The Whispering Gallery (Beauty and the Beast letterzine)
| Zine | |
|---|---|
| Title: | The Whispering Gallery |
| Publisher: | Michigan's B&B Community |
| Editor(s): | Vicki Burke |
| Type: | |
| Date(s): | the last issue was March/April 1990 |
| Frequency: | |
| Medium: | |
| Fandom: | Beauty and the Beast (TV) |
| Language: | English |
| External Links: | |
| Click here for related articles on Fanlore. | |
The Whispering Gallery is a gen and het Beauty and the Beast (TV) letterzine published by Vicki Burke.
In his book Textual Poachers, Henry Jenkins describes it:
A popular regional newsletter, ran a regular column reviewing individual episodes, focusing primarily on those elements fans wanted to see developed more fully, and trying to speculate about "What They Don't Tell Us." These reviews give insight into the rules of notice fans applied in reading Beauty and the Beast as a romance and the rules of signification by which they assigned salience to those chosen elements.
Issue 1
The Whispering Gallery 1
Issue 2
The Whispering Gallery 2
Issue 3
The Whispering Gallery 3
Issue 4
The Whispering Gallery 4
Issue 5
The Whispering Gallery 5 was published in 1988.
A fan discussed the episode "Terrible Savior" in the column "What They Don’t Tell Us":
It starts out with us not knowing whether Vincent and Catherine have seen each other often or whether the subway slasher incident has brought them together…. We also see that Vincent is sure of his relationship with Catherine and she is still testing and learning…. Why does she fear him? Does she not trust him yet? This is obviously the case when she pulls away from him, and Vincent almost strikes a lamp in his rage. We see Catherine’s fear of Vincent change after she confronts him then has time to think about it. Vincent as always is forgiving, again. (The perfect man).
Issue 6
The Whispering Gallery 6
Issue 7
The Whispering Gallery 7
Issue 8
The Whispering Gallery 8 was published in 1989.
Issue 9
The Whispering Gallery 9 was published in 1989.
Issue 10
The Whispering Gallery 10 was published in 1989.
Issue 11
The Whispering Gallery 11
Issue 12
The Whispering Gallery 12
Issue 13/14
The Whispering Gallery 13/14
Issue 15
The Whispering Gallery 15 was published in November 1989 and contains 30 pages.
From the editor:
Hello, It's been a while, but yes, we're still around. Double issues tend to make it seem like forever.
Due to the recent blitz of rumors it would seem rather silly of me not to address what so many have called the "destruction of B&B".
I know the last two articles in TV Guide, the USA article and the many articles in the Star, Globe, etc. have got so many fans upset. Myself included, I must admit.
Are they true? Perhaps some them are, and some may not be. We will have to wait and see (and from what I hear it won't be long.)
I would admit that feeling discouraged and frustrated about now is a natural reaction, after all so many worked so hard to save this beautiful show, who wouldn’t be upset to read the supposed plot line of a show that seems to only remotely remind us of the show we so loved. But let me again remind you that whatever happens with B&B, had to because of reasons beyond our knowledge. Unfortunately none of us are on j the inside of the everyday business of the show.
I know a lot of you may not like this editorial - you may have wanted confirmation that the rumors were a lot of bull, and lots of happy words encouraging you everything you're hearing is false. The fact is, we don't know, and won't until the new episodes unfold.
Keep in mind - all the wonderful experiences this show has brought us - we've met friends that we would never have met if it weren't for this show.
We have traveled to places we would probably never have gone because of this show.
We have been exposed to a level of literacy (poetry, music, etc.) a lot of us would not have come in contact with.
We have laughed and cried through 44 compelling and romantic episodes that we have on tape to watch over and over.
So many have discovered their talent in writing the fun fiction which we all enjoy reading.
We have been a part of something truly special and magical that occurred on network television. Be glad we were around to "feel" the experience.
In all fairness to the writers and producers - we should be willing to give this third season a chance. We may even like it!
By no means is this show "over." Fandom will continue to keep Beauty and the Beast alive as long as we want it (and by the amount of fiction the Whispering Gallery is receiving, it looks like a lot of you have already started.) We all let this show take a loving place in our hearts and as long as we keep it there - we will always hold the dream...
