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by Rick Norwood
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SF on TV | |
There are also several borderline fantasy series with new episodes. It is hard to know what is fantasy and
what isn't, in the minds of Americans. Like most people, in all places and in all times, we believe in many
things that are contrary to fact. Which of the following do you believe are real: angels, demons, ESP, dreams
that come true, astrology, Roswell aliens, miraculous healing? Unless you're a scientist, there is a good
chance you believe in at least half of the items on the list. What does that make a TV series about, say,
Roswell. Science fiction or just realistic drama?
In any case, here are some TV shows you may want to watch, if you like that sort of thing. On January 5, a new episode
of Lost, the number one hit of 2004, will be aired. On
January 9, on HBO, new episodes of Ronald D. Moore's Carnivale,
which many love. To my taste, both of these shows, with their tiny smidgen of fantasy, and their need to string out the
story across as many seasons as the audience will bear, add up to boredom. The majority of viewers disagree.
On January 19 a new series, Point Pleasant, premieres. One of the writers is Buffy writer
Marti Noxon. Looks like another battle between angels and demons in small town America. You can read my review here in the February issue.
So much for borderline fantasy. Here is the real science fiction coming your way in January. All shows air on Friday and,
except for Star Trek: Enterprise, all are on the SciFi Channel. You will have to choose between Enterprise
and Stargate SG-1, since they air at the same time. Almost nobody is watching the final season of Andromeda.
New SF on TV in December:
The air dates for new episodes of Smallville have not yet been announced.
The 2003 Battlestar Galactica TV movie is now out on DVD.
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Rick Norwood is a mathematician and writer whose small press publishing house, Manuscript Press, has published books by Hal Clement, R.A. Lafferty, and Hal Foster. He is also the editor of Comics Revue Monthly, which publishes such classic comic strips as Flash Gordon, Sky Masters, Modesty Blaise, Tarzan, Odd Bodkins, Casey Ruggles, The Phantom, Gasoline Alley, Krazy Kat, Alley Oop, Little Orphan Annie, Barnaby, Buz Sawyer, and Steve Canyon. |
In December, there was almost no new SF or fantasy on TV, except for the execrable Legend of Earthsea. In
January, the floodgates open. We have new episodes of Enterprise, both Stargates,
Andromeda, and Battlestar Galactica.
Also on January 9, the new season of 24 begins, a suspense series with occasional SF touches. My recommendation
for 24 is to wait for the DVD and then watch one episode per night, for a powerful viewing experience
undiluted by long waits and commercials. That said, let me mention that most people think the ending of Season 3 sucked.
January 7
 
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