How to make a sci-fi show last

I’ve been watching a lot of Stargate SG-1 recently, the little sci-fi show that could. Stargate is one of those shows that I used to watch because if was a fun show. When I went to uni I was never bothered about catching it so missed a few seasons worth. However, I did catch the odd bit of news through SFX magazine, Daniel leaving, Daniel coming back. The series getting renewed and renewed and now taking over X-Files for the longest running sci-fi show. But mostly I came back because I wanted to see how the brilliant Ben Browder from Farscape managed in this show now that he took over from Richard Dean Anderson as the head of the team.

The first 4 or 5 episodes of his debut series Claudia Black was a major character and we had our own little Farscape reunion. This led me to joke that this was how Stargate had managed to last so long, by being the home of actors from Sci-fi shows that no longer exist, thus attracting the fanboys. My statement was further helped by Lexa Doig from Andromeda starring as the new doctor on the base. Then things started to get out of hand. The Smoking Man from the X-Files turned up as one of the bad guys, leading me to joke all we need is someone from Star Trek. Low and behold, Richard Picardo, the Doctor from Star Trek: Voyager returns in his semi-recurring role, a role I had admittedly forgotten about when I made my joke.

So it seems the way to survive cancellation is pack your show with cast members for cancelled shows. Someone needs to tell Joss Whedon! (still bitter about Firefly)

Smallville's gotten a bit poo really

Smallville was something I really enjoyed when it started. A look at Superman as his powers kicked in was pretty cool. Even if every villain of the week somehow got their powers from Kryptonite. Then Clark started to find out about his extraterrestrial origins. It started off well, and the use of Terence Stamp (Zod from Superman 2) as the voice of Jor-El and Christopher Reeve as the scientist who knows everything, later to be replaced by Margot Kidder after his death were master strokes.

However, the direction they took his plans for Kal-El didn’t really sit well with me. Now I’m not one of those geeks that cries when ever something changes in translation and admittedly I only know the broad strokes of Supes’ origin but as far as I’m aware Kal’s father never sent him to Earth to rule it and for me it ruins some of Superman’s nobility.

Also every other episode is someone loosing control of their body, pissing people off then coming to not remembering a thing and everyone not liking them. First one I can remember is Clark and the Red Kryptonite, and really it was the only good one. Then I pretty sure Chloe and Lana went under control several times during that season just for Clark to go into a cave mouth and come out as “Kal-El”. Then the cheerleaders start making everyone fall in love with them, Lionel Luthor takes over Clark’s body and is nasty to everyone and then Lana is taken over by a 16^th century witch, closely followed by Lois and Chloe, and I’m only half way through the season.

There is the occasional good episode though such as Kid Flash turning up, and that’s a continuity fuck up and a half, but it’s getting to the point that they’re not enough. I’m going to slowly work my way through to the end of Season 4 and see if I can be bothered with Season 5.

Something New

Bored of having to arse about with HMTL and FTP every time I want to have a rant I thought I'd try Blogger and see how that works. Basically I want to rant far more than I need to update my website so taking a leaf from Smith's bookI decided to set up this thing. Hopefully have a proper rant soon.