Some people can tell you where they were when J.F.K. was shot. Others can tell you what they were doing when the Challenger exploded, or even what they were wearing when Princess Diana's car crashed.
Me? I have no idea.
But I do remember the night that Marcus died.
It was Babylon 5, very late Season 4, and Commander Susan Ivanova (Claudia Christian) hovered artistically on the brink of death. Marcus Cole (Jason Carter), lover, warrior -- perhaps midnight toker, who's to know? -- discovered by chance an evil alien machine thingie from a few seasons back that was hidden Down Below, and that could be used to transfer the life force of one person into another.
From the moment that was let slip, the boy was a goner. He used it, saved Ivanova's life -- probably went to hang with Vaylon in some Minbari after-life place -- and I was left alone, to rail ceaselessly at the uncaring fates, and swear vengeance upon the head of J. Michael Straczynski.
I even put him at the top of my List.
What? You haven't ever seen my list? Oh, I'm sorry. It's just that I don't show many people. It tends to make them wary of me, for some reason... and then they try to take away my shoelaces.
My list contains the usual suspects: Chris Carter (that's kind of a gimme), Rick Berman and Brannon Braga, Gene Roddenberry (deceased, but his time will come), The BBC (as a whole), Glen A. Larson (no real reason, he just bugs me), and many, many more. But it's the most recent addition that truly shocks me.
Joss, oh Joss. I can't believe you've made me put you on there too!
An open letter to Joss Whedon:
Joss,
I have long adored you from afar. I spent several weeks worth of pocket money watching the movie Buffy the Vampire Slayer five times -- at the cinema! I even sat through Alien Resurrection for you! And it had Winona Ryder in it!
And how do you repay me? With betrayal! You take away Doyle, just when he's all adorable and stuff! And you say that you intended to do it all along? You meant this torment? You showed me this beauteous Irishman, gave him charm, and wit, and an endearing fallibility, and all the while you were scheming to rip him from my screen after a mere nine episodes? Is this just, Joss? Is this fair? To kill someone, just for some sick game you play with my head? That's sociopathic, that is.
I mean, who's next to go? Riley?
Oh, God. I take that back! Marc Blucas is all that is sustaining me in this era bereft of Oz. Don't pay any attention. I wasn't saying anything! La la la la la la la...
We now return you to our regularly scheduled diatribe....
