Death Note

[SpikesMrsSpooky]

Speaking of  Stephen King villains, I think probably his most engaging was Randal Flagg in The Stand, especially in the miniseries.  Jamie Sheridan had a ball with that role and I found I kind of liked him.  Scary.

[Meilag32]

Actually, that's who Walter O' Dim is.  Randall Flagg was never his real name.  And how do I know his real name?  Let's just say he survived that explosion to cause trouble in several other King books, most notably the Dark Tower series (where his true nature is revealed). 

[SpikesMrsSpooky]

Oh cool!

Yeah, Flagg or O'Dim, that's kind of how I picture the devil when he appears to people to try to take their souls - handsome, fun, promising the world, but in the end leaving people with nothing but eternal anguish.

But for those who don't believe in life after death, the eternal anguish part wouldn't resonate - he would just promise everything one wanted but only leaving them empty in the end.

[Meilag32]

Makes sense.  In the book, Flagg was meant to be a stand-in for the Devil and Mother Abigail for God. 

Though I wouldn't say the actor who portrayed him was "handsome".  And then there was the whole denim thing...

Promising and then delivering nothing.  God and Satan are two sides of the same coin as far as that is concerned. 

[SpikesMrsSpooky]

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Meilag32 wrote:

Makes sense.  In the book, Flagg was meant to be a stand-in for the Devil and Mother Abigail for God. 

Though I wouldn't say the actor who portrayed him was "handsome".  And then there was the whole denim thing...

Promising and then delivering nothing.  God and Satan are two sides of the same coin as far as that is concerned. 

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Yeah, that's exactly what they are - Flagg the glitz and 'glamour' of Las Vegas.  Mother Abigail being more down-home, with friendship, relationships and loving support.

I used to love Jamie Sheridan in this show he was in called Shannon's Deal.  I find him QUITE attractive, and the personality he portrayed in The Stand was quite appealing (to me at any rate).

As for God promising and not delivering... I can't imagine you having much experience with God, especially asking Him for help.  I could be wrong, but just from how you post here, that doesn't sound like something you'd do.

[Meilag32]

To be fair, glamour (and this is really strange, I was thinking of using the same word in this conversation.  You just beat me to the punch.) can mean many things to many people.  Glamour you would respond to would be different from glamour I would respond to.  Neither Flagg's glamour nor Abigail's would have drawn me. 

Putting Denim Dan aside, you're attracted to Satan's tricks?  Damn...sucks for you.

I may have asked, at my most weakest.  I had nobody else to turn to.  A lot of good that did.  And I've seen others do the same thing.  He's never answered.  He never does.  And if he did, you'll owe far more to him than he paid to you.  He doesn't play fair.  He's so cruel. 

[GroovyAtlas]

No. I was testing you. But if you give me enough Mr. Goodbars I'll give you the Shinigami eyes.

I actually just borrowed "The Stand" and "It" . I'll soon begin the daunting task of reading them.

[Meilag32]

Testing?  If you wanted a lifetime's supply of Mr. Goodbars, you should have said something.  You could have had anything.  Money, women,...men?  But wouldn't do a deal for the Eyes.  What the Hell's the point of that?

Start with It.  It's by far the better book.  The Stand is good.  But I think it's missing something.  It has a main villain, but you don't see the effects as much as in other King books.  In It, you really want to side with the main characters.  The villain is prevalent, and his effects are felt throughout the book.  You want to see the enemy get what it deserves. 

If I could add some recommendations; the entire The Dark Tower series.  It's composed of 7 books (and soon to include an 8th, which takes place in the middle).  But truthfully, it encompasses around half of King's works (they all take place within the same Multiverse).  King considers it his magnum opus, but you would have to classify it in the fantasy genre rather than the horror genre.  That's not to say it doesn't have his style. 

As for more simpler recommendations: for rookies into the horror genre, I'd say his earlier works (Carrie, Christine, The Shining, Firestarter, etc.).  But I always enjoyed one of his works from the mid 90s: Desperation.  There was something about it.  It just gave off the right atmosphere to make you...worried, scared, I dunno.  You may laugh, but a great book will do that to you. 

[GroovyAtlas]

I've wanted the eyes since I read about Beyond Birthday. lol

I heard that Dark Tower was good. I'll get to it eventually.

The only one of his books I've read, so far, is "The Dead Zone" and I really liked it.

btw I know what you're talking about. When you feel emotionally affected by a book you know it's good.

[Meilag32]

But you lose half your lifespan if you make the deal.  It's not worth it. 

If it was as easy as handing over a few candy canes, I'd think about it.  But definitely not for half my life. 

[SpikesMrsSpooky]

We're probably not going to get any more of the story, it's already the second week of January.

I wanna know what happens! LOL

[Meilag32]

Oh, I think we'll see the rest.  Just very late. 

To be fair, I predicted that Baddy was never going to get it done on time.  But she'll finish it.  Eventually. 

[SpikesMrsSpooky]

You did, I remember. xD

I guessed it would be late, just didn't think it would be this late.  That's ok though, it's fine whenever she can get it done.  I just felt like whining so I posted. 

[Meilag32]

I know her more than she'd like.  That's partly why I didn't want her to try and start creating a banner for this month. 

I imagine she's had a busy time, what with the holidays and all.  But she won't abandon it. 

Feel free to whine.  I'm sure more than one person thinks that's all I do here.