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"Taken" premieres 12/2 on SciFi @ 9PM
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Posted by: grecorj
Nothing like a 10 day, 20 hour SciFi mini-series produced by Steven Spielberg to make a TiVo owner happy. :D
Details here.
Here's a brief synopsis of what it is all about :
quote:
Taken is an epic saga that weaves together the stories of three families over multiple generations — and their crucial roles in the history of alien abductions. Set against the backdrop of actual historical events, Taken creates a powerfully emotional and evocative tale of mankind's encounters with extraterrestrials.
Posted by: grecorj
Here's the schedule from SciFi.com. Looks like they'll be running a marathon on 12/14-12/15 of all 10 episodes!
Inside Taken is the behind the scenes "making of" documentary.
23-NOV-02 1:30 PM INSIDE TAKEN INSIDE TAKEN
24-NOV-02 5:30 AM INSIDE TAKEN: CABLE IN THE CLASSROOM
26-NOV-02 9:00 AM INSIDE TAKEN INSIDE TAKEN
26-NOV-02 1:30 AM INSIDE TAKEN INSIDE TAKEN
01-DEC-02 12:00 AM INSIDE TAKEN INSIDE TAKEN
01-DEC-02 5:30 AM INSIDE TAKEN: CABLE IN THE CLASSROOM
02-DEC-02 9:00 PM STEVEN SPIELBERG PRESENTS TAKEN PART 1 - BEYOND THE SKY
02-DEC-02 11:00 PM STEVEN SPIELBERG PRESENTS TAKEN PART 1 - BEYOND THE SKY
02-DEC-02 1:00 AM STEVEN SPIELBERG PRESENTS TAKEN PART 1 - BEYOND THE SKY
03-DEC-02 7:00 PM STEVEN SPIELBERG PRESENTS TAKEN PART 1 - BEYOND THE SKY
03-DEC-02 9:00 PM STEVEN SPIELBERG PRESENTS TAKEN PART 2 - JACOB AND JESSE
03-DEC-02 11:00 PM STEVEN SPIELBERG PRESENTS TAKEN PART 2 - JACOB AND JESSE
03-DEC-02 1:00 AM STEVEN SPIELBERG PRESENTS TAKEN PART 2 - JACOB AND JESSE
04-DEC-02 12:00 PM INSIDE TAKEN INSIDE TAKEN
04-DEC-02 7:00 PM STEVEN SPIELBERG PRESENTS TAKEN PART 2 - JACOB AND JESSE
04-DEC-02 9:00 PM STEVEN SPIELBERG PRESENTS TAKEN PART 3 - HIGH HOPES
04-DEC-02 11:00 PM STEVEN SPIELBERG PRESENTS TAKEN PART 3 - HIGH HOPES
04-DEC-02 1:00 AM STEVEN SPIELBERG PRESENTS TAKEN PART 3 - HIGH HOPES
05-DEC-02 2:00 PM INSIDE TAKEN INSIDE TAKEN
05-DEC-02 7:00 PM STEVEN SPIELBERG PRESENTS TAKEN PART 3 - HIGH HOPES
05-DEC-02 9:00 PM STEVEN SPIELBERG PRESENTS TAKEN PART 4 - ACID TESTS
05-DEC-02 11:00 PM STEVEN SPIELBERG PRESENTS TAKEN PART 4 - ACID TESTS
05-DEC-02 1:00 AM STEVEN SPIELBERG PRESENTS TAKEN PART 4 - ACID TESTS
06-DEC-02 7:00 PM STEVEN SPIELBERG PRESENTS TAKEN PART 4 - ACID TESTS
06-DEC-02 9:00 PM STEVEN SPIELBERG PRESENTS TAKEN PART 5 - MAINTENANCE
06-DEC-02 11:00 PM STEVEN SPIELBERG PRESENTS TAKEN PART 5 - MAINTENANCE
06-DEC-02 1:00 AM STEVEN SPIELBERG PRESENTS TAKEN PART 5 - MAINTENANCE
07-DEC-02 11:00 AM STEVEN SPIELBERG PRESENTS TAKEN PART 1 - BEYOND THE SKY
07-DEC-02 1:00 PM STEVEN SPIELBERG PRESENTS TAKEN PART 2 - JACOB AND JESSE
07-DEC-02 3:00 PM STEVEN SPIELBERG PRESENTS TAKEN PART 3 - HIGH HOPES
07-DEC-02 5:00 PM STEVEN SPIELBERG PRESENTS TAKEN PART 4 - ACID TESTS
