The Real League‐ Pre‐Season 2012 Sequels Toy Story 2, X‐Men United, Back to the Future Part 2, The Dark Knight, Spiderman 2, Terminator 2, The Empire Strikes Back and The Godfather Part 2. What do all these films have in common? They are widely considered the best sequels of all time. Sequels are unique things. Also known as the “sophomore curse”, most movies, films, artists, and people often struggle their second time around. How many times have you heard of a musician that has a breakout record and yet never hear from them again? Sequels have very difficult jobs. They must play on what has come before while improving for the future. Sequels need to make you remember the previous film while making you fall in love with the new ones. It was absolute genius to take a character like Arnold’s Terminator, who was a frightening villain in the first film, and make him an awesome hero in the second. Star Wars was one of the greatest movies ever made. Who would have thought that Lucas could top himself with the amazing The Empire Strikes Back? The second time around is a tough task for anyone. Thankfully, the MLP league is up to the challenge. As the one and only MLP league entered its 2012 season, the league also entered into Year 2 P.T. (“post thread”). With the task of repeating last year’s amazing season and thread; MLP had a tough road ahead. Before we discuss how MLP went about accomplishing the impossible, here are some of the most useful and important tips in successfully making the best sequel ever. 1. A good sequel expands the universe of the original. This should be true of a straight sequel, not just the second act of three. Yes, the viewer loved the first one, but if you rehash the same material, some part of them will wonder why they didn’t just watch it again. Empire Strikes Back took us to new worlds, showed us a hint of the Emperor we’d only heard of, brought us inside the Imperial Fleet. Sequels must take us back into the world yet even further. 2. It stays true to the original. Sequels must develop at least some of the most important themes of the original. Aliens is a different genre from Alien, and some might argue not a true sequel, but it’s still about the same things: conflict between corporate and human interests, the relationship between human and artificial intelligence, social class, et c. It also means you don’t add a bunch of extraneous new characters that detract from the ones we know and care about. X‐Men, Spiderman etc all stayed true to the original themes and style. 3. It deepens the characters. The feelings between Han and Leia, the risk‐taking prompted by Marty’s insecurity, Wolverine’s past…these are things that didn’t exist in the first story, but don’t contradict it. They breathe new meaning retroactively into the first story while using the increased space granted by success (a necessary condition for sequels) to increase the emotional attachment of the audience. 4. It follows through. If we were promised a human‐mutant war, give it to us. If you set up Michael Corlieone to be the next god‐father, show us what happens. Don’t promise “I’m going to show these people what you don’t want them to see….A world without rules and controls, without borders or boundaries.” and then ignore those people to have boring fisticuffs with infinite agents instead. A good sequel is all about following through on delivering promises. Nolan promised being batman wouldn’t be easy and guess what, the Joker made sure of that. 5. It rewards the audience’s fidelity. This is perhaps the riskiest part. See number 1 — don’t rehash. The peril of the sequel, especially in action movies, is doing the same thing over, but bigger and fancier. Catch phrases become atrophied, meaningless, a string of checkboxes or gotcha moments. Chases become an obligation, not a thrill. The script serves the formula rather than the story. We didn’t need to see the T‐101 shoot up a bunch of cop cars and smugly calculate 0 human casualties in T3. It was something we’d already seen, but it was very much part of creating a story in T2. A good reference is something that makes sense in the new context to someone who hasn’t seen the prior film. If we haven’t seen Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, we don’t scratch our heads in Last Crusade when Indy says “Fly? Yes. Land? No!” Obviously it