The New Series on TV
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I missed the first one ,I shall have to see the next one. please post your comments.
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Steven
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This is a different show with some of the same elements of the original but different takes on others.
Battlestar Galactica and the new re-imagined version are examples of this and the new version of BSG is developing nicely with a distinct and more dramatic personality.
I'd be more upset if Gerry took the George Lucas approach. Lucas has made alterations to his movies so that he can find something closer to his original vision. At last count there are three different versions of the original trilogy.
The original CaptainScarlet is one of my fave shows of all time. I am willing to go on faith until I have a chance to see all 26 episodes.
I still haven't managed to come to terms with the fact that precious little of what had come before was going to be resurrected. My favorites had been callously abolished. And what bits were coming back had been subjected to a total overhaul.
Those who have seen the show and those who have not have had a chance to talk about the changes - for and against.
The only person who has yet to get involved is Gerry Anderson.
As mentioned previously on this forum and now on the website, it looks as if we can put some of these questions to Gerry Anderson via this forum.
To date, not many people have taken up this opportunity. If it happens, it will be a unique chance to get answers or at least his thoughts on some of these 'controversial' changes.
Or isn't that the point of the forum?
C21
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C21
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Shaqui: by all means go ahead and enjoy the new series, far be it for me to rain on anyone's parade - I do however, find your lack of empathy for a fellow and sorrowing fan a touch distressing.
I mourn not for the puppets, but for the characters, many of whom, alas, will not see the life and the action bestowed through the magic of CGI. I wanted that and I don't mind admitting it. Am I disappointed - you bet. Will I get over it? Maybe. The abolished shall, however, continue to live on in my heart and mind and fan-fic, which, it goes without saying, no one feeling dis-inclined to do so is obligated to read.
No, I don't have to watch the new show - and as one of the Trans-Atlantic contingent, at the moment I don't really have a lot of choice about that. But I'm sure that I will watch it - and I will repeat - I might even like it - or parts of it, at least. I won't, however, know that until I actually get to view the thing. So, for the time being, I'll simply have to stand by my previous commentary - because nothing that's been said so far has swayed me sufficently from it.
In the meanwhile, I am having far too much fun being the Resident Skeptic...
Doc Denim - Cheerful Malcontent at large
PS - I'll talk about callous next time....
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Doc Denim
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P.S. not watching is not an option for me either, at the moment. I am waiting for ITV to give the show a repeat slot so that my brother can actually start taping it for me to watch at Easter.
Caption Game results.
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Captain Indigo
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Doc Denim wrote:Shaqui: by all means go ahead and enjoy the new series, far be it for me to rain on anyone's parade - I do however, find your lack of empathy for a fellow and sorrowing fan a touch distressing.
Lack of empathy... ha, that's a good one! Why should I empathise with a viewpoint that seems so narrow? To be honest Doc, it's hardly as if characters like Grey, Magenta, Ochre, Fawn etc had their colours (no pun intended) nailed to the wall in the original. I know fans have probably expanded on them to their hearts content but really, I couldn't give a jot about that... give me one good reason why I should?
I've dabbled in fan fiction, as reader, writer and artist. I've seen some other fans almost insist that their take on a character, explanation, or story viewpoint is now canon in the lack of new material. Some is very well written and thought out, but me, I just do it for the fun of it. I'll even write stories to be contentious or contraversial for the hell of it.
Doc Denim wrote:I mourn not for the puppets, but for the characters, many of whom, alas, will not see the life and the action bestowed through the magic of CGI. I wanted that and I don't mind admitting it. Am I disappointed - you bet. Will I get over it? Maybe. The abolished shall, however, continue to live on in my heart and mind and fan-fic, which, it goes without saying, no one feeling dis-inclined to do so is obligated to read.
Well of course they'll live on. And now we have some new characters into the mix. Why not just have new ones and keep the old? Well, there's a thread so you can put that very question to gerry Anderson himself. Go on, I dare ya...
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shaqui
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Marion
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Everyone is entitled to his/her opinion! And so far, the points presented by both parties are valid. But don't belittle the other's viewpoint and do show tolerance. And be careful not to slide into personal argument!
Play nice!
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chrisbishop
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I jus saw the second episode it 's just great!
Now I'm getting use to the new SGI. The actions is really good.
The even show us realistic human relation between, ii I may say, the cast.
I can't wait to buy the DVDs when they'll be available.
Take Care!
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Richard-Darmok
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shaqui wrote: Why should I empathise with a viewpoint that seems so narrow?