07-DEC-02 7:00 PM STEVEN SPIELBERG PRESENTS TAKEN PART 5 - MAINTENANCE
08-DEC-02 10:00 AM INSIDE TAKEN INSIDE TAKEN
08-DEC-02 11:00 AM STEVEN SPIELBERG PRESENTS TAKEN PART 1 - BEYOND THE SKY
08-DEC-02 1:00 PM STEVEN SPIELBERG PRESENTS TAKEN PART 2 - JACOB AND JESSE
08-DEC-02 3:00 PM STEVEN SPIELBERG PRESENTS TAKEN PART 3 - HIGH HOPES
08-DEC-02 5:00 PM STEVEN SPIELBERG PRESENTS TAKEN PART 4 - ACID TESTS
08-DEC-02 7:00 PM STEVEN SPIELBERG PRESENTS TAKEN PART 5 - MAINTENANCE
08-DEC-02 5:30 AM INSIDE TAKEN: CABLE IN THE CLASSROOM
09-DEC-02 7:00 PM STEVEN SPIELBERG PRESENTS TAKEN PART 5 - MAINTENANCE
09-DEC-02 9:00 PM STEVEN SPIELBERG PRESENTS TAKEN PART 6 - CHARLIE AND LISA
09-DEC-02 11:00 PM STEVEN SPIELBERG PRESENTS TAKEN PART 6 - CHARLIE AND LISA
09-DEC-02 1:00 AM STEVEN SPIELBERG PRESENTS TAKEN PART 6 - CHARLIE AND LISA
10-DEC-02 7:00 PM STEVEN SPIELBERG PRESENTS TAKEN PART 6 - CHARLIE AND LISA
10-DEC-02 9:00 PM STEVEN SPIELBERG PRESENTS TAKEN PART 7 - GOD'S EQUATION
10-DEC-02 11:00 PM STEVEN SPIELBERG PRESENTS TAKEN PART 7 - GOD'S EQUATION
10-DEC-02 1:00 AM STEVEN SPIELBERG PRESENTS TAKEN PART 7 - GOD'S EQUATION
11-DEC-02 7:00 PM STEVEN SPIELBERG PRESENTS TAKEN PART 7 - GOD'S EQUATION
11-DEC-02 9:00 PM STEVEN SPIELBERG PRESENTS TAKEN PART 8 - DROPPING THE DISHES
11-DEC-02 11:00 PM STEVEN SPIELBERG PRESENTS TAKEN PART 8 - DROPPING THE DISHES
11-DEC-02 1:00 AM STEVEN SPIELBERG PRESENTS TAKEN PART 8 - DROPPING THE DISHES
12-DEC-02 7:00 PM STEVEN SPIELBERG PRESENTS TAKEN PART 8 - DROPPING THE DISHES
12-DEC-02 9:00 PM STEVEN SPIELBERG PRESENTS TAKEN PART 9 - JOHN
12-DEC-02 11:00 PM STEVEN SPIELBERG PRESENTS TAKEN PART 9 - JOHN
12-DEC-02 1:00 AM STEVEN SPIELBERG PRESENTS TAKEN PART 9 - JOHN
13-DEC-02 7:00 PM STEVEN SPIELBERG PRESENTS TAKEN PART 9 - JOHN
13-DEC-02 9:00 PM STEVEN SPIELBERG PRESENTS TAKEN PART 10 - TAKEN
13-DEC-02 11:00 PM STEVEN SPIELBERG PRESENTS TAKEN PART 10 - TAKEN
13-DEC-02 1:00 AM STEVEN SPIELBERG PRESENTS TAKEN PART 10 - TAKEN
14-DEC-02 9:00 AM INSIDE TAKEN INSIDE TAKEN
14-DEC-02 11:00 AM STEVEN SPIELBERG PRESENTS TAKEN PART 1 - BEYOND THE SKY
14-DEC-02 1:00 PM STEVEN SPIELBERG PRESENTS TAKEN PART 2 - JACOB AND JESSE
14-DEC-02 3:00 PM STEVEN SPIELBERG PRESENTS TAKEN PART 3 - HIGH HOPES
14-DEC-02 5:00 PM STEVEN SPIELBERG PRESENTS TAKEN PART 4 - ACID TESTS
14-DEC-02 7:00 PM STEVEN SPIELBERG PRESENTS TAKEN PART 5 - MAINTENANCE
15-DEC-02 11:00 AM STEVEN SPIELBERG PRESENTS TAKEN PART 6 - CHARLIE AND LISA
15-DEC-02 1:00 PM STEVEN SPIELBERG PRESENTS TAKEN PART 7 - GOD'S EQUATION
15-DEC-02 3:00 PM STEVEN SPIELBERG PRESENTS TAKEN PART 8 - DROPPING THE DISHES
15-DEC-02 5:00 PM STEVEN SPIELBERG PRESENTS TAKEN PART 9 - JOHN
15-DEC-02 7:00 PM STEVEN SPIELBERG PRESENTS TAKEN PART 10 - TAKEN
Posted by: andyf
I saw Inside Taken last night, it looks awesome. Going to have to relegate some shows to the other TiVo.
