Quote of the Month: "I only hope that you expand and grow in power UNTIL YOU SEIZE CONTROL OF THE WORLD IN THE NAME OF GEEK GIRLS!" -- Laura 47

There are certain things in life that one can always rely on: Day will become night, Fox's Friday-night lineup will suck, and the merest mention of Buffy and Angel will cause the 11th Hour mailbox to be filled with praise from enthusiastic fans. "Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you!" exclaimed Ruth Ann. "Jane Espenson, James Marsters, and Glenn Quinn?! You are too good to us! I am a huge Buffy fan (obsessive, some might say), and I know I can always count on 11th Hour to deliver, but 3 articles in one issue? You rock my world!" While our James Marsters interview naturally drew its fair share of commentary ("I know that most people think James Marsters is a punk or a sadistic murder-esque person, because of his character, but I think he is a very talented actor"), it was Lisa's editorial on the death of Glenn Quinn's Doyle character that drew the most passionate response.

"When I realized this was the show that Doyle was going to die, I started crying like I just found out my best friend passed away or something," wrote Teri. "I cannot imagine Angel without Doyle, and I certainly can't imagine Wesley taking over for Doyle." And she wasn't alone: "He wasn't even a villain, someone you love to hate. He was just hated," pointed out Gabrielle Lawson. "Wesley isn't just any character or any replacement. He's an unpopular replacement of a very popular character."

Others offered their theories as to just why Quinn is so integral to the series. "Glenn Quinn's charismatic stage presence and the chemistry between the three actors is clearly apparent. Doyle made the show work; he brought all the necessary elements together. He offset Angel's moodiness and Cordelia's self-centeredness. He lightened the dark mood of the show, and I don't see how Angel can survive without him," wrote Anne Phillips. Of course, then there were those who managed to find solace throughout the pain. "We're having an ongoing Irish wake for Doyle here in cyberspace, complete with free-flowing Guinness and off-key renditions of 'Wild Colonial Boy,'" informed Roseanne Stewart. Would that Doyle were real, we know he would be touched. For less mournful thoughts from our intrepid readers, check out the rest of the mail for issue six:

We sure do bake your rainbows!

I stumbled upon your site by mistake, and I am still thanking the gods of the web. The 11th Hour is great! It's refreshing to find a place that realizes females like these genres, too, and that we can be just as shallow as the guys! The pictures/descriptions are so yummy, I feel like purring. However, it was your brilliant, hysterical deconstruction of letters from Roswell fans that had me bookmarking this page. As an English student and teacher in a public middle school, I am attempting to prove that even the most logical and intelligent arguments are rendered ineffective by poor grammar, spelling, punctuation and word choice. I will be steering a few of my young charges towards your page in the near future. Great stuff, I'll be waiting for the update!
-- Kerry

I just want you to know that I LOVE your site. I first heard of it from AICN (and briefly participated in the nasty talkback bashing geek girls that ensued) and promptly hopped over. I love it and read every issue. The Spike article and the interview with the Buffy writer this issue have persuaded me to return to my Buffy roots and watch every week again (especially when I read Spike is a regular!) Another reason I like your site is because I am sick of being surrounded by fanboys online, especially on the AICN talkbacks. It's good to know I can always head over to your site and find some people without Y-chromosomes... I wish your magazine came out more often. I only hope that you expand and grow in power UNTIL YOU SEIZE CONTROL OF THE WORLD IN THE NAME OF GEEK GIRLS! A girl can hope, can't she?
-- Laura 47, http://www.on.to/blackout

I first stumbled upon your site because Buffy Bringers said you had an article on the whole Fox-taking-all-the-Buffy-stuff-away deal. Anyway, I came, I saw, I loved. Then I saw the review on Roswell. I respected, while not totally agreeing with everything the author said. I myself, a Roswell fan, do get kinda annoyed with how Liz is always "Max, Max, Max". But alas, I read your GREAT article on Nicky Brendon and was hooked. Now I can journey back to your site every once in a while and read someone else's opinion, which I enjoy. I also like how your articles are long. As Xander said, "To read makes our speaking English good." I also like the wittiness of your articles, it makes it more enjoyable. And oh, the fact that the site is made by girls. We need more of that.
-- CWC

Hey! I was so happy when I accidentally stumbled into your website. It's been a while since I last saw such a great harmony between coherence, humor and, yes, intelligence! (Besides my little Buffy goodness every Tuesday.) It feels good to see that I'm not the only one who thinks that Jason Behr and Shiri Appleby will definitely suffer a horrible and bloody death if they even try to show one tiny bit of emotion. And I thought Jason was bad in Dawson's Creek! But my purpose isn't to sink Roswell (you do your job pretty well, thank you.) I simply wanted to tell you how great you all are. Another thing, I was quite surprised to see that there are more women then I thought in your crew. I think it's great that you work to destereotype (is that even a word?) the world of sci-fi. God knows we're not all brainy maniacs living in their basements with nothing to do besides watching reruns of Star Trek. So, before my little head runs out of words to congratulate you, I'm gonna end this letter. I'm gonna be very original: Keep up the good work!
-- Aleria

