Weekly Sci-Fi Thread (08/30/09)

08/30/09 | Kevin Davis

[KevinDavis]

This week in Scifi:

Sun:

8/9 -- Merlin -- NBC
9/10 -- Defying Gravity -- ABC


Tue:
9/8 -- Warehouse 13 -- SyFy

Also there are variety of scifi shows on www.fancast.com

[GeronL]

Legion does not sound like I’d want to watch, I’d be supporting the wrong side =o)

[Darth Reardon]

If it’s a SciFi original series, record it.

If it’s a SciFi original movie, record it and make several copies. That way you have the pleasure of deleting it, unwatched, several times.

[Jack Deth]

Hi, DvdMom!

The first ‘Trancers’ film, of course.

The role was made for Tim Thomerson, who I consider one of the last of the ‘Hollywood Tough Guys’ and just one heck of a versatile, yet under-rated character actor.

Also, it doesn’t hurt to have a young Helen Hunt as your leading lady/damsel in distress.

Jack.

[6SJ7]

So what is Defying Gravity.

A Solon article describes it as Grey's Anatomy in Space. I've been watching the series, for lack of anything better, but it moves slower than a starship on 1/4 impulse. There is a Mars Alien / Area 51 subplot that is developing which might make the series interesting; but so far it's no Stargate.

[Tanniker Smith]

but the series needs to get back to its first season’s charm and sense of wonder.

I don't usually like clip shows, but this one wasn't too heavy on it, and it helped that I haven't seen any episodes before last season, if only because they are never shown. I don't know if they are available on the Internet, but I really hate watching TV on the Internet. I have a large-screen TV and a comfy place to sit in front of it. Neither describes my computer workstation, such as it is.

[Hyzenthlay]

I’ve also heard that Alexis Denisof (Wesley from Buffy and Angel) is going to have a role on Dollhouse sometime, but I’m not sure how true those rumors are.

[GeronL]

lol

[Hyzenthlay]

Can’t you at least post a spoiler alert for things like that in the future? Granted, after being tortured by my roommate’s love for “I’m a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here” I’ll probably eagerly anticipate his character’s demise (if that is the case and it isn’t just a quirk of the way the cast is listed on IMDB or wherever) but in general even changes in cast lists are considered ‘spoilers’.

[GeronL]

sorry. I was just checking the IMDB and it stood out to me. I kind of like the guy for some reason.

[GeronL]

okay, maybe he gets lost or captured for a few episodes. who knows?

[MizSterious]

Some of those Syfy movies are best for laughs. I don’t watch a lot of any of those movies, but the parts I catch while channel-surfing are better than what’s on the Comedy channel.

[MizSterious]

That was confirmed in one of our local newspapers, plus Summer Glau. Good move on their part.

[Jack Deth]

Hi, Tanniker!

I agree that flash-back as a story telling tool works well if not used in excess. Friday’s episode of ‘Eureka’ had just the right amount as a plot device.

I also agree about watching shows on my computer monitor which isn’t all that large. I have a 42” heavy as hell, theft proof Sony for watching and DVDs.

Grabbed seasons 1, 2.2 and 3.0 (Their ad gimmick, not mine) of Eureka when they became available and are a very worthwhile investment.

Jack.

[LiberConservative]

Defying Gravity is very good. One of the few shows I've seen where I like all the characters. All of them are great looking, smart and the storyline kind of sucks you in. For those of you want to see it from the beginning Hulu still has the pilot and the first 4 weeks worth of episodes.

[LibertarianLiz]

SciFi channel saved Bab5 for a few seasons. That makes ‘em all right in my book.

I have a hard time forgiving them (after years) for cancelling Farscape

[Rockingham]

The frelling SyFy execs responsible for killing off Farscape deserve to have a few dozen sessions in the Aurora chair and then get dumped in a Peacekeeper dungeon.

[Tanniker Smith]

Stargate SG-1 was good at this. They used flashback episodes to move the season's storyline forward, and the non-flashback portions were usually good on their own (like little half-hour episodes).

On the other hand, I was trying to get into Poltergeist: the Legacy sometime back (I have about 40 episodes on the DVR I have to get around to watching). The last two episodes (or 2 of the last 3) were both flashback eps, both lame contrivances to hold them together, and -- the "best" part -- there was one clip that was used in both episodes!!

[KevinDavis]

Actually it was TNT that saved B5.. Also TNT killed Crusade..

[KevinDavis]

I like the fact they are using technology say 50 years into our future.. Not 200 to 300 years into our future..

[KevinDavis]

Well I’m part of the BSG mailing list and here is the real reason why it was canceled: Money... I think Henson and some other production company wanted something like $3 mill an episode.. SciFi said no.. That is why it was canceled.. Money..