AtS: No Limits -- Feedback & Discussion Board

Sun, 20 Aug 2006 00:36:43 GMT

Great virtual series. I really dig it. :)

Best Whedonverse VS on the net. Bar none. And I liked it so much, I thought I'd link to it on 'Star Trek (Reborn)'.

http://www.startrekreborn.net

I think you might find one particular role interesting. ;)

It's never to late to squee!

Tue, 25 Jul 2006 17:03:20 GMT

There was a panel at writercon about Virtual Buffyverse seasons and I had the treat of hearing a bit of the "behind the scenes" from the No Limits gang! So, I thought I'd come "squee" about it here because, well, what's the name of this comm again?

Basically TBQ, JH and MP confirmed what I suspected: that planning and executing No Limits gave a unique insight into what Joss and the gang faced. The careful planning and consideration that went into No Limits (eg. which actors would or wouldn't have been willing to do semi-nudity and budget constraints relating to special effects) was clearly more than creating a work of fan fiction. It was a true simulation of the show. For myself, and I suspect for a great many others who followed No Limits faithfully, that is what made all the difference. You can read well writen fic many places on LJ, but you would be hard pressed to find anything that has a more true to the show feel than No Limits.

Since writercon was a writing convention, after all, I picked up some interesting tidbits about how No Limits was actually written. It seems very analogous to the process Joss and the gang must have engaged in. Briefly, the showrunner and her peeps planned the arc based on emotional points. Then, the episode writers got the characters to each of those emotional places. I thought that was interesting because I always wondered how both No Limits and the televised show managed to keep the characters connected to the reader/viewer emotionally, while having a plot driven story/show.

Again, it reconfirmed my absolute awe of No Limits. Thanks guys! Grrrr Argh!

Finale

Fri, 09 Dec 2005 13:22:16 GMT

So, hmm... if W&H owns the plain of A Posse Ad Esse, doesn't that mean W&H controls reality? Like, they could go to the plain and change anything they want whenever they want?

cough

Tue, 06 Dec 2005 03:26:54 GMT

There might be a small piece of utterly unofficial No-Limits-verse RPS (Real Person Slash, though in this case it's Alternate Universe Fake Real Person Slash) here. NL!Dave/NL!Alexis, set directly after 6.22, more or less PG-13. Spoilers ahoy, though don't take anything mentioned in this story as canon in terms of what's going on in the fictional-fictional No-Limits-verse.

Fri, 02 Dec 2005 18:34:42 GMT

Wow, I just read the ats_nolimits finale and I am operating on pure emotion which I will now try to put into words:

OMG!!!

No, that doesn't quite say it all. I think I was going more for... *cries* *squeels* *pants* *runs in circles* *flitters hands uselessly*

It was pretty deep, and I really had to engage my brain... which I liked! I also liked that I felt like we loyal viewers (seasons 1 through 6) got paid off some for being loyal viewers. Lot's o' continuity porn!! And speaking of porn *whimpers* so, so close! You tease us so, thebratqueen!! If I will it strong enough can that whole blood-draining scene be done in the nude?

This is definitely going to call for a reread. I printed it out hard copy... just as easy and more portable than Tivo!

Anyone who has read it and want to discuss? I'm on IM as batmanvampslayer if anyone's around.

ETA: Reading through it the second time, I am catching a lot of the humor that I missed when I was so focused on plot. This episode had a lot of little funnies in it! Swear, it's like when you watch the dvd's and catch little things you missed the first time! Great!

My first squee

Tue, 11 Oct 2005 09:41:18 GMT

I am so glad to have found this series. To all the writers, everyone involved, you're doing an incredible, an *incredible* job. I have thoroughly enjoyed the episodes so far, and am waiting impatiently for more. I can't believe how faithful you have been to the show, while pushing it just that little bit further. I've had the storyline bouncing around inside my cranium all week. It's just like when the show was on, and I was waiting for Tuesday night to swing around. I'd hug you if I could. :D

This is my first time visiting this livejournal (I read all available eps before posting feedback. Does that make me greedy or just an eager puppy?) and so I don't know much about what's going on except for the storyline itself. Please, please tell me that you're planning another series. That would be the cherry on my little iced bun!

Cheers.

Anyone up for a little speculation?

Thu, 06 Oct 2005 16:38:45 GMT

Just like with the "real" Ats, I am absolutely on the edge of my seat as the Ats:NL season finale is drawing close! I can't help but find myself wondering what we are in store for! I certainly trust that thebratqueen and flaming_muse way more than the JW and DG now, so I feel it's safe to expect something cool!

