The new BSG, I really like it, but....

POSTED BY: chrisisall
UPDATED: Friday, September 8, 2006 01:26
VIEWED: 2513
PAGE 1 of 1

CHRISISALL

Thursday, August 31, 2006 8:56 PM

Like it own it, gonna buy 2.5 Sept 19th, but there's one thing...

It has a very distant feel to it, like I can't ever really know the characters...
Is it the lack of realistic stupid everyday humour?
I dunno, but it just can't enthrall me like FF, Buffy, Dark Angel, or Brisco (My other favourite collections).

When I'm watching it, I love it, but it doesn't stay with me all day the next day like other eps from the other shows I mentioned...

Anyone feel the same?

Positive shield Chrisisall

DESKTOPHIPPIE

Thursday, August 31, 2006 9:06 PM

I know what you mean. It's hard to like the characters when everything is so po-faced.

I mean, they've been almost wiped out so I'm not expecting cheerful funnies, and I really love the epic feel of the series, but the series as a whole just takes itself a bit too seriously for my taste. I actually like Stargate SG1 (the first five or six seasons of it anyway) more than I do BSG, and there is no way anyone could claim that SG1 is the better series.

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CYBERSNARK

Thursday, August 31, 2006 9:11 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by DesktopHippie:
I mean, they've been almost wiped out so I'm not expecting cheerful funnies, and I really love the epic feel of the series, but the series as a whole just takes itself a bit too seriously for my taste.

Ditto. The show is high drama, no argument, but under that kinda pressure, you'd need to laugh or you'd go insane (not unlike Baltar, really).

-----
We applied the cortical electrodes but were unable to get a neural reaction from either patient.

KANEMAN

Thursday, August 31, 2006 9:16 PM

I disagree. I think it does lack every day humor, however the characters are well developed. I think it would help if it was a little less dramatic. When you are done with 2.5, like many of us, you will be chewing your finger nails for season 3.

FINN MAC CUMHAL

Thursday, August 31, 2006 9:19 PM

I can see your point. It’s definitely has a much heavier feel then most other sci-fi tv shows. Sort of like Buffy S6 was to the rest of Buffy. But unlike Buffy S6, the mood fits the scenario and is consistent.

I’m really surprised BSG has gotten this far, to be honest. People who watch sci-fi often do so as a form of escapism, but it seems counter-intuitive that people would want to escape from the grave matters of real life to the dreary and distant world of BSG.

Nihil est incertius vulgo, nihil obscurius voluntate hominum, nihil fallacius ratione tota comitiorum.

Nothing is more unpredictable than the mob, nothing more obscure than public opinion, nothing more deceptive than the whole political system.

-- Cicero

JOSSISAGOD

Thursday, August 31, 2006 10:10 PM

Nothing will replace Dark Angel and EVERY Joss Whedon tale ever written, as my top favorite shows. BSG is a good show, but it does take itself a bit too seriously for my taste. And I can remember bits and pieces from it, but not whole episodes like I can with Firefly and Dark Angel.

Fe'nos Tol,
JOSSIS(Most Definitely)AGOD

Self appointed Forsaken! Been on the list for a while now!
98% of teens have smoked pot, if you are one of the 2% that haven't, copy this into your signature.
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SIGMANUNKI

Thursday, August 31, 2006 11:17 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by chrisisall:

Anyone feel the same?

Got no idea what you're talking about. I find that the show has a perfect balance and does have some very humourous parts. Then again, I am one that is partial to dry humour.

So, it's probably a taste thing.

----
I am on The List. We are The Forsaken and we aim to burn!
"We don't fear the reaper"

MALSGIRL

Friday, September 1, 2006 3:13 AM

I'm with you Chris, I've never missed an of BSG episode, I think it's a great show, but it doesn't really get under my skin. It has always felt cold and distant to me. After I watch the episode it fades long before the next morning. I'm never really that pumped to see the next episode and they've had some major cliffhangers. With Firefly, Brisco, SG1 and my other shows I can hardly wait for the next episode, but for some reason BSG isn't like that. I have to say I prefer SG1 (first 8 seasons) far over BSG. Maybe BSG just needs a couple of musical episodes like Xena had, just lighten things up. Come on, can't you just see a chorus line of Cylons singing show tunes? JK

_____________________________

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CHRISISALL

Friday, September 1, 2006 1:05 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by MalsGirl:
Maybe BSG just needs a couple of musical episodes like Xena had, just lighten things up. Come on, can't you just see a chorus line of Cylons singing show tunes?

