Drama is on Naturalistic Sci-Fi’s side
Dean Esmay points to an article on GALATICA.TV about “Naturalistic Science Fiction” and the use of that concept in the hit television show Battlestar Galatica.
Our goal is nothing less than the reinvention of the science fiction television series. We take as a given the idea that the traditional space opera, with its stock characters, techno-double-talk, bumpy-headed aliens, thespian histrionics, and empty heroics has run its course and a new approach is required. That approach is to introduce realism into what has heretofore been an aggressively unrealistic genre.
Call it “Naturalistic Science Fiction.”
This idea, the presentation of a fantastical situation in naturalistic terms, will permeate every aspect of our series…
Every time my wife and I watch Battlestar Galatica, she always notes how “real and natural” the show feels. And that is one heck of an achievement. Now I’m a big fan of Star Trek: TOS, Star Trek: TNG, and Star Trek: Voyager. But when it come to feeling “real” it really doesn’t. The Star Treks are like watching another dimension of humans whereas Galatica feels quite neighborly. The Star Treks (especially post-TOS) have a “benevolent communist” government and economy. Communist I dare say (I am a dictator ya know)? I’m not the only one who believes this. Whereas Galatica has a traditional Western democracy that we can readily grasp.
There is so much more that I can talk about but read the entire article via Dean’s World. I love the awesomely fantastic sci-fi but when it comes to sheer drama, naturalistic sci-fi wins out.
[zing! to Dean Esmay]
I want to have Ron Moore’s baby.
;l-)
I’m strangely encapsulated by the Battlestar Galactica and I have it on serious TiVo. As much as I’m seriously into the ST series as well you are, it’s stuff like BG and now even the new show 4400 that takes the fiction out of science fiction and puts a reality spin on it.
And no, I’m not even gonna talk about Zero 7 as you did a few days ago….i’m just gonna pull out When It Falls and spin it again….
Battlestar Galactica is intense. Don’t get me wrong, I like the show but I don’t see the “reality” you guys are talking about. I don’t necessarily expect reality so I’m not saying that to criticize but reality is more balanced. Even in the most serious situations there are always lighter moments, a little humor now and then.
Never mind what I said earlier about reality. In fiction reality is relative. Different shows are unrealistic in different ways. BG is more realistic than ST. It’s more realistic than the original BG.
I think part of the reason that ST was so popular is the unreality of it. It was a fantasy; that’s what people want. The mature realization that a society like “The Federation” couldn’t work (assuming they’re not hiding some really ugly things) sort of spoils ST unless you decide to just accept it all as pure fantasy.
People want to believe that a perfect society, a utopia, is possible but that’s harder to believe since real reality hit us in the face so darker fantasies are going to be more popular for a while.
Dean: I want to be Ron Moore’s baby.
EJ: Oh man! The 4400 is some serious stuff. About Zero 7; a friend of mine introduced me to them and I’ve been full of Distractions since.
Lynn S: The utopian society is a dream of mine as well. Where it all just works. And the Star Trek series REALLY captures utopian closeness. BG and ST are both escapes for me. BG just is more gritty, intense, and the characters feel more like you and me. Nevertheless, I would love Guinan and Capt. Picard as professors.