Keep the Faith
- a review of the episode, "The Watcher"
- Catherine's Song, poem by Joan O'Connor
- review of the book "Beasts" by John Crowley
- several fan lists of the ways the show changed their lives
- The Rehearsal, fiction by Diane Fearn-Desrosiers
- review of Abode of the Beast, see that page
- a review of Beauty and the Beast, pro novel by Barbara Hambly
- There is Life After Networks, essay by Anna Deavers (a pep talk for fans to unite, not lose the faith, and bring back the show)
- Broken Silence, fiction by Janet Dunadee
- many, many photocopies of photos of fans taken at cons
from #15, from a newspaper, two fans Keven Lewis and Susan Perry-Lewis cosplaying at the Michigan Renaissance Festival
from #15, Anna Deavers rallies the troops
from #15
from #15
Issue 16
The Whispering Gallery 16
Issue 17
The Whispering Gallery 17
Issue 18/19
The Whispering Gallery 18/19 was published in March/April 1990 and contains 72 pages.
It was the last issue.
from issue #18/19
from issue #18/19
from issue #18/19
[from the editor]:
As we go to press, the big news is Third Season B & B was cancelled on January 4th. Personally, I feel bittersweet about its end. (I would have never thought to hear myself say that in May!) It is just really a shame it has to end like this... with people so upset, feeling so betrayed and hurt! I just hope we can keep this all in perspective, learn from it, and remember all the good times! It was magical!
[a fan writes]:
Enclosed you will find an example of how we, the fans, feel we have been treated by you, the writers, this season. Did you really believe that once the show hit the air we could continue to accept the half-truths and outright lies that you have fed us over the past several months?...Mr. Koslow, I pity you. To take your own creation, something you have said is as close to you as your own child would be, and to destroy it so completely, so deliberately speaks of a desperately unhappy person. The wantonness of such wholehearted devastation Invokes images of self-destruction. Apparently you are unable to accept the responsibility of what you sparked, but to show such contempt for the audience speaks of a vindictiveness totally out of proportion with the reality of the situation.
You said "Don't listen to the rumors - watch the show". Well, I watched the show and all the rumors were true. Paul Witt said 'Those who are distressed will ultimately be pleased'. Well, I'm not pleased - what an I supposed to be pleased about???!!! And I know for a fact that it isn't going to get any better. You said that you wouldn't do anything to violate the spirit of the show. Well, you oust have an extremely warped idea of what the "spirit of the show' constitutes. No, you didn't violate it, you have raped, plundered and pillaged it out of existence! Last May, you begged and pleaded with us to save your show, and we mobilized with an unparalleled effort. We agonized with you for days until miracle of miracles, we won a reprieve for you! We trusted you and then you betrayed us!! We SAVED your precious show for you only to have you turn around and stab us in the back!! Apparently, the male writers have deliberately refused to understand what the female viewers want, and what's worse, you don't even seen to care. You toss In a cartoon villain, a bunch of sophisticated toys, turn Vincent into "Rambo-kitty" and you expect that to replace Catherine??? No number o£ explosions, car chases or shoot-'em-ups are going to replace what was the fundamental core of the show - the relationship between Catherine and Vincent. Your failure to realize and accept this is too blatant and studied to be accidental.
[a fan writes]:
The "New" Beauty and the Beast has most definitely changed my priorities. In fact, I am more than hesitant to even refer to myself as a fan anymore. A fan supports a show that they admire and love. I used to be a fan. I don't even recognize this as Beauty and the Beast anymore....My only question is "What are you doing?!" Do you seriously think that this is what people want to watch? Do you think that if this was a new show just starting out, that you would be able to attract viewers with it? Especially at this time slot! Even Miami Vice was put on later so that young kids weren't exposed to this blatant slaughtering. I seriously hope that you weren't imitating that format, because it doesn't work for very long. And you were worried about the romance imploding?!