Spoilers for Ats:NL are too hard even for me to find! (Believe me, I tried, but alas Spoiler Slayer and TWoP are not covering Ats:NL for some reason that I can't understand :-P) However, I have read up through 6.19, so if you are not there yet, what I am about to discuss could be spoilery to you.

I think we got some BIG clues in 6.19, including the fact that Wes is contracted to annoy Angel whether souled or not, and Wes's words to Gunn about not wishing a contract like his on his best friend or his worst enemy. Angel's team also noted repeatedly that Wes is doing a craptastic job of pestering Angel. And I am pretty sure that Illyria's move from the "death" of the basement to the "life" of the roof is symbolic.

I can't even express how awesome I think it is that they made Wes the big bad this season! It ties in with the rest of the series so perfectly, and it gives Wes a lot of 'screen' time! However, I can't imagine that Wes has gone evil without a good reason, so I think we will see that his purpose is actually something greater. Maybe similar to what Angel was doing at the end of season 5. I just keep going back to Angel's very words about Wes from season 5 Lineage, "[Wes is] the guy who makes all the hard decisions, even if [he has] to make them alone." I think that Wes is doing this for Angel, ultimately. I know my vision may be clouded by my Wes/Angel slash-colored glassed, but even in canon there was a strong platonic love between them. I can see Wes going to the ends of hell and earth for the vampire that he believes in. Maybe he is either trying to release Angel from HIS contract, or to earn him the Shanshu. Or, dare I even suggest, to help him save his soul.

What does anyone else think?,

Remains

Thu, 01 Sep 2005 04:44:21 GMT

Okay. I'm giddy with excitement, so please excuse me while I babble and squee and make a complete idiot of myself. Every time a new episode of "No Limits" comes out, I am so goddamn fucking *grateful* for every person who works on this series. It fucking ROCKS. I know I've said this before, but I'm just blown away by how *good* it is. The dialogue is snappy, the plots move like a rocket, and the characterization is spot-on. It makes me miss the show just a little bit less, and that warms my heart.

Okay, calming down. Deep breaths. Now. This week's episode

was SO FUCKING GAY OMG I LOVE YOU! Demon drag queens! Making out in alleys! Groping in the back seat! Babylon's L.A. branch! I half-expected Brian Kinney to sidle out onto the dance floor, and then I would have been in fandom heaven.

I'm having a hard time finding a word that rhymes with 'metaphysical ennui'.

*falls over laughing*

in your day sayings were made of chocolate and had toy surprises on the inside, we know.

BWAH! And how adorable was Connor all through this whole episode? And his scene with memory-challenged Angel... *sniff* Love, love, loved it.

I love you?

Yes, Angel. Yes, you do.

In conclusion, SQEEEEEEE!

Deep breaths.

First time squeeing :)

Wed, 29 Jun 2005 15:51:05 GMT

I knew about "No Limits" for a long time and wanted to read it for months and months but never actually managed it. But yesterday I finally started to read and now I'm totally hooked. I've read the first 4 episodes and they were all fantastic. On the one hand I could kick myself that I haven't started reading months ago but on the other hand I still have 9 episodes to read and I have no doubt that they will as good as the first 4.

I LOVE that never-ending snark fest especially between Angel and Spike.
The humour is great, I laughed so hard at the job interviews, the characters are all spot on, did I mention the snark???
Oh, and you brought Wesley back *squeeee*
I'm so curious what's going on with Wesley, Johanna and the Senior Partners.

It's admirable how much work and love you've all put into this project and I think it shows in every little detail: the website, the trailers, the icons, wallpapers, graphics and banners and of course the episodes itself; it's amazing, really. Great work! And thanks so much for sharing it with us.

Sat, 18 Jun 2005 23:29:29 GMT

Any news on how much longer this Hiatus is going to be? Everytime I come online, (which is a hell of A LOT) I keep checking back at the main site for any new information, but nothing. :(

Speculation on spoilers!

Fri, 11 Mar 2005 03:32:16 GMT

I read Vonda's spoilers. (V Online is so cute!!) Behind the cut is a little scattered reaction, speculation, and general squeeing.

First of all, those were delightfully cryptic. I don't feel spoiled so much as intrigued...