I've read this debate with interest and, I have to say, some amusement and have to question why someone would think that another's viewpoint was narrow, purely on the basis that they disagreed with someone else.
The nationalities etc of the characters in the original series have not been created by fans writing fanfiction, only some of the minor peripheral details. I know, I've done it too but, unlike your statement, do not insist or expect people to take what I say as canon.
Yes, of course we're meant to enjoy the new series, but I also understand why people are concerned about the smaller details that have changed.
Example - Blue is now Texan, not from Boston.
Your arguement that not enough people would know the original well enough actually supports the idea that he could have remained a Bostonian, not that it should change - after all, if no one knows why should they care?
If as you say the idea was to create something completely new then the fact that many people DO know the background then supports this theory. So, in effect, you have used 2 contradictory arguements to explain the same thing.
Fans wanting more of the original series in the new isn't a narrow view, neither does it mean they reject it. But, they ARE entitled to their opinion, not just yours.
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Cerise
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CIVILISED DEBATE IS A HALLMARK OF AN ADVANCED SPECIES.
CARRY ON. WE'LL BE WATCHING AND LEARN FROM THIS EXPERIENCE...
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theMysterons
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(But first, a very heartfelt thanks to any and all who have provided supportive commentary - noted with gratitude!)
Shaqui wrote:
Lack of empathy... ha, that's a good one! Why should I empathise
Well, let's see - maybe because it's a decent and friendly thing to do? But I could be wrong, of course.
Shaqui wrote:
it's hardly as if characters like Grey, Magenta, Ochre, Fawn etc had their colours (no pun intended) nailed to the wall in the original. I know fans have probably expanded on them to their hearts content but really, I couldn't give a jot about that... give me one good reason why I should?
And I think you might have then answered your very own question:
Shaqui also wrote:
I've dabbled in fan fiction, as reader, writer and artist
It seems to me that a desire for a bit of reciprocal appreciation is something any author or artist might have. A taste for a bit of positive feedback. Sounds like one very good reason on this end.
Shaqui wrote:
I've seen some other fans almost insist that their take on a character, explanation, or story viewpoint is now canon in the lack of new material.
In general, Shaqui, we're not like that around here, and in specific, it's a thing that I've personally clearly stated otherwise elsewhere on this site (but perhaps as a newcomer here, you wouldn't have seen it as yet):
Doc Denim wrote:
As always, everyone is free to disagree with me, for I am not, in the final analysis, anyone in particular that needs to be listened to
We're quite upfront and candid about our differing viewpoints hereabouts - and we've enjoyed countless hours of friendly debate over the wonderful and ambiguous details of the Classic series both here on the forum and in many a delightful IM chat. We've resolved a number of the troubling inconsistencies in the original episodes to our own mutual satisfaction and are still working on some of the others. I rather doubt we'll be giving it up any time soon, CGI or no CGI.
Speaking of which - and please let me just make this personal observation - I seem to detect a note of - for lack of a better term - animosity - aimed at those hereabouts who have not flocked quickly enough to the CGI CS - Lighten up and don't hold your breath! Those of us in the Trans-Atlantic or Down Under crews are at a bit of a disadvantage that way right now, no fault of our own - if it will make you happy, just give us some international release dates and we'll start counting down.
And finally, speaking solely for myself, I'll state quite clearly right now that until such time as I can SEE the new CS and decide for myself what I think about it, I'll not be blindly embracing the new series, sight unseen, just to please those who are somehow offended by the fact that I'm not going to immediately abandon the Classic CS, or somehow instantly forget the thirty-something years of pleasure and self indulgent fun that Gerry's original rendering of the show has given me. For which, I will add, I will soon be graciously and quite sincerely thanking Gerry Anderson, just as soon as I compose my missive for the GA Questions thread....
In closing, just one more quick quote:
Shaqui wrote:
.but me, I just do it for the fun of it
And with that sentiment, I can only sincerely agree 100% Shaqui, because that's exactly why I do it too!
Doc Denim - a.k.a Siobhan Zettler - still Cheerfully Malcontent and Willing to Play any time
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Doc Denim
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I've put my colours on the wall - I've loved the original for over 30 years too, and I'm not abandoning that, but that is just the point!!! We are almost 40 years further on, and you cannot expect Gerry Anderson to do 'the further continuing adventures' of the original. I gather that was mooted and rejected, in favour going back to the original concept and starting again.