I love you guys!!! I can spend all my life reading you and I would die happy... And I'm really happy to see all the attention you give to Space: Above and Beyond despite the fact Fox canceled it. S:AAB still has one of the biggest number of fans on line (bigger than a lot of shows still running, I might painfully add.) Keep up the good work,
-- Marilia Melo

I just wanted to tell you how much I enjoy your web magazine. I'm really glad to see that you are including Now and Again in your review section. I particularly want to complement you on your excellent taste in selecting Eric Close as one of the men to watch this fall. Looking forward to your next issue,
-- Paula

Yes Virginia, The X-Files does still suck!

I used to think that I fit the 11th hr bell curve profile (female, well educated, professional, strong personality & open minded) now I'm wondering. I find the X-Files reviewer, Sarah Kendzior, incredibly unfair. I've never been one to write letters until her I read her reviews. I can't believe this, has gotten me so steamed. Maybe it's because I think her reviews one of our ills that we build things up to tear them down, may be it's the wrong age group, maybe it's because I feel this is the attitude that believes once a thing is mainstream it blasé, I don't know, but I do find her reviews very unfair towards this really good show. Obviously we are on different planes if Angel is "vastly superior" to TXF. I have friends who like both (& Buffy) & definitely wouldn't agree. The only thing I've read that I agree with is her opinion that DD is a good writer. Although having gone to an Ivy for undergrad & grad, I know a lot of idiots graduate from there, but every once is a while there redeeming graduate & DD defiantly fits... Last word, look beyond your preconceived notions & the hype, forget this a 7 yr old show, you might really like it.
-- Anonymous

Sarah responds: First off, the people I define as intelligent are generally capable of typing out the entire tedious three-letter word called "and" (not to mention signing their names.) Secondly, there is certainly no "11th Hour bell curve profile" and the thought of such a thing is pretty damn repulsive -- if anything, we like to encourage a diversity in our readership, and that extends to a tolerance of other people's opinions. I have this suspicion that I would feel really insulted had I been able to remotely make sense of anything you wrote. Oh well -- at least you spelled my name right. (See, issue 7 Roswell fans? It can be done.)

I love your reviews of the TV show Roswell! Surprisingly enough, I'm actually a big fan of Roswell, but your reviews are one of the internet highlights of my week. I'm in complete agreement with you on the whole Liz cow-eyed ordeal, and Max and his monotonous tendencies. If they were the only storyline on the show, I doubt I'd have gotten past the first few episodes. But, I like the idea of Michael and Maria (what can I say? I love brooding aliens.) They bring flavour to the show that, without their bickering and flirting, would flatline. So, I just wanted to say kudos to you, and I can't wait until the next review.
-- Gwinya

I love your TV critic Linda M. Najera! She is so cool! I agree with everything she writes. I watch Roswell every week but I am constantly disappointed with a show that showed great potential when the pilot aired. Reading her reviews was like venting that out.
-- Em

The Great Bird Jr.

I enjoyed the interview with Gene Roddenberry, Jr. I gained an insight into him and that's the highest praise I can think of for most such interviews. It's refreshing to see a twentysomething who is thoughtful and understands that there is a lot to learn in an industry which deals with wishes and dreams, hopes and fears, but also is a bottom-line industry which requires a remarkable degree of collaboration. I'm a novelist, and even in that field, which is primarily a solitary profession, I still have to deal with editors and agents and publicists and fans and readers and bookstore owners and school teachers. Ultimately all entertainment is about communication, and this interview worked. I also enjoyed the graphical look. The website is well laid out and easy on the eyes. Keep up the good work. I've bookmarked this site on my desktop.
-- Elton Elliott

Flicks for the kids

I must be on the same wavelength as the whole 11th Hour crew; not only do I love Buffy (and Spike) as some editors seem to, but almost every movie named in the article "Warping Young Minds" profoundly influenced my childhood. I was born in 1982 when a lot of these movies came out but I still have seen them all (except for Tron.) The Wizard of Oz and Time Bandits are my favorite movies of all time, I adore Wallace and Gromit, and when I was little I would make my parent rent The Secret of NIMH practically once a month. I, too, had a tiny crush on Justin the rat and Mrs. Brisby was my hero. And when I used to watch E.T., I identified completely with Elliot, who now seems like a little boy to me. The Princess Bride was always great, and Star Warsalso was fun. However, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory scared me so much I couldn't watch the whole movie. Thanks for bringing back so many memories with your article and keep up the great site!
-- Sarah Michelle Nerboso

Thanks to everyone who wrote in; although we can't publish every letter we do read all of them and greatly appreciate your input. Responses to this issue can be sent to letters@the11thhour.com.