Posted in books on 11. Sep, 2009
Although there is a sufficient number of titles to grant “fantasy” a section separate from science fiction in most bookstores, they are still grouped together. The irony is, in most cases, a fantasy novel has to incorporate many features of science fiction to create a new world or environment.
Whether it be a new flora, fauna, world, technology or form of magic, it is common to reuse one or more of these devices from other authors, but put it together in a, supposedly, “unique” way. Sometimes this succeeds; sometimes the author’s work is merely a derivative of either Tolkien or Asimov.
In Warbreaker, Sanderson succeeds. The primary form of magic comes from the ability to gain “Breaths” (the most common corollary in our mythology that comes to mind is “soul”) and then put them to use. This proceeds to pour the foundation for the entire story and world. (more…)
When I was a kid, I bought my first science-fiction magazine at the age of thirteen. All older science-fiction fans remember when they bought their first magazine, and we were all about the same age – twelve, thirteen, maybe fourteen. In the 1930s and 1940s we were all pretty much alike as well. We wore knickers, sat down to a chicken dinner every Sunday, and spent Saturday afternoons at the movie theater where we saw two features, three or four cartoons, and got a free candy bar – all for a dime.
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I had my reservations about this show, but I was hopeful it would only get better. I had concerns about the female lead, and the stories moving a little slow. So far, the show has met my expectations, but there are a few rough patches.
The show has picked up the pace. I do like the new take they are taking on this premise (well premises seeing how it is three shows jumbled into one: Friday the Thirteenth the series, Poltergeist the Legacy, and X-Files respectively).
The Good:
Myka is not nearly as shrill as she was in the pilot. She is still grating and annoying at times, but I can let that slide for now.
They aren’t trying to make Pete another Mulder. They are keeping his intuition down to a more subtle art.
It has some classic lines. It brings the sarcasm and snark on occasion.
The Bad:
Are they really already jumping the shark with the addition of Claudia? I mean yes it is nice to have someone to interact and sass Artie, but I’m a little scared this will get old fast. I’m just saying if she magically ages mid episode or between seasons (like the baby on Family Ties) I’m done.
The writing…is well lacking. It has potential. As I mentioned before, it has moments of brilliance. However, the stories and the dialogue would be a death sentence if it weren’t for the leads. Their chemistry saves it time and time again. I’m all for smart dialogue written shows, but this writing is missing the mark.
The whole Claudia thing bugs me because I think they are under using Leena. I get that may be for a reason, but at the moment it is just annoying.
Where is the ferret? I’m sorry this might be lame, but I miss the ferret. That was one of the things that helped me to decide if I was going to keep watching the show. I’m not saying it needs to be a huge part of the show, but seriously bring back the ferret.
Either make Artie a geek or a technophobe. I’m just asking for a little consistency.
The Verdict:
It is show I am interested in following, despite my inability to remember to set it up on my DVR (thank goodness for Video on Demand on U-Verse). It keeps me interested enough to tolerate the little things that annoy me. Lets give it until the end of the season before determining its fate.
Sometimes re-branding is a good idea. When correctly implemented and the proper changes are made, it can make a huge difference. However, sometimes you just have to wonder what the company was thinking. The Sci-fi Channel’s morph to being Syfy is one of those “what were they thinking moments.”
Okay Sci-fi/Syfy, I get that you are trying to reinvent yourself as not being geeky, but other than they name change and some spiffy new promos you aren’t making this work. I can’t see where this is getting any better. A visit from my father exposed me to pretty non stop viewing of the channel, and I’m not seeing the positive change.
Sure you have a few glimmer of hopes here and there, like when you show the ORIGINAL Crow movie, or Pirates of the Caribbean. Still, that isn’t enough. I’m sorry but your recent, “Syfy Original” Sand Serpents was awful. The made of TV movie was just more of the low budget cheesy to the point of being hilarious. Come on I like looking at Jason Gedrick, but you need more than that to make a good movie.
Honestly, this movie was awful. It was like they were walking around the prop warehouse, saw the sand worms from Dune and wondered how they could reuse them. They ripped off the premise of Tremors, assembled the cast that did not pull off the special ops thing at all, threw in the Taliban for good measure, and it was like a train wreck. I kept waiting for Fred Ward, Kevin Bacon, the dad from Family Ties and Reba McIntyre to bust in and save the day. I seriously called the order in which the “team” members were picked off within five minutes of the movie’s start.
Then there are the series. I do like Eureka and Warehouse 13 is growing on me. I loved you for showing all the episodes of Moonlight. That being said…what is oing on with the rest of your series. I loved Amanda Tapping as Sam on the original Stargate, but Sanctuary gives me a head ache. You drug out Battlestar Galactica for too long, and are trying to stretch it out further with Caprica. Stargate Universe…wow don’t get me started. Okay folks, the whole Stargate shtick is about the cheese/geek factor. Trying to make it new hot and sexy isn’t going to make it better. I loved Lou Diamond Phillips in Young Guns, but I have been disappointed in all his recent work. Ming-Na has never been one of my favorites. The computer geek from Moonlight is on it, but that isn’t enough to fix it.
Syfy, if you are really trying to make your network more watched…you need to step up. Just changing your name is not enough.
The Sci-fi Channel…wait. My bad… “The Syfy Channel” has another show with potential on its hands. Despite their totally lame “renaming/rebranding” campaign, I will have to give them credit for Warehouse 13. The pilot was a little slow going, but I think the show could be decent once it gains some momentum.
I’ll be the first to admit that I only causally watch the Sci-fi Channel’s Eureka. I never thought it was a bad show, but it just sort of happened. Before I had a DVR, I was never home when it was on. Then when I got my DVR, I kept forgetting to record it. Really I hadn’t given the show much more thought, but now I am thinking it will be one of the fun light hearted shows of the summer.
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