Joss Whedon: A to Z of Awesome

P-Q-R

P is for... Parenthood

In 1990, before the Buffy movie and way before the TV series, Joss Whedon was one of the main writers on one of his earliest TV jobs, writing for the original TV adaption of the film (a newer adaption, also called Parenthood is now a hit US TV series). Whedon wrote three episodes of the short-lived show, including co-writing the shows finale. If you can't remember this show, don't worry, most people can't, but when it aired it was considered to be very good. The series stared some big names in early film roles including David Arquette, Thora Birch (Ghost World, American Beauty) and even Leonardo DiCaprio himself.

Q if for... Quinn, Glenn Quinn

Thankfully I managed to find an appropriate Q linked to Whedon. This is the section of the alphabet that starts to get pretty darn tricky but this late actor, who portrayed Doyle in Season 1 of Angel rightfully deserves a place on this list, if only to remember the great actors that have sadly passed away (in real life) since staring on the TV show Angel. Although Doyle was killed off in the middle of the series, and didn't leave due to death... a few years later, in 2002, Glenn Quinn died of a drug overdose at the age of 32. Andy Hallett, the wonderful actor who played Lorne on the show also sadly died in 2009 aged only 33 of heart failure. Two great actors, gone far too soon from the world. Tragic, but both have left great legacies.

R is for... Resurrection

Whedon is well known and has a history of resurrecting his TV characters. Buffy Summers was brought back from the dead twice, and Angel was also brought back from the dead in Season 3 of Buffy in order to star in his very own spin-off show. Even in Dollhouse, Paul Ballard, Echo's love interest dies and is kind of brought back to life in Echo's memories (where he is literally able to live on). So Clark Gregg, Agent Coulson maybe can live once again (though I highly doubt it, considering A LOT of Whedon characters stay dead). Also, Whedon had once planned on bringing Tara back from the dead in an episode of Buffy which allowed Buffy to make one wish of her choosing (however this idea was scrapped). In the comics, both Warren and The Master return from the dead, but are also killed off again at the end of Season 8. In Season 9, after Giles dies, Angel and Faith spend most of their time trying to resurrect Giles from the dead. Resurrection plays a huge role in Whedon projects, however, it is also the name of a project which he is least respected for: Alien Resurrection, for which he wrote the screenplay. Universally considered the worst film of the Alien franchise, not all the blame (in fact very little) can fall on the screenwriter... and in Whedon's defense the director didn't stay all that faithful to the script, and had the film have been directed by Whedon, Whedon would have probably made it a lot better. I guess we will never know though.
Contributor

I am a recent Screenwriting for Film and Television graduate from the UK. I am an unashamed geek who loves everything Marvel, and anything Joss Whedon has ever touched (except for maybe Alien Resurrection and Titan A.E). My current favorite TV shows are Breaking Bad, Family Guy, House of Cards, Game of Thrones, American Horror Story, Homeland and Glee. I look forward to debating things with all of you in the future. (As of January 2013 I have had over 1 million views since joining WhatCulture in September 2012. You can reach me at danieljamesbowen@hotmail.co.uk)