When I first heard the Sci-Fi channel was airing a Battlestar Galactica remake, I wasn't even remotely tempted to give it a look because . . . well, 1) the Sci-Fi channel, and 2) Battlestar Galactica. At the time, as I recall, both brands were pretty weak. I have fond memories from my childhood of the original Galactica, but doubt it would hold up if I rewatched it now, and I certainly doubted a remake (getting its first run on the Sci-Fi channel, no less) would improve on it.
Somehow, with tv, I always manage not to bet on the right horse, and such was the case here. It went on to garner critical acclaim and a huge, lively fan following. What's more, bits and pieces I couldn't help catching around the internets intrigued me, and made me wonder how they'd fit into anything that could be recognizable to me as Battlestar Galactica. All of this came to my attention just late enough to make me feel I'd missed the boat.
Even so, better late than never. Now that AMC's Walking Dead (note how strong both of those brands were, going into that tv adaptation) proved such a disappointment, I was left still wanting to watch some great tv, so I just said fuck it and bought the BSG complete series box set--despite some warnings about the later seasons. Now that I've finished it, I'm glad I did, and I think this was the better way for me to experience it. While I'm sorry I missed all the breathless weekly internet back-and-forth about the show while it was airing, I think it was better for me to experience everything within a relatively continuous flow of context, as I think I tend to overreact to ups and downs when they're parceled out in smaller chunks over a longer term (I did that a lot in my coverage of the comics crossover event Blackest Night, and to some extent also with Walking Dead, both the show and more recently the comic).
Obviously, there's tons to discuss, and it will take me a minute or two just to figure out how I even want to break it down by topics, but suffice it to say I found BSG immensely satisfying in general, if not in every particular. That's one great thing about a long-running show with as much going on as BSG--it can afford to disappoint here and there, even to some extent in the main, central arc, as long as enough strands remain solidly engaging and affecting to sustain interest and deliver some payoff. Come to think of it, that's another failing of the Walking Dead tv show--it's too consistently too focused on the A-plot, without strong enough B, C, or D plots to shore it up when the A-plot stumbles or has an off-week. I came away from a fair number of BSG episodes with mixed feelings, but almost never with the feeling that an episode accomplished nothing.
Actually, I'm already starting to think about what I want to check out next. A few possibilities: Lost, The Wire, Dexter. What do you recommend, Groovy Agers?
20 comments:
Of those three you mentioned, The Wire is definitely the better show. In fact, it is probably my #1 favourite show of all time. Immensely satisfying on so many levels. It's really unlike anything else in television.
Dexter has its moments, but ultimately feels pretty shallow.
I think Lost is a waste of time, but that's just a vague prejudice, since I haven't watched much of it.
Looking forward to your thoughts on BSG. I thought some of it was very good, but I found the ending extremely disappointing. And unlike most people, the religious elements were actually what I was enjoying most about the show. (I'm not religious myself, but it was interesting to see a science-fiction show tackle that subject seriously.) But when they started talking about angels, I started to lose interest, and the way that was all wrapped up neatly in the last episode really turned me off big time.
What you write sounds very familiar to me. I did watch WALKING DEAD and was disappointed. I didn't watch BATTLESTAR and been wondering about it ever since. The only series I have watched from your suggested ones is DEXTER and yes, you gotta see this. Seriously.
Dexter is excellent for the first two seasons, then pretty much goes down the toilet.
Horrorwise you might want to check out Supernatural, it gets surprisingly creative after a while.
And you can't go wrong with Californication, a way better series than it has any right to be.
The original Life On Mars on BBC
I like Dexter quite a bit, in part of just what you're talking about. It often has moments when it goes off the rails but overall it hits the mark for me. A big part of what works for me is Dexter's struggle to follow his rules - his faking being normal often makes him a better person than the normal people around him.
I've only seen the first season of The Wire so far. It was excellent.
The Wire is unforgettable stuff. The best you can find.
Lost was a hollow experience for me. Dexter, I gave up after a season and a half.
Fringe has become quite extraordinary, although the build up to greatness was utterly slow.
You should try Terriers when it comes out on DVD. A great, great series.
J
i really rate battlestar and caprica was shaping up to be even better until they cancelled it....
despite early forbodings the terminator tv series quickly became superb grown up stuff,...so then they cancelled it....
the must watch show at the moment is for me fringe which is fantastic complex edge of the seat special...
and if you have never seen it then deadwood was nothing short of a masterpiece...
I agree that it's probably best to avoid things while they're running and there's huge fandorkism around them. It has ruined many a show for me, and I can say that it might have been different if I had just waited until everybody else got over the series and it ended, and just watched it all then.