I've read of a few people saying that they like this "new" show and I have to wonder at the lifestyles they lead. They must really enjoy violence, in which case I suggest they go to the cinema and watch Lethal Weapon. Do they support the "Eye for an Eye" philosophy? Do they enjoy seeing a sensitive character dragged through the worst tortures of the heart and body and mind and soul? Or are they saying these things so that the show will stay on the air no matter what — no matter the heinous crimes committed against what was once a beautiful, heartwarming and educational show. Are they watching it just so they can see Vincent? because this isn't the Vincent that I remember. Are they watching it just to see his bare chest in Snow? or to see how tight his pants will get? Are you basing your opinions of your viewers from that Kelly and Company show that aired in the Detroit area a few months back? If you are, then you are very, very wrong about your viewership. That was only a small sample of women that I believe were getting caught up in the heat of the moment and started acting a little ridiculous. Perhaps it got out of hand because the hosts of that show were encouraging that type of reaction. (I don't want to make rash comparisons, but isn't there a psychology term for this type of behavior? Because it reminds me of the blood-thirst that lynch mobs experience.) Or perhaps it got out of hand because the crowd was getting swept up in the rush of the moment. What about the men who were there? They were interested enough to attend, but you didn't see them going ga-ga over Vincent. Yea. Okay. Vincent isn't like the other beasts we have seen in different versions of this fairy tale. He isn't repulsive or ugly. In fact, he is a good looking beast, as beasts go, but his beauty stems from his noble nature, his compassion, his interaction with the woman he loves! Vincent, without Catherine, is not as beautiful as he was.
This show used to be a warm fuzzy. Something that I and my friends and family and coworkers watched, because it made us feel good. Now we grit our teeth if we watch. This is not exciting. This is not adventurous. This is disturbing! This is the stuff that nightmares are made of. Who is Vincent? He certainly isn't the character I admired for two years. Who is he without Catherine? Who is he, that he runs around killing without remorse, getting shot and crawling around in the dirt? What is this show that it flaunts a young girl crawling around in the tunnels, desperately attempting to escape her would-be murderer and then begs for her life? What kind of rating do you think you would get if this were a feature film? Don't they get ratings like 'R' for this kind of graphic violence? Do you think that we didn't notice that poor Stephen got his face blown off by Snow?
My brother is a Sly Stallone fan, a hunter and a red-neck, but he used to like this show. He doesn't like it anymore. He said, "If I want to watch Rambo then I rent the tape, but when I want to watch Beauty and the Beast what am I supposed to do now? It's just like everything else. It's not different and it's not any better." This, coming from a non-fan, a man and a faithful viewer. Who do you think your non-fairy tale is attracting now?
I attended the LA Creations Convention when George Martin said that writing for TV was like playing Scrabble with only the Q's, X's and Z's. Well, now I understand. Writing for TV is like taking Westerns, B horror flicks and stereotyped Mafia shows and putting it into a format that had worked for two years. Whatever happened to the famous line from "Orphans" when Vincent said, "We are something that has never been."...
When I heard that the writers for this show felt that the fans of B&B were telling them "how to write", I sided with the writers. Being an artist of sons myself, I strongly believe in having creative control of your art and writing. 1 don't want to appear to be telling you how to create your art/episodes, but you must remember that you are depending on your artistic skills to create the foundation for merchandise that will promote this show and attract new viewers. If I had known that this show would take the direction it now has, I wouldn't have allowed myself to hope. I feel sorry for the people who wanted to get this show through syndication. Now that the people know how this "Fairy Tale" ends, I really doubt that they'll want it. How many people bother reading a murder mystery when they know who the murderer is? How many people do you think will watch a love story when they already know that it ends with one of the lovers being murdered and the other getting brutalized. The Hurt-Comfort formula works, but with Catherine gone, what's left? Hurt, followed by more hurt and still more hurt, is depressing and doesn't make me want to "tune in again next week." Real life is depressing enough. I watch TV to allow my mind to escape the bleakness of reality. Now, even my means of escape, the fantasy world that I fell in love with two years ago, is dismal and dark. Oh--what--fun--to-watch after a long day at work, and an hour of local and world news.
