Dominion: A series concept

[Allan]

Okay, this is the concept. Three years after the “apocalypse” seen in Angel, and five years after the destruction of Sunnydale in Buffy, the world is still a scary place. Vampires, demons, and other magical nasties are still running rampant.

Granted, there are thousands of Slayers, but the problem has escalated so it’s more than a quick and easy “clean-up”. And that’s just in our dimension.

Which brings me to the Dominion Bar, the place which gives the series its name. In a similar train of thought to Willy and Lorne’s bars, this place is a safe haven to “Demons and the magically inclined”. The bar sits within a “pocket dimension”, and is accessible to any magical being near an entry point. From the inside, the characters can leave to wherever they choose (or more accurately) whatever entry point they choose, as the plot conveniently dictates!

Okay, as for the cast of characters:

- Clem, who we all know and (hopefully) love. Owner and operator of the bar. A simple man, living a simple life.
- A yet-unnamed Vengeance Demon, married to Clem (hey, times change!). She’s “reformed”, and living in fear of D’Hoffryn.
- An unnamed “Slayer”. She has the abilities, but her “memories” and dreams are only from the first Slayer… And she’s been having them all her life. She’s convinced she’s a reincarnation.
- A big, bulky, scary demon bouncer. But he’s a sweet guy, and acts as a mentor for our group of motley heroes.
- And, finally, Ilyria. Maybe. I’m trying to figure out how to make her work within the show.

As for the big bad, they will be introduced later in the season, and I really need to think of a cool concept. That said, they will have rogue Slayers running around for them – what’s the go with them? That’s part of the mystery.

I want to keep the “guest appearances” from Jossverse characters to a minimum; however I see the following showing up at some point:

- Spike. Much as he hates to admit it, he’s friends with Clem. And if he can score free drinks from the bar, he’ll be there
- Kennedy. I know you all hate her, but I see it as a challenge to make her work. And besides, I have a (hopefully) logical explanation for her showing up.
- D’Hoffryn. The dude simply rocks.
- And one more, for a cameo in the pilot.

The tentative title in my head for the pilot is “Words”, something that I expect to have an impact in the season finale.

Any thoughts, suggestions, and/or ideas, guys? I’m thinking of starting to write the pilot tonight.

Also, if anyone would like to help me out with writing the odd episode, that would also be appreciated (hint! hint! )

[buffymanic]

First off the initial idea of the bar being in a pocket dimension really caught my attention and I think it will work really well. Clem is an unusual choice of character head up a spin-off but it could work and I take it the bouncer, slayer and Illyria will be the ones taking on all the battles.

I'm interested in how Clem and the others get involved in the fight against evil. Are they dragged into it by circumstances or are they helping out people that pass through the bar?

I'd like to help you out but I honestly don't think I'd have time to do any writing but I could be a beta for you if you'd like

[Allan]

Sounds great thanks, Tash. No pressure, though, with time constraints, etc, which is understandable.

And thanks for the quick input, too!

As for it being Clem, the fact that he's appeared in only five or six episodes, and in small parts is what made me think of it. I like the "little" characters, with their quirks, too. It also helps (for me, at least) not to rely on the bigger characters.

Also, Clem was always a bit of a dork, and I figured it'd be cool to see him married

Initially, the characters are dragged in to the fight against evil purely because circumstances revolve around it (in this case, the introduction of the "slayer"). These circumstances build towards the finale, and are an ongoing plot thread, but they'll also be a point of contact for demons in trouble.

Clem definitely won't be spending much time fighting, and neither will his wife (because she's a little paranoid about D'Hoffryn being able to get at her when she's outside the bar). The "slayer" will be in doing a lot of fighting, as will Illyria (who I'm thinking I can make work), and the bouncer, who I see as a team leader on the field.

[buffymanic]

cool this is sounding very interesting.

I like the idea of the demon taking point as the leader I think it adds a new grey area in amongst the not all demons are evil principle. I think your spot in making Clem married he always seemed like a sweet loving guy and I when I read your description of him and his wife I could clearly see what it'd be like in my mind, so thats always a good sign.

I'm glad you think you can make Illyria work because she's so uniqe that she'd definately be an asset, plus when spike shows up those two will have great chemistry. As for Kennedy it will be interesting to see how you bring her in because on the show she didn't have a lot of connection to Clem but I suppose if you have her travelling through the dimensions and ending up in the bar it could work well.

As for being a beta it wouldn't be a problem at all, there's always time for a little reading on the train

[Allan]

Thanks for the offer, Tash. Much appreciated!

A large part of the series will be that not all demons are evil. It relates to the big bad, and Clem definitely isn't evil.

Illyria would be an asset to the team, and one thing that Angel getting cancelled when it did means that she wasn't as developed as she could be. And I hope that I can make Kennedy's appearances seemless, but I think it could work... Though, that wouldn't be for a while yet...

[buffymanic]

All sounds cool. so are you starting to write it or do you like to plan everything out first? I know thats one thing that bugged me when I was writting, I wanted to get right into in but I've often found it difficult without a detailed plan kindof a catch 22

[Allan]

It is a catch 22.

