Space opera on TV :(

[empty]

Damn ... I just realized that after next week's BSG finale, there won't be another space opera show on for the first time since I guess 1987.

Since then it's been a great time for fictional space exploration and ships, with the Treks, Babylon 5, Farscape, Firefly, BSG, Andromeda, Space Above and Beyond, Cowboy Bebop and Red Dwarf (any others?) going deep into loads of interesting themes and situations. But is this the end of the line?

I know that Stargate Universe is coming up, though I've found the few episodes of Stargate I've seen so far very superficial, episodic and mostly boring. Will SGU nevertheless be a good fix for a fan of drama set in outer space?

Can the new Trek movie and then Avatar reincite interest in space opera?

 

[AviTrek]

Virtuality is still a possible pick up for Fox next year. Defying Gravity is filming and will be shown on BBC2, CTV, and is looking for a US network. It doesn't look like either show will be exploring extrasolar planets or meeting aliens, but they still qualify as space opera.

 

[Hermiod]

Stargate Universe ?

 

[Deckerd]

Stargate Universe ?

It's a new series spinoff from the Stargate franchise.

 

[Hermiod]

Stargate Universe ?

It's a new series spinoff from the Stargate franchise.

Yes, I'm aware of that what with my username and all. I overlooked the fact that the OP had mentioned it.

 

[Mr Light]

Well, there's the Clone Wars cartoon. But I agree I do miss the huge space epic. I got one ready to go, been working on it 15 years, but I don't think Hollywood is interested

 

[The Squire of Gothos]

Well, there's the Clone Wars cartoon

My daughter loves that, but her Mum rarely allows it to be on if I'm around

 

[Hermiod]

^Why did you have a child with someone who doesn't respect your interests ?

 

[Ryan Thomas Riddle]

Virtuality is still a possible pick up for Fox next year. Defying Gravity is filming and will be shown on BBC2, CTV, and is looking for a US network. It doesn't look like either show will be exploring extrasolar planets or meeting aliens, but they still qualify as space opera.

I've read the pilot script for Defying Gravity and it's certainly not space opera. More like a conventional drama, ala Grey's Anatomy, with the backdrop of an intrasolar expedition.

 

[AdmiralGarak]

Doctor Who has been doing a lot more space-based stories lately.

 

[CaptJimboJones]

"Space operas" are out of style at the moment, for the most part. But tastes change, sometimes quickly, so I'm sure they'll come back at some point. As has been said, if the Trek movie does well, that could spur something.

And the live action Star Wars is coming at some point, which may also give us some hot spaceship-on-spaceship action.

 

[Mr Light]

Hopefully the Star Wars TV Show will be a super smash hit and bring on more similar series. If the young adult CGI cartoon can get 3 million on cable, what would live action dark n' gritty Star Wars get on a major network?

 

[AviTrek]

Virtuality is still a possible pick up for Fox next year. Defying Gravity is filming and will be shown on BBC2, CTV, and is looking for a US network. It doesn't look like either show will be exploring extrasolar planets or meeting aliens, but they still qualify as space opera.

I've read the pilot script for Defying Gravity and it's certainly not space opera. More like a conventional drama, ala Grey's Anatomy, with the backdrop of an intrasolar expedition.

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.

 

[RAMA]

I would include Dr Who as space opera.

RAMA

 

[Ryan Thomas Riddle]

Virtuality is still a possible pick up for Fox next year. Defying Gravity is filming and will be shown on BBC2, CTV, and is looking for a US network. It doesn't look like either show will be exploring extrasolar planets or meeting aliens, but they still qualify as space opera.

I've read the pilot script for Defying Gravity and it's certainly not space opera. More like a conventional drama, ala Grey's Anatomy, with the backdrop of an intrasolar expedition.

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.

 

[Mr Light]

Yeah, when I think space opera I think interstellar war between huge nations/empires... larger than life characters and action. Preferably somebody has some kind of supernatural ability.

 

[Admiral Buzzkill]

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

If "space opera" means anything as a term, it doesn't mean that.

It was originally a rather dismissive term coined by sf writers - many of whom were writing stories set in space - to describe fairly unambitious, generic adventures that didn't contain much speculative content. It was one-off from "horse opera" which was itself derived from "soap opera."

Space opera is a subgenre of speculative fiction or science fiction that emphasizes romantic, often melodramatic adventure, set mainly or entirely in space, generally involving conflict between opponents possessing powerful (and sometimes quite fanciful) technologies and abilities. Perhaps the most significant trait of space opera is that settings, characters, battles, powers, and themes tend to be very large-scale.

Not a bad overview.

Nothing about "Virtuality" so far sounds like there's any space opera about it.

 

[Kelso]

Virtuality is still a possible pick up for Fox next year. Defying Gravity is filming and will be shown on BBC2, CTV, and is looking for a US network. It doesn't look like either show will be exploring extrasolar planets or meeting aliens, but they still qualify as space opera.

I've read the pilot script for Defying Gravity and it's certainly not space opera. More like a conventional drama, ala Grey's Anatomy, with the backdrop of an intrasolar expedition.

link???


(I accept PMs )

 

[Ryan Thomas Riddle]

Virtuality is still a possible pick up for Fox next year. Defying Gravity is filming and will be shown on BBC2, CTV, and is looking for a US network. It doesn't look like either show will be exploring extrasolar planets or meeting aliens, but they still qualify as space opera.

I've read the pilot script for Defying Gravity and it's certainly not space opera. More like a conventional drama, ala Grey's Anatomy, with the backdrop of an intrasolar expedition.

link???


(I accept PMs )

Sorry, Kelso. The script was given to me with confidence and I'm obligated to keep it to myself. I won't spoil anything, other than to say that the show has potential.

 

[Kelso]

I've read the pilot script for Defying Gravity and it's certainly not space opera. More like a conventional drama, ala Grey's Anatomy, with the backdrop of an intrasolar expedition.

link???


(I accept PMs )

Sorry, Kelso. The script was given to me with confidence and I'm obligated to keep it to myself. I won't spoil anything, other than to say that the show has potential.

I hereby shun you.


You have been shunned.