairy tale realm, and Wolf (after rescuing her from some trolls) becomes her guide through the land, while at the same time, tries to win her affections. This can be difficult, as you can imagine, when their first meeting was Wolf shoving her grandmother into an oven.
Actual scene from the mini-series.
Wolf is a fantastic character--he's unpredictable (which leads for some drama later on), energetic, surprisingly sensitive, even more surprisingly loyal, and hysterically funny. Virginia is also wonderful--she's smart, independent, very stubborn, and very confident, which I love about her. She is also capable of being very kind and caring. Throughout the mini-series Wolf gradually chips away at her angry exterior, and she comes to depend on him.
Nothing says 'Sorry for trying to eat your Granny,' like a bouquet of flowers.
In the end, they go off to New York together, firmly in love and ready to take on anything. *cheers*
11. Killian Jones (aka, Captain Hook) and Emma Swan Show: Once Upon A Time
I never in a million years would have predicted that Captain Hook would wind up being one of the good guys, and on top of that, a definite love interest for the main character, Emma Swan, daughter of Snow White and Prince Charming. Although, when Captain Hook looks like this:
*swoons*
maybe it's not so surprising after all. Emma could do a lot worse.
What I like about their relationship is it shows how love can redeem someone. Hook starts off as a villain--he betrays Emma multiple times (though, to be fair, she also betrays him), he works for Cora, one of the most despicable characters on the show, and he's actively trying to murder Rumpelstiltskin, to the point that he shoots Belle and causes her to lose all her memories. Karma repays him for these actions and he gets hit by a car.
Pictured above: Justice.
Unfortunately, the lesson doesn't take right away, and he still pursues his revenge on Rumpelstiltskin. But in the meantime, he also interacts quite a bit with Emma, and she gradually begins to rub off on him. They share amazing chemistry, which started when they met, where Emma sourced out his deception with her spot-on instincts, and impressing Hook in the process. While at first he just causally flirts and teases her, over the course of the show it begins to become more and more genuine. His love for Emma inspires him to be a better man, to be worthy of her, to the point that he puts aside his revenge to help her save her son. And while Emma isn't sure how she feels, she definitely is attracted to him, as this moment shows:
Whoa! Get a room you two!
Once Upon A Time is still airing, so we've yet to see how their relationship will play out. But I, for one, am really hoping that they'll get a happy ending.
Well, there you have it! First ten done, ten more to go! The list of personal favorite fictional couples continueth next week! If you have a favorite couple, I'd love to hear from you--until next week readers!
Fun Fact of the Day: The character of Sawyer was originally meant to be an older, slick, suit-wearing city con artist from New York. However, when Josh Holloway forgot a line at his audition, and subsequently kicked a chair in frustration and loudly swore, the writers liked the edge he brought to the Sawyer character and decided to write Sawyer as more of a Southern, darker grifter instead. Also, Kate was intended to be an older business woman separated from her husband in the crash. Imagine what the show could have been like if they had gone with these original ideas. Yikes!