matters whether he can fly a plane, and his incomplete knowledge creates tension and humor. T4 was full of shots, sets and moments that made devoted fans point and grin, but those things served this movie. Rhyme, don’t repeat. We all love 5 tool players. Being successful the second time around is all about successfully implementing these five qualities. The MLP league is no different. We move forward while remembering the past. We make similar mistakes and references yet don’t overdue things too much (well some of us don’t). We have begun the year with these five things in mind. This all brings me to the night of September 2nd, 2012 P.T. On this glorious night, 12 members of the league known as MLP joined in each other’s company for the second annual live draft. While there were some who felt that we should change the format of the league to perhaps an auction or for those who were unsure how we should go about the draft; I say to you… http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O_HyZ5aW76c&feature=fvwrel We’ll F*cking Do It Live!!!!!!!!!! So guess what, we did it live. With 11 of us here in NY and the Counselor out in LA, the members of MLP got together for the live draft. There were ups and downs, tears and laughter, big balls and balls out, newbies and oldies, great moves and mistakes. The thread has been outstanding this year and the lead up to the draft has been no exception. Most of the back and forth discussed the available players, most recent scratches and of course the changes to the league rules. The Champ was strutting his stuff with his trophy, the frock was wearing his helmet, the Counselor was on video chat, and the “newbie” Pretty Boy was as cocky as ever. As the league gathered at 545 pm, the final changes to the MLP Bylaws were voted on and then the clock was underway. Here are some round summaries: Round 1 Best Value Pick Contestant: Calvin Johnson (7th overall to the Writer) Riskiest Pick Contestant: DMC (8th overall to the Champ) Surprisingly, round 1 was the round of QBs as 4 QBs went in the first round with Rodgers, Brady and Brees going 3,5,6 and then Newton surprisingly went #12 overall. With a crazy 3 round swap trade in the works, The Writer was surprised to draft Calvin “Megatron” Johnson 7th overall. Prepared to possibly ship Megatron over to the Doc in a 3 round swap trade including Darren McFadden, the plan was derailed as The Champ surprised some and grabbed Run DMC with the 8th overall pick. Round 2 Best Value Pick Contestant: Adrian Peterson (The Counselor) Riskiest Pick Contestant: Andre Johnson (15th overall to the Doctor) Worst Pick Contestant: Trent Richardson (13th overall to the Bear Jew) Picked Too Early Contestant: Trent Richardson (13th overall to the Bear Jew) Round 2 saw a bunch of RB2s being selected and the top TE going as well. This round was full of risky picks that can make the season including Fred Jackson (Lady’s Man), Adrian Peterson (The Counselor), and Andre Johnson (Doc T). But perhaps the most shocking pick of the entire draft, Trent Richardson, a rookie and unproven RB was selected 13th overall by the Bear Jew. Round 3 Best Value Pick Contestant: Brandon Marshall (Maximus Decimus Meridius) Riskiest Pick Contestant: Jamal Charles (The Legend of the Frock) Best Steal Contestant: Greg Jennings (The Doctor) This was the round of the Wide receiver. All pretty evenly matched, this batch of wideouts all have the ability to be a top 5 WR for the season. How this will play out remains to be seen. Round 4 Riskiest Pick Contestant: Michael Vick (The Champ) Picked Too Early Contestant: Eric Decker (The Real JBK) Picked Too Early Contestant: Eli Manning (Maximus Decimus Meridius) Best Steal Contestant: Victor Cruz (The Commish) Round 4 was that round where each team grabbed a great value player at a needed position. With 2 teams grabbing their QB and a few others grabbing their second RB, this crucial round was full of players who could end up top 5 at their positions or top 15. A huge round. Round 5 Riskiest Pick Contestant: Matt Ryan (The Lady’s Man) Best Value Pick Contestant: Michael Turner (The Commish) Best Steal Contestant: Marques Colston (Jay the Wise) Picked Too Early Contestant: Aaron Hernandez (the Doc) This round was all over the place. Some coaches got steals while others went for home runs. Ryan, Smith, and Bush can