I have where I want it to go, and where I want the major beats planned, but not at great length. I prefer to get into it, and see where things take it, personally.

Because, while writing, new things may occur to me, that can plant the seeds for later.

[Glenn]

When you have a lead character as a more obscure character from the verse it can always lead to special guest appearances by other more obscure characters. Always makes people go "oooo so this is what they are doing now" Such as Jhera (Sp) from "She" and Gwen and maybe even Lyle Gorch

[Allan]

Always true.

I was actually really wanting to do something with Gwen, and considered including her instead of the Vengeance Demon. But Gwen will likely make an appearance!

And I'm not sure if I'd call Clem the "main character", since it's more of an ensemble cast...

EDIT - I like the idea of Lionel Gorch rocking up in the bar for an episode!

[buffymanic]

yeh Lyle Gorch would be a great character for a bit of slapstick comedy and its always nice to see Glenn.

plus with the bar being sort of inbetween dimensions it opens up so much more creativity

[Allan]

Yeah, I'm milling ideas over in my head... He'd be worth dedicating an episode to, definitely. Or a five second scene just killing him...

The thing that I like about the bar being inbetween dimensions is that this isn't a "real" show, and hence I don't have to worry about a budget! So I can get as creative and whacked out as I want without worrying about the practical side!

[buffymanic]

yes it definatly has its advantages of not being a real series! well I'm certainly looking forward to reading the pilot

[Allan]

Thanks, Tash.

I now have a draft for the teaser written up!

Cast and character names I'm thinking are:

Rachael Leigh Cook as Shell Moore
James C Leary as Clem
Laura Harris as Kalinka
With Amy Acker as Illyria
And Ron Pearlman as Bob

[Deleted]

I love the fact that there's a "Bob" in your character list. No last name or anything, just Bob.

Anyway, I've been catching up on this thread as I didn't have time to read it when I was on earlier and, like Tash, the idea of there being this bar in a pocket dimension where you can go to and from any other dimension immediately spiked my interest.

I gather you have quite a few ideas lined up and planned out, which is great. You seem very gung-ho about it!

I like the idea of Clem being one of the main characters and it being this rag-tag bunch going out and fighting evil, even though I must admit that I can't see Clem running a bar. At least not yet. I'm sure you'll make it work.

I've never done any writing for a series, so I don't know if you'll want to entrust that to me, though I'd be willing to give it a go if you need someone. And, like Tash, I'm always willing to beta. I have outstanding references if you need them.

(A bit off-topic: You will be entering Lex's challenge, right? *nudge nudge*)

[Allan]

I'll get the off-topic bit out of the way first. I'm definitely going to enter Lex's challenge, but am going to have to think of a new concept for it, because little bits of this series sprung from it.

I am a little gung-ho about it, and figure that it's the best way for me. Otherwise, I tend to let things fester, and never get them out.

I'm really glad that people like the idea of the pocket dimension, and I'm really keen to play with various dimensions. The "main" dimension will still be Earth, and unless something changes, that will be where the big bad hails from, but I really want to go exploring this huge multiverse.

As for Clem running the bar, I see him as a demonic Norm from Cheers, for lack of a better comparison. Basically, he's behind the bar, and considers the clients his friends.

In regards to Bob, he's a demon. I like the idea of a demon with a perfectly human name, especially when he's terrifying.

In regard to you writing for it, it sounds cool to me! I know you're a great writer, which I've seen, and I've never committed to a series myself. Beta-ing would come in handy too, as I'm certain I'll be in dire need of it.

I got a draft of a teaser written last night (around three pages or so), and don't think I'll get much more written tonight, since I probably won't get home til 9:30 or so. If you and Tash like, I can send you guys the teaser for you to beta (and beat me over the head with).

[Brittany Bear]

Sounds awsome! And my Clemiepoo as a lead character!!!! Plus, a Vengeance demon! You know I think they rock! Overall I think this is a great idea! I'd love to help but I dont think I'll be much of a help. I could give you ideas and stuff, maybe beta a little, whatever you need. I can help you with ideas and storyplots if you get stuck or whatever, you name it. Or as a vengeance demon would say: "You wsh it, I dish it"

[Allan]

Thanks, Brittany. I'll pass the script to you when it's finally done...

[Glenn]

One thing......never, ever kill Lyle Gorch he is the series unkillable creation lol

[Allan]

LOL, that is a very good point.

Okay, when Lyle shows up, he can live!

[Deleted]

Any time you need anything looked over, beta-ed, written, used to beat you with, you just let me know. You have my e-mail, I think, and can always PM it to me.

I can't say I ever liked Lyle Gorch all that much, but I guess if Glenn likes him so much he can live.

I haven't seen much of Cheers, but I understand the comparison. Clem was always more of a friendly, doesn't-really-want-to-get-in-a-fight type of guy, so I could see that coming into his bartending and it being a Lorne-type spill-your-soul, come chill with your friends type thing. (At least, that's how I always saw Lorne's bar. Though I could be wrong. )