Posted by: MalachiNY
No sure if anyone has noticed but SCI-Fi channel has announced a Spielberg Min-Series event called TAKEN.
It looks quite good!
Im only guessing here but I think it is about Alien Abduction and spans over a many year time frame (i.e. 1940's to 2000's)
Check it out on you TiVo's and grab those SP's.
Mal--
Posted by: Rob Helmerichs
The bad news is, it's 20 hours over 10 days.
The good news is, they're running each episode several times a day, plus weekend marathons, so conflicts won't really be an issue...just space!
Posted by: grecorj
<bump>
Posted by: grecorj
Yup, I noticed. :D
Posted by: Skittles
I also saw the Inside Taken special, and also had to do some SP delegations. The show looks incredible. I can't wait!
Posted by: ronsch
I don't know if I can stand a 20 hour hit when I thought I was going to be able to whittle my backlog down a little. Maybe I really need to follow through and go for dual 120's. After all, it's been a year since I added the 80.
Posted by: Cletus
I have set a season pass as soon as the data was in the guide, many days ago.
Posted by: UnionBuster
Wasn't really planning on watching it anyway, but SciFi's cancellation of Farscape has guaranteed that I won't be watching.
Posted by: Beavis
I, like the rest of you, was thinking I had to shuffle some shows around..
WRONG! SP did it in 7 sec! Once again I am reminded why I worship this little box...TiVo rocks!!!! :D
Posted by: davidmin
Luckily, I am in the process of going from 80 to 120 on the b-drive. Now we'll see if it's any good, though.
David
Posted by: tiellv
quote:
Originally posted by Beavis
I, like the rest of you, was thinking I had to shuffle some shows around..
WRONG! SP did it in 7 sec! Once again I am reminded why I worship this little box...TiVo rocks!!!! :D
Same here.
I'm a first time TiVo owner and I'm still getting used to the awesome capabilities!
I just asked for a SP for "Taken" and with 4 showings each night TiVo set up to catch each show :up:
I'm certainly liking this marvelous box :)
Posted by: Big_Daddy
Ain't that right! I got over "Taken"'s premise with X-Files many years ago. I might have given it a chance even so, but I'm too irritated by SciFi's cancellation of Farscape.
I only wish I was a Nielsen family so my disinterest could be registered....
Posted by: Rob Helmerichs
It's amazing to me how many people won't watch Sci-Fi because of Farscape. I mean sure, Farscape was the best science fiction on television, and it sucks that they cancelled it. But not watching Taken (or whatever) doesn't hurt Sci-Fi; it just hurts you (assuming the show is any good, and if it isn't, then THAT'S why you shouldn't watch it).
In fact, perhaps the best revenge is to watch lots and lots of stuff on Sci-Fi, but use 30-second skip (not FF) on all the ads, so that they're wasting money giving you entertainment that isn't getting their advertisers the eyeballs they're paying for! :D
(Unless, of course, you're a Nielsen family, but even then, all you'll be showing them is that you're not watching Taken, not that you don't approve of their cancelling Farscape.)