Why were you so afraid to let the relationship advance? If you really felt that you were running out of original story ideas (although I can't for the life of me believe that, considering all of the original ideas that I've encountered in fanzines) then I feel that you closed the most obvious door to your dilemma. There were so many things you could have done if you had allowed something to happen between Vincent and Catherine. Talk about cutting off your nose, to spite your face. Winslow may have been a "significant" death, and Charles Chandler's death did allow for an advancement in the understanding of their relationship, but Catherine was not a Star Trek "Red Shirt". Was re-casting her role such a sin? Was it worth loosing this show over? And I do believe that you are loosing this show because of your "new" format. Classic Beauty and the Beast minus the bloodshed left you with the romance. New Beauty and the Beast minus the bloodshed leaves you with what?...
Vincent said, "We must go with caution, and we must go with care." Weren't you listening? (or reading, as the case may be) Why did you rush head long into this? Why did you throw that caution to the wind? Granted, the loss of Linda Hamilton was a hard blow to recover from, and I wish her all the best as a mom, but the loss of Catherine Chandler was absurd. We take what we are dealt. Don't thrown in your cards, burn the deck and shoot the dealer! Play it out! Even in Five Card Stud you can choose up to three new cards to gel a better hand. I would love to get Linda back and I admit that I prefer to have Linda play Catherine's part. She made Catherine and Catherine made us believe that Vincent could be real. Without Catherine Chandler, Vincent is indeed just another fairy talc creature and a dark and vengeful one at that.
[a fan writes]:
I was compelled to write as soon as I recovered from the onslaught of the first several shows of "Beast without Beauty". The show we knew and loved is as dead as Catherine. I have tried to rationalize all the mixed emotions that seem to course through my veins whenever I watch the video tapes of these shows, but all I come up with is a strong feeling of loss and emptiness.There are so many feelings pent raging deep inside of me. B&B is really over. I hate these feelings. I knew Catherine was slated for death in the opening show Tuesday night, but somehow that "knowing" was not enough to prepare me for what I am now feeling. Is anyone else suffering so much things like grief, anger, frustration so much pain? The dream is over for Vincent and Catherine and for us as well. I want to know why the producers felt it necessary to end this special relationship in a bitter, traumatic and tragic way. Where is the truth? Did Linda Hamilton really want to quit totally or did her pleas for a little more time with her baby give the producers the open they needed to get rid of her. The producers could have found a replacement for Linda who looks 1ike her and they could have continued with the romance as it blossoms and grows toward a wedding or some such happy ending instead of this senseless, tasteless beginning to a violent cops and hero show.
This show has been such a big part of my life and such a positive influence. I could always watch it knowing that it would leave me feeling that nothing is impossible and that no matter what happened, there was hope and love out there somewhere. This show was meant for adults with a heart and a yearning for something beyond the mundane and routine and its messages go far beyond the television screen....
The producers of B&B have left me weeping and feeling tragic with no place to find the hope that was once there. The possibilities are no longer possible. What have they accomplished with this dark drama about a man-beast in terrible anguish after losing everything he loved and cherished in life....
I thought the entire premise for "Retooling" B&B was due to the validity of the low Nielsen Ratings that the show was getting all last season. These so called accurate reports of what people were watching and not watching nearly caused the complete cancellation of B&B from the 1989 schedule. Now for the irony...Did anyone see a copy of USA Today for December 14? Reviews were in for how Beauty and the Beast fared in the ratings Tuesday December 14. The headlines read," Fans Stay True to Their Beast". Then an article right next to it read, " Glitches in Nielsen's System" "A survey released Wednesday id's problems with viewer use of the people meter ratings system that may affect the ratings for TV shows."
Were those same "glitches" responsible for all the low ratings of our beloved B&B and its subsequent retooling and demise of its original format of beauty, love and hope? Were those "g1itches" in the boxes or in those holding the keys to the ratings system responsible for changing, altering and twisting a uniquely beautiful show to suit those holding the keys to those crooked locks. Does every show on TV have to be aimed at the air—brained unrefined twinkos of the B-movie mentality or for children who spend six hours a night staring at a box and matching wits with such stimulating minds as that of the 15 year old Doogie Doctor MD"???
