A Disappointing Season for Science Fiction

[V]

Just a general recap/rant on the overall state of things

On the whole, most reviewers agree that there simply was no "front runner" or "hot new show" in the scifi lineup, and that we're "still suffering the backlash from the Writer's Guild Strike" of last year

Jericho is gone, and Lost is on break (and winding down, as well)

the big buzz everyone's talking about is how "Heroes" is infamously still having problems, major problems: Season 2 wasn't half bad and even when watching it I fully understood "this is due to the Writer's Strike shortening everything"

further, they acknowledge the problems they had in season 2, specifically

but season 3 is just all over the map; would it hurt to KILL OFF some characters so screentime can be focused on each one again?

Rapidly expanding cast of characters is a major problem all shows face (look at BSG season 3 - too many characters, not enough screentime to fit all of them in)

but BSG is on break too;

so we're faced with basically "wow, Heroes season 3 has problems", and "wow, Pushing Daises' ratings are so low that its on the cancellation bubble"

Parodoxically, Terminator was SAVED from cancellation despite ratings (I think the problem for both series is that the Strike prevented them from getting a solid viewerbase)

and we keep hearing all sorts of craziness about Dollhouse having production problems

well, Spring should be interesting, at least with the actual "END of BSG" and "we promise to finally answer all of the mysteries we've built up for four seasons!" (lets hope so)

so there's that to look forward to (Season 4 fixed all of the major problems of the Strike/Meddling Network affected Season 3, save for the central problem of "turns out, we actually never had a "Cylon Plan" and have indeed, been making this up as we went along"....I see Season 4 as less "part of" the show I saw in seasons 1-2, but a "sequel series": unlike the rambling 3rd season, season 4 was at least INTERNALLY consistent!, if not always with the earlier parts of the series. Starbuck is HERSELF again and Apollo, while still suffering from the whims of the Writers, is at least a tolerable character again, Roslin has screentime, etc.)

further, winter movies are fairly bland

no big franchises. Well, there's "Twilight"

hmmmm....I think the problem is just that so much got moved to summer. I was REALLY disappointed summer 2007, the "summer of the threequel" where they were just throwing crud like PotC 3 and Spidey 3 at us, (I hated Transformers but at least it was new), and of course this summer was Iron Man and DARK KNIGHT!......

but I yearn for the next LotR/Harry Potter/X-Men/Star Wars/Matrix

well this summer we DO get a new Terminator movie/franchise?, and ***STAR TREK XI*** as well as nearing the end of Harry Potter with another film

so summer at least sounds promising

lately for some inexplicable reason, after being really upset all September/October due to the Economic Collapse, lately I've inexplicably been feeling like "good times are just around the bend"....

 

[Greg Cox]

Well, on the bright side, TERMINATOR and CHUCK have both been good this season. FRINGE is doing well with young people, although I've only seen the first episode so far. And there's always SMALLVILLE and TRUE BLOOD . . . .

Movie-wise, we have the new Bond and Underworld movies coming up shortly.

 

[RoJoHen]

"Chuck" is definitely #1 on my list this season.

 

[Leroy]

What do we have left for space shows? Is Stargate Universe the only thing on the horizon?

 

[nx1701g]

Well, on the bright side, TERMINATOR and CHUCK have both been good this season. FRINGE is doing well with young people, although I've only seen the first episode so far. And there's always SMALLVILLE and TRUE BLOOD . . . .

Movie-wise, we have the new Bond and Underworld movies coming up shortly.

Two of those are likely not to get another season though:

Smallville is likely in its final season according to the producers.
Terminator is moved to Friday nights at 8:00 starting in January

 

[Hermiod]

What do we have left for space shows? Is Stargate Universe the only thing on the horizon?

Yes, as far as I am aware.

I don't expect this situation to get any prettier any time soon. Heroes is in trouble too. Lost has a finite number of episodes left no matter what happens and I doubt Smallville will hang on much longer.

