But it's not all that bad - so read on for my top five reasons that prove your plans to up sticks and emigrate to the US may be slightly hasty…
#1 - no more hiatuses
Once we do start getting new episodes, we don't have any breaks. A 22-week straight run here, coupled with breaks and gaps here and there in the US mean that by the end of the season, we're not that far behind any more!
#2 - the Internet
So we don't get new episodes for four months. If you really, truly can't wait that long, there are other ways to get your fix. Many people download whole episodes, although granted, this isn't for everyone. Slow connections can be annoying, and make downloading episodes a chore. Then there are wildfeeds and episode reviews. Neither is the same as watching an episode in the flesh, but if you're just dying to know whether Giles is in this one, or how many minutes of screen time Wes gets this time, it could be the way to go!
#3 - box sets and DVDs
We get both shows released on VHS within months of the end of the run on SkyOne, so even if you don't have digital TV, you can keep up with what's going on without having to wait the torturous gaps the terrestrial channels would keep you waiting. The DVD releases are slowly catching up - season six of Buffy is due to be released in a few weeks, and Once More, With Feeling has had it's own special DVD release.
#4 - meeting the cast
Is, bizarrely, easier in this country. James Marsters is a regular to stores like Forbidden Planet, as is Anthony Stewart Head. Starfury Conventions and Sector 14 Events are the two main convention organisers over here, and both are known to run excellent events. Angel regulars such as Amy Acker and Alexis Denisof are attending End of Days at the beginning of May, which is run by Starfury and promises to be an excellent experience. Starfury also has two events already in planning for next year; Fusion, a Buffy event, and Hyperion, another Angel one.
#5 - and finally…
It can give you an amazing buzz to see your home town or city mentioned on one of the shows. Okay, this could apply to a whole host of countries, but seeing "York, England - 1764" appear on the screen during the Angel episode 'Quickening' definitely sent shivers down my spine! With so much of the of the Jossverse linking back to England in some way, it's a great place to be! With Giles, Wesley, Spike, Drusilla, the Watcher's Council, and a smattering of potential Slayers all originating/residing in England, never forgetting the dearly departed Doyle and his lovely Irish brogues … who would want to leave this place?
So now it's the Americans who are wanting to up sticks and leave home, I'm betting. Please, feel free! But be aware that we don't all talk like Wes or Giles, and nobody talks like Spike or Dru.
Next Month: Couldn't make it to 'End of Days'? I'll be bringing you a convention report, so check back then for the next best thing!
Links:
http://www.starfury.co.uk - Starfury Conventions
http://www.sector14.co.uk - Sector 14 Events
http://www.bbc.co.uk/cult/buffy - the Buffy section of the BBC website
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