Digger
07-12-2004, 06:44 AM
A couple more Farscape mentions in Matt's column today.
Question:
As a sci-fi/fantasy fan who is still mourning the loss of Angel, I wanted to take a moment to plug Stargate SG-1 and the upcoming Stargate Atlantis as solid options to turn to for a sci-fi fix. After Angel was canceled, I was searching for a new favorite show, and decided to give SG-1 a try. After watching three episodes, it became my new TV obsession. The characters are funny and interesting with great camaraderie, and the action is solid. With the season premieres of both SG-1 and Atlantis coming up, now is the perfect time to give Stargate a try. I haven't seen much mention of it in this column, which is understandable, as the show seems to fly under the radar a bit, but I wanted to get the word out to anyone like me who's looking for something to satisfy the sci-fi/fantasy craving. Thanks for the chance; I really enjoy your column. — Jordyn S.
Matt:
In anticipation of the new season of Stargate and this Friday's launch of the Atlantis spin-off, I also decided to reacquaint myself with the franchise after several seasons' neglect. I wouldn't say it transcends genre in the manner of the Joss Whedon shows or Farscape, but I can see why people enjoy it, though perhaps not to the extent that it has become Sci Fi's equivalent to Law & Order in terms of its ubiquitous airings. (I'm actually kind of jazzed about the idea of getting in on the ground floor, so to speak, of Atlantis.) So consider the word spread.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Question:
As another "diehard fantasy and science-fiction fan," I was disappointed by one of your recent letter writers who, while praising Farscape and Angel, blasted shows such as Hercules and Xena. His cries for a standard for TV science fiction reminded me of those relentless, humorless folks who demand to be called Trekkers (and not Trekkies). Farscape is undeniably the best sci-fi series ever produced for television, but there is room for a show such as Xena: Warrior Princess, a series that, yes, had its camp moments, but also presented an intelligent, independent female heroine and cherished the genuine bonds of female friendship. (Quick! Name three other shows that do that today!) Xena in its fifth season also wove a thoroughly intriguing and overlooked arc that presented the gods of mythology giving way to Christianity. It was as masterful as anything seen on any "high-concept" show. There's plenty of room for variety on the tube. — Mark P.
Matt:
No argument here. The genre shouldn't be rigidly defined or taken overly seriously. But I think the original point was that a show shouldn't get a critical pass just because it veers into the world of fantasy and sci-fi. Xena and even Hercules had their merits, and no doubt are worthy of debate.
Question:
As a sci-fi/fantasy fan who is still mourning the loss of Angel, I wanted to take a moment to plug Stargate SG-1 and the upcoming Stargate Atlantis as solid options to turn to for a sci-fi fix. After Angel was canceled, I was searching for a new favorite show, and decided to give SG-1 a try. After watching three episodes, it became my new TV obsession. The characters are funny and interesting with great camaraderie, and the action is solid. With the season premieres of both SG-1 and Atlantis coming up, now is the perfect time to give Stargate a try. I haven't seen much mention of it in this column, which is understandable, as the show seems to fly under the radar a bit, but I wanted to get the word out to anyone like me who's looking for something to satisfy the sci-fi/fantasy craving. Thanks for the chance; I really enjoy your column. — Jordyn S.
Matt:
In anticipation of the new season of Stargate and this Friday's launch of the Atlantis spin-off, I also decided to reacquaint myself with the franchise after several seasons' neglect. I wouldn't say it transcends genre in the manner of the Joss Whedon shows or Farscape, but I can see why people enjoy it, though perhaps not to the extent that it has become Sci Fi's equivalent to Law & Order in terms of its ubiquitous airings. (I'm actually kind of jazzed about the idea of getting in on the ground floor, so to speak, of Atlantis.) So consider the word spread.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Question:
As another "diehard fantasy and science-fiction fan," I was disappointed by one of your recent letter writers who, while praising Farscape and Angel, blasted shows such as Hercules and Xena. His cries for a standard for TV science fiction reminded me of those relentless, humorless folks who demand to be called Trekkers (and not Trekkies). Farscape is undeniably the best sci-fi series ever produced for television, but there is room for a show such as Xena: Warrior Princess, a series that, yes, had its camp moments, but also presented an intelligent, independent female heroine and cherished the genuine bonds of female friendship. (Quick! Name three other shows that do that today!) Xena in its fifth season also wove a thoroughly intriguing and overlooked arc that presented the gods of mythology giving way to Christianity. It was as masterful as anything seen on any "high-concept" show. There's plenty of room for variety on the tube. — Mark P.
Matt:
No argument here. The genre shouldn't be rigidly defined or taken overly seriously. But I think the original point was that a show shouldn't get a critical pass just because it veers into the world of fantasy and sci-fi. Xena and even Hercules had their merits, and no doubt are worthy of debate.