lizvogel

So last week I popped onto Amazon to add a CD to the wish list. I'd been wanting to relisten to this CD for days, and was quite surprised to discover that I did not in fact own it. (That explains why none of the tracks are in my WinAmp rotation, at least.)

While I was there, I glanced at the list, as one does, and noticed that the last three sets of The Sandbaggers were marked as "only 1 (or 2) left - order soon!" Now, I'm not at all sure that that's not a marketing gimmick on Amazon's part... but I also know that the last time I believed the "more coming soon" addendum, more never came. And there's few things worse for a completist-minded fan than having half a series....

So yeah, I bought 'em.

This is generating a post because I promised myself these discs as my reward for sending a certain number of queries. I have not sent anything like that many queries; indeed, the querying process is still bogged down in trying to create a version I'm actually happy with. Which is where the rationalization generator comes in. So one set is my reward for getting my synopsis done (at least for values of done that involve a beginning, an end, and all the bits in between), and done in time for the local writers conference this past weekend. Another set can be my reward for going to said conference. (One would think that going to a writers conference would be its own reward; one would be wrong. But that's another post.)

I'm not sure what the third set is for. Perhaps it could be a reward for finishing revisions on chapter 9b-soon-to-be-10? Mind you, I'd have to finish 'em first. But that's something I might be able to accomplish by the time the box arrives, if the shipping isn't too expeditious. Other suggestions are welcome in comments.

If only I could do queries like I can do rationalizations, I'd have an agent by now.

I also bought the CD while I was at it. Because, at that point, why not?

There are some things that even a purist like me grabs on sight, without all that tedious fretting about possible changes or other DVD-worries. Max Headroom was one such, way back in... April? when it was announced.

And now it's here. Squee!

Packaging first: Excellent. The discs are single-sided. They come in slim-packs, two to a case but not double-stacked, with three cases total in the box. Maximum convenience with minimum shelf-space. The much-advertised-on-Amazon "lenticular" cover is actually just a slip-cover with a holographic Max -- cheesy, but an appropriate kind of cheesy.

The lead-in graphics to the menu are a little disturbing to the eye, but again, in an entirely appropriate-to-the-show way, disorienting and jumpy with judiciously-applied static. The menu itself is clear and easy to navigate.

The "complete series" doesn't include the original UK TV-movie, unfortunately. Not a huge loss, as it's the same story as "Blipverts", but would have been nice for us completists. (Of course, I've got it on VHS around here somewhere, so I can talk.)

For more details about extras, etc., see the quite good review on tvshowsondvd.

And now, on to the content itself: Wow. ( You must be at least this tall to read these spoilers. )