Back in the eighties, I became closed to 2 gay co-workers. We shared interests in art & music and I met most of their friends at their very cool parties. Then AIDS appeared. For most of them, it was far too late for safe sex—it was just a grim wait for the next diagnosis.

I should have read your post before I posted...my suggestion, too!

Well, the Temeraire books have few tits—but there are Napoleonic era ships of the line—and dragons!

I know Brendon had alcohol/other substance issues but the “abuser of women” bit needs some proof.

Blucas could be charming—I liked him as Cowboy Guy. But Riley was a thankless role—the guy you try to like because of previous bad experiences. Being a good guy is not enough, unfortunately....

Wesley’s whole character arc began as the wimpy Watcher of Buffy. So it’s even more impressive...

You sound like you own his Swimsuit Calendar....

Yeah, Salieri wrote perfectly serviceable music. But he wasn’t Mozart....

The land around Vesuvius is well populated—and has been forever. And it’s been worse about wiping out the occasional settlement.

I was far beyond the target demographic for Buffy. And even got into it a few years later.

I’m really strict about watching every episode in order, the first time you see a show. But when you re-watch, it’s OK to skip certain episodes.

In “Spin the Bottle” we got Badass Wesley explaining the effects of getting his throat cut & all his friends leaving him. Then a magic spell changed him back to a dork, boasting of being Best Boy. And back again—all in one episode.

I think watching Star Trek (the original) from the beginning worked for me. Of course the effects were not up to modern standards. Some of those alien planet setting featured boulders previously used as The Clearing Outside of Town Where the Lone Ranger & Tonto Stayed. Except spray painted in Day-Glo colors.

Buffy (Sarah) had to carry the weight of the world (or the show) on her skinny shoulders. Other actors got to show their hidden talents on the musical. Or opt out with minimal singing.

On Angel, an evil ghost was trying to make Cordelia hang herself & called her a bitch. Which snapped Cordy out of her terror & made her stand up for herself—yes, she’d been quite a famous bitch back in Sunnydale!

Once More With Feeling gave some of the cast members a chance to show their singing & dancing chops. Of which Brendan had none—but he participated with great spirit. “I’ll Never Tell.”

Yes to both Angel & Buffy. To get the full experience, begin watching Angel simultaneously with Buffy Season 4. Some story lines are linked between the shows. (Not so much later, when they were no longer on the same network.)

And Angel showed us the character arc of Wesley Wyndham-Price—from pompous failed Watcher in Buffy to tragic badass...

I know “Beer Bad” isn’t generally beloved, but it included CaveBuffy hitting Parker in the face. Twice. And Willow attacking him verbally after he tries to “charm” her....

Bush Jr (my former Governor) was a doofus, not a villain. Cheney, though....