I don't really watch TV anymore, and from what I've heard, none of those shows you mentioned really seem very good. Recently, however, I'm rediscovering one of my favourites from my earlier days: Friday the 13th: The Series, which was often surprisingly excellent. It's a pity that the name, which was essentially foisted onto them by Paramount for recognition, was probably what prevented the series from being bigger than it was. Still, it ran for three very long seasons. Great series in pretty much every way.
If you're more in the mood for something strange and absorbing, try the series Sapphire and Steel. I'm a huge Joanna Lumley fan (and she's a fabulous person), and that series is a mindfuck and a half, most of the time. Some stories are better than others, although I only really dislike the second adventure, which many other fans call their favourite. But all the rest of the series: sublime!
Dear Curt,
First up I'd say Mad Men, but I think you've mentioned here on the Groovy that you've watched it.
Second, Breaking Bad is incredible. It's one of the most nerve-shredding super crack addictive shows ever, you will feel sick and awesome watching it. It has a handful of some of the all time great suspense or horrorish scenes, too, in my opinion.
I enjoyed Lost is in a super trashy junk food kinda way, a lot of fun and worth it just for the trip, even if in the end it doesn't add up to much...
Second for Breaking Bad, my current favorite show on the tube. Great characters and some plot curves. Also, Boardwalk Empire is a pretty fine show - at least in its first season. Couldn't get into Sons of Anarchy.
Like you, I tend to catch these things after they've gone. I was eagerly looking forward to watching Battlestar now that's it on Netflix instant, only to see they've made the pilot Disc Only. Bah. As for dead shows worth a damn, I'm only halfway through Deadwood, but that's pretty damn phenomenal, and I can't recommend the Wire enough.
Try Dollhouse . Only two seasons. Worth it.
ade
For me it's LOST all the way. However, in contrast to what Huschino says about "fandorkism," I think LOST was best experienced when you had whole weeks (and whole seasons) to cogitate over developments. Once you can watch all the eps back to back, you lose out on all that fun, profitless speculation.
Of course, it's best when you have some fellow obsessees with whom to share the torment. Dunno how the torment will play over a shorter period, though.
I suppose it's like a kid being able to see all the 2-part 1960s BATMAN episodes back-to-back. No suspense about whether the Dynamic Duo will get pureed whatsoever--
The Wire would be my number one recommendation. The first season of 'Dexter' was great, subsequent seasons have been ok at best. 'Lost' was cool at first, but unlike Galactica, it felt like they stretched it out too long and had no real idea where they were going.
I really, really enjoyed 'Lost,' though I'm not sure how it would play out watched all at once on DVD. I actually disagree with many people here -- the last couple of seasons were great because they production team knew EXACTLY where they were going. The second and third seasons were the ones that dragged, what with Important New Characters constantly being introduced and then killed off because of off-screen politics.
Oh, and I personally loved the ending of BSG, so much so that I struggle to understand what's the problem people have with the finale. Really. The only explanation I ever come up with is that a lot of SF fans are literal thinkers who don't like the ambiguities of a theme- and character-focused (as opposed to plot-focused)ending. Then again, I also adored the ending to 'Lost,' perhaps for much the same reason. I care less about plot than others seem to.
Go for the original version of The Prisoner:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Prisoner
2/3rd's of the original Outer Limits(the best episodes)can't be beat, as long as you stick to the first season...
I too skipped BSG in its cable-cast run - for the same reasons you cite. Given that pedigree, I just couldn't image success.
But just watched 101 and 102 on Netflix DVD. Some of the best made-for-TV SF I've seen. Complex plot, layered characterizations, unique integration of elements of the old series - just well thought out overall.
Working my way thru the remainder of the season on Netflix streaming now. Not as gripping as the two-part pilot, but still well worth watching.
"Dexter" seasons 1&2 - outstanding.
"Breaking Bad" - GTF Out Great.
Wow, thanks for all the recs, everyone!
JOURNEYMAN (on Hulu or dvd)
THE MIDDLEMAN
DAY BREAK (even though it falls apart by its end)
the COMMUNITY zombie/plague episode
DEAD SET wasn't as good as the COMMUNITY episode, but was better than THE WALKING DEAD.
THRILLER, of course
HOMICIDE: LIFE ON THE STREETS, if you haven't watched it.
THE CORNER, the "lost" series between HOMICIDE and THE WIRE.
I rather like DEXTER all the way so far, but the repetition of Dexter trying against evidence to convince himself of his own soullessness is at times tiresome.
BREAKING BAD, definitely.
the cancelled Starz PARTY DOWN, yes. And Steve Landesburg was very good in HEAD CASES's last season or so. SPARTACUS mostly good for watching Lucy Lawless seminude, making out with women or challenging her husband to anally rape a (remarkably beautiful, despite fake-looking breasts) slave woman. Which he does, literally offhandedly. And CGI blood.
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