Subj : Re: Stargate
To   : alt.tv.farscape
From : TNW7Z7Z7Z12345
Date : Tue Sep 20 2005 05:26:58

From Newsgroup: alt.tv.farscape

Ken McElhaney wrote:
> 
> TNW7Z7Z7Z12345 wrote:
> > Finnigann wrote:
> 
> (stuff snipped)
> 
> > > Can it possible that the movies are exerting a trend towards the flash rather
> > > than the script? They (the movies) can afford both where as the small screen is
> > > not so well endowed.
> >
> >
> > Actually, these days I think the best writing is to be found on TV. BSG
> > and Lost are amazingly good.
> 
> I think it is well known my feelings about BSG, it's overwritten,
> poorly cast, and still cannot convey a solid storyline without
> interrupting it with needless "character" development which slows
> things down to a crawl.  Still, it is the best sci-fi show on tv today
> which unfortunately is saying very little.

Are you still watching?  I thought you had stopped, and I was going to
say that I thought BSG was worth a second look.  I think it gets better
as it goes on.

I'm beginning to think it does a better job dealing with contemporary issues
than most anything else that's on.  "Who's the Cylon in our midst"
perfectly mimics today's fear/confusion. And after the London bombings,
the fact that some don't yet know they're Cylons has new resonance (like
the person next door who hasn't yet been recruited).

And the most intriguing part is the Cylons' monotheism versus the humans'
"false" (according to the Cylons) Gods.  Can't wait to see where that leads.

 
> "Lost" has had an amazing run for a first season, managing to balance
> character background with real suspense and mystery.  I cannot believe
> that the writers can keep this up, especially once the "big" mystery is
> explained (what is the connection of the passengers OUTSIDE the fact
> that they were on the same plane, which has been hinted at all season).
>  So this could turn into the 21st century version of "Twin Peaks" next
> season.


Perhaps if the characters' journeys are interesting and surprising
enough, that will carry the show beyond the big mystery.

 
> > Seems to me that SG-1 is breaking every
> > rule of good storytelling.  And they have run out of ideas.  In the
> > early years there were interesting stories in the midst of fighting the
> > bad guys.  Now it's all "bad guy, threat to earth, find out bad guy's
> > weakness, prevail."  And within that framework, there's nothing
> > interesting in terms of character development, irony, plot twists, etc.
> 
> I agree, although I'll add that they simply lack an overarching
> storyline (like Farscape had) that ties everything together.  Something
> that Farscape ditched during the first half of the fourth season much
> to its detriment.


I don't know. I can see the overarching storyline, and they do tie up
loose ends...  I think the execution is what's so awful. As I mentioned
in some post - instead of revealing information via the story/plot and
corresponding dialogue, they give characters (especially Daniel Jackson) four
paragraphs worth of exposition to fill us in. (i.e., the difference
between a slowly unfolding story/play and someone's detailed summary of
that story/play). Basically, what we're seeing is lazy, boring
storytelling. Very different from the early years of the show.

 
> > I feel like we're watching the end of the original Star Trek where every
> > episode became Kirk fighting someone (or some thing) to save the
> > Enterprise.  Boring, uninspired, just going through the motions.
> 
> Hmm, "Day of the Dove" was an exception....one exception. Although you
> have to admit "The Way to Eden" is a real hoot, even if for all the
> wrong reasons.


I agree those were interesting.  I don't remember much about the order
of episodes, so a few good ones may have come at the end.  I just
remember too many pointless ones compared to the earlier episodes.

 
> > One problem is that, as with all writing teams that try to do 2 shows at
> > once (think Star Trek, even David Kelley shows, etc.), the writers can't
> > do it.  They obviously put more time into Atlantis than SG-1, but
> > neither is any good.
> 
> I think "Stargate SG-1" simply should've been cancelled a while ago.
> It's only on because of the ratings. So it will continue it's downward
> spiral quality-wise until people finally stop watching it.  But I don't
> blame SciFi, after all why cancel something if it's still a ratings
> winner, even if it sucks.  You don't see ABC cancelling "According to
> Jim", do you? 
> Ken

 
- TNW

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