[a fan writes]:
I had not planned to write an LOC of any kind until after the entire 12 hours of B&tB had aired but after the first four hours, I have already got so much to say that if I waited, the LOC would probably be printed in 12 parts... There were no tears until Catherine went into labor. At that point, all I could think about were all the fanzine stories of Catherine giving birth below with Father and Mary helping to deliver the baby and Vincent feeling the joy of birth with Catherine. Once I realized that the writers forced Catherine to deal with her pregnancy ALONE, to go through labor ALONE, and to deliver her child without her LOVED ones, I dissolved into tears. It appeared the three writers of the movie got together to come up with their worst nightmare for Vincent, Catherine, and us.
[a fan writes]:
Being of sound mind and body -- and wishing to remain that way — as of this writing (12-27-89, 11:40 a.m.), I have not watched a single episode from the 3rd season of B&B. However, that could change tonight with the airing of "Snow." Such a beautiful title. it evokes such beautiful images, especially this time of year. But I'm no fool. This show has been RETOOLED and what we'll probably see is My Lai in the tunnels, "Bloody and the Beast" style. I wonder. I wonder about all those people out there who espoused the special qualities of what was once a beautiful fairy tale that miraculously made it's way to that great void box called TV. I wonder about all the things we were told these past several months about our show by people we trusted.[much snipped]
P.P.S. Ok, I did watch "Snow" tonight. No one told me that part of the retooling included a lobotomy! This show doesn't deserve to be called "Beauty & the Beast." What was it Vincent said at the end of "The Hollow Men," ..."Nothing. Nothing but madness. Nothing but blood! When will it stop?" Apparently the only one with their integrity left intact is Linda Hamilton. Looks like she got out just in time. "HANG IN THERE LINDA!"
[a fan writes]:
There is so much wrong with third season that I won't even waste my time picking it apart detail by detail. It would take much more space than a letterzine can provide, and what's the point of beating a dead horse?However, there are a few things so glaringly bad that I feel compelled to address them. First of all, how about that "consummation,' folks? Wasn't that a real heart-stopper? Aren't you glad you waited two years for such a thrilling pay-off? How dumb can I be? Foolish me, I was actually expecting a kiss or two between two live, warm bodies. As usual, graphic violence is no problem, but even a hint of loving physical passion Is obviously taboo, even at the end.
So, before Catherine Is offed In a sadistic, meaningless manner, we get a consummation that we don't see, that Vincent doesn't remember, and the bond is severed because of it. Oh, and by the way, he even forgets her name. Thanks a lot, fellas, and a happy holiday to you, tool If this is truly Ron Koslow's idea of "rich rewards," may he be just as richly rewarded in all of his future endeavors.
[much snipped]
Was this because we committed the unpardonable sin of saying that we thought Vincent was one heckuva sexy guy? What fool would interpret that to mean that we didn't care about Catherine or the relationship? Xes, I'm a heterosexual female who likes Vincent's tight pants, and I'm not about to apologize for that. But If that's all I wanted, I'd buy a Hunk-of-the-Month calendar and rent a tape of American Gigolo.
For months now, I have felt used and manipulated by Koslow & Co., and yet I still chose to believe that they wouldn't sell out their own show and us with It. Since the end of May, It's been, "sit fans, fetch fans, roll over fans, beg fans," and now I suppose they'd like us to play dead, or at least quietly slink off, tall between our legs, whimpering softly and licking our wounds.
Well, I'm very sorry, but all they've succeeded In doing Is making me roaring mad. Integrity may be an antiquated concept in Hollywood, but out here in the Midwest, it still means something. For one last time, many of us decided to shed our usual cynicism and fight for this show, because we cared. The writers and creator made us care, and we were naive enough to believe that they cared too, I'm hurt about what's happened to this show, I'm hurt that my friends are sad and depressed over it, and I'm hurt that people I once admired could do this. I've also had a bellyful of listening to fans vehemently blame other fans for what is clearly not their fault. It's time to place the responsibility for this show's disintegration squarely where It belongs, with CBS, Witt-Thomas, and Koslow & Co.
This has certainly been a learning experience, albeit'a rather bitter one. The kindest thing that can happen now is for this "new" show to die a quick and merciful death. At least I have the satisfaction of knowing that greed really hasn't won. I find it very difficult to believe that future merchandising and syndication rights will meet with any further success.
