The new BSG, I really like it, but....
POSTED BY: chrisisall
UPDATED: Friday, September 8, 2006 01:26
VIEWED: 2505
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Quote:It's just switching one grim for another.
Originally posted by Finn mac Cumhal:
it seems counter-intuitive that people would want to escape from the grave matters of real life to the dreary and distant world of BSG.
Must be why some folk like Steel Magnolias.
*shudders*
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I’ve never watched Steel Magnolias. In fact, I'm pretty I'd rather shove toothpicks under my toenails.
But on topic: after thinking about it, I’m not sure that I’m really assessing this very well.
I’ve assumed in the past that part of the reason that scifi like Firefly and Space: Above and Beyond didn’t last more then a season was their bleak mood. But it occurs to me that Dark Angel was also very bleak, which lasted two seasons, although there was strong consideration for canceling it after the first. Now it occurs to me that the X-files, which lasted nine seasons was very bleak as well, and BSG, which is going into its third season with very strong support, is not that much bleaker then the others.
Shows like SG1, Star Trek and Buffy have been much more successful then Firefly, SAAB, Dark Angel, or BSG (so far). I think that, people do prefer the upbeat to the bleak escapism, but it can’t possibly be the only factor. Something is making BSG more successful then scifi with similar moods and certainly there was something about the X-files that definitely transcended the cheer-barrier.
I’m starting to think that scifi escapism is more complicated then it seems.
Nihil est incertius vulgo, nihil obscurius voluntate hominum, nihil fallacius ratione tota comitiorum.
Nothing is more unpredictable than the mob, nothing more obscure than public opinion, nothing more deceptive than the whole political system.
-- Cicero
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Quote:So jealous of you.
Originally posted by Finn mac Cumhal:
I’ve never watched Steel Magnolias.
To me, SF steals from grim or potentially grim reality and re-works it so that the bleakness is shown as something we can live with, or triumph over, in spirit, anyway.
That's the positive in the negative, not cheery, but not all a downer.
And after we can go "Whew, glad it's not THAT bad for real."
Mini-analysis Chrisisall
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@Finn mac Cumhal:
IMO, it's not necessarily about bleak or up beat, but well written and well done as Sci-Fi fans tend to have higher standards then most. And all those series that you mentioned that that quality.
Anyway, just a thought.
----
I am on The List. We are The Forsaken and we aim to burn!
"We don't fear the reaper"
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Well, if that is true, then it suggests that Firefly was poorly written and of poor quality. But I think Firefly was well written and of considerable quality, many critics believed that as well. Also I’m not quite sure that SG1 or Star Trek rose to the same standard as Firefly. Yet the public never appeared to latch onto it, and you can’t blame all of that on Fox’s mishandling. Something else must have been at work here.
Nihil est incertius vulgo, nihil obscurius voluntate hominum, nihil fallacius ratione tota comitiorum.
Nothing is more unpredictable than the mob, nothing more obscure than public opinion, nothing more deceptive than the whole political system.
-- Cicero
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Quote:
Originally posted by Finn mac Cumhal:
Well, if that is true, then it suggests that Firefly was poorly written and of poor quality.
No it doesn't. It just means that bleak shows can do well b/c they are well written. There is no for all statement there. For that matter, talk to anyone that actually has seen the show and you'll probably get rabid enthusiasm b/c it was that good.
And btw, the _only_ reason why I knew about FF when it first aired is an remark made in passing during a conversation with a freind. And back then, I watch *a lot* of tv. So, I'd say that most of the blame can be laid on F*X given that I was/am the target audience and I only happened on the show by chance.
----
I am on The List. We are The Forsaken and we aim to burn!
"We don't fear the reaper"
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Quote:You mean they can do well if they’re well written. Though clearly Firefly didn’t.
Originally posted by SigmaNunki:
No it doesn't. It just means that bleak shows can do well b/c they are well written.
I’m not quite certain the Fox’s mishandling was the sole problem, certainly a problem, and perhaps an important one. But I have spoken with people who have seen the show and didn’t come away with rabid enthusiasm. One of my good friends was one of them. He hated the show. He felt that the western theme was overdone. I don’t think so but its valid criticism, yet very superficial upon which to base such strong disapproval. Sort of like saying you don’t like Whinny the Poo because the stuffed animal theme is overdone. I think there is a point somewhere that is being missed. I think he didn’t like it because it wasn’t simple. The characters are complex. They are sort of a Byronic form of the Randian Hero, not really something that fits easily into tv stereotypes. It required too much thought, and I think that is really why he didn’t like it. And I think that may be a reason why Firefly never took off. By comparison, BSG is well-written and full of complex characters, but it’s much more Homeric in nature, and easier to grasp.
Nihil est incertius vulgo, nihil obscurius voluntate hominum, nihil fallacius ratione tota comitiorum.
Nothing is more unpredictable than the mob, nothing more obscure than public opinion, nothing more deceptive than the whole political system.
-- Cicero
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I do find BSG entertaining in a big over-the-top operatic way...
it isn't just that it is missing the humor, which gives so much balance...
but the characters, while well writen, lack any signifigant growth or arc,
Gaius stays crazy, Adama stays brave and steadfast, and I end up longing for something more.
Actually my favorite character is Sharon/Boomer because her own confusion and lack of clear self-image leaves room for me to be constantly surprised and unable to predict her actions....
I am very excited about seeing the episode(s) written by our Jane Espenson; she wrote recently about 'idea driven' stories, and how Trek & Firefly were idea driven...but I wonder how much BSG really is?
http://www.janeespenson.com/archives/00000179.php
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Quote:I think you nailed it. I have a good friend who saw Heart Of Gold his first time out, and has nixed the rest of the series as well as Serenity as too 'western' (he likes westerns, BTW), and he wants his SF pure SF. The New BSG is his favourite show. This friend also has problems with Army Of Darkness and Buffy- see a pattern? It's another factor, I think. Humour in unexpected places.
Originally posted by Finn mac Cumhal:
By comparison, BSG is well-written and full of complex characters, but it’s much more Homeric in nature, and easier to grasp.
Funny belongs in comedies, horses belong in westerns, and peeps belong in their comfort zones.
All shook up (and likin' it) Chrisisall
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Quote:Ideas come and go as far as I see, it's mostly an action-soap. But unlike Joss' shows, there is no place for oblique or 'captaindummytalk'-like humour.
Originally posted by embers:
I am very excited about seeing the episode(s) written by our Jane Espenson; she wrote recently about 'idea driven' stories, and how Trek & Firefly were idea driven...but I wonder how much BSG really is?
Still, very worth my time...
We need more Varrek Chrisisall
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