Space opera on TV :(

[Ryan Thomas Riddle]

That depends on your exact definition of Space Opera. At a basic level, any drama set mostly in space is a Space Opera. Everything else is a subgenre off of that.

True, the setting is mostly space but that alone doesn't qualify it as "Space Opera."

By definition, traditional Space Opera is an overly romanticized version of space travel with larger-than-life themes, melodrama, fantastic aliens and planets, vast empires, intergalactic war, and a grand scale.

Of course, we could say Defying Gravity is New Space Opera as defined by the works of Iain M. Banks, Alastair Reynolds, and Stephan Baxter since it is focused on character development and verisimilitude. However, the scale is not grand enough from the pilot script, which reads very much, as the producers themselves have labeled it, a contemporary drama set within the confines of our solar system. I suppose that's where the melodrama could come in.

You say that everything is a subgenre of Space Opera. Rather it is the opposite. Space Opera is considered a subgenre of speculative/science fiction.

Clearly Space Opera is a subgenre of Science Fiction. What I meant was Space Opera includes multiple subsubgenres under it. "New Space Opera", "Planetary Exploration", "Military SciFi", etc...

Then you were not clear in your original statement and it was far too general in its definition of the subgenre.

 

[firehawk12]

I know the "Lucas Raped My Childhood" crowd is legion here, but what about Clone Wars? After the admittedly uneven theatrical release, it's found its legs and is kicking ass. This Friday, we are finaly seeing Mace Windu in action. I love the way they rendered him. He looks like he's having a perpetually bad day. Along with the currently in preproduction Star Wars live action series, space opera on TV will be just fine. Granted, it wil be populated by 'verses fanboys have been indoctrinated to hate(Stargate: U, Star Wars, etc), but it's better than yet another contemporary drama set on Earth with a sprinkle of sci-fi on the side. I doubt Caprica is going to be space opera. In fact, it looks even more like a soap than nuBSG. Brief flashes or CGI robots clanking around in the background doth not a space opera make, no matter who is helming it.

I'll vouch for Clone Wars, but I think anime is the way to go. The fundamental problem with Clone Wars is that they are bound by the events of Episode 3. I'm sure it's not a spoiler to say that Anakin turns out to be a big asshat, to say the least.
I mean, I'm probably one of the few people who actually likes Ashoka, but once Order 66 kicks in... well, byebye Snips.

 

[blockaderunner]

I'm probably one of the few people who actually likes Ashoka, but once Order 66 kicks in... well, byebye Snips.

I guess that's what makes it so heartbreaking when it does happen. She's sweet and cute as a button and just wants to do the right thing, but we all know she's going to have a big target on her once Order 66 is initiated. Or even worse, Anakin (as the newly Christened pre armor Darth Vader) takes her out at the temple while she tries, in vain, to protect younglings. That would make a hell of a series finale.

 

[CaptJimboJones]

I'm probably one of the few people who actually likes Ashoka, but once Order 66 kicks in... well, byebye Snips.

I guess that's what makes it so heartbreaking when it does happen. She's sweet and cute as a button and just wants to do the right thing, but we all know she's going to have a big target on her once Order 66 is initiated. Or even worse, Anakin (as the newly Christened pre armor Darth Vader) takes her out at the temple while she tries, in vain, to protect younglings. That would make a hell of a series finale.

I wouldn't be stunned if they have Ashoka survive the Jedi culling and bring her in as a character in the live action series. It could work if done properly - she would be far more disillusioned after the fall of her master to the dark side, and the bright perkiness of her character would be tempered by the ghastly experience she had with Order 66.

 

[Kelso]

^ And the character is young enough that Ashley Eckstein could still play her.

 

[firehawk12]

If they carried over her character arc to the live action series, that'd be great. We'll see, I guess.

 

[Mr Light]

I *REALLY* wish the live-action show had a Jedi Survivor in it, but they've said there will be no Jedi in it

 

[Candlelight]

I'm trying to get Candlelight off the ground, just give me a few weeks!

 

[Temis the Vorta]

I *REALLY* wish the live-action show had a Jedi Survivor in it, but they've said there will be no Jedi in it

That seems absurd. Having a character who we don't know is a Jedi but is later revealed seems like a very obvious plot twist, and could be very fun as well. But I'm not holding my breath waiting for that series anyway.

But Clone Wars, ech. I can't tolerate the dreadful animation style. And from what I've heard, the writing is not the sort of thing I like. So basically, there's nothing there for me.

Seriously though, I'm not above it personally but I think it's funny sometimes when people suggest that Americans should give anime more of a chance and they rattle off a hundred series that no one outside the circle has ever heard before and you can't get off the shelf and wonder why they don't watch them.

I recently tried watching the Cowboy Bebop movie and was bored after 15 minutes. That's probably not a good sign that I'd like other anime (Cowboy Bebop being more accessible than most, I've heard), right?

