ithildin | I've Watched & I've Read

Jen loaned me her Blood Ties books, and I've read the first one, and have also now watched the first two episodes. I have to say, as a besotted Forever Knight fan, it is extremely weird seeing the establishing shots of Toronto, especially as it's a vampire show too. The other weird thing is a TV show that has the same title as my Forever Knight/Highlander fic series. Keeps making me do a double take. Henry doesn't look anything like I visualized from the book, but that's not to say he isn't extremely and totally cute. It isn't a bad show over all, though it's very much like Dresden Files in some ways. It's strange how you have zero TV in this vein, and now you have two of them, with others on the horizon. Feast or famine, I guess.

The upshot is I'll start watching the show, and read the rest of the books.

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I first read the series years ago when it was first published. Unfortunately, I didn't hear a whisper about the series until the two hour premiere was over. I caught the voodoo episode and I liked it so I'll keep watching.

None of the character really look like I imagined them but the only one who really jars me is Mike Celucci. My mental image of him* is shorter, bulkier, more ethnic (Italian) and dark haired.

*Admittedly, it's been years since I really reread his description so I might be way off.

Unfortunately, I didn't hear a whisper about the series until the two hour premiere was over.

Sorry? I knew about it before it premiered. I was nervous about what it might be like being produced by Lifetime so I didn't want to talk it up before I'd even gotten to see any of it.

*Admittedly, it's been years since I really reread his description so I might be way off.

I don't think you're way off. I do remember Mike as tall because I remember him being taller than not just Henry, but Vicki too. Henry's only suppose to be 5'6". Vicki is suppose to be 5'10". But I definitely remember Mike as being bulkier and more Italian than the actor who's playing him on the show.

I'm so glad someone else remembers the height thing. The casting actually did pay some attention, as Kyle Schmid is just barely taller than Christina Cox. But it took me a while to realize it, as the direction undermined it by using every trick in the standard make-the-guy-look-taller book. *chuckle*

I'm 5'9" and have lost a bucketful of roles through being taller than a lot of guys in theatre, so I've always loved the image of Vicki towering over Henry. But Christina Cox is otherwise so perfect that I really can't mind. :-)

I'm so glad someone else remembers the height thing.

One of the things I've always loved about Henry is that he, like Chelsea Quinn Yarbro's Saint Germain, is closer in height to the people of the period in which he was actually made rather than the height of the readers. That, and I love the visual of him standing up to Mike and Vicki when they are both taller than him. ;)

One of the things I've always loved about Henry is that he, like Chelsea Quinn Yarbro's Saint Germain, is closer in height to the people of the period in which he was actually made

*nods* I've always especially liked how she places Saint-Germain's appearance relative to the society he's living in. It's a bit of a shock when people in ancient settings think of him as this fairly big guy!

I've always especially liked how she places Saint-Germain's appearance relative to the society he's living in.

*Nods.* I like that too. The way the books are set in particular periods she can wholly fit him into a particular time period in ways others who only have flashback segments can't do so well, not to mention seldom bother to try to do. I think one of the reasons I liked Methos right off, outside of Peter's performance and the writing for Methos, is that on some level he reminded me of Saint Germain. I like the reviewer description of the Saint Germain novels they quote on some of the book jackets, "These solidly researched novels show us a Saint Germain who genuinely learns and grows from a fiend to a being of great gentleness, wisdom, and compassion. The series is probably the most sustained and impressive treatment to date of extreme longevity."

It's not produced by lifetime, lifetime just agreed to buy it.
you might be interested in Tanya Huffs LJ, to see what she has to say about the show. (http://andpuff.livejournal.com/profile)
[Unknown site tag]

It's not produced by Lifetime, Lifetime just agreed to buy it.

Sorry, it's not by Lifetime just for Lifetime.

You might be interested in Tanya Huff's LJ...

I'm not really interested. I find listening to the author/creators opinion is at best a dangerous thing and at worst down right depressing. Mention of Anne Rice calling Tom Cruise a good Vampire Lestat still makes me queasy.

Thanks! Very interesting.

None of the character really look like I imagined them but the only one who really jars me is Mike Celucci. My mental image of him* is shorter, bulkier, more ethnic (Italian) and dark haired.

Mine too.

It's funny, because I started the second book last night, and it's stated that he's 6' 4" [g] And she's 5' 10".

It's funny, because I started the second book last night, and it's stated that he's 6' 4" [g] And she's 5' 10".

Thanks Ith! I remembered Henry's and Vicki's heights, but I was blocked on Mike's. I only had a vague memory that he was over 6' tall. I couldn't remember if Mike was under or over 6'2". x_x Glad to know he isn't just over 6' but over 6'2". Sounds like as far as Mike goes casting someone his height would've required some work. Not as much work as trying to find someone 6'7" to play Harry, but. B-)

I have to say, as a besotted Forever Knight fan, it is extremely weird seeing the establishing shots of Toronto, especially as it's a vampire show too.

