Quote of the Month: "However, if I may be so bold, the small losses of the cathode tube provide a foretaste of what grief really is." Lady Angel, Trek philosopher, in response to "Early Mourning"

Once again, 11th Hour readers proved we weren't the only ones asking the question, "Is it just me, or does post-Doyle Angel suck harder than Frank Spotnitz at a 1013 staff meeting?" The response to our article concerning our favorite departed genre characters received a great response from Doyle-deprived fans. "I loved Rachel Hyland's article 'Early Mourning,'" wrote Ellen. "How beautifully she evokes the viewers' grief at the loss of Glenn Quinn's Doyle! I was also glad to note in the Christopher Golden interview that he, too, shares our pain." Nicollette agreed: "It described all of my thoughts as pertaining to Doyle's death. Yes, my 'pain' is irrational, it's a damn TV show, but it's my escape and my hide out and Joss just screwed it up."

And oh, the heartache! "I can think of nothing as evil (as far as TV shows go that is) as killing off such a wonderful, lovable cutie as Doyle after only nine freakin' eps! Ahem, I'm fine, really," grumbled reader Skye Blue. And the emotional distress! "Doyle has really messed me up," wrote Gabrielle Lawson. "I used to be a sane, rational person. But now I'm obsessed. I'm actually heart-broken over a TV character. I still cry when I think about his death too hard and the void created in the other characters' lives. And yeah, I know it's only a TV show. I only want to watch Angel now just to see if he's mentioned at all. No other reason. I don't even know if I'll do it." Our advice after that Bai Ling fiasco: Don't. For letters which do not concern the phrase "Doyle", "Glenn Quinn" and "utter depression" (and there actually were a few), read on below:

And we can spell, too!

It has been my pleasure for the last few months to read and enjoy your quality 'zine and I've finally gotten my lame self in gear to actually write and express my appreciation. It has been truly enjoyable to browse such a well-designed, well-written and well-edited site. I've worked as a tech writer for over a decade and I'm well aware of how the niceties of grammar, layout, and (god help us all) editing are routinely ignored by the Web community.
Professionally, I've used your site as an example of "What To Do" when dealing with webmasters who have missed the point of clean, fast-loading layouts. Personally, I've showed it to my mother to reassure her that her daughter isn't the only female out there who has years of genre shows on videotape and who can list the writers for every one of her favorite episodes. I've also passed on the URL to every single one of my friends (male and female) who shares my passion for the joys of genre. Thanks for steering me to Now and Again and away from Roswell and for hours of entertainment.
-- Missy Hayes

Not anything long enough to really be considered a "letter", but I really enjoy your site --an understanding of English grammar, wit, and intelligence is so rare on the web that it's a real pleasure to come across a site like yours.
-- Adrienne

I was so excited when I stumbled onto your site. It is wonderful to find a sci-fi site not soaked with Y chromosome. For the first time in forever I don't feel like a total geek girl; being 38 and loving Buffy and the whole Scooby gang sets you up for much teasing in my household. I agree with most everything (couldn't make it through the entire premiere episode of Roswell) and I swear by your movie reviews. Only one little problem -- at times the drool gets just too thick and slimy. Yes I admit that the boys are pretty to look at but that is not why I was attracted to the sci-fi genre. It was the kick-ass female characters that we run across at times that snagged me. Yes, I much prefer looking/fantasizing about them -- just wanted to let you know that not all female sci fi fans follow the path of the straight and narrow. Do you know what I mean? -- I think you do. Again, thanks for all the wonderful reading pouring through the archives!
-- Mikele R. Meether

I offer you heartfelt thanks. After finding your site, I've finally had the strength to come out of the closet and declare myself a true sci-fi fan. I no longer have to hide.
And a word about Roswell. I considered myself a Roswell fan until I went home for the holidays. I didn't enjoy Roswell nearly as much as I did when I watched it at school. But, I've discovered the crucial difference. At school, I watch Roswell with a group of my friends and several bottles of wine. This is key. Without the alcohol, it kinda sucks. But, when you've got a nice buzz going on you can cover up all those awkward silences between Moo and Mono screeching about how Max's eyes glisten, or how you wish you were like Isobel and wore leather pants to high school, or going to the bathroom and breaking the seal. In fact, my one friend claims that Roswell is her favorite show, but gets so drunk during every episode she never recalls what happens from week to week. Believe me when I say this: if you want your Roswell experience to be a pleasant one, start downing the devil liquor halfway through Dawson's Creek and don't stop until the 11 o'clock news. You guys rock. Keep up the excellent work.
-- Kim Aleski