Of course, as frustrated as I am that she didn't come right out and say "Yes, Spike and Angel are going to have sex!" I am titillated by the way she left the possibility open. Plus, I'm encouraged by the fact that all the shippy stuff was Spangely, as nearly since the beginning of the season I'd been convinced the writers were thinking Angel/Wes instead, and though I admit it's a pairing that makes a lot of sense (so much history, intensity, angst)....I wanna see Spike/Angel. *g*

Vonda wrote:
In upcoming episodes we shall see Spike getting up close and personal with someone, the reveal of the season's true Big Bad, team Angel losing at least one member, character death, and betrayal.

I was wondering about the Big Bad. I was thinking maybe it was Drusilla, in fact, but this spoiler makes that unlikely (as she's already been revealed).

I wonder if Gunn is the team member we'll lose? He's sort of being set up for it, with running the shelter and arguing with Angel about what they should really be doing. On the other hand, Illyria's only ever had a tenuous connection with the rest; maybe she'll just show up on Wesley's doorstep one day and refuse to leave. (Not like he could really make her. I mean, seriously.)

And, character death? Eeek. We already lost Anne. Wasn't that character death enough for the season? Eeek. ::worries:: It can't be Angel—hello, main character. Probably not Spike, what with all the hints about other stuff happening to him. Plus they are both, technically, already dead. In fact the only ones who are alive to be killed (that I can think of offhand) are Gunn, Gwen, and Connor. But they're all too cool to kill!

As for the up close and personal Spike bit...I simply wait with bated breath.

Before the next two episodes are done, someone is going to earn Angel's wrath.

Heh. Like that's never happened before. ::gets popcorn::

Episode 6.10 is more important than you think.

"Girls' Night Out"?? Man, that is the most teasing hint ever.

But, but, it was the cute episode! The minor-character development episode! The nothing-happens episode!

Something about Illyria's development turns out to be really important? Something about Gwen? Illyria's new boyfriend turns into the Big Bad? I have no idea!

...

This is fun.

Legacy feedback

Fri, 04 Mar 2005 20:26:14 GMT

Ain't family a bitch sometimes.

Dru was so utterly delicious as the lost dark princess looking to bring her lost prince and errant Daddy back into the fold. She was nailed perfectly. Although it might not be the wisest path for her to go after Connor - that's the one thing guaranteed to make Angel lose any sense of compassion or guilt over her. I wonder if this means some more secrets are about to get outed.

And Spike pulled an Angel from S2. Couldn't join her, couldn't kill her.

I wanted to mention this not only to the writer/s of this ep, but all the eps leading up to this also... the payoff of Spike and Angel realizing that they kindof need each other, regardless of their differences, was an awesome payoff because when considering everything they've been through since Spike came to LA, this was a hard-earned understanding for each to come to, and it felt great! About time, soul boys, lol.

And the vampire family dynamic wasn't the only "family" dynamic coming under examination. Gunn disagrees with Wesley's strategy and methodology. Not feeling quite on the same page as Angel either. Pulling back and starting to distance himself just a bit from the group. I wonder if this is just a temporary distancing that Gunn is doing, glomming onto the shelter and its kids out of a misplaced sense of guilt for not saving Anne, or if he really means it for the long term. (Which is a handy way of being able to farm his character on the sidelines/smaller role for the most part except for any eps that are Gunn-centric, if the cast size is an issue for the writers giving everyone a part in every ep.)

And the continuing criticism of, well, everyone around Angel about his goals, etc. makes me wonder if there's an arc forming along that agenda. Or maybe I'm just reading too much into it and it's not just Angel's perspective that needs an attitude adjustment.

Great job - loved the humor and the horror. Nicely balanced and GAHHH!! Cliffhanger again. No!

No Limits Icons

Sun, 27 Feb 2005 17:00:07 GMT

I made some No Limits icons and thought I'd post them here and see what y'all think.

1. 2. 3. 4.

The Illyria pics used for these came from promo shots. The pic in "Lose Track" (#1) is a screencap of "Just Rewards"; pics used in #4 come from "Origin". I love the idea of #4, but I'm not very happy with how it turned out. If anyone has some suggestions for changing the look, or some better pics (particularly of Wes) to use, I'd like to hear from you :)

If, by chance, you'd like to use these just comment/credit in keyword. These icons are, of course, free for the No Limits production crew to use as they please :)

Waking the Dead -- Truely a great February Sweeps Episode

Sat, 19 Feb 2005 14:17:56 GMT

Well the writing team at Angel No Limits has done it again with another truely terrific episode. This episode had the flow and speed of some of the best WB episodes of either Angel or Buffy. We got to see old friends again, loved the opening flashback with Darla, Dru, Angelus and Spike. And it is always good to see that Anne is still doing her part at the shelter and is holding together.