*Snickers.* The book series is a year older than FK, Blood Price was first published in '91 and FK debuted in '92, and I think I may have spent some of FK's original run wondering when Nick would bump into Henry. I've been a fan of the books since they were first published. Though some how I'm missing a copy of Blood Pact.

Henry doesn't look anything like I visualized from the book, but that's not to say he isn't extremely and totally cute.

The actor (Kyle Schmid) doesn't look much like Henry. Henry is a 5'6" red head, and while Kyle is extremely and totally cute he is a 5'10" (height from the IMDb) brunette.

It isn't a bad show over all, though it's very much like Dresden Files in some ways.

The Blood books are nearly a decade older than the Dresden books -- '91 versus '00. So I've been waiting for the Blood series a lot longer, and wondering some of the time if FK was as close as I was ever going to get to it. But, I'm more disappointed by the Dresden series. The one thing I really and consistently like on the Dresden series is Paul Blackthorne. I'm enjoying all of the leads on the Blood series, and the writing they're getting for their characters.

It may be older, but for me, it's the newest, so it's odd. Never even heard of the books till recently. Had heard of the authour, and she wrote something to do with vampires, but that was it. All I know about Dresden Files is from the TV show, and again, what's odd is that two shows so similar in TV terms are on the air at the same time. And CBS planning something like both of them in the fall. To me, that's just plain strange. I'm not used to seeing fantasy TV all over the place. But then, I'm old :) The fact that there's an actual SciFi channel is a strange and wondrous thing to me.

I doubt any of these series will ever compete with either FK or HL for my heart, but it's nice having fantasy shows on the telly regardless.

It may be older, but for me, it's the newest...

*Nods.* I got that. I just wanted you to know what order they came in. I mean FK and Dresden may be the older TV shows, but they aren't the older series, and whether or not they where directly influenced by the Blood books they were influenced from the stand point of the Blood series being one of the supernatural, ah, investigator series that was popular in the early 90's wave of that kind of fiction.

Never even heard of the books till recently. Had heard of the author, and she wrote something to do with vampires, but that was it.

I think the first book series I got into in that late 80's/early 90's wave was Mercedes Lackey's Diana Tregarde series, followed by P.N. Elrod's Jack Fleming books, and Tanya Huff's Blood books. I was a fan of each of them from the beginning. Laurell K. Hamilton and her Anita Blake were really late comers not debuting until '93 after all those other series, the Buffy movie and Forever Knight. Lackey's Andre Lebrel, Elrod's Jack Fleming, and Huff's Henry Fitzroy are all on my Top Ten Favorite Vampires list over here (http://beccadg.livejournal.com/77585.html). While there are two vampires from the Anita Blake books there, there aren't any vampires from Buffy or FK on the short list. :D

All I know about Dresden Files is from the TV show...

I've read 7 of the 8 books that have been published in the series so far. A vampire from the books is also on my short list. I'm so disappointed by the TV show I hope he doesn't turn up on it.

I doubt any of these series will ever compete with either FK or HL for my heart, but it's nice having fantasy shows on the telly regardless.

Heh, the book series may have FK beat, but the only vampire who's made it past Methos on my FP list over here (http://beccadg.livejournal.com/10234.html) is Jean-Claude. ;)

Yeah, I'm one of those people that starts a book by looking at the publishing information, so I knew how old a book it was [g] But I'm strange that way!

But I'm strange that way!

*Giggles.* Not sure I'd have used strange, rare or unusual maybe, but not strange. ;) I've run into too many people who don't so I'm paranoid about people not appreciating what came first. :o

The shows Henry doesn't look like the books' Henry to me either. Nor does he have the sheer presence that Henry of the book has.

I'm hoping he'll get there. It would be hard to find anyone who has that from the outset, who can also play a guy became a vampire at 17.

Yes, I don't think a real 17 year old could pull off the part.
But,
life was hared on people's bodies in the 1500's. So having him look early 20's works. Plus he was a Kings son, and had a lot of physical training.

I totally agree with that, and actually think Kyle Schmid could play a believable 17-18 with the right styling and body language.

What I meant was, it would be hard to find someone his age (he's 22, and needs to be for this role) with the level of presence we imagine for Henry. He just doesn't have the life or work experience. He's making a darn respectable stab at it, though!

He's making a darn respectable stab at it, though!

*Nods.* I agree. I think for Kyle's age and amount of acting experience he is making a very respectable stab at it.

According to the IMDb Kyle Schmid is a good four inches taller than Henry is, and he obviously doesn't have red hair so he doesn't look like Henry. But, I've thought for a twenty-something actor he's been handling the role well. In casting Henry they did have to try and find a younger man who could play something hundreds of years old.

According to the IMDb Kyle Schmid is a good four inches taller than Henry is,

And all this height discussion is suddenly making me wonder what Henry (in-universe) thinks of 5'10" Cate Blanchett playing his 5'2" half-sister... ;-)

'Scuze me, 5'8 1/2" Cate Blanchett. Double checked because I wasn't positive of that. (I always thought she was taller than I!) But I do know Bess was 5'2"...

