Neptune Noir

First of all: I don't understand why this book is “Unauthorized” but edited and annotated by Rob Thomas? Why didn't he just authorize it while he was at it? BUT ANYWAY.

This was alright. My favorite part were the notes from Rob Thomas. The first essay (after Thomas's introductory essay) read like a dumb blog entry and I was terrified that the whole book would be like that. But it didn't. I wish I had read this right after re-watching the series, I think I would have gotten more out of it. Anyway, this was fine, but nothing earth-shattering.

I'm usually quite fond of books like this one - ones that take an element of pop culture and put an intellectual spin on them. Usually, part of why I like these sorts of books is that they present intellectual stuff in a relaxed, easily-approachable way. Neptune Noir, unfortunately, doesn't do that.

Instead, it has a collection of articles analyzing elements of the show itself, but for the most part bereft of any larger context. While they do offer some insight into the show, and make you rethink a few things, it doesn't attempt to accomplish anything larger than that, which I think is a bit of a missed opportunity.