 

[Temis the Vorta]

Still enough sci-fi to keep me interested. Using the term generously, I'm sticking with

Heroes
Chuck
My Own Worst Enemy
Lost
Reaper

and for as long as they last

Pushing Daisies
BSG
SG:A

What do we have left for space shows? Is Stargate Universe the only thing on the horizon?

Haven't heard boo about Caprica or Revolution lately. I guess skiffy is too busy with more idiotic haunted house reality shows.

Going Boldly Nowhere - a comedy about a spaceship crew being developed by the It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia gang. Philadelphia was genuinely funny for the first two seasons; it's hit or miss now but maybe a space show will have a wider range of topics to work from vs. being politically incorrect about the real world. After a while, you just run out of ideas.

Red Mars - adaptation of the novel by that name by AMC. I have pretty high hopes for this one.

Defying Gravity - series about a space crew exploring the solar system, starring Ron Livingston.

 

[Greg Cox]

What do we have left for space shows? Is Stargate Universe the only thing on the horizon?

"Virtuality" is in production. Not sure when it's due to debut.

Just looked it up: it's a two hour "backdoor" pilot for Fox. About a ten-year space mission in which the crew relieve their boredom by entering some sort of virtual world. Created by Ron Moore and Michael Taylor.

Could be interesting, especially if it makes it to series.

 

[Greg Cox]

Well, on the bright side, TERMINATOR and CHUCK have both been good this season. FRINGE is doing well with young people, although I've only seen the first episode so far. And there's always SMALLVILLE and TRUE BLOOD . . . .

Movie-wise, we have the new Bond and Underworld movies coming up shortly.

Two of those are likely not to get another season though:

Smallville is likely in its final season according to the producers.
Terminator is moved to Friday nights at 8:00 starting in January

I forgot: there's also LEGEND OF THE SEEKER.

 

[Good Will Riker]

Parodoxically, Terminator was SAVED from cancellation despite ratings (I think the problem for both series is that the Strike prevented them from getting a solid viewerbase)

It may not be a good idea to tarnish "the namebrand" before a new tentpole film comes out next summer.

It would not be good PR if the trades kept mentioning:

"Despite the cancellation of 'Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles', in May 2009 Terminator Salvation is..."

 

[Temis the Vorta]

What do we have left for space shows? Is Stargate Universe the only thing on the horizon?

"Virtuality" is in production. Not sure when it's due to debut.

Still midseason?

Branching out beyond space shows, there are remakes of V and The Prisoner planned or at least rumored.

ABC Decides To Remake V, Nobody Really Sure Why.

The Prisoner already has a website.

And there's something called Persons Unknown which sounds like a blatant ripoff of Lost, except it's in Mexico instead of the South Pacific...or at least being filmed in Mexico...

"Persons" is a mystery drama about seven strangers -- four of them played by Alan Ruck, Chadwick Boseman, Gerald Kyd and Kate Lang Johnson -- who wake up in a deserted town with no recollection of how they got there, only to realize that they are watched by omnipresent security cameras and that there is no escape. To survive, they must come together to solve the puzzle of their lives.

And, because we need more cop shows with sf/f window dressing...

Signs & Wonders.

Signs & Wonders tracks a psychiatrist who runs the cognitive sciences research department at a prestigious university and leads a team of grad students in solving suspicious medical cases.

 

[stj]

Pushing Daisies is a delight, but it's doomed so that's disappointing. I'm not that into fantsy but this is so original!

Heroes has dropped the ordinary people, while the superheroes are still repeating the same stories. Don't care any more.

Chuck just never seemed that funny.

Terminator was too much about Sarah Connor's Unresolved Homicidal Tension, too oblivious to the fact that she is trying to annihilate her own son, who is unconvincingly portrayed by a grown man.

Fringe was just too unimaginative in its plots. Ironically, it was too imaginative in the John Noble character who is the oddest notion of mental illness since Gaius Baltar. And Joshua Jackson hanging around because he has the hots for Anna Torv was just silly. Why in the world not have him there for the perfectly obvious reason---to have a relationship with his father? Oh I know, because Fringe is character driven drama, which means Jackson has to have Daddy issue and there has to be UST. Doesn't mean I'll watch it.

