Charlie Jade

[Dontlk]

Originally created and aired in Canada and outside of the US in 2005-2006, Charlie Jade is a fascinating adventure across parallel worlds. Private Investigator Charlie Jade stumbles across something that simply cannot exist in the world he lives in, and his pursuit of the truth leads him to uncover a plot that ultimately threatens the existence of all three worlds.
It’s complex story that you have to pay close attention to. There are clues all over the place, and the payoff is well worth the intricate and careful build up.
In Summer 2008, SciFi Channel is airing Charlie Jade on Monday mornings, at 3am Eastern, and this is the companion podcast to those episodes. Each episode is a running commentary by series creator Robert Wertheimer, so sit back, watch the episode, then watch it again with the commentary.
You’ll be amazed at what you discover along the way.
Official podcast site:
http://www.charliejade.net/
Charlie Jade Episode 101 Commentary: The Big Bang:
http://www.charliejade.net/podpress_trac/web/4/0/CharlieJade-PC_EP001.mp3

 

[zenophite]

I haven't been keeping track of the ratings.... has the show really be late-nighted already? It's a shame but as much as I love CJ I knew it would be a tough sell in the states.

 

[Mr. Adventure]

You would think they would give it a few episodes to build an audience. I would think CJ fit better tonally with their other Friday programs like BSG and Atlantis than say Sarah Jane Adventures. Though I personally miss the Farscape/Lexx days.

 

[zenophite]

You would think they would give it a few episodes to build an audience. I would think CJ fit better tonally with their other Friday programs like BSG and Atlantis than say Sarah Jane Adventures. Though I personally miss the Farscape/Lexx days.

Well...who can say what goes on the mind of a typical sci-fi exec....

I miss Farscape but was never enthused by lexx yet i agree about the odd fit. Kegek and I had already talked once about the similarities of tone and so forth between CJ and Farscape.

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

Kegek and I had already talked once about the similarities of tone and so forth between CJ and Farscape.

Interesting. I've only seen one episode of Charlie Jade but it does not seem very much like Farscape at all to me.

CJ definitely seems to take itself more seriously. Probably why I already like it so much.

 

[zenophite]

Kegek and I had already talked once about the similarities of tone and so forth between CJ and Farscape.

Interesting. I've only seen one episode of Charlie Jade but it does not seem very much like Farscape at all to me.

CJ definitely seems to take itself more seriously. Probably why I already like it so much.

well our discussion revolved around the very different feel that the series has from American series while at the same time having many elements form such shows- similar to the sorts of feelings i got whn watching Farscape.... Kegek was rather more eloquent about it than I am being right now

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

I don't see Farscape having anywhere near as cool music as Charlie Jade (especially that bit in the second episode where the Vex-Cor guy is readying a press conference), I know that much!

 

[zenophite]

I don't see Farscape having anywhere near as cool music as Charlie Jade (especially that bit in the second episode where the Vex-Cor guy is readying a press conference), I know that much!

Yes music is definitely an integral part of the show - far more so than most tv shows and i think it's very important to the 'feel' of CJ.

 

[JD]

You would think they would give it a few episodes to build an audience. I would think CJ fit better tonally with their other Friday programs like BSG and Atlantis than say Sarah Jane Adventures. Though I personally miss the Farscape/Lexx days.

Agreed, I had the exact same thought myself. Personally, I think they should have put it in BSG spot, and then tried to get it's audience to give it a go since BSG was gone now.

 

[Temis the Vorta]

You would think they would give it a few episodes to build an audience.

There's no plan to revive the series, so what would be the point? I assume skiffy picked it up for dirt cheap and was using it for summer filler and then got dismal ratings that didn't even justify that.

By sheer determination, I made it partway thru the first episode but saw nothing in common with Farscape (!?!?) If the lead actor had shown the immediate sexy charisma of Ben Browder instead of being the human equivalent of Sominex, I might have stuck it out longer. Looked like a tepid ripoff of Blade Runner + The Matrix + bad film noir while Farscape was an appealingly crazy blend of Star Wars, Buck Rogers and massive amounts of hallucinogens. I am definitely up for another series in the Farscape mold, but CJ wasn't anything close to what I'm looking for.

What hoppen to Kegek, anyway?

 

[Michael]

What hoppen to Kegek, anyway?

