ALPHA's a new series on sy fy: disscussion and comments *spoiler*
- Thread starter timothy
- Start date
I liked both episodes that have aired so far. I think this show certainly has potential to turn into something very good.
The second episode was rather bland and predictable in terms of being a standalone episode of TV. But I do like how they are introducing the mythology of the show, especially if they payoff the "working for the wrong side" storyline properly.
I really liked the way Marcus was introduced, and his escape. But his ability became more ridiculous as the episode went on. It needed to be established that while he could calculate things to an inhuman degree, there were still variables that he could not calculate. But instead we now have a character who is essentially godlike without weakness, and more boring because of it.
For example, as far as we know Marcus did not know the specific details of Rosen's team, so how could he predict that WiFi boy would be able to track him so easily? Also, while it seems reasonable that he could predict getting shot, blocking the bullet with a properly positioned coin seems too silly. Setting aside the physics of the bullet and coin, he would have needed to know the type of gun and ammunition ahead of time. He would have needed to calculate the wind, humidity, the position where the chase vehicle parked and countless other variables that were essentially random.
I like the concept of the character and his ability, but it really needs to be reined in a bit.
I really liked the way Marcus was introduced, and his escape. But his ability became more ridiculous as the episode went on. It needed to be established that while he could calculate things to an inhuman degree, there were still variables that he could not calculate. But instead we now have a character who is essentially godlike without weakness, and more boring because of it.
For example, as far as we know Marcus did not know the specific details of Rosen's team, so how could he predict that WiFi boy would be able to track him so easily? Also, while it seems reasonable that he could predict getting shot, blocking the bullet with a properly positioned coin seems too silly. Setting aside the physics of the bullet and coin, he would have needed to know the type of gun and ammunition ahead of time. He would have needed to calculate the wind, humidity, the position where the chase vehicle parked and countless other variables that were essentially random.
I like the concept of the character and his ability, but it really needs to be reined in a bit.
^^^All true, but irrelevant. In respect to the physical world, superhero shows are playing tennis without a net. Which is why so many superhero keep repeating stories about 1.) temporarily going bad/crazy/being possessed, i.e., somehow has to lose 2.) losing their powers, i.e., can't win and 3.) fighting another superhero, i.e., might lose except another superhero won't kill them. The big gun of course is actually dying.
Fell asleep in the first 30 seconds (which used to mean the show was incredibly boring, but doesn't anymore.) But woke up for the last five minutes and now can't make myself feel I missed anything!
Alphas seems like a flashback to The 4400 in many respects, minus Joel Gretsch's stalwart hero. It's Billy Campbell's permanently ambiguous hero/villain who stars instead. Now, superhero stories are at bottom fantasies about growing up and becoming powerful. The Behr emphasis on the awfulness of becoming powerful, especially ordinary people becoming powerful, is not only kind of reactionary but wrecks the superhero story without replacing it with anything.
Fell asleep in the first 30 seconds (which used to mean the show was incredibly boring, but doesn't anymore.) But woke up for the last five minutes and now can't make myself feel I missed anything!
Alphas seems like a flashback to The 4400 in many respects, minus Joel Gretsch's stalwart hero. It's Billy Campbell's permanently ambiguous hero/villain who stars instead. Now, superhero stories are at bottom fantasies about growing up and becoming powerful. The Behr emphasis on the awfulness of becoming powerful, especially ordinary people becoming powerful, is not only kind of reactionary but wrecks the superhero story without replacing it with anything.
I am curious as to why they make so many references to their lack of resources. Like they drive a minivan around and in just tonight's episode Bill refers to the lack of conference room table.
SyFy is trying to get NBC to increase the show's budget obviously!
last nites was the best of the series so far, the brotherhood of mutan....i mean red flag is bigger than they thought
Yes. I still watch the show and it improves each time.
Guest stars for upcoming episodes looks good too
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/alphas-books-terminator-raising-hope-218150
oh crap!! they are putting alphas in the same universe as Warehouse 13 and Eureka!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! why!!
If in four years, we still don't have a clue why he does what he does, yes.
Consider Rosen's tapes about alphas sent to Binghamton. Are they trophies? Are they documentation of his insistence that the alphas be well treated? If so, does he mean to use them to actually try to force good treatment? Or are they just in case somebody drags him into court? If in four years we still don't know, that's not ambiguity, that's withholding characterization.
Loved the episode, since Gary’s always been my favorite character. He’s the emotional center of the group, like Abed on Community.
My main problem with this ep was the continuity issue with the truck numbers.
Okay, so, Gary emails the DOT number of the truck to Bill: It says ’3679431′ on his screen, and the same on the printout he gives to Rosen.
They go chasing down truck ’3679432′, which turns out to be empty, then we see the bad guys driving away in truck 3679431.
Big hoopla over the girl having given Gary the wrong number.
My main problem with this ep was the continuity issue with the truck numbers.
Okay, so, Gary emails the DOT number of the truck to Bill: It says ’3679431′ on his screen, and the same on the printout he gives to Rosen.
They go chasing down truck ’3679432′, which turns out to be empty, then we see the bad guys driving away in truck 3679431.
Big hoopla over the girl having given Gary the wrong number.
So that they can do crossovers and lure viewers into a new show
OK, finally watched the current episode and I have to say this show is really improving a lot. I like the use of music and camera moves in the opening scene. It was really better than I expect from a syfy show in terms of style and sophistication. The writing is also showing signs of rising above the cliche's of the genre. It was a nice little twist having autistic girl be the leader (sole, one of?) of Red Flag.
Tonally, I don't know how it's going to fit being set in the same universe as WH13 and Eureka.
I think that hollywood reporter article may have the episode order wrong, as it looks like the Lindsey Wagner episode will be airing on the 8th based on the previews after the most recent episode.
Tonally, I don't know how it's going to fit being set in the same universe as WH13 and Eureka.
I think that hollywood reporter article may have the episode order wrong, as it looks like the Lindsey Wagner episode will be airing on the 8th based on the previews after the most recent episode.
It was nice to see Lianne Balaban as the autistic girl and I'm glad they left things open for a possible return. I like the actress and the character.
I really liked the last episode ("Rosetta"?)... Good twist, even if I had started to suspect. They are definitely setting up a "superhero" universe with a lot of grey areas.
I liked the cop's nickname for one of the characters - "John Woo Guy".
Nice to see him used more in this episode as a marksman. Neat slomo effects for his shots.
The episode before that (the rage one) was good as well, and I was surprised how they killed off the DoD handler.
With the exception of the 2nd episode (which was bland), the show has been improving for every episode. Definitely a cut above other current SyFy shows
I liked the cop's nickname for one of the characters - "John Woo Guy".
Nice to see him used more in this episode as a marksman. Neat slomo effects for his shots.The episode before that (the rage one) was good as well, and I was surprised how they killed off the DoD handler.
With the exception of the 2nd episode (which was bland), the show has been improving for every episode. Definitely a cut above other current SyFy shows
While not in the magical category like Heroes was at the very start, the storyline and direction have both improved a lot, actually distinguishing the show just a bit. Although it has a ways to go before carving a niche like the loosey-goosey Warehouse 13, it is already (potentially) more interesting than white-bread pleasant Eureka.
The 'autistic' twist, motivation and self-sacrifice angles will hopefully be explored in future eps.
The 'autistic' twist, motivation and self-sacrifice angles will hopefully be explored in future eps.