Eleventh Hour has some decent plots and some attractive characters but there's been something off that's made it hard to commit to as yet. For instance, Thursday's episode started off with some of the most ridiculous Native American catacombs (North American Native Americans never made catacombs you say? Exactly.) ever depicted. I was so busy picking my jaw off the floor I had trouble getting started on the episode, even though it was pretty decent in the end.

Life on Mars is half Journeyman, except it's characters are not quite as real and the dialogue isn't as convincing, and half the Joy of Police Brutality. I just wasn't into Journeyman's fantasy and the Joy of Police Brutality is just repulsive.

Eureka keeps doing these awful dark cliffhangers that are slowly ruining a charming comedy, turning it into a stupid serial.

Stargate: Atlantis took everything wrong with SG-1, amped it up, took itself too seriously, then still joked it up, except not as well. Unless you have a serious lech for one of the actors, pass. The premises for a good comedy are not the premises for a good drama.

Lost is winding down, fortunately.

Sanctuary is completely nuts, in a good way. Last night's episode, Nubbins, was delightful. But it's cheap, which turns some people off. And others can't get past Amanda Tapping doing an English accent for an Englishwoman.

BSG is off the politics apparently, since the war in Iraq is lost. It may drop into the so loony it's a treat to laugh it category?

In the movies, Iron Man was delightful. Dark Knight was mediocre at best---People have confused hysteria about terrorists with drama.

In short, the season was a disappontment for scifi. But, they all are. I've learned to live with it.

 

[Dorian Thompson]

I have to put in a vote for my show, Supernatural. It's been anything but disappointing this season. Any show that would introduce a live 6 foot porn loving bipolar teddy bear in the midst of the looming apocalypse is okay by me. Long live Ben Edlund's writing.

Any show that introduces an angel to the audience like this is hitting on all cylinders. This ain't the Buffy 'verse. Not many shows pick up viewers in their 4th seasons. This one did.

Castiel

 

[Lindley]

I have to put in a vote for my show, Supernatural. It's been anything but disappointing this season. Any show that would introduce a live 6 foot porn loving bipolar teddy bear in the midst of the looming apocalypse is okay by me. Long live Ben Edlund's writing.

Any show that introduces an angel to the audience like this is hitting on all cylinders. This ain't the Buffy 'verse. Not many shows pick up viewers in their 4th seasons. This one did.

Castiel

Good scene. Not as good as a few I could name from Angel, but no slouch. That's one of the shows I've been meaning to give a look to eventually.

 

[Dorian Thompson]

Glad you liked it. You really should give it a try. They really hit a home run and a half casting Misha Collins as Castiel, and they got Robert Wise from the Wire to play Uriel the smiter angel. The first season is hit and miss, (but really hit it out of the park with a final three parter) but it steadily improved in seasons two, three and now it's really kicking some ass in season four. Ben Edlund's written some funny shit for it, but it flips back to deadly serious all the time.

 

[Maestro]

The American version of Life on Mars isn't doing just too badly, and Knight Rider, while extremely fluffy is passable.

 

[TheMasterOfOrion]

I agree the majority of scifi tv is dead or just there to milk ratings from the groupie numb skulls. Think about it -
they get a good pilot or a good first season and immediately the greedy directors and writers start rubbing their mitts together wondering how they can drag out this new cash cow for as long as possible

but
disappointing scifi ?

I answer that with

time to start netflicking some movies

Danananana! nana na!
I AM IRONMAN
Heavy boots of lead
Fills his victims full of dread
Running as fast as they can
Iron man lives again!

Wall*E also rocked

 

[Octavius]

What about Stargate Atlantis? It's still my favorite show.

 

[Lindley]

What about Stargate Atlantis? It's still my favorite show.

Fun enough to watch, but it never seems to be as good as it should be given the premise and the setting.

Besides, it's only got a half-season left before it's over.