As far as I'm concerned, the more people who watch good science fiction on Sci-Fi, the more good science fiction they'll air. And in the end, the reason they cancelled Farscape, sad as it is, is because not enough people were watching it to generate the ad revenue necessary to pay for it.
Posted by: jamesbobo
For what it's worth, Entertainment Weekly gives this series high marks. I'll watch the first episode and then see if I stick around for more. Each episode will be repeated so many times that conflicts won't be a problem. On weekends, all 5 of the weekday episodes will be shown on Saturday and again on Sunday.
Posted by: Big_Daddy
quote:
Originally posted by Medieval Guy
As far as I'm concerned, the more people who watch good science fiction on Sci-Fi, the more good science fiction they'll air.
True - although apparently they're moving away from sci-fi. Witness the relatively recent airing of "Braveheart" on SciFi. Although Braveheart is many things - a fine movie included - Sci Fi it ain't. This may be an honest attempt to bring in new viewers, or the beginning of an attempt to change programming in a significant way, a la TNN.
I guess we'll find out.
Posted by: ehopper
I just finished the novelization. I'm not sure how much I liked it.
Spoiler Alert! (highlight to read)
It borrows some from the "plot" (if you call it that) of the X-Files.
Posted by: Rob Helmerichs
quote:
Originally posted by Big_Daddy
True - although apparently they're moving away from sci-fi. Witness the relatively recent airing of "Braveheart" on SciFi. Although Braveheart is many things - a fine movie included - Sci Fi it ain't. This may be an honest attempt to bring in new viewers, or the beginning of an attempt to change programming in a significant way, a la TNN.
And if lots of people watch Braveheart, and all the Farscape fans boycott Taken, what kind of programming are they more likely to look to in the future?
That's why I think this whole "I won't watch Sci-Fi because they cancelled Farscape" line of thought is completely insane, no matter how much I liked Farscape (which is maybe the best show on TV). It is just completely counter-productive if you want science fiction on TV.
(And perhaps if they had spent the same amount of energy that they spend trying to get people not to watch Sci-Fi on trying to get people to WATCH Farscape, this never would have happened in the first place...)
Posted by: phone1
quote:
Originally posted by Medieval Guy
...so conflicts won't really be an issue...just space!
Not for us! :p
I can't think of a better reason for upgrading than stuff like this, marathons of a season you missed, etc.
Unless it turns out to be a dud, of course...:(
Posted by: Rob Helmerichs
Well, I didn't say it would be a problem for ME--DirecTiVo, 184 hours! :D
Although their scheduling is good, this being the off-season. Of the ten nights, there's only one where two things are already scheduled for 8-10, bumping it to late-night.
Posted by: grecorj
<bump>
Premieres tonight...
Posted by: Otto
quote:
Originally posted by Medieval Guy
(And perhaps if they had spent the same amount of energy that they spend trying to get people not to watch Sci-Fi on trying to get people to WATCH Farscape, this never would have happened in the first place...)
Nah. There's not enough cash in the universe for them to pay me to watch that god-awful piece of crap show one more time. I watched 3 episodes. I gave up because it wasn't sci-fi, it was pure gibberish and fantasy and that was that. Not even good fantasy. I agree, SciFi makes perhaps the worst programming decisions known to man, but they were right on the money for that one.
Farscape sucked and deserved to be taken off the air.
Yeah, I said it! Bring it on!
:p
Posted by: jchan
You said it. With out my upgrade I wouldn't have been able to record all days of Louis Vuitton Racing on OLN, Uncut and commercial free classic westerns on TCM, HBO/Cinemax free preview weekend, and James Bond marathon on TNN Thanksgiving weekend.
Next up, Taken and more Louis Vuitton (semi-finals).
I was actually running out of space on my "106 hour" (actually about 80+) DTiVo.
Posted by: ronsch
quote:
Originally posted by Otto
Yeah, I said it! Bring it on!:p
BOO, HISSSSS!
Posted by: Rob Helmerichs
It's kind of sad when you realize that somebody with 12,000 posts can't be taken seriously.
:D
Posted by: ehopper
quote:
Originally posted by Medieval Guy
It's kind of sad when you realize that somebody with 12,000 posts can't be taken seriously.
