Science Fiction Fantasy Chronicles: forums - View Single Post

ray gower · 18th March 2003, 01:11 AM

Now watched it several times, thanks Tab!

So thought it a good time to try and put down a few coherent (to me) thoughts!

The setting of the show, the Western Frontier feel, is a novel concept, but frighteningly real if one sits and thinks about it. All of those mechanical services we rely on when in the comfort of a civilised home are going to be scarce the further away you get from the centre. So oxen and horse pulled carts and ploughs would become eirigeur when other labour saving devices atart to fail, especially if supply lines are being stretched by over expansion.

The use of renegrades fighting the system is perhaps not so unusual, we have Farscape (RIP) and depending upon how you look at it, Andromeda. But my memory keeps getting tugged by a far older show in Blakes 7.

There are other nudges at that show as well. Like the very limited and subtle use of special effects. It has meant that we have to take far more notice of the characters and we are being treated to a real feast of those, not only from the regulars, but from those we meet along the way.

Individual shows are basically simple good against bad affairs, if a little twisted in that we know that our heroes are not that good, just better than the people they deal with. But the real beauty is that the cast actually look as though thay want to be there, that and strong character portrayal leads to a story that is well told. The great use of comedy also helps ease the way.

Then we have the elongated themes, the 'story arcs'. Where as Trek struggles to maintain one, here there are any number. The main arcs are obviously River's insanity and corresponding flight from authority. The former we are being continuously being reminded of, so this I think would be largely played out by the end of the first full season. The later I think would be angled to keep the series running into and beyond the second season, perhaps the Alliance would start to become slightly more proactive in their pursuit then? (I think they would have to, or without River doing something odd anymore we would loose sight of them.

Others are the recurring appearances of Niska, Badger and possibly Saffron and the Reavers. I can see some strange accomodations coming from these people.

How long could the series survive. Here I may be at odds with others.
I do not think it would last more than 3 years, before it becomes repetitive, good story telling or otherwise, unless another major theme can be introduced to carry it another season by virtue of openning a new range of plots (the destruction of the Alliance?). They are ripping through all the various combinations available at a great rate of knots.

It lacks the ultimate potential of Star Trek, but it proves that things don' have to be excessively dark to give great entertainment and I'll take that wherever it appears.

SO WHERE IS THE REST!? :crying:

18th March 2003, 01:11 AM	#1 (permalink)
ray gower Registered User Join Date: Jun 2001 Posts: 3,600	Opinions on the Show Now watched it several times, thanks Tab! So thought it a good time to try and put down a few coherent (to me) thoughts! The setting of the show, the Western Frontier feel, is a novel concept, but frighteningly real if one sits and thinks about it. All of those mechanical services we rely on when in the comfort of a civilised home are going to be scarce the further away you get from the centre. So oxen and horse pulled carts and ploughs would become eirigeur when other labour saving devices atart to fail, especially if supply lines are being stretched by over expansion. The use of renegrades fighting the system is perhaps not so unusual, we have Farscape (RIP) and depending upon how you look at it, Andromeda. But my memory keeps getting tugged by a far older show in Blakes 7. There are other nudges at that show as well. Like the very limited and subtle use of special effects. It has meant that we have to take far more notice of the characters and we are being treated to a real feast of those, not only from the regulars, but from those we meet along the way. Individual shows are basically simple good against bad affairs, if a little twisted in that we know that our heroes are not that good, just better than the people they deal with. But the real beauty is that the cast actually look as though thay want to be there, that and strong character portrayal leads to a story that is well told. The great use of comedy also helps ease the way. Then we have the elongated themes, the 'story arcs'. Where as Trek struggles to maintain one, here there are any number. The main arcs are obviously River's insanity and corresponding flight from authority. The former we are being continuously being reminded of, so this I think would be largely played out by the end of the first full season. The later I think would be angled to keep the series running into and beyond the second season, perhaps the Alliance would start to become slightly more proactive in their pursuit then? (I think they would have to, or without River doing something odd anymore we would loose sight of them. Others are the recurring appearances of Niska, Badger and possibly Saffron and the Reavers. I can see some strange accomodations coming from these people. How long could the series survive. Here I may be at odds with others. I do not think it would last more than 3 years, before it becomes repetitive, good story telling or otherwise, unless another major theme can be introduced to carry it another season by virtue of openning a new range of plots (the destruction of the Alliance?). They are ripping through all the various combinations available at a great rate of knots. It lacks the ultimate potential of Star Trek, but it proves that things don' have to be excessively dark to give great entertainment and I'll take that wherever it appears. SO WHERE IS THE REST!? :crying: