Others have at least 8 or 9 "main characters". We're stuck with these 6 even though there are at least 4 other regulars on the bridge.
Discovery and "The Orville" Comparisons
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Others have at least 8 or 9 "main characters". We're stuck with these 6 even though there are at least 4 other regulars on the bridge.
You misunderstand me. I understand those on an intellectual level, but I can't personally understand identifying with a team on an emotional level. Sports bores the hell out of me, and I feel like I'm observing an alien species whenever I see people getting so wrapped up in it. I can't even fathom how I would begin to give a fuck about one team or another, even if I understand that other people do.
Looking at those cases in particular, both my father and grandfather were very mild/casual sports fans, but I tried to avoid being in the same room with them when the game was on as a child. We moved around a bit, so I grew up in an area different from where I was born. The closest I came to identifying with a team was watching the 1984 Superbowl (I think) because the Chicago Bears were in it and Punky Brewster liked them, but I found the process so boring I didn't do so ever again.
Honestly, given the modern day short seasons, a smaller cast might make some sense. If you had nine main characters, and each one got a "focus episode" you might not have enough time left to craft a serialized plot for the season as a whole.
Fewer people means less variety. The 6 we're stuck with are shady, whiney, grumpy, or annoying. Not easy to relate to is it. I wouldn't have complained about not seeing more of the other 4 if I was satisfied with these 6.
So? We're "stuck" with them because they're the stars of the show. You may not like them personally, but that doesn't mean that DISCOVERY needs to concentrate on some minor background characters instead. It's not about the numbers. More does not automatically equal better.
Would The Brady Bunch have been better if they'd had four more children? Would Gilligan's Island have been improved by four more castaways? Would Columbo have been a better show if they'd spent more time fleshing out the guy who strung up the homicide tape at the crime scenes?
("I don't like that Columbo guy. He's sloppy and annoying. Why are we stuck with him? Why can't the show be about those other cops in the background? Then we'd have more detectives to work with.")
Shows have stars, and supporting characters, and background characters. That's how it works. And there's no rule that says that everybody on the bridge of a STAR TREK show has to be a major character.
Sometime Lt. DeSalle is just . . .Lt. DeSalle.
Yea Discovery has fewer episodes and a longer off-season. But I suppose people will spin that into a positive too?
Yea there's no guarantee that bringing the other 4 would help.So? We're "stuck" with them because they're the stars of the show. You may not like them personally, but that doesn't mean that DISCOVERY needs to concentrate on some minor background characters instead. It's not about the numbers.
Would The Brady Bunch have been better if they'd had four more children? Would Gilligan's Island have been improved by four more castaways? Would Columbo have been a better show if they'd spent more time fleshing out the guy who strung up the homicide tape at the crime scenes?
("I don't like that Columbo guy. He's sloppy and annoying. Why are we stuck with him? Why can't the show be about those other cops in the background? Then we'd have more detectives to work with.")
Shows have stars, and supporting characters, and background characters. That's how it works. And there's no rule that says that everybody on the bridge of a STAR TREK show has to be a major character.
Sometime Lt. DeSalle is just . . .Lt. DeSalle.
That would have been me if I knew they existed and weren't so hard to use.
And I've changed my mind since then.
In restrospect wouldn't have wanted to stop people watching TNG based on my opinion
I reckon I could the same about the characters in the first half-season of ENT.
What a bunch of unpleasant speciest whiners.
Correct I wasn't much happier with the Enterprise crew at first either except for maybe Phlox and T'Pol.
Yea Discovery has fewer episodes and a longer off-season. But I suppose people will spin that into a positive too?
.
Again, quantity does not equal quality.
A lack of quantity does not mean quality
DISCO could have just one season and it would be quality enough for me.
Same with the Orville.
Same with the Orville.
Well, I'm greedy enough to want more than one season. Otherwise it becomes another FIREFLY or the original NIGHT STALKER, where we end up lamenting what might have been.
Heck, I still want a full season of ASSIGNMENT: EARTH.
. .
And I want another Riddick movie.Well, I'm greedy enough to want more than one season. Otherwise it becomes another FIREFLY or the original NIGHT STALKER, where we end up lamenting what might have been.
Heck, I still want a full season of ASSIGNMENT: EARTH.
I'm not saying I don't want more.
You know you did ask for the logic behind sports fandom which, as a long, long time sports fanatic myself, I believe was addressed by Locutus' response, which lists some of the "logic" behind the attachment which leads to the emotion behind the attachment. Simple.
Just find something you're emotionally passionate about. How did that meaning start?
He said quantity does not equal quantity. That means quantity, more OR less, is irrelevant.A lack of quantity does not mean quality
TOS did fine with 3. TNG did fine however amount there was in a season. ENT did fine with 7. There's no standard for the amount of cast members a show should have. If the next show just wanted to focus on three focal characters, that's totally fine. That doesn't make it better or worse, that's just a direction decided by filmmakers.
I've realized why I keep coming back to The Orville and why I'm in no rush to watch new episodes of Discovery—it's the characters, stupid.
There's not one character on The Orville that I hate or find annoying. I like this crew, I like their chemistry. Even when the plot is subpar—and believe me there are some rough episodes—I still find enjoyment in the show because the cast makes me laugh. They're very LIKEABLE. Even when Malloy is being relentless with his obnoxious zingers, I think "That's so Malloy" and it doesn't bother me. Contrast that with Discovery. Tilly is annoying, Michael is insufferable, Ash is boring, Klingons are all lame, and I don't know what to make of Saru or Stamets. Lorca does intrigue me, but I find Mudd to be the most interesting character and he's not even a regular.
When I think back to TOS, what made the show have such a lasting impact on me is the starring trio of Spock, Bones, and Kirk. They had great chemistry and a strong presence. And when I think back to Enterprise and what I disliked most about it, I think of the characters. Hoshi and Travis were absolute zeroes and the rest of the cast didn't excite me either. Good characters who are LIKEABLE are crucial to good Trek and this series falls flat. So while Discovery has to make some drastic personnel changes to get me interested, The Orville already has the perfect set-up to become a great show if they improve their storylines.
There's not one character on The Orville that I hate or find annoying. I like this crew, I like their chemistry. Even when the plot is subpar—and believe me there are some rough episodes—I still find enjoyment in the show because the cast makes me laugh. They're very LIKEABLE. Even when Malloy is being relentless with his obnoxious zingers, I think "That's so Malloy" and it doesn't bother me. Contrast that with Discovery. Tilly is annoying, Michael is insufferable, Ash is boring, Klingons are all lame, and I don't know what to make of Saru or Stamets. Lorca does intrigue me, but I find Mudd to be the most interesting character and he's not even a regular.
When I think back to TOS, what made the show have such a lasting impact on me is the starring trio of Spock, Bones, and Kirk. They had great chemistry and a strong presence. And when I think back to Enterprise and what I disliked most about it, I think of the characters. Hoshi and Travis were absolute zeroes and the rest of the cast didn't excite me either. Good characters who are LIKEABLE are crucial to good Trek and this series falls flat. So while Discovery has to make some drastic personnel changes to get me interested, The Orville already has the perfect set-up to become a great show if they improve their storylines.
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