Yes

by Steven Koch

Created on: December 02, 2009

I have always enjoyed science fiction. From the giant bug of the year "monster" movies in the 1950's to today's special effects extravaganzas, science fiction has always had one major point in its favor, which no other genre can claim; endless possibilities. As long as you stay logical within your created universe, anything is possible. This opens the story for twists and surprises that bring a smile to a sci-fi fan's face.

Back in the dark ages of the 1980s, when cable TV was in its infancy, sci-fi was not high on the list of respected offerings by network television. Even Star Trek never realized its original "five year mission" and was cancelled after only three seasons. Its many spin-offs as well as original sci-fi/fantasy shows, found a home on syndicated stations while the original series thrived in rerun land.

Then came the science fiction mini-series "V" - a major network television event. I could not wait. Finally, here was a science fiction show on a "large" (for TV) scale. When it was over you cannot imagine my disappointment. At times it reminded me of campy sci-fi classics like "Lost in Space" or the original "Battlestar Galactica". The major revelation that a reptile race was hidden underneath that human skin and wanted humans for lunch was an old trick. I had been hoping for better. I wanted a fresh look at what might really happen if such an event were to occur. (To see this type of story well done watch "Aliennation.")

While you did see both sides - the collaborators and the opposition, the characterization was two dimensional. I got the feeling that the writers were saying "this is for those sci-fi geeks. We don't need to put a lot of effort into this. We'll blow them away with special effects and make them happy."

Now they are going to try it again and I have hope they will get it right. There are a few reasons for my optimism. First, sci-fi has grown up. It has taken itself seriously and is more character driven than ever before. Original series on the SYFY channel display them all the time. Second is the SYFY channel itself. That a genre demands its own successful channel had told the powers that be that there is an audience out there. The SYFY channel doesn't always get it right, but their original series come closer to the mark than most network offerings.

The greatest reason for my optimism can be summed up in two words - BATTLESTAR GALACTICA. When news first hit that the "beloved" series was going to be remade there were cries of outrage. Childhood memories were being challenged. It could never be as good as the original. Then we heard that Starbuck was going to be a woman. The "smart ones" said it would be a disaster. I sat back and said "show me."

Did they ever. From the opening scene of the original movie, the creators got it right. A surprise that set the tone that carried on throughout the entire series. The remake of BATTLESTAR GALACTICA is one of the best series, let alone science fiction series, ever done. It had the deep character development that you want in a good story. They touched on topics and emotions that we face every day, like war, abortion and torture. The questions remain. At the end of the episode not everything was tied up with a neat little bow and put on the shelf as another problem solved. The questions remain and opinions were varied as the characters on the screen and the audience that is watching. This was sci-fi at its best. It makes us think.

The remake of "V" can do the same thing. One of the pluses right up front is that we know what the visitors are underneath. That was a mystery in the first offering. Already we are seeing the attempted manipulation of the media and the propaganda machine for the visitors. We also see a reluctant underground resistance.

There is great potential for Battlestar type revelations. Which humans can be trusted? Which traitorous visitors can be trusted? Who is going to wake up and see the visitors for what they are? Who won't care, and be happy to collaborate as long as they have power.

This will be a series that hopefully lives up to its potential. As long as it doesn't shy away from the tough questions and the characters remain conflicted and human, this series can redefine a "classic" the way the new Battlestar did. I am hoping for the best.

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