Finding realistic sci-fi disappointing

POSTED BY: MerryK
UPDATED: Tuesday, January 14, 2025 07:02
VIEWED: 10003
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CHRISISALL

Thursday, January 3, 2008 4:25 PM

I just wanna hear SOMEONE on BSG ask a Cylon:
"So...how many slices can you do at a time?"

See? No sense of humourisall

STORYMARK

Thursday, January 3, 2008 4:58 PM

Sounds like she has less of a problem with "realistic" scifi, than she does with serialized storytelling. from what you said, she wants everything wrapped in a bow by the end of each episode, and not left dangling to be resolved....maybe.... someday.

I have some friends like this, who I keep trying to get into shows like Firefly and BSG, but they prefer something they can watch in small bits, and it doesn't matter if you watch every episode in order.

"I thoroughly disapprove of duels. If a man should challenge me, I would take him kindly and forgivingly by the hand and lead him to a quiet place and kill him."

CHRISISALL

Thursday, January 3, 2008 5:01 PM

Want stand-alones?
That's what movies and Twilight Zone eps are for.

Get with the program Chrisisall

DUG

Thursday, January 3, 2008 7:40 PM

Speaking as one of that "older generation" I don't like the episodic style at all.

I've heard that in the ST:NG writer's bible there was an instruction that no story line ever actually affect the show as a whole.

The idea was that if someone watched only the pilot episode and the last episode of the series they would not be lost at all. That's why you never had solid resolutions to things like Troi/ Riker or Data wanting emotions. It's also why there was no follow up on minor things like most of the fleet getting destroyed by the borg. Seriously, the Romulans wouldn't have taken advantage of that?

The universe's only altruistic Ferengi invents a shield that can enter a star's corona. It only requires changing the *settings* on current shields....and no one does any follow up research? OK, one doctor played with it in one other episode. Wow, that's some follow through.

I always felt that this was unsatisfying and weak writing. I much prefer a serialized setting where characters grow and giant crises have actual ramifications.

CHRISISALL

Thursday, January 3, 2008 7:48 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by dug:
I much prefer a serialized setting where characters grow and giant crises have actual ramifications.

But what are the ramifications of the ramifications?

I remember as a kid seeing Battlestar Galactica and thinking "Wow, you can't watch this show out of sequence or it makes no sense- that's weird- kinda like a soap opera..."

But actually more true to life. And I find that after Joss, I expect it now (character change/growth)!

But I still likes me my Trek!

It's all good Chrisisall

CITIZEN

Thursday, January 3, 2008 8:44 PM

So Battlestar Gallactica is realistic now?

More insane ramblings by the people who brought you beeeer milkshakes!
No one can see their reflection in running water. It is only in still water that we can see.

CHRISISALL

Thursday, January 3, 2008 8:46 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by citizen:
So Battlestar Gallactica is realistic now?

I won't even dignify that sarcasm with a reply...

CITIZEN

Thursday, January 3, 2008 8:58 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by chrisisall:
I won't even dignify that sarcasm with a reply...

The new one would have been improved if Boomer and Starbuck were involved in Boxy foxing.

More insane ramblings by the people who brought you beeeer milkshakes!
No one can see their reflection in running water. It is only in still water that we can see.

CHRISISALL

Thursday, January 3, 2008 9:23 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by citizen:
The new one would have been improved if Boomer and Starbuck were involved in Boxy foxing.

On this we can agree.

Drunken Foxing Chrisisall

REGINAROADIE

Thursday, January 3, 2008 9:29 PM

I have to admit, that when it comes to a serialized series, it is harder to jump into it. Like with BUFFY and ANGEL, I had to wait until all 12 combined seasons of both shows were out on DVD before actually jumping into it and seeing what the big deal was. I couldn't just jump in and enjoy.

And while Joss may have been a proponent of the serialized tv series, he really shouldn't be given all the credit. I mean, the first REAL primetime show to have a heavy, serialized nature to it's storytelling was obviously TWIN PEAKS. So much of what we watch and consider entertainment had it's genesis in TWIN PEAKS. And if it weren't for network meddling, they would have stretched out the mystery of who killed Laura Palmer all the way up to the final ep, no matter how long the show lasted. That then led to THE X-FILES, which was half stand alone, half mythology.

I like shows that while it's not essential to have seen every episode that preceded it, that there are callbacks to previous eps, but are more subtle. Like in THE OFFICE. One of the cast members once said that THE OFFICE has become the LOST of comedies. Which in a way is true. Like the last ep they did before the strike "The Depositions" had callbacks from all the way to season 2. And stuff like Michael bringing with him the framed "love contract" is a pay-off for a joke in season 3. It's there, but it doesn't make a first-time viewer go "What the hell..."

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"And it starts with a sentence that might last a lifetime, or it all might just go down in flames. If I let you know me, then why would you want me? Each day I don't is a shame. Each day I don't is a great shame."

Loudon Wainwright III - "Strange Weirdos" off the "Knocked Up" soundtrack

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