 

[Othello]

Pushing Daisies is a delight, but it's doomed so that's disappointing. I'm not that into fantsy but this is so original!

Don't watch. I realized that feeling I am watchign an episode of Dr. Suess each week is REALLY annoying.

Heroes has dropped the ordinary people, while the superheroes are still repeating the same stories. Don't care any more.

Heroes has become complete crap. That said I stick with it in the hopes they can salvage it soemhow.

Chuck just never seemed that funny.

I love this show. I find it quite funny myself though I don't think the lead actres is all that hot or compelling as a character.

Terminator was too much about Sarah Connor's Unresolved Homicidal Tension, too oblivious to the fact that she is trying to annihilate her own son, who is unconvincingly portrayed by a grown man.

I like the show. It's good but certainly not great. looking at lena Heady and Summer Glau for an hour a week is never a bad thing either.

Fringe was just too unimaginative in its plots. Ironically, it was too imaginative in the John Noble character who is the oddest notion of mental illness since Gaius Baltar. And Joshua Jackson hanging around because he has the hots for Anna Torv was just silly. Why in the world not have him there for the perfectly obvious reason---to have a relationship with his father? Oh I know, because Fringe is character driven drama, which means Jackson has to have Daddy issue and there has to be UST. Doesn't mean I'll watch it.

I really enjoy this show and The John Noble character is a delight to watch. I like trying to figure out where they are going with the stuff.

Eleventh Hour has some decent plots and some attractive characters but there's been something off that's made it hard to commit to as yet. For instance, Thursday's episode started off with some of the most ridiculous Native American catacombs (North American Native Americans never made catacombs you say? Exactly.) ever depicted. I was so busy picking my jaw off the floor I had trouble getting started on the episode, even though it was pretty decent in the end.

I'm not one the the sticklers for as pure accuracy in history and science as possible as many in the community are. Just entertain me and this show does that. plus I've lways liked Rufu Sewell as an actor. He has a natural arrogance to him that is fun to watch an here he combines it also with a sense of caring. A very interesting combo.

Life on Mars is half Journeyman, except it's characters are not quite as real and the dialogue isn't as convincing, and half the Joy of Police Brutality. I just wasn't into Journeyman's fantasy and the Joy of Police Brutality is just repulsive.

I'ev only watched the first epeiode of this show but have the rest on my DVR. I really enjoyed the first epeiode though so we'll see. I REALLY enjoye Journetman and was PISE when it was cancelled.

Eureka keeps doing these awful dark cliffhangers that are slowly ruining a charming comedy, turning it into a stupid serial.

I love Eureka. Great fun to watch.

Stargate: Atlantis took everything wrong with SG-1, amped it up, took itself too seriously, then still joked it up, except not as well. Unless you have a serious lech for one of the actors, pass. The premises for a good comedy are not the premises for a good drama.

An hour with Dr. Rodney McKay is an hour well spent in my book. I REALLY do miss Weir though.

Lost is winding down, fortunately.

I LOVE this show. I enjoy every epiode and can't wait to see what happens each week.

Sanctuary is completely nuts, in a good way. Last night's episode, Nubbins, was delightful. But it's cheap, which turns some people off. And others can't get past Amanda Tapping doing an English accent for an Englishwoman.

I am enjoying this show. Have the last twp eipsodes to watch though o am not toally caught up. Decent entertainment. Good but certainly not great. Enough to keep watching.

BSG is off the politics apparently, since the war in Iraq is lost. It may drop into the so loony it's a treat to laugh it category?

BSG has been great each and every season in my book and I can't wait for the final episodes.

In the movies, Iron Man was delightful. Dark Knight was mediocre at best---People have confused hysteria about terrorists with drama.

Iron Man was good and Dark Knight was exteremly good. Dead or Alive Ledger deserves an Osacar for that performance.

In short, the season was a disappontment for scifi. But, they all are. I've learned to live with it.

I haven't been disappointed overall. In fact I am quite happy with the shows overall.