I intend to think of third season as a bad fanzine story, and no one can take the beauty of the first two seasons away from me. I've made some wonderful friends whom I will always cherish, and "classic" Beauty and the Beast will live on in fan art, fanzines, and in our hearts.
[a fan writes]:
I am a devoted fan of the show Beauty and the Beast. Like so many others, I was devastated by Catherine's death. I had devoted myself to this show for 2 years and written scores of letters to bring it back. Well, it came back alright, and it was like a knife in the back! This was not the B&tB I wanted so desperately returned! I have felt all along that the very core of this show is the wonderful relationship between Catherine and Vincent. When they bonded on the 1st episode, I allowed myself to bond with them. I believed in their forever love. For many of us, the dream is Catherine and Vincent TOGETHER! I knew there were many different reasons why people liked this show, but I felt a great percentage liked it for the same reason I did - because of the love between a Beast and his Beauty. After the premier, I felt betrayed! I didn't want it to end, but the deed was done. What could I possibly do? Well, after much thought, I decided to write this Letter. I am contacting over 45 fan clubs throughout the world and asking those who feel as I do to join with me.
[a fan writes]:
Dear Editor: Concerning the new season of "Beauty and the Beast," I hate the retooled version! It is only a pale image of the former beautiful show that we all loved so much. I found the torture segment of Catherine to be a violent and distasteful turn-off. This show is turning into a detective series instead of the beautiful poetic show that it was. I heard that Ron Koslow was proud of this first season opener. One can only wonder why. The fans worked so hard to save this show, and now there is no Catherine, no romance, no touching tunnel scenes, no Winterfest, no Beauty and the Beast. Did we make a mistake to work hard to bring this show back?
[a fan writes]:
First of all, let me say this: no matter what happens to the show, I will stand by it til the very end. 'B&B' brought to me in 1989 a new found happiness, lifelong friends from all over the country, and an added sense of who I am and what I am. For these blessings, I shall be forever grateful. Before 'B&B', I'd never written letters to an editor of a newspaper, much less hundreds more executives to save a quality TV series from disappearing! More times than I care to admit, did I neglect my husband, home and children for the sake of typing 'Just one more letter today' to CBS. I had believed in the excellence of this show that deeply.
[a fan writes]:
In August, I and another 850 fans crowded excitedlyinto the first Beauty and the Beast convention in San Jose. We talked about how much we loved the show, about our hopes for its future, bought merchandise, had fun -- and 1istened to Howard Gordon sell us a bill of tainted goods. At the time, of course, we took it for gospel. After all, he was a writer, one of the good-guys, not a "suit" up in the cor porate tower. I have the tapes and notes from that convention, where Howard said; "the romance wil1 always come first"; "the relationship between Vincent and Catherine will continue to evolve"; "yes, Vincent will be entering the apartment" (he didn't mention the dead body); "we're thinking of having Catherine move somewhere else" (six feet down); etc., etc., ad nauseam.
Given this, is it any wonder that I -- and most other fans I've spoken with -- feel a great sense of anger and betrayal in regards to the writers and producers? For months they told us to trust them, that "we know what you want, understand what you're saying, we're all together in this". Naively, we did, and wrote letters, spread the word, put an incredible emotional commitment into the show -- into the relationship which was the heart and soul of the show--trusting them to stay true to the vision which they had worked so hard and so successfully to "sell" to us over the past seasons. I "bought" what they were selling, as I think most of us did, invested in a unique work of art which has now been capriciously, wantonly vandalized by the very people I trusted to guard it most zealously.
[a fan writes]:
I was one of the loyal fans who sent you a very expensive telegram to save this show. However, if I had known you would degrade it so badly with your retooling I'd have urged you instead to cancel it. Yes "It's not a fairy tale anymore", but that was the very thing that made this show special. Ho wonder you're a third place network, you somehow find ways to alienate loyal viewers in your quest for new viewers, and so you lose as many, if not more, than you gain. Sign me an angry viewer...
