Emily (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
iluvroadrunner6) wrote2007-03-03 11:12 am
iluvroadrunner6) wrote2007-03-03 11:12 am
(no subject)
I know this is a bit of a weird move, posting this here instead of at Talk, but I really don't go in there anymore, to check her response to this, and if she does respond, I want to know. Therefore, if any of her friends want to direct her here and let her know that someone is politely challenging her writing, feel free to do so.
I understand that it's her review, and her opinion, but I've had it up to here with Kristine Huntley's absolutely scalding reviews of Anna Belknap's performances. Yes, to her credit, she does analyze the other aspects of an episode well, and the reviews are usually insightful on that point. However, when it comes to Lindsay, I always feel that her impressions are far stronger than they should be.
I, personally don't agree with the Danny/Lindsay storyline. I don't think it's right for the characters at the moment, and it's unbalanced for it's position in the show. I've already stated my opinions on that before. But I feel that Anna shouldn't be blamed for what the writers have given her. She plays the character well, and while the performance itself may be uneven, it may just be reflecting the script. Actors aren't necessarily given their character on a silver platter, and told that this is what they have to play. They have to formulate something out of what is written, and when the storyline is as rocky as the CSI:NY storylines can be, Anna does well for what she is given. I think a less skilled and less talented actress would have faired much worse than Anna has.
Also, I think the initial courtroom scene did not fall flat at all. I didn't get the impression that Anna/Lindsay was trying to do anything but hold herself together. Maybe it's the dramatic age we've been thrust into, but generally speaking I don't think victims, especially seasoned criminalists, who noted having appeared in that courtroom many times before, would willingly let themselves fall apart on the stand like that. Let themselves get emotional, yes. But not put on a crying show to earn the jury's sympathy. Lindsay's more professional than that. When she felt herself start to reach that breaking point, she asked to take a break, to pull herself together. I think that scene was perfectly in character for Lindsay, nothing more was really needed. The second scene left something to be desired on the part of the character, because I think she's stronger than needing Danny's support to finish the testimony, but that's not Anna's fault, it's the writers for pushing the storyline.
I feel that Anna Belknap has been a breath of fresh air in contrast to Vanessa Ferlito's stereotypical, Brooklyn-esque character. While I know that Aiden is a character everyone enjoyed, I didn't feel that Vanessa did much acting at all for the role, and Aiden was such a cookie cutter New York character, that she didn't really leave an impression on me. Lindsay on the other hand has been an interesting juxtaposition for Mac, Stella, Hawkes, occasionally Flack, and yes, even Danny. I feel her character has brought an different component to the team, which is a group of seasoned, if not native New Yorkers, and her as the new girl, bringing that kind of element to the team has been nice to watch.
Lindsay has more facets than I feel Kristine gives her credit for. While I also understand that a review is the writer's opinions, I also feel that she needs to keep in mind that she is writing for an audience, and generalizing her opinions as everyone's is not exactly fostering fandom peace. (I remember her mentioning things about how Lindsay was a hard character to love, etc, and had I been from outside the fan pool of the show, the impression I could have gotten was that everyone felt that way, but that really is not the case.) I have read reviews that while the reviewer stated her dislike for the character, she was able to keep it out of the blatant bashing range that I have seen in Kristine's reviews, and only request that she try and do the same.
As I said, feel free to direct her in this direction. Comments are turned on, I'm not hiding from her. I just wanted to make sure I didn't forget to check and see her response, as I know I would have if I posted this on talk.
I understand that it's her review, and her opinion, but I've had it up to here with Kristine Huntley's absolutely scalding reviews of Anna Belknap's performances. Yes, to her credit, she does analyze the other aspects of an episode well, and the reviews are usually insightful on that point. However, when it comes to Lindsay, I always feel that her impressions are far stronger than they should be.
I, personally don't agree with the Danny/Lindsay storyline. I don't think it's right for the characters at the moment, and it's unbalanced for it's position in the show. I've already stated my opinions on that before. But I feel that Anna shouldn't be blamed for what the writers have given her. She plays the character well, and while the performance itself may be uneven, it may just be reflecting the script. Actors aren't necessarily given their character on a silver platter, and told that this is what they have to play. They have to formulate something out of what is written, and when the storyline is as rocky as the CSI:NY storylines can be, Anna does well for what she is given. I think a less skilled and less talented actress would have faired much worse than Anna has.
Also, I think the initial courtroom scene did not fall flat at all. I didn't get the impression that Anna/Lindsay was trying to do anything but hold herself together. Maybe it's the dramatic age we've been thrust into, but generally speaking I don't think victims, especially seasoned criminalists, who noted having appeared in that courtroom many times before, would willingly let themselves fall apart on the stand like that. Let themselves get emotional, yes. But not put on a crying show to earn the jury's sympathy. Lindsay's more professional than that. When she felt herself start to reach that breaking point, she asked to take a break, to pull herself together. I think that scene was perfectly in character for Lindsay, nothing more was really needed. The second scene left something to be desired on the part of the character, because I think she's stronger than needing Danny's support to finish the testimony, but that's not Anna's fault, it's the writers for pushing the storyline.
I feel that Anna Belknap has been a breath of fresh air in contrast to Vanessa Ferlito's stereotypical, Brooklyn-esque character. While I know that Aiden is a character everyone enjoyed, I didn't feel that Vanessa did much acting at all for the role, and Aiden was such a cookie cutter New York character, that she didn't really leave an impression on me. Lindsay on the other hand has been an interesting juxtaposition for Mac, Stella, Hawkes, occasionally Flack, and yes, even Danny. I feel her character has brought an different component to the team, which is a group of seasoned, if not native New Yorkers, and her as the new girl, bringing that kind of element to the team has been nice to watch.
Lindsay has more facets than I feel Kristine gives her credit for. While I also understand that a review is the writer's opinions, I also feel that she needs to keep in mind that she is writing for an audience, and generalizing her opinions as everyone's is not exactly fostering fandom peace. (I remember her mentioning things about how Lindsay was a hard character to love, etc, and had I been from outside the fan pool of the show, the impression I could have gotten was that everyone felt that way, but that really is not the case.) I have read reviews that while the reviewer stated her dislike for the character, she was able to keep it out of the blatant bashing range that I have seen in Kristine's reviews, and only request that she try and do the same.
As I said, feel free to direct her in this direction. Comments are turned on, I'm not hiding from her. I just wanted to make sure I didn't forget to check and see her response, as I know I would have if I posted this on talk.