Yeah, I want him back.

 

[Dontlk]

Podcasts:

Official podcast site:

http://www.charliejade.net/

Charlie Jade Episode 101 Commentary: The Big Bang:

http://www.charliejade.net/podpress_trac/web/4/0/CharlieJade-PC_EP001.mp3

-----------------------------------------------

Featuring commentary by Robert Wertheimer on Episode 102, “Sand”.

Originally aired Space on 4/16/2005 in Canada, aired on SciFi Channel on 06/13/2008 in the USA.

http://www.charliejade.net/podpress_trac/web/5/0/CharlieJade-PC_EP002.mp3

---------------------------------------------

Featuring commentary by Robert Wertheimer on Episode 103, “You Are Here”.

Originally aired Space on 4/23/2005 in Canada, aired on SciFi Channel on 06/24/2008 in the USA.

http://www.charliejade.net/podpress_trac/web/6/0/CharlieJade-PC_EP003.mp3

Every next podcast on:

http://www.charliejade.net/

*****************************

Executive Story Editor Alex Epstein Blogs at Complications Ensue, Questions for New Podcasts

Bob Wertheimer has asked me and the boys to do podcasts on CHARLIE JADE eps. 10-16; I think he's doing 1-9 and 17-20. They'll go out on XM Satellite Radio and be available online.

What questions would you like answered about these episodes, the world of the show, etc., in the podcasts?

(And if you're lurking on any CJ or sf forums, please direct people here.)

Source/Link: http://complicationsensue.blogspot.com/2008/06/charlie-jade-podcasts.html

So if you're going to participate, make sure you go to the link above to post your questions.

 

[Bob The Skutter]

Just a quick heads up for any British posters who might want to buy the series on DVD. The Complete Series set is currently £11.97 on Amazon.co.uk

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

Okay. I've just seen the third episode (You Are Here). I have two questions:

- Does this show have a snappy name for its fans like Firefly does with its Browncoats? 'Cos whatever it is, I think I am one.

- Those two guys in suits who try to grab Reena from the fleabag hotel. Are they supposed to be these 'Men In Grey Suits' from yet another alternate universe?

 

[zenophite]

Okay. I've just seen the third episode (You Are Here). I have two questions:

- Does this show have a snappy name for its fans like Firefly does with its Browncoats? 'Cos whatever it is, I think I am one.

Good question. The fanbase is so small that I don;t think one has presented itself yet.

- Those two guys in suits who try to grab Reena from the fleabag hotel. Are they supposed to be these 'Men In Grey Suits' from yet another alternate universe?

I'm not telling

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

Okay. I've just seen the third episode (You Are Here). I have two questions:

- Does this show have a snappy name for its fans like Firefly does with its Browncoats? 'Cos whatever it is, I think I am one.

Good question. The fanbase is so small that I don;t think one has presented itself yet.

Damn shame.

 

[Mistral]

It took until You Are Here to grab me but now I am into it-good thing I'm up at 3 am most nights since that's when it airs!

Curious about Boxer-He can travel between the Verses? And Charlie seems to be leaning that way. I noticed the cop in Cape City seemed to see something as Charlie was looking down the alley-is it cause Charlie is wavering between universes?

And Jasmine being owned-corporate prostitution?-Was Boxer her previous owner? Weird world....

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

Curious about Boxer-He can travel between the Verses?

Yep. That's why Essa Rompkin gave him the job he has now, since the wormhole that Vex-Cor employees normally use has collapsed for the moment.

And Jasmine being owned-corporate prostitution?-Was Boxer her previous owner? Weird world....

I've only seen two episodes, but I interpreted that to mean that the apartment that Charlie and Jasmine lived in was company property, and that since Charlie disappeared, the company gets it back and she has to leave. "We don't employ C-3's," one of the Vex-Cor guys said to her. ("C-3" being the social class that Jasmine is a part of) AFAIK, Jasmine was trying to stop them from declaring Charlie dead, so she could stay in the apartment, but since Charlie is MIA then the flat reverts back to Vex-Cor ownership. They own the apartment, not her.

 

[zenophite]

Damn shame.

especially since the show gets better as it goes along...

 

[Angel4576]

Anyone who can pick up Region 2 DVDs, Amazon UK are knocking out the complete season one boxset for £12.