[a fan writes]:
Right now, I'm so upset with Witt-Thomas I cannot bring myself to support any of your shows. Just seeing the Witt-Thomas logo at the end of "Golden Girls" or "Empty Nest" makes me angry enough to want to throw a brick at the Sony! I've gotten weary of writing letters to ensure the return of this show, and now trying to get it corrected, or failinq that cancelled.
[a fan writes]:
People ask me why this show has affected me so strongly. There are many reasons. This show has given me wonderful new friends, which I hope to have for life, a renewing of my own dreams, ideals and expectations after seeing how the community Below lived and believed. It gave me fantasy again after 1]+ years of seeing only reality (working for the police gives it to you folks, believe me) and re-awakened my love for classical music, poetry and Shakespeare. But most of all * really wanted to see the romance between these two characters "end happily ever after" because I haven't been lucky enough to find it yet in my own life and I wanted to see someone get it!
[a fan writes]:
It was ridiculous to think of any woman taking Catherine's place in Vincent's heart. Yet. I found myself defending the character of Diana Bennett."Maybe he will change her," was my first comment, "Maybe she is an empath too," was my second thought. "And maybe they will become partners and take on the bad guys together!"
Diana Bennett is a very interesting character. Food for much thought has been served in the few lines she has been given.
I would very much like to see Vincent's need for love answered. He had Catherine for such a short time that it isn't fair to believe that this is all the love he will ever know. Isn't it possible to love a woman without denying the loyalty one had for another who is now deceased? Doesn't love grow from love? Isn't it true that the more you love the more love you have to offer? Wouldn't Catherine want Vincent to find someone to love? But not Diana Bennett, you say?
I like Diana. I like the way her character is developing. I like the way she went into Catherine's apartment, turned on the music and turned out the lights. I like the way she adopted Catherine's rose. I like the way she adopted Catherine's rose. I liked the way she walked through the house, looking at and touching everything gently, as though it was all very cherished and important...Diana has a way to go. But, maybe Vincent will teach her a better way to deal with her great sensitivity without faking a brassy, conceited demeanor. She could come a long way with a little love from him.
[a fan writes]:
What has happened to CBS? why have you alienated millions of housewives, moms, children and consumers by depicting the torture of a pregnant woman on 'Beauty & the Beast'?What, were you all thinking when you decided to viciously and heartlessly murder the strongest, bravest heroine on all of network TV? Do you have any idea of how this senseless act has affected children who love this show, and who love the character of Vincent?
'Beauty and the Beast' IS a Fantasy. It once was a lovely, wonderful bit of magic. My children adore this show, and now, I won't allow them to watch it, since it's been 're-tooled'. (I HATE this word.) How dare you turn this quality drama into "The Terminator". I'm appalled at the manner in which you've butchered it.
The loss of Linda Hamilton is a great blow to all of us, but more important, the loss of a special relationship between she and Perlman deeply saddens me.
I think CBS should admit that they made a colossal error in judgment by savagely changing this show, and return to us the lovely character of Catherine, not to mention the high standard of quality I know CBS is capable of presenting to young people and we moms.
[a fan writes]:
I am being honest when I say that I would rather the series had been cancelled in May than have to endure this travesty of a show that I loved so dearly.
[a fan writes]:
I must say I am disappointed with the turn of events, but not surprised. Nothing with quality survives on network. I would have supported this show, had the retooling not been done, until my dying day. And if for any unforeseen reason it was to return to its original form, I would continue to support it.I think it is great if you like this new show, much happiness to you. But to me, it is only a shell of what B&B was, and I don't feel justified in supporting some thing that has lost its magic, and turned into a violent, shallow mess.
I owe the studio nothing. These are not friends I need to keep employed, nor are they buddies. I am a CONSUMER of their product. While the product worked for me I bought it. When the produce is changed and no longer works for me, I don't buy it any more. It's as simple as that. I don't do it with soap, I don't do it with cereal, and I don't do it with television.
I feel bad that fandom has come to bad-mouthing, back-stabbing and spreading out and out lies about people simply because they do not agree on a subject. It is a shame is has come to this. I had hoped some of the values from the first two seasons had been taken to heart.
Thank you for 44 beautiful, exceptional episodes of B&B that we have for ever preserved on video tape. I am hard pressed to say thanks for anything beyond that.