Battlestar Galactica might’ve lifted its core plot line right out of Mormon mythology but it still managed an intelligent commentary on present day affairs and made a pretty in-depth examination of the human condition while it was at it. This has always equaled good sci-fi for me. Enter the V’s :
Image Courtesy of ABC
Appealing mainly to the folks who don’t care to watch anything that can’t be programmed, categorized, or easily referenced (Thanks Mulder); ABC’s V is as subtle as an outburst of cheek flapping flatulence at your Aunt Bessie’s funeral, and equally tasteful. Its pilot episode went form zero to second season in one commercial break, while managing a painfully obvious dig at health-care and Obama. They wrapped up their 4th episode by playing off flu-shot conspiracy theories. Remember kids, your government is out to get you, so grab a gun and start a militia now, you’ll be glad you did when it comes time to storm the White House.
I always thought ABC dressed more to the left?
I gave it a shot, watched the 4 primer episodes before it goes on break till spring of next year (brilliant). No matter your own political leanings, the writing in this show doesn’t warn about the dangers of embracing the new and shiny just because what you have is busted up and cancerous (that’s a decent sci-fi plot idea). On the other hand I think they’re trying their damnedest to stir up as many wing-nuts as possible, just to see what effect it might have on ratings for a show which would otherwise already be canceled. This is the worst kind of television sci-fi.
So what am I left with? A show chasing after the the success of BSG, masquerading as legitimate sci-fi when the whole concept is more suited to the popcorn party treatment of Independence Day than it is to making any kind of meaningful commentary. If the show does make it back on air in March, I’m going to have an easy time forgetting to tune in. Maybe I just feel betrayed that as a kid in elementary school, I loved the original series, even though I realize it was just as cheesy as this current rehash.
How about you? Love it, hate it, or meh?