They'd just be 'going through the motions'.

Once more Chrisisall

CHRISISALL

Friday, September 1, 2006 1:08 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by jossisagod:
And I can remember bits and pieces from it, but not whole episodes like I can with Firefly and Dark Angel.

Fe'nos Tol,

I'm with ya, my transgenic brother!
The only eps I seem to retain somewhat are the ones with Tom Varrek...

Hatchfan Chrisisall

CHRISISALL

Friday, September 1, 2006 1:10 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Finn mac Cumhal:
it seems counter-intuitive that people would want to escape from the grave matters of real life to the dreary and distant world of BSG.

It's just switching one grim for another.
Must be why some folk like Steel Magnolias.
*shudders*

Chrisisall

FINN MAC CUMHAL

Friday, September 1, 2006 6:39 PM

I’ve never watched Steel Magnolias. In fact, I'm pretty I'd rather shove toothpicks under my toenails.

But on topic: after thinking about it, I’m not sure that I’m really assessing this very well.

I’ve assumed in the past that part of the reason that scifi like Firefly and Space: Above and Beyond didn’t last more then a season was their bleak mood. But it occurs to me that Dark Angel was also very bleak, which lasted two seasons, although there was strong consideration for canceling it after the first. Now it occurs to me that the X-files, which lasted nine seasons was very bleak as well, and BSG, which is going into its third season with very strong support, is not that much bleaker then the others.

Shows like SG1, Star Trek and Buffy have been much more successful then Firefly, SAAB, Dark Angel, or BSG (so far). I think that, people do prefer the upbeat to the bleak escapism, but it can’t possibly be the only factor. Something is making BSG more successful then scifi with similar moods and certainly there was something about the X-files that definitely transcended the cheer-barrier.

I’m starting to think that scifi escapism is more complicated then it seems.

Nihil est incertius vulgo, nihil obscurius voluntate hominum, nihil fallacius ratione tota comitiorum.

Nothing is more unpredictable than the mob, nothing more obscure than public opinion, nothing more deceptive than the whole political system.

-- Cicero

CHRISISALL

Friday, September 1, 2006 9:06 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Finn mac Cumhal:
I’ve never watched Steel Magnolias.

So jealous of you.

To me, SF steals from grim or potentially grim reality and re-works it so that the bleakness is shown as something we can live with, or triumph over, in spirit, anyway.
That's the positive in the negative, not cheery, but not all a downer.
And after we can go "Whew, glad it's not THAT bad for real."

Mini-analysis Chrisisall

SIGMANUNKI

Friday, September 1, 2006 11:08 PM

@Finn mac Cumhal:

IMO, it's not necessarily about bleak or up beat, but well written and well done as Sci-Fi fans tend to have higher standards then most. And all those series that you mentioned that that quality.

Anyway, just a thought.

----
I am on The List. We are The Forsaken and we aim to burn!
"We don't fear the reaper"

FINN MAC CUMHAL

Saturday, September 2, 2006 12:12 AM

Well, if that is true, then it suggests that Firefly was poorly written and of poor quality. But I think Firefly was well written and of considerable quality, many critics believed that as well. Also I’m not quite sure that SG1 or Star Trek rose to the same standard as Firefly. Yet the public never appeared to latch onto it, and you can’t blame all of that on Fox’s mishandling. Something else must have been at work here.

Nihil est incertius vulgo, nihil obscurius voluntate hominum, nihil fallacius ratione tota comitiorum.

Nothing is more unpredictable than the mob, nothing more obscure than public opinion, nothing more deceptive than the whole political system.

-- Cicero

SIGMANUNKI

Saturday, September 2, 2006 1:48 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Finn mac Cumhal:

Well, if that is true, then it suggests that Firefly was poorly written and of poor quality.

No it doesn't. It just means that bleak shows can do well b/c they are well written. There is no for all statement there. For that matter, talk to anyone that actually has seen the show and you'll probably get rabid enthusiasm b/c it was that good.

And btw, the _only_ reason why I knew about FF when it first aired is an remark made in passing during a conversation with a freind. And back then, I watch *a lot* of tv. So, I'd say that most of the blame can be laid on F*X given that I was/am the target audience and I only happened on the show by chance.

----
I am on The List. We are The Forsaken and we aim to burn!
"We don't fear the reaper"

FINN MAC CUMHAL

Saturday, September 2, 2006 3:01 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by SigmaNunki:
No it doesn't. It just means that bleak shows can do well b/c they are well written.

You mean they can do well if they’re well written. Though clearly Firefly didn’t.