Sorry if I seem a bit harsh, but I've observed fans for almost as long (including a personal experience of the Dr Who backlash in the 80s when the series was put on hold) and don't regard die-hards in such favourable light. Yes, I'm probably among that number myself, and can reel off any one of thousands of facts about any of the GA series - but I know I don't hold any claim to any of the concepts or characters, nor should I. One fan put it best - it's like being a great big box of toys to play with, but remember they are not your toys to start with. And this can be the greatest failing of fans. Yes, they're the ones who watch and boost ratings. Yes, they're the ones who buy all the merchandise and raise sales. But ultimately, fans - true die-hard fans - represent the smallest fraction of any audience or market. I daresay someone will come back with figures to prove me wrong, somewhere, but that is the hard truth of it.
Chris says a lot of people know the back history of the series, as represented by hits to the bios page. The hits to the home page doesn't even reach seven figures! Where does that compare when viewing figures are in millions, and wholewide figures in tens or even hundreds of millions? (Incidentally Chris, that is an impressive number of hits for a website homepage, so I'm not putting it down, simply in a wider context...)
'Don't fix what isn't broke' - well, if TV producers thought like that, we'd all be watching the same stuff now as we did 30 or 40 years ago. I know some would like that, and yes, I'd have loved it if 'Captain Scarlet', or 'Thunderbirds', or 'Space:1999' went on to have several series... but it isn't the reality. All were hits in their own way, but all disappeared as 'new' series within a very short space of time. You only have to look at the progressive new SF/fantasy series, like 'Babylon 5' and 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer' to see you can no longer churn out the same type of series now. The concept of 'Captain Scarlet' still has legs. I said so in another post virtually all the GA series formats could be revitalised for the real 21st century. But they would have to be revitalised and updated for modern audiences and viewers. And much to the chagrin of the original fans, yes that includes the kiddy viewership of 5-15 year olds. And (ick!) messy insertion into shows like 'Ministry of Mayhem'...
Doc Denim... Siobhan... let's bury the hatchet here. You keep your view about the 'death' of your fav characters, and I'll savour the possibilities the new ones hold.
But, and answer me honestly, if they had kept the original Grey, Magenta, Ochre etc, and suddenly introduced new traits or characteristics to them which clashed with your 30-odd years of fannish enjoyment, how much more upset would you be?
Just a thought...
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shaqui
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That damned counter. Actually, it really isn't true to the real numbers on this site, you know. It only gives an indication of how many visits TO THE HOME PAGE ONLY. There's much more of it, actually. Some people goes directly to their favorite pages (the different fanfic index, characters, vehicles, this forum, S.I.D. Database, etc.)
I can only have the month by month figures - and it's only since this year that I can actually have that (since I changed host and it came with a stats sheet).
Just for your curiosity, here are the January numbers:
Month Jan. 2005
Unique visitors: 4972
Number of visits : 7753
Pages: 31180
Hits: 236200
And it really wasn't the busiest of month...
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chrisbishop
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chrisbishop wrote:I'll reserve my comments for later, concerning the classic series. Just a point: for me and a good number of fans: IT ISN'T DEAD. Why would the coming of the new instantly meant the death of the other?! I don't agree at all.
Well this has been part of my point throughout Chris - 'Old Captain Scarlet' and its fandom won't die because of the new series, and I fail to see why both cannot be appreciated side by side...
Actually, in light of the 'Thunderbirds' film, and the mooted Canadian 'UFO' series, 'New Captain Scarlet' remains remarkably faithful to the original, for all its updates and revsions.
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shaqui
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I believe that Roland Emmerich and Dean Devlin hated the concept and execution of the Stargate: SG1 series, but that has been extremely successful. As was the television spin off from Buffy.
I have been a fan of gerry Anderson shows since the early seventies, the same with Doctor Who and the original Star Trek. Captain Scarlet has always been my favourite Anderson show. I have it on both video and DVD and watch it through every so often. When I found out that the new version was going to air, i found out as much as possible about it. Leftenant Green a woman, Captain Black American, Lt. Ochre female. So what? I am taking this as an alternate and NEW version of a classic series and am watching it without any preconceptions of what it should be. I leave that sort of speculation and nitpicking to the hardcore Trek fans.
I close with a plea. Please give the new series a chance. Comparing it too closely to the original is self destructive. I have seen it happen too many times in fandom over the years. Don't end up like the aforementioned Trek fans. I have too much respect for the type of Gerry Anderson fans I usually meet to think of you in those terms
Thank You
Kambei
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Kambei
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