Aeon Flux DVD release on Tuesday!

http://dvd.ign.com/articles/671/671083p1.html
http://dvd.ign.com/articles/671/671083p2.html

I guess the writer wasn't paying much attention to my answers though...

http://dvd.ign.com/articles/670/670893p1.html
http://dvd.ign.com/articles/670/670893p2.html

I won't try to convince anyone that the restored version of End Sinister is a better episode than the broadcast version. Honestly, it's not one of the stronger scripts in either form. Though I will insist that Trevor's character is not consistent with the series as a whole in the old version.

Apparently, some viewers prefer conflict to be based on clear-cut, black-white morality, same as what the network forced on the show when it was being broadcast.

MTV preferred to make the moral stances of Aeon and Trevor reflect good vs. evil. They even used to run a ridiculous disclaimer before each episode saying "Aeon Flux is an animated fantasy about good and evil. It contains graphic depictions of extreme behavior. Viewer discretion is advised." That was done in spite of my repeatedly explaining to them that Aeon is not the hero and Trevor is not the villain.

Anyone who prefers the old versions of the other 3 restored episodes however (Utopia, Demiurge, Reraizure), can only be reacting out of an attachment to familiarity. They are unquestionably superior in their new versions.

~Patty V.

I find myself missing 'ol Charles Martin's comments, as well as the other real regulars from the Lusenet forum. If anyone knows his or others whereabouts, please do invite them here. This is a time to celebrate.

And these posts on this column are awesome, Peter. Thanks!

It's funny how we as fans come to feel that we own the object of our fandom. For you, I imagine that's got to be both flattering and frustrating. There's nothing more inspiring or more hurtful than a devout fan. Love makes us say crazy things, I guess.

Personally, I'm glad you had the opportunity to release the episodes in their intended forms. Purists will always have the previous releases to fall back on, so I don't understand the vitriol over the "new" differences. I think it's great to have both versions out there--it makes the Aeon universe that much more interesting to ponder.

Thanks for your perspective on the executive meddling involved in the broadcast releases. Any fan considering getting into the creative side of TV or film needs to be aware of all of the filters that one's work goes through along the way. As fans, we have the luxury of getting cranky over what we watch. Meanwhile, on the other side of the fence, you're fighting to retain the creative integrity of your work before it hits the screen. I'd say we've got the easy job in the deal. Too often we forget that.

It's clear you care about this work. Peter. Thanks for taking the time to chat about it.

-Randy Johnson

I'm glad to hear that the episodes are now available in their original forms. I haven't seen the "director's cuts" yet, and it's been awhile since I've seen the broadcast episodes, so hopefully I won't find the changes disappointing. But it probably would have been nice if both versions had been released on the DVD set.

I think it's understandable that the network might have wanted to mold the show in a way that made Aeon more moral and more obviously so, rather than more or less morally equal with Trevor, if only because the show's title is Aeon Flux (rather than, say, Aeon/Trevor). Anyway, I read in an article that a second season was planned but never came to fruition. I was wondering if there's ever been discussion of reviving the show or at least the premise and characters under a different title (which perhaps illustrates the morally ambivalent duality of the two main characters, or the name Berognica--just my thoughts), possibly for broadcast on Cartoon Network's "Adult Swim", for instance?

MTV: "When we hired you, Peter, we were getting the best man in the business. You're the only one that can accomplish this task."

Peter: "We'll need another - his methods are... unconventional."

MTV: "We trust you can control him?"

Peter: (silence)

INT. SMOKEY BAR, BACK ROOM.

Peter: "I need you. This mission can't go through without your help."

Mark: "NO PROBLEM MAN, I'LL BE THERE."

Peter: "I'm counting on you."

Mark: "I SAID NO PROBLEM, NOW GET OUT OF HERE SO I CAN PLAN... PROJECT DEATHTOY!"

~FIN~

What was awesome was that on the commentaries, he was just like the guy we know and love from the forums.

Other favorite commentary moments (potentially paraphrased from my memory):
Mark Mars: "She's gonna die!"

Peter Gaffney: "I'd just like to make one thing clear: everything else in this series is a drug reference except this episode."

Drew Neumann: "So can you explain the blue guy, Peter?"
Peter Chung: "Uhh... [blue guy licks Aeon's feet] ...I'd rather not."

But I can't think of anyone else who could have written a seduction scene like:
Sybil: We knooow what we're talking about, what we're thinking and what we are doing!
Trevor: Well, "moderation in all things", you know.
Sybil: Moderation is not abstinence. Moderation necessarily connotes USE.
Trevor: Use...?!
Sybil: So uuuse me, Trevor. You must.
Trevor: I've no choice.
Sybil: Lest you abandon your argument.
Trevor: Abandon - all argument?

And here's some of Eric Singer's work on the Purge which I felt sorry to have to cut for length:

Hostess Contessa: (pointing to the guns) "Nothing like a little judicious levity" - I always say....
Trevor: Welcome. Welcome all over again.
Aeon: What is this? What's going on?
Trevor: Ask yourself the questions: can you give yourself your own evil and your own good? Can you hang your own will over yourself as law. Can you be your own judge and avenger of your law?
Hostess Contessa: You think you think; therefore you think you are... But do you really know? Are you really sure?
Aeon: Don't make the mistake of fencing with me... I know who I am and what I'm still capable of.
Trevor: Yes, you have a very black mind indeed... You and your Comrades nearly ruined everything. But now that I have you in my custody, I may do with you what I please.
Aeon: I thought you already had...
Trevor: I had, I have, I will, I did. Don't I? Isn't that right, Comrade Judy?

In any case, the word is getting out. (I know, shameless of me- but there is the upside):

http://www.hometheaterfocus.com/blog/archive/2005/11/23/2570.aspx

http://jam.canoe.ca/Movies/Reviews/A/Aeon_Flux/2005/12/03/1335658.html

http://www.ugo.com/channels/DVD/article.asp?articleID=16744

http://www.whatdvd.net/review.asp?Review=725

http://www.avforums.com/forums/showthread.php?s=931897125818920cce8fd247ec97fd22&t=270910

http://www.dvdverdict.com/reviews/aeonfluxseries.php

http://www.nowplayingmag.com/content/view/2704/47/

http://www.dvd-dweeb.com/tv/aeonfluxanimated.htm

http://www.cinegeek.com/DVD_reviews/dvd_reviews_2005/aeon_flux_animated.htm

http://www.currentfilm.com/dvdreviews7/aeonfluxseriesdvd.html

http://www.feeds4all.nl/Itemdetails.aspx?ItemID=8368916

http://www.pastemagazine.com/action/article?article_id=2465

(To think I used to really like the sound of her name...)

It opens in the UK Feb 17, 2006

Series DVD not yet available.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000A3DBBM/026-1323022-2114820

I'm also glad that I didn't offend anyone with my... errr "interpretation" of how Mark got on the show. It really would have been a lesser show without the odd personalities of everyone involved, and watching the commentaries certainly made that clear.

That extended scene would have been awesome - I think it's a shame so many good ideas got nixed by MTV. The unusual ways in which stories became images became the show really are part of what made the show great.

One more great commentary moment:
(On screen, "You are three increments from hooligan status!")
Someone (can't remember who): "Hooligan status!"
Everyone: *cracks up for the rest of the scene*

http://www.tvshowsondvd.com/news/Aeon-Flux-Blu-ray-Release/12856

November 23rd!

Holy shit! "Heat" and "Aeon" on blue-ray the same month? :D

uh oh. no longer available...

Damn. Any news about this? Region 2 Blu-Ray, please?