I’m not quite certain the Fox’s mishandling was the sole problem, certainly a problem, and perhaps an important one. But I have spoken with people who have seen the show and didn’t come away with rabid enthusiasm. One of my good friends was one of them. He hated the show. He felt that the western theme was overdone. I don’t think so but its valid criticism, yet very superficial upon which to base such strong disapproval. Sort of like saying you don’t like Whinny the Poo because the stuffed animal theme is overdone. I think there is a point somewhere that is being missed. I think he didn’t like it because it wasn’t simple. The characters are complex. They are sort of a Byronic form of the Randian Hero, not really something that fits easily into tv stereotypes. It required too much thought, and I think that is really why he didn’t like it. And I think that may be a reason why Firefly never took off. By comparison, BSG is well-written and full of complex characters, but it’s much more Homeric in nature, and easier to grasp.

Nihil est incertius vulgo, nihil obscurius voluntate hominum, nihil fallacius ratione tota comitiorum.

Nothing is more unpredictable than the mob, nothing more obscure than public opinion, nothing more deceptive than the whole political system.

-- Cicero

EMBERS

Saturday, September 2, 2006 3:03 AM

I do find BSG entertaining in a big over-the-top operatic way...
it isn't just that it is missing the humor, which gives so much balance...
but the characters, while well writen, lack any signifigant growth or arc,
Gaius stays crazy, Adama stays brave and steadfast, and I end up longing for something more.

Actually my favorite character is Sharon/Boomer because her own confusion and lack of clear self-image leaves room for me to be constantly surprised and unable to predict her actions....

I am very excited about seeing the episode(s) written by our Jane Espenson; she wrote recently about 'idea driven' stories, and how Trek & Firefly were idea driven...but I wonder how much BSG really is?
http://www.janeespenson.com/archives/00000179.php

CHRISISALL

Tuesday, September 5, 2006 9:03 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Finn mac Cumhal:
By comparison, BSG is well-written and full of complex characters, but it’s much more Homeric in nature, and easier to grasp.

I think you nailed it. I have a good friend who saw Heart Of Gold his first time out, and has nixed the rest of the series as well as Serenity as too 'western' (he likes westerns, BTW), and he wants his SF pure SF. The New BSG is his favourite show. This friend also has problems with Army Of Darkness and Buffy- see a pattern? It's another factor, I think. Humour in unexpected places.
Funny belongs in comedies, horses belong in westerns, and peeps belong in their comfort zones.

All shook up (and likin' it) Chrisisall

CHRISISALL

Tuesday, September 5, 2006 9:08 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by embers:

I am very excited about seeing the episode(s) written by our Jane Espenson; she wrote recently about 'idea driven' stories, and how Trek & Firefly were idea driven...but I wonder how much BSG really is?

Ideas come and go as far as I see, it's mostly an action-soap. But unlike Joss' shows, there is no place for oblique or 'captaindummytalk'-like humour.
Still, very worth my time...

We need more Varrek Chrisisall

SIGMANUNKI

Friday, September 8, 2006 1:26 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Finn mac Cumhal:

You mean they can do well if they’re well written. Though clearly Firefly didn’t.

Exactly.

Quote:
Originally posted by Finn mac Cumhal:

I’m not quite certain the Fox’s mishandling was the sole problem, certainly a problem, and perhaps an important one.

Well, as I said, if I'm the target audience, and I would've missed it if it wasn't for an off hande remark in a conversation with a freind, advertising was certainly mis-handle. That is certianly a large problem.

Quote:
Originally posted by Finn mac Cumhal:

But I have spoken with people who have seen the show and didn’t come away with rabid enthusiasm. One of my good friends was one of them. He hated the show. He felt that the western theme was overdone. I don’t think so but its valid criticism, yet very superficial upon which to base such strong disapproval. Sort of like saying you don’t like Whinny the Poo because the stuffed animal theme is overdone. I think there is a point somewhere that is being missed. I think he didn’t like it because it wasn’t simple. The characters are complex. They are sort of a Byronic form of the Randian Hero, not really something that fits easily into tv stereotypes. It required too much thought, and I think that is really why he didn’t like it. And I think that may be a reason why Firefly never took off.

By the same token though, that friend probably wasn't in the target audience.

Quote:
Originally posted by Finn mac Cumhal:

By comparison, BSG is well-written and full of complex characters, but it’s much more Homeric in nature, and easier to grasp.

Very true.

----
I am on The List. We are The Forsaken and we aim to burn!
"We don't fear the reaper"