elektra

Okay, I thought they screwed up. They left out all the subtitles between the demons. I wasn't sure at the beginning. Then in the end I remembered the converstation between her and her father and how amusing it was because we got to see the subtitles and they were nowhere to be found. That screwed things up because you didn't understand what was happening.

BizRodian

This happened on the FX rerun of The Zeppo, or so I was told... they left the subtitles out.

Something to do with some special Spanish Awarness thing or something where you could have spanish subtitles activated, if they had the original subs as well, they'd conflict... That's what I heard anyways... I don't know so much about that part.

elektra

Lame and not my problem. If you're living in the US, learn to speak read and write english.

MrN

I thought the US was about individuality, not conformity.

At any rate, I think the blame for this should be on F/X. They could have easily fixed the subtitle problem if they wanted to.

Jadzia

As a new Buffy watcher, I wasn't sure if you were supposed to know what they were saying or not. I found it odd that they would have that much dialog without any translation. Now I really feel cheated.

So it sounds as if the MGM DVD department must now be in charge of programming at FX

elektra

MrN - it's not about being and individual, or conforming. It's about a choice to live in this country and whether or not you want to work and survive. Basically, if you went to livin in Hong Kong, Spain or Germany, how long would you last if you did not learn to read, speak or write the language? I'm not saying they can't celebrate their culture, speak their language ever again or they have to change their faith. I'm saying something that is common sense. I spent 4 hours in the emergency room on Friday. The doctor was having a hard time treating the woman in the area next to me because she spoke no english and he did not speak spanish. Why should he have to learn spanish in this country? She should learn the language of the country she's choosing to live in. Bottom line.

FX should be shot for doing what they did. It really takes away from the episode when you miss the exchange that occurs between father and daughter in the end.

MrN

I understand your point. However, I think its unrealistic to expect everyone to be up to speed before they get here. It takes time to speak/understand a language and even longer to read and write it if you're past a certain age. The emergency room situation is an extreme example - we were talking about people looking for entertainment on TV.

Watching English TV shows with subtitles may actually be an educational tool. I wouldn't recommend Buffy for this, what with all the slang and fast paced dialogue, but you know what I mean...?

Like I was saying, I think the real problem here is F/X. It would have probably only taken slightly more effort to accomodate both subtitles than it took to remove the original english subtitles. Oh well, I guess the DVDs will come out in a year or two....

elektra

MrN - agreed for the most part. F/X should not have dropped the subtitles.

First season DVD's are do out in January 15 or 17?

MrN

The 15th.

I feel like one of the nerds. "I watched all the Buffy episodes, but not Angel, 'cause its not out on DVD."

elektra

Yep, that would be me!

RolloTomasi

Yeah, I remember subtitles the first time I saw this episode - FX has been bad about this kinda thing.

In Fool for Love, the Chinese slayer's dialogue was subtitled - but in Spanish

elektra

Yea, that was suck too! F/X will be hearing from me when I get home!

Jadzia

I noticed that too!

Spike said something like "I don't speak Chinese, love" and I was thinking it didn't matter since what she "said" translated didn't make any sense either!

Patman

IIRC, I think the Chinese slayer said, "I'm going kick your peroxide *** back to England and then stake you!"

Jadzia

I think it would be cool if Buffy encountered a former slayer who was turned into a vampire.

That would be a great nemesis!

elektra

Jadzia - that could be cool.

Patman

Would any vampire give up a slayer kill just to convert them to a vampire?

MrN

Good point. And with Slayer power they would make bad underlings.

elektra

Bad underlings, but one helluva partner.

Jadzia

Maybe I should write for Buffy

I was thinking of some other thing's I'd like to see.

The fight with Spike in broad daylight on a campus that had been very busy just moments before got me thinking of something (and also the frat party scene.)

Wouldn't it be great if some guys walked in on Buffy as a vamp was hitting her, and not knowing what was happening just rushed in to help her. Like "how dare you beat up a woman!"

I was also thinking when she was all banged up in the first episode of season 4, it would be funny if someone asked about her bruises and then erroneously thought she was a battered woman or something!

Maybe they have done this already on the show (I haven't seen it all yet) but I think they might be some great moments.

Jadzia

I could see Faith propositioning a vamp to make her one. That would be cool!

And also activate a new Slayer!

das Monkey

I'm late on this one, but it's a big issue with me.

If you want to live in America, you need to learn to speak English ... sorry ... that just has to be the way it is. I'm not talking about being fluent or knowing everything immediately, but there is a large segment of the population that refuses to make the effort to learn and feels they should not have to. While it would be great if everyone spoke every language, it's unfair to expect people to adapt to every possible situtation. English is America's national language. Learn it if you plan to live here permenantly. If I take a trip to France, I may learn a little French to get by, but if I plan to move there, I best start taking some courses and really learn the language. Many French may know English already, but it's arrogant and irresponsible of me to expect them to adapt to me. The same applies for people coming here. Learn English, or at least try. Keep all the culture you want, but add English to it. To do otherwise is just selfish. I'm all for tolerance, understanding, and inclusion, but if America has something so wonderful that you feel compelled to leave your home country and join ours, the least you can do is attempt to speak the language.

das

elektra

Pointyskull

Rock on, das Monkey............