Lexa Doig: Lady of the Week #7 (Feb. 2013)

[1001001]

I think she's quite attractive. I loved her on Stargate.

Thumbs up.

[jayceee]

If one takes out the space and sci-fi stuff out of Andromeda, the show would probably resemble a generic western or a mediocre procedural show.

More generally, it seems like a lot of sci-fi movies and tv shows resembles other non-sci-fi movies/shows, with advanced technology, spaceships, unexplained phenomena, aliens, etc ... being thrown into the mix. Sorta like using the "future" to tell stories about the present human condition.


When I was younger, I was mainly attracted to sci-fi from the futuristic technology and big guns. As I got older, I gradually came to the realization that a lot of sci-fi stuff wasn't much different than watching a cop show or an adventure movie.

[The Wormhole]

jayceee wrote:

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If one takes out the space and sci-fi stuff out of Andromeda, the show would probably resemble a generic western or a mediocre procedural show.

More generally, it seems like a lot of sci-fi movies and tv shows resembles other non-sci-fi movies/shows, with advanced technology, spaceships, unexplained phenomena, aliens, etc ... being thrown into the mix. Sorta like using the "future" to tell stories about the present human condition.

Honestly, I found Andromeda basically comes off as a Star Trek knock-off. This "Galactic Commonwealth" is basically the Federation by another name and ridiculously oversized (three galaxies? Seriously?) while the "High Guard" is essentially a Starfleet that doesn't deny its military nature. Then some of the aliens are basically Trek clones, like the big guys with spikes on their arms are Klingon-like. Although, really I guess the stoic alien warrior race with a code of honour is a trope you'll find everywhere in sci-fi. Rumour is, the show was originally pitched as a Trek spin-off. If true, they didn't change much to make in non-Trek.

When I was younger, I was mainly attracted to sci-fi from the futuristic technology and big guns. As I got older, I gradually came to the realization that a lot of sci-fi stuff wasn't much different than watching a cop show or an adventure movie.

I can see where you're coming from there. People often recommend me shows/movies/books with a naval setting saying "it's totally like Star Trek," and from a certain perspective I can kind of see it. But to me, the futuristic technology, spaceships, aliens, lasers, Patrick Stewart, is what draws me to Star Trek.

[jayceee]

The Wormhole wrote:

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Rumour is, the show was originally pitched as a Trek spin-off. If true, they didn't change much to make in non-Trek.

Even more is when the show was advertised with Gene Roddenberry's name. A spaceship show with the Roddenberry name tacked in, seems to almost immediately conjure up "Star Trek".

The Wormhole wrote:

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People often recommend me shows/movies/books with a naval setting saying "it's totally like Star Trek," and from a certain perspective I can kind of see it.

One tv show which was literally like this, was SeaQuest DSV. I thought it looked almost like a ST:TNG clone, with a submarine in place of a spaceship (and under water replacing outer space).

The Wormhole wrote:

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But to me, the futuristic technology, spaceships, aliens, lasers, Patrick Stewart, is what draws me to Star Trek.

Same here, but also for the original Star Trek series. (I grew up watching the reruns in the 1970's and early 1980's).

For sci-fi in general, gradually I found the futuristic technology stuff less and less exciting, when I came to the realization some of it wasn't exactly based on known hard science. (I majored in engineering physics when I was in college). But hey, hypothetical future technology can still fascinate the mind, even if it's just used for fictional plot/setting purposes.

[RandyS]

jayceee wrote:

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Even more is when the show was advertised with Gene Roddenberry's name. A spaceship show with the Roddenberry name tacked in, seems to almost immediately conjure up "Star Trek".

Andromeda was based on three pilots Gene Roddenberry made in the early 1970's: Genesis II, Planet Earth, and Strange New World. I've only seen the first two, but Genesis II was MUCH better than Andromeda, which I gave up on around the eand of the first season.

[Admiral2]

Up with zero reservations.

[The Wormhole]

jayceee wrote:

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One tv show which was literally like this, was SeaQuest DSV. I thought it looked almost like a ST:TNG clone, with a submarine in place of a spaceship (and under water replacing outer space).

I have very vague memories of SeaQuest, although I do seem to remember they too had a Wesley Crusher like teenage character who was for some reason trusted among the senior staff and got to do things a teenage civilian wouldn't normally do with the Navy.

Also, I knew a guy who constantly insisted the sub in SeaQuest resembled Voyager without nacelles.

[Captain Craig]

Seems most agree that post 1st season it was pretty bad. How did Andromeda manage 4-5 seasons then? Low success threshold on syndication.

I saw most of the first season of Seaquest, spotty 2 and mabye one or two of the third. Timing was bad for me then with college. I've purchased S1&2 and when 3 eventually comes out that will be an entire series watch through as well.

[Valin]

Thumbs up. She was about the only reason I watched Andromeda after it went down hill.

Amazing that I remember that episode of TekWar, btw.

[The Wormhole]

Captain Craig wrote:

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Seems most agree that post 1st season it was pretty bad. How did Andromeda manage 4-5 seasons then? Low success threshold on syndication.

I think it was a cheap enough show and had low standards to meet on syndication. Basically, no one was actually losing money on it, so it was allowed to continue until the show's five year contract expired. Kind of like Earth Final Conflict.

[MacLeod]

The Wormhole wrote:

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I gave up on Andromeda halfway through its first season, which I thought was total crap. The general consensus among everyone else is that season 1 is the best and that the rest of the series is total crap. Basically, you're not missing anything.

I made it to the end of S2, before I gave p on Andromeda, much like E:FC I think network interferrence diminished the show.

[Agent Richard07]

The Wormhole wrote:

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I have very vague memories of SeaQuest, although I do seem to remember they too had a Wesley Crusher like teenage character who was for some reason trusted among the senior staff and got to do things a teenage civilian wouldn't normally do with the Navy.

His name was Lucas. He was a young genius who graduated from Stanford at 16. That, and having a dad who could pull strings got him his position. In season 3 he had to join the navy because the new captain didn't want civilians on the ship.

Valin wrote:

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Amazing that I remember that episode of TekWar, btw.

I thought the computers and graphics looked pretty cool back then, but they look dated now.

[RJDiogenes]

Captain Craig wrote:

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Never seen Andromeda. Anyone have an opinion about it? Worth the time?

In my opinion, the first two seasons are fantastic, and if RHW had been allowed to continue his story it would be up there with Star Trek, Babylon 5, Firefly et cetera. Unfortunately, they booted the guy with the talent and let Hercules take over. Everything after that sucked.

[Agent Richard07]

If anyone is interested, here's how Andromeda was supposed to have unfolded...

Andromeda's Intended Five-Year Arc

[Gary Mitchell]

Agent Richard07 wrote:

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If anyone is interested, here's how Andromeda was supposed to have unfolded...

Andromeda's Intended Five-Year Arc

That gave me a headache.