0138 "Men are from Mars" 2/22/07

[feverhoney]

First of all, when did checking the perimeter become hiking? The fact that the wording has changed indicates to me that it was more leisure than actual work. This is subtle, but important I think. Both Jonas and Bree called it hiking. They should have clarified to Daniel that they were checking the perimeter, even if the video showed them having fun.

Secondly, did you see the hurt look on Daniel's face when Bree asked him why he cared that she went hiking with Jonas? My heart bled for him. He's got it bad, and that hurt is going to take a long time to heal; that is, if he can ever get away from Bree to heal.

As for Daniel being upset about the hiking, I can kind of understand it. I mean, imagine you really love this girl, and you wake up and find she is gone, and so is the other guy. Then you find out she went "hiking" with the guy (who is supposed to be your friend). They didn't wake you up to go with them; they just went on their own.

Then, and this is the final blow...Bree uploads a video in which they both are clearly enjoying themselves and Jonas looks absolutely ecstatic. Again, Bree uploaded the video. Apparently she's too blind to see how much she's hurting Daniel or she doesn't care.

And I think that is the reason that Daniel is acting the way he is. I think after she rescued him there was a flicker of hope that she might come around. Now he sees that he's never going to have her; she is slipping through his fingers, and possibly into Jonas' arms. That, my friends, is a hard pill to swallow.

I feel so bad for Daniel. Jonas needs to try and understand, if he can.

This is really bad. Someone needs to sit down and tell Bree what a mess she's making.

OK, I'm quoting my own post because I have some things I want to add to it.

There are subtle things in this video and the "Snow Angels" video that either the Creators were trying to get across to us (or emphasize), or Bree was trying to get across to Daniel. Either way, it has the same effect.

Everyone has been talking about how much this video resembles the swimming video, and I agree. There is a purpose in that, however. This is to make Daniel feel he is being replaced, and compound his feelings of jealousy. The same with the hiking. Daniel was her hiking partner before, now Jonas is. Daniel was the one who shot the video of her looking so adorable at the swimming hole, now Jonas is, albeit with snow.

I really think the Creators are trying to show us why Daniel is so jealous, and that they may be going to a place where Daniel is an adversary. The things that I mentioned in the previous paragraph heighten Daniel's sense that he's been replaced, and that he isn't needed anymore; and will most probably have a profound effect on him. In other words, this is going to mess with his head big time.

OK, long enough post...

I agree with this entirely.

I picked up on the 'hiking' thing too, and it leads me to believe that Jonas and Bree are feeling more than just friendly towards each other.

Something I hadn't really thought about though was the 'Daniel as an adversary' aspect, but now that I think about it, it would be a really interesting development. Daniel has intimate knowledge of where they are, he knows Tachyon and Brother, and he probably knows Bree well enough to be able to pre-empt any sort of move she might make.

I think it's interesting to note that he kept the package from Tachyon a secret from Jonas and Bree, purely because he was annoyed at them. Daniel's feelings for Bree have caused them trouble in the past, (I'm of the opinion that they led directly to him being kidnapped by OpAhid), and by keeping information from them (albeit for a short time, as he did make a video about it), just proves to me that his jealousy could really be his downfall.

[longlostposter]

I picked up on the 'hiking' thing too, and it leads me to believe that Jonas and Bree are feeling more than just friendly towards each other.

Something I hadn't really thought about though was the 'Daniel as an adversary' aspect, but now that I think about it, it would be a really interesting development. Daniel has intimate knowledge of where they are, he knows Tachyon and Brother, and he probably knows Bree well enough to be able to pre-empt any sort of move she might make.

I think it's interesting to note that he kept the package from Tachyon a secret from Jonas and Bree, purely because he was annoyed at them. Daniel's feelings for Bree have caused them trouble in the past, (I'm of the opinion that they led directly to him being kidnapped by OpAhid), and by keeping information from them (albeit for a short time, as he did make a video about it), just proves to me that his jealousy could really be his downfall.

Yes, his jealousy is very dangerous, and if Jonas and Bree have a lick of sense, they will do everything they can to ensure he doesn't feel threatened by their relationship (But of course we know, that Bree is incapable of seeing the necessity of this). If they make an enemy of Daniel, who we know has already been programmed or hypnotized by the Order, then it might very well be the downfall of them all. I keep thinking back to the "Miss Me" video, and the statement, "They treat me better than you do", and it really sounds creepy to me now; especially in light of Daniel asking Bree, "Who are you?" Our trio is in big trouble, IMO.

[Languorous Lass]

Do you folks really think that the creators would risk losing the viewers' sympathy for Daniel? Up until this point, he's the only character who has consistently evoked positive reactions in almost everyone on the forum. By turning him into an adversary, they might risk alienating a lot of the audience.

[feverhoney]

I don't think that's the case. I think at the heart of it, Daniel's a very sympathetic character, irratioanal behaviour aside. If it's handled properly, he could still remain so.

So far, it really seems to be Bree and Jonas who are being portrayed as selfish and unfeeling, they are the ones who are risking everything here, not Daniel. If anything does happen to make Daniel work against them, it would be mostly their fault. I think that Bree and Jonas are entitled to their feelings, however, they need to see the bigger picture here, and realise that what they are dealing with is dangerous- they are better as a team and cannot do this without each other.

I think all it would take from both Bree and Jonas to make Daniel come around would be some reassurance, but as their empathy seems to be on the fritz, only time will tell whether or not this will happen.

[longlostposter]

Do you folks really think that the creators would risk losing the viewers' sympathy for Daniel? Up until this point, he's the only character who has consistently evoked positive reactions in almost everyone on the forum. By turning him into an adversary, they might risk alienating a lot of the audience.

Actually, if Daniel was portrayed as being under the control of the Order, via some kind of brainwashing technique, it might make the viewer even more sympathetic towards him.

I agree with feverhoney. If it's handled properly, it can be done.

[Languorous Lass]

Okay, I can see that. Thanks.

[longlostposter]

Okay, I can see that. Thanks.

You're welcome, although it seems we may not be going there...at least not yet.