I can see why they cast Keanu Reeves as Spike, tho.

I doubt Caprica is going to be space opera. In fact, it looks even more like a soap than nuBSG. Brief flashes or CGI robots clanking around in the background doth not a space opera make, no matter who is helming it.

Caprica won't be space opera at all. It will be another genre that's in short supply, thoughtful metaphorical science fiction.

 

[clint g]

Seriously though, I'm not above it personally but I think it's funny sometimes when people suggest that Americans should give anime more of a chance and they rattle off a hundred series that no one outside the circle has ever heard before and you can't get off the shelf and wonder why they don't watch them.

I recently tried watching the Cowboy Bebop movie and was bored after 15 minutes. That's probably not a good sign that I'd like other anime (Cowboy Bebop being more accessible than most, I've heard), right?

I can see why they cast Keanu Reeves as Spike, tho.

It probably would have helped to have watched the show first, the movie takes place after the 23rd episode That said, I wasnt much a fan of the show either. Highly over rated in my opinion

 

[Temis the Vorta]

Seriously though, I'm not above it personally but I think it's funny sometimes when people suggest that Americans should give anime more of a chance and they rattle off a hundred series that no one outside the circle has ever heard before and you can't get off the shelf and wonder why they don't watch them.

I recently tried watching the Cowboy Bebop movie and was bored after 15 minutes. That's probably not a good sign that I'd like other anime (Cowboy Bebop being more accessible than most, I've heard), right?

I can see why they cast Keanu Reeves as Spike, tho.

It probably would have helped to have watched the show first, the movie takes place after the 23rd episode That said, I wasnt much a fan of the show either. Highly over rated in my opinion

The movie wasn't at all confusing. Just the opposite, it was far too familiar. I'd seen variations on those characters and that situation far too often.

 

[clint g]

Its not so much a confusion thing as it is a character development thing. People who praise the show usually point to the likability of the characters and the development they go through during the show, so if you just jump in during the middle you essentially negate the shows top strength, its characters. This is especially the case in a show like Bebop which (unlike most drama oriented anime) is highly episodic. Like I said before, I've never been much of a fan of the show myself but at the same its best not to judge it when you jump straight into the film and watch it out of context.

 

[Witterquick]

Yeah, not a fan of Cowboy Bebop either. In fact, a small pet peeve of mine is when everyone recommends it when someone expresses an interest in anime. I just don't find it that good.

 

[Kelso]

People recommend it because it is the only good anime.

 

[Witterquick]

^ Have to strongly disagree there.

 

[Mr. Adventure]

Bebop is a good anime but I think it gets recommended a lot because it's sort of an "anime a non-anime fan could enjoy", like how BSG is sci-fi for people who don't like sci-fi. There isn't a lot of high-pitched squealing, teardrops, panty shots, tentacles and what not that might be a bit odd for one not used to such things.

 

[clint g]

Anime is like any other medium. You have your 5 percent awesome, 15-20 percent good, and your 80 percent crap. You just need to know how to navigate through the crap and get to the good stuff.

 

[Witterquick]

Bebop is a good anime but I think it gets recommended a lot because it's sort of an "anime a non-anime fan could enjoy", like how BSG is sci-fi for people who don't like sci-fi. There isn't a lot of high-pitched squealing, teardrops, panty shots, tentacles and what not that might be a bit odd for one not used to such things.

I don't know about that. I was a non-anime fan when I watched that series and I was bored. Temis's a second example there.

And seriously, I watch tons of animes and really don't encounter panty shots and tentacles at all. What are you watching? Hentai?

Anime is like any other medium. You have your 5 percent awesome, 15-20 percent good, and your 80 percent crap. You just need to know how to navigate through the crap and get to the good stuff.

Exactly. Don't write off the whole medium just because you don't like Cowboy Bebop for example and everyone says it's the best anime.

 

[ATimson]

I know the "Lucas Raped My Childhood" crowd is legion here, but what about Clone Wars? After the admittedly uneven theatrical release, it's found its legs and is kicking ass.

Too late. They had their chance with the movie, and blew up; I have no interest in the rest of the series. (And I say this as someone who's been reading the novels for the last 13 years or so; I'm not exactly a casual Star Wars fan.)

 

[FordSVT]

I know the "Lucas Raped My Childhood" crowd is legion here, but what about Clone Wars? After the admittedly uneven theatrical release, it's found its legs and is kicking ass.

Too late. They had their chance with the movie, and blew up; I have no interest in the rest of the series. (And I say this as someone who's been reading the novels for the last 13 years or so; I'm not exactly a casual Star Wars fan.)

Well, I'm not a huge fan of the series by any stretch of the imagination, but I must say that it markedly better than the overly-cute movie. Several of the episodes are actually very good action television.