all be studs but you never know. Bowe, Turner and Colston have been so reliable in prior years yet are headed for the down slope of their careers. Most interesting pick has to be Aaron Hernandez. Many experts are predicting he could even have a better year than Gonk. This could be steal of the draft. Round 6 Riskiest Pick Contestant: Peyton Manning (Maximus) Best Value Pick Contestant: Peyton Manning (Maximus) Picked Too Early Contestant: RG3 (Bear Jew) Best Keeper Pick Contestant: RG3 (Bear Jew) Biggest Steal Contestant: Miles Austin (Jay the Wise) Who knows what we will get this year from Manning. He can be a top 5 QB or a top 20. RG3 being drafted in the 6th round by a team that already has Cam Newton!?!?!?! Very Puzzling move, though it makes a little bit more sense in a keeper league. This round was full of possible studs but many possible duds as well. Round 7‐10 Picked Too Early Contestant: Justin Blackman (7th round by Maximus) This guy can be a top receiver in the league if someone can throw to him. Best Value Pick Contestant: Big Ben (7th round by the Writer) He throws for 4000 yards and 25 TD every year. Worst Pick Contestant: Beanie Wells (7th round by the Doc) He has basically already lost his starting job. Best Value Pick Contestant: Lance Moore (8th round by the Commish) He is money for 8‐10 TD a year. Best Value Pick Contestant: Robert Meachem (8th round by the Frock) Can be the #1 option on a passing team. Best Keeper Pick Contestant: Andrew Luck (8th round by the Doc) He can be best QB in the league in a few years. Best Keeper Pick Contestant: David Wilson (9th round by Maximus) He can soon take over the starting role with a great OL. Best Keeper Pick Contestant: Russell Wilson (10th round by Maximus) If he is not a fluke, this Vick‐like player can ring up the points. Best Value Pick Contestant: CJ Spiller (10th round by the Frock) Due for a break out year and will do awesome if FJax goes down. Best Keeper Pick Contestant: Kendall Wright (10th round by the Writer) If he plays like the pre‐season he can be a top 15 WR. Best Keeper Pick Contestant: Alshon Jefferey (10th round by the Kopps) He is in perfect position to have a great year. Best Value Pick: Michael Floyd (10th round by the Doc) He should be wide open all year with double teams on Fitz. Rounds 11‐15 Best Value Pick Contestant: Toby Gerhart (11th round by the Counselor) If AP goes down, Gerhart will get a ton of work and could be a top 10‐15 RB. Best Steal Pick Contestant: Matt Schaub (11th round by the Champ) Schaub was once considered elite, who knows, maybe he will get there again. Best Keeper Pick Contestant: Coby Fleener (13th round by the Counselor) Could become the #1 option for a pass heavy offense on a team that will be trailing a lot. Nice. Best Keeper Pick Contestant: Randall Cobb (12th round by the Commish) Some say he is the next big weapon in Greenbay. Not bad for the future. WINNERS!!!!!!!!!!!! Best Value Pick: Lance Moore (8th round by the Commish) This guy is a redzone and 3rd down love Drew Brees. He has averages 600‐900 Yards and 8 TD every year. Best Steal Pick: Miles Austin (6th round by Jay the Wise) This guy can be a fantasy stud. To grab him in the 6th round was probably the steal of the draft. Best Keeper Pick: Andrew Luck (8th round by the Doc) Many feel that by the end of the year he can be a top 10 QB. Not bad for a 7th round pick next year. Worst Pick: Trent Richardson (13th overall to the Bear Jew) He can be great or just solid. But this high with other RBs on the board doesn’t look good in hindsight. Pick Way Too Early: Trent Richardson (13th overall to the Bear Jew) Yes he probably would have gone by the end of the second‐third round, but still, 13th is way too high. Best Drafted Team: The Counselor, The Writer, The Newbie Pretty Boy All very solid and balanced. If one or two guys step up, these teams can be looking real good. Worst Drafted Team: The Bear Jew Question marks all around and a lot riding on an injured rookie RB. As the Bear Jew said, “I hate my team right now.” Riskiest Pick: Andre Johnson (15th overall to the Doctor) He can be a dominant force but has is still very injury prone and without 1 double digit TD season, and a run heavy offense, it was quite risky going with Andre at 15th overall. Let the Games Begin!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!