I loved the research mode that kicked in in Wesley's apartment with Angel, and that he noticed that Angel isn't taking the best of care of himself these days. He is truely lost without Cordy there to patch him up after a run in with demonny lobsters.

I was also very interested in hearing Wesley tell Connor the story of Angel's life...it is a unique perspective, that I can't wait to hear more of in later episodes.

I enjoyed every part of this episode, and absolutely love that it is the beginning of a new arc with the Dru story. Just one episode on family ties is not enough. I can not wait for the next installment!

'Girls Night Out' Rocked!

Sun, 06 Feb 2005 15:00:33 GMT

Jumping up and down for joy at the latest episode of Angel No Limits. I loved girls night out. It reminded me of the good old days of ATS when the writing was witty, and the story was well written. The gang is back, and kudos to the writing team at ANL.

I laughed, and cried, and well, just was delighted at the whole thing.

Keep up the good work...I can't wait for the next episode!

Great Stuff

Thu, 20 Jan 2005 22:48:34 GMT

I just finished reading the latest episode and wanted to say how much I'm enjoying the series. Every episode has done such a good job of capturing the tone and feel of the show - great work!

Thu, 30 Dec 2004 20:37:14 GMT

I just wanted to say how much I am enjoying the Ats: No Limits series, and how much I appreciate you all creating it. It really is just like Ats has lived on! I am consistently impressed with the quality of the writing and the characterization. In my opinion, each of the 8 stories so far have been of *at least* the quality that we had from the writers who were on the ME payroll.

I also like this community. One of the things that I used to look forward to each week after Angel aired was reading other fans' reactions, so it is nice that we still have a place to do that.

6.8 The Same Old Story ...

Mon, 20 Dec 2004 05:23:03 GMT

omg! this has been my favorite episode to date! i look forward to them every week and i feel absolutely that this is how the show might have developed. the writers have kept so true to charachters actions, speech, mannerisms, etc.

thank you to all the talented people involved in this! and please, keep it comin'!

Episode 6.8 - The Same Old Story

Thu, 16 Dec 2004 03:52:55 GMT

I think this is my favorite episode so far. They've all been terrific, but this one really struck a chord with me.

I'm a huge fan of old movies, especially Bogart. Casablanca is one of my favorite films of all time. Part of the reason is that it explores so many of the same themes that Angel does -- themes like, what does it mean to be a hero? How much do heros have to give up in order to do good in the world? Are their lives ever really their own?

Now, I'm not a Wes/Angel shipper. But the scene where they played Bogart and Bergman... it stuck in my gut. Once again, Angel has to give up the people he loves for the good of his mission. And once again, Wesley is the one who recognizes the necessity of doing so. He's always the one to make the hard choices. It was so true to character and so well written, it made my heart ache.

Other things:

I also loved the scenes with Gunn and Gwen together. They make a really hot couple, and their dialogue sparkles.

I adored the way the color on the web page changed from color to black and white, at the same time the story did. That was a stroke of brilliance.

My fangirly heart skipped a beat when Angel dipped his fingers in Spike's blood... GAH! (How sick is it that I'm turned on by bloodplay?)

One minor quibble: at some point, Connor says he found stuff "lying about" the theatre. An American teenager would say "lying around." Bad grammar, but there it is.

Finally, I love to laugh. I've laughed out loud at a ton of stuff that I've read on LiveJournal. But NOTHING has ever made me roar as much as this:

Wesley did so, and with Gwen's coaching he continued, the words flowing more easily as he got into character. "In that envelope is a parcel room check for the parcel we got yesterday. Yes. Now get that bundle and bring it here PDQ. That's a good girl. Now hustle. Bye."

Gunn raised his hand. "Anybody else here feel like they just got a sneak peek of every one of Wes' dates with Lilah?"

BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH (breathes) HAHAHAHAHAHA!

Episode 6.06

Thu, 18 Nov 2004 03:40:44 GMT

From his seat behind the counter, Gunn finished jotting a note on one of the client folders, then closed it and put it off to the side. "Contacts giving you a hard time?"

"You might say that." Wesley squinted at the tight scrawl on one of the cards. "For instance, this one is dead. And, unlike me, in the more traditional, completely permanent way." He tucked the card back into the file and continued to thumb through the cards.

"Then how come you put it back?"

"Cordelia wrote it."

AHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!! AHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That is amazing, I can't even get over it.