I don't know how old the article(s) on Buffy are/were, but I just checked them out today! Nice work (it was my first time on the 11th hour - and I loved every minute of it)!! And especially: nice writing style. Right now I'm supposed to be studying for my M.A. exams tomorrow -- so that your articles got me hooked despite my nerves before university graduation tests is quite a compliment to your writing power! :-) It was especially great to read something about Buffy/Angel that was NOT written for teenagers (meaning: the style level)! Here in Germany most of the people "into" Buffy that I know are university students like me -- the high-school kids somehow don't get it and most of the non-academic people think it's just a silly, useless show -- they just don't get the humor in it! Anyway, I have to log off to return to Thoreau/Emerson & Co., but wanted to thank you for the articles first!
-- Nina Pohlmann

I just wanted to drop you guys a note and say how much I love your magazine. The new article "Early Mourning" by Rachel Hyland was just hilarious, and since it mention Forever Knight (briefly, but it's enough for us die-hard fans) I sent a couple of my FK lists over to your site. You've probably picked up quite a few new fans. Anyway, I also want to say how much I enjoy your pro-women approach to sci-fi, from BTVS to Star Wars, I just enjoy every bit of your magazine content and overall tone. You guys do good work. Thanks.
-- Cousin Mary

Be afraid, Vin... be very afraid...

Vin Diesel is an amazing, wonderful hunk of walking male aggression (now you know what does it for me; sorry). He's got so much testosterone in that yummy frame of his, he's like a giant testicle with legs!!! Sorry, that's it, that's all I have to say, no Earth shattering revelations or scathing criticism. Just the fact that I actually agree with you in your taste in men. Thanks for lending me your ear,
-- Jeannie Marie

Lisa responds: On behalf of the entire staff of The 11th Hour, I'd like to say that your "giant testicle with legs" comment and the accompanying mental picture came dangerously close to spoiling our Vin-lust forever. Shame on you!

More Web Wide Worship

As usual, a very nice, interesting job -- and I'm always happy to see coverage of Nick Lea, who gets far more attention and respect, it seems to me, from the fan community than from his compatriots at 1013. However, in your "Web Wide Worship" article, how could you omit the most substantial and complete Nick Lea website out there, specifically www.nicklea.com?
-- LC Fenster

I so agree with you on James Marsters' official site. Yawn worthy describes it perfectly. When it first went on-line (both addys) I had the pleasure of reading Lisa's comments on it and then after that once I'd poked around I spent an entertaining hour or so moaning about it to my mate Soul' on ICQ. Does anyone agree with me that putting his middle name on the front page is just cruel? Jamesmasters.com however is *the* unofficial official website (does that make sense?) in my books and I worship that site! Thanks for feeding my James Masters addiction.... I don't know what I'd do without it!
-- Nightbird

Them things what got words in 'em

Thanks for the book reviews. I had already picked up Ugly Stepsister and I intend to go out and get Club Dumas after reading you review. I find myself reading more then watching the tube anymore. Here are some recent oddball books I've recently finished that you might find of interest: DARK CARNIVAL: The Secret World of Tod Browning by David J. Skal & Elias Savada -- The life story of the creator of Freaks; The Professor and the Madman: A Tale of Murder, Insanity and the Making of the Oxford English Dictionary by Simon Winchester - I know that a book about a dictionary sounds boring, but it isn't; and Sin in Soft Focus: Pre Code Hollywood by Mark A. Vieira - If you like B/W film. you'll love this book.
-- Gideon

You guys really are fabulous! You've made me feel like I'm not the only female out there loving genre. I wandered over to your site from a link, and *wow*, I'm so pleased I did. Anyway. The real reason I'm writing is to thank you for the new section of book reviews. You guys are brilliant, really brilliant. Here's hoping you'll only get bigger and better.
--Beth Emery

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.