The Sentinel’s Gratuitously Detailed Episode Guide by Zelempa (Adult)

[magician113.livejournal.com]

Fandom: THE SENTINEL
Pairing: none, but a lot of innuendo of Jim/Blair 
Length: series: medium size for each episode
Author on LJ: zelempa
Author Website:  http://www.merples.com/index.shtml
Why this must be read:   Because these put the *crack* in your viewing pleasure! 

 

Okay, admit it. You’ve watched the show with equal parts affection and smirkiness. Each episode has at least one plot hole you could drive a Ford truck through *and* at least one remark that makes you wonder where these guys are on the Kinsey scale. This episode guide is right up your alley. Like a cross between Fractured Fairy Tales and Sports Central, you have a ring-side seat with in-depth analysis delivered with tongue firmly planted in cheek.

 

Reminiscent of joandarck’s The Gayest Show on Earth, Zelempa happily points out the touching and the subtext. She goes well beyond to identify the continuity gaffes and cheesy plots, but also provides insightful analysis. Underneath it all, you hear her love for the show and the characters. She points out why we continue to love The Sentinel, warts and all, more than 12 years after it first aired.

 

I could quote something from every episode, but I’ll invite you instead to just start with your favorite and work through them all. You’ll be chuckling, nodding and saying “Awwwww” before you know it.

 

And there’s pictures too!!   

The Sentinel’s Gratuitously Detailed Episode Guide 

After you finish grinning, do send the author some feedback!

Comments

[janedavitt.livejournal.com]

I reread these randomly and always end up grinning; plus, as I read them as she posted, I got to join in some fun discussions about the episodes on her LJ.

They're definitely a wonderful fandom resource.

I will quote the bit that had me spluttering coffee, from her recap of His Brother's Keeper, when Steven and Jim have just reunited and I swear, first time watching, I thought Steven was a former lover and so did Blair zelempa.

Blair: "Who was that guy?" Jim: "My brother." Blair, silently: GOD IS REAL!

[magician113.livejournal.com]

Even the synopsis sentence she puts at each episode are funny:

The Real Deal: Jim, Blair, and Megan are "helped" by the washed-up star of a 60s action show. (Apologies to Robert Vaughn, who I love!)

And just when you think it's all fun, you get some very wonderful analysis, like of the exchange in Night Shift where Jim is upset over the first chapter. Just terrific.

[snailbones.livejournal.com]

Thanks for reminding me about these and the linky. I haven't read them in ages - time to go and have a giggle *g*

[zelempa.livejournal.com]

Awww, thanks guys! I'm so glad you like them. And I'm glad keefaq told me to check the ol' crack van!

I wrote these all in a one-a-day haze while I was watching the show for the first time (which is why so many of them contain "predictions" about what was going to happen next -- I really didn't know!) and I don't even recognize these quotes. It turns out I'm pretty awesome!

Oh, and the link to the page with the reviews (if you want to skip the main page) is http://merples.com/rev/reviews.shtml, but there are separate pages for each half-season. (For some reason.)

[magician113.livejournal.com]

Oh goody! You saved me the trouble of looking up your addy so I could let you know I recced you here!

The Gratuitous link at the bottom of my rec should take people directly there. I didn't point out that apparently you have an old version and a new (I assume more detailed) version. I went with the newer stuff cause I like the gratuitousness of it!

Thanks so much for writing them. We have a weekly chat most Saturdays hosted by Psychgirl. We watch the episodes and comment. Your guides kind of capture the best of the smirks and "awww"s that come out of that. Just terrific.

[snycock.livejournal.com]

Oh, fantastic! It would never have occurred to me to rec these here, but it's a brilliant stroke of genius on your part! I love these recaps; they frequently make me laugh out loud so hard tears come to my eyes... and then my partner looks at me strangely as I try to explain what I'm doing...*G*

[magician113.livejournal.com]

And I have *you* to thank! I had wanted to rec something of Zelempa's and you mentioned how brilliant these were. When I read them, I realized she wrote more original language than many stories I've read and are among the best entertainment around. So, how could it not qualify? The only problem I had was figuring out how to rate it.

It reminded me so much of the comments that come up in our chats as we watch the episodes -- but these are recorded for posterity! ^_^

[betzz.livejournal.com]

Loved it, loved it, loved it so much! That pretty much made my weekend.

[magician113.livejournal.com]

Yay! They are just so much fun. I've never enjoyed researching a recommendation more!

[callistosh65.livejournal.com]

Fabulous recaps and reviews. I'm fairly new to The Sentinel, so I appreciate a rec like this. I shall bookmark and peruse and chuckle at my leisure. Thank you!

[catcrazy5.livejournal.com]

Add me to those who are greatly enjoying this guide. I have only ever watched Season 1 of TS since it is the only one out on DVD. *grumble* But, it is still one of my favorite fandoms. Today I have been watching the episodes I recorded from SciFi earlier this week while simultaneously checking zelempa's recaps/reviews and checking out missing scenes from 852 Prospect (http://www.852prospect.org/archive/) and Cascade Library (http://tslibrary.skeeter63.org/missing-scenes1.htm). Sublime!

[magician113.livejournal.com]

Yay! Thanks for commenting. It sounds like you're having quite a Sentinel-fest going on there. All you need are algae shakes and Wonderburgers!

I don't know how badly Sci-Fi cut the eps, but you can find S2-4 uncut here, even if they aren't the same image quality:
http://www.templeofthesentinels.com/episode_downloads.htm

Cheers!