I really enjoying both shows.
and have reciently read both book searies.

I take the idea that the shows are alternat Univers's from the book. It helps get past the differences. especially when the original authurs are happy with the shows. Tanya is very happy with the show, and in her lj hinted that episodes 7-8 are going to be hot. [Unknown site tag] Jim is don'g camios in the Dresden files and has written a few of the screen plays.

It's interesting, the latest episode of Dresden was probably the first piliot show, it had a glimps of the 'blue beetle' and 'Mister'. Harry's home looked different and his basement work room were there to. But it didn't have Bob. and followed the first books story as closely as and most adption do.

So for reasons unkown to us on the outside there were some changes made.

I guess I'm lucy that I never had a clear picture in my head of what the Blood characters looked like. I think Kyle is yummy. I like that Vicky is not a great bueaty, but dose look like a 31 year old cop. Mike...well he's handsom in a clasic way, but dosn't look Itilian, and dosn't have a curl on his forhead that Vicky was forever pushing out of his face.

I'm really enjoying both shows.

While I'm really enjoying Blood Ties I'm deeply disappointed by The Dresden Files.

I take the idea that the shows are alternate universes from the books.

It isn't just that The Dresden Files isn't enough like the books to suit me, I'm also not happy with it as an alternate reality to the books. I love Paul, but I've described watching an episode as giving me some of the feeling I just spent an hour watching Harry in a bad dream he didn't even realize was a bad dream.

Especially when the original authors are happy with the shows.

While I'm happy for the authors that they are happy with the series it doesn't change how I feel about the TV series. I know for instance that Jim has said he'd be happy to see Will Smith play Harry Dresden, but that idea just makes my head hurt.

It's interesting, the latest episode of Dresden was probably the first pilot show...

It was the remains of the original two hour pilot chopped down into a one hour show with filler that was shot to string the pieces together, and tie it into what's already been shown of the series.

...it had a glimpse of the 'Blue Beetle' and 'Mister'. Harry's home looked different and his basement work room was there to.

I was glad to see the things in the original pilot that should be a part of the show, but aren't.

But it didn't have Bob.

The version of Bob for the original pilot was different from the one they've been using, and rather than make and include scenes featuring Terrance Mann they simply cut the original version of Bob out and left him out. I'd have liked to have gotten to see the original version of Bob for the series as I understand he was closer to book Bob then the version they settled on instead of it.

So for reasons unknown to us on the outside there were some changes made.

They dumped Susan because they weren't happy with the actress who played her. They dumped the original version of Bob... *tries to remember* ...I think partly because they didn't think it worked very well, and partly because they wanted to make Bob more human. I don't like him "more human" but I didn't have any say in the matter. They use a jeep instead of the Blue Beetle because they can get more shots of Harry in the jeep. I don't know why the set change or no Mister.

I guess I'm lucky that I never had a clear picture in my head of what the Blood characters looked like. I think Kyle is yummy.

I've got a very distinct image of Henry in my head. But I still think Kyle is making a good effort to play Henry, and he is yummy, just not the image of Henry in my head.

I like that Vicky is not a great beauty, but dose look like a 31 year old cop.

I like the casting of Vicky. It's my favorite casting on the show in terms of her being the closest to the image of Vicky in my head. Kyle's my favorite in terms of being the one who makes me drool. :D

Mike...well he's handsome in a classic way, but doesn't look Italian, and doesn't have the curl on his forehead that Vicky was forever pushing out of his face.

The casting for Mike is the casting I find the most jarring, but that isn't to say I don't like show Mike. Because the writing is good and the actor has been playing the character well for me I can at times forget that he doesn't fit the image of Mike in my head. I just spend more time wishing he was taller and more Italian than I do wishing Henry was shorter with red hair. ;)

We have a lot of Northern Italian descendents living in this area, so Mike actually works for me with the lighter colouring. Didn't really have a clear mental vision of either him or her yet, only Henry.

We have a lot of Northern Italian descendants living in this area, so Mike actually works for me with the lighter colouring.

*Nods.* I think part of it for me is picturing Henry and Mike as strong contrasts. Henry being 5'6" fair skinned and red haired. Mike being 6'4" swarthy and brunette. ;)

Nin's just started on the Dresden books, so I'll have to borrow them from her next.

Funny, I was meaning to email you to see if you heard of the show. I caught a glimpse of it about 2 weeks ago for 10 minutes. Something about a vampire, mortal female PI and male police detective. But the name was what got me since it was your fic series name.

Could not really follow the plot in the 10 minutes I saw, but made a not to check with you. Will have to look more closely now.

Never knew there was books about it.

I wasn't planning on watching it, but succumbed to peer pressure :) Overall, vampires really aren't my thing. With a few notable exceptions [g] And Jen had the books sitting there, and figured I may as well give it a try.