Deceivers

Fri, 05 Nov 2004 15:14:20 GMT

Cross posted with my journal

I’m just catching up on ats_nolimits

Thoughts on 6.4 Deceivers

That was fabulous!!! Squee!! I loved it. This is an episode I will read again (and again.)

thebratqueen really nailed this one. First of all it was fast paced and very easy to read. The first two episodes were great, but this one just flew off the page at me.

Wes/Angel
Wes and Angel interaction was to die for, not just the perfect UST, but the characterization was spot on. The dialog played in my ears like I’d already seen the episode and I was just re-reading the script. But it wasn’t just the dialog… the body language, the actions – everything that went unspoken just screamed of Canon!subtext perfectly:
- Angel taking Wes and not Spike in the Viper? I loved this because is said so much with out actually say it. Great writing.
- Angel tearing open not!Wes’s shirt to see that there was no scar? HOT.
- Angel babbling about Nina? Reminded me of Willow blurting out ‘I’m seeing someone’ to Fred.
- Angel confiding to Wes about Shanshu? Reminded me of Buffy confiding in Spike about Heaaaaven.
It was all perfect slashiness without the bumping and grinding. I soooo loved this ep.

The Plot
Great introduction. Very mysterious. It made me want to keep reading (and not just skim for the Wes/Angel hotness.) The concept was solid and very true to Whedon style. Congrats to stakebait and thebratqueen for the idea. It played out very well. Also – plot twists are fun! Especially when they twist right around so you think you’ve figured it out and then your wrong. Again, very true to Whedon plots. Congratulations ladies.

Wes is back
Well… we knew he was coming back. The question was just ‘how.’ This universe has had so many back from the dead scenarios, it was going to be a challenge to be both creative and yet not seem lame. What I love about this story is its simplicity.

There was no fantastical ‘higher meaning’ needed for Wes to come back. Canon had already established that he was under contract. Permanent contract. It’s so simple. I’m a little embarrassed that I never thought of it… so I’ll just assume the ats_nolimits powers that be are geniuses.

It also leaves the door nicely open for ‘sinister meaning’ which is much less cheesy (for cheesy see Cordelia becoming a higher power) than ‘higher meaning.’ Right now we don’t really know what Wes is doing there, what he knows, what the Senior Partners know, what they have planned.

Is Wes evil?
Is he just being manipulated?
Is he over-confident in how he can play both sides?
Is he playing right into the SP’s hands by playing both sides?
Will he hurt or help Angel by playing both sides?

New character!
Johanna seems interesting. Was there a specific casting in mind? Has it been shared?
Is it bad that I think Wes slamming a girl against a wall, hands around her neck, threatening her life is hot?

Looking forward to reading ros_fod’s 6.5!

squeeage

Thu, 04 Nov 2004 02:53:44 GMT

If ever we need squeeage and slashy goodness, it's now.

AtS 6.5, Synthesis, to the rescue!

*does somewhat subdued happy dance*

More detailed thoughts in my review, but I'd just like to add...

CONNOR CONNOR CONNOR !!!!eleventy-one1!!1@!!

And... will I go to the special hell if I want not only Angel/Connor but Spike/Connor and maybe Angel/Spike/Connor fic after reading this ep? Mmm, family.

PSA - Angel credits

Sat, 30 Oct 2004 01:43:00 GMT

Several people have posted here, saying that they are having a problem viewing the credits. I hope this will help.

The Windows Media file (Angel: No Limits.WMV) was encoded with Windows Media Encoder 9. I used a Windows Media 9 codec. If you have Win2k or WinXP, check your media player, to see if it has had the latest update.

The DIVX file (Angel: No Limits.AVI) was encoded using the DIVX 5.1.1 codec. If your Windows Media Player defaults to also play AVI's, it should play there. However, the DIVX player (with codec) will play it.

If your players are updated and/or you've tried both of these suggestions and it still doesn't work, email me, and I'll see if we can brainstorm another solution.

Sat, 30 Oct 2004 00:55:11 GMT

Wow, you guys are really doing an amazing job with this. Everything about the eps so far feels right and true to all the characters. Thank you so much for keeping the show alive and kicking.

A question, I tried downloading the "new credits" from the website but am having trouble playing it in media player. Apparently I don't have the right codec. I keep my codecs fairly current so I'm wondering if this was made with a less-popular one. Any help is of course greatly appreciated.

Thu, 21 Oct 2004 04:51:14 GMT

Another terrific episode!

Question/Nibble: I thought Spike stopped smoking when he returned to Sunnydale ensouled. I don't remember seeing him smoke during S7, BtVS, and don't remember seeing him smoke during S5, Ats. Did I miss the smoking? erm. I mean the cigarette smoking.....