:D
Well, I only have 3500 posts, but have been a SF fan since the late 50s and I just couldn't get into Farscape. Maybe it was the obvious Gen-X stunting that was woven through it that turned me off, but in general, despite trying to watch it, reading plot summaries, watching from "Episode 1" and so on, it just left me cold.
Posted by: Metaluna
quote:
Originally posted by Otto
Farscape sucked and deserved to be taken off the air.
Yeah, I said it! Bring it on!
:p
I admit I liked the first season, but for the most part you'll get no argument from me!
Posted by: jcramos
15 minutes to go......
Posted by: Skittles
Just finished, and I must say I'm hooked. Loved the show and the fact that almost all the drama is character driven. Incredible mini-series, can't wait to see the rest.
Posted by: Otto
Ehh. Not bad. We'll see where it goes.
The best part: The Children of Dune commercials. Wow.
Posted by: Beavis
quote:
Originally posted by Otto
Ehh. Not bad. We'll see where it goes.
The best part: The Children of Dune commercials. Wow.
Commercials? What are those....?:)
Posted by: Otto
They're the things you see when fast forwarding that occassionally (rarely) make you go "holy shliznit!" and stop and rewind and go "coooooool".
:D
Posted by: Big_Daddy
quote:
Originally posted by Otto
Nah. There's not enough cash in the universe for them to pay me to watch that god-awful piece of crap show one more time. I watched 3 episodes. I gave up because it wasn't sci-fi, it was pure gibberish and fantasy and that was that. Not even good fantasy. I agree, SciFi makes perhaps the worst programming decisions known to man, but they were right on the money for that one.
Farscape sucked and deserved to be taken off the air.
:p
Wow! Now that's venom!
I, for one, liked Farscape. I'd argue that for this show, you need more than 3 episodes to decide if you like it or not, but I can't argue with the idea that 3 episodes is enough to make up your mind. Farscape was quirky and original. And it had evil muppets.
I'm apparently a finicky fan of sci fi - I like very few sci fi shows. I loathe Andromeda (as should all others), find Firefly unwatchable (sorry guys, I know I'm asking for flaming), and find Enterprise a sad, thin reflection of the original Star Trek. But with naked Vulcans.
But I'm always hopeful of new programming. Taken's first episode is waiting for me on my TiVo. I don't have high hopes - I tired of their concept during X-Files' run, but I'll give it a shot.
Posted by: Rcrew
So, is it any good?
Posted by: jones07
To early to tell. Ask again in three or four days :)
Posted by: jradosh
So far... so good. Some of the characters are a little bit "black and white" (or "good guys/bad guys") for my taste. That's a little of the Schpeilberg influence I'm sure. But it's not bad and THANK GOD FOR 30-SEC SKIP! (no, you just can't shout that loudly enough ;))
Although I did watch what amounted to a "here's all the shows we're working on" commercial for Sci-Fi. Looks like they've got a lot of interesting shows in the works. I may even check out Tremors- The Series which (at first hearing about) I had decided to pass on.
J
Posted by: Skittles
Another good episode last night. Though predictable in some parts, I'm still riveted by the show and can't wait for tonight's episode :)
Posted by: Rob Helmerichs
The only thing that's bothering me is the whole "power of the mind" thing. Hey, Steve...IT'S A METAPHOR! And why do I smell that old "we only use 10% of our brain" urban myth coming on?
But then again, any show that takes the Area 51 mythos seriously is silly at heart, so I'm willing to overlook it. And that's the only thing that's turned me off so far...
Posted by: Skittles
According to the Making of special, Sir Steven is trying to integrate a lot of the common alien lore into the mini-series. A lot of scientists feel the aliens communicate via telepathy or sock puppets.
Posted by: mostman
Ok - So I watched about 10 minutes of one episode. It looked pretty good. I will probably record the entire thing when it marathons.
HOWEVER - What the HELL is the deal with the new SciFi Bug!? I could not take my eyes off it - it is huge and bright and seems to be half way toward the center of the screen! I hope they get rid of that - or else I will be using the cardboard box trick when I watch it.
-Mike
Posted by: Rob Helmerichs
It's not telepathy that I object to (well, I do, but that's in Real Life), it's the idea that a few brains can generate enough energy to fuel a very large starship.
But I'm probably being pedantic, and it doesn't really interfere much with my enjoyment of the show...after all, I was a die-hard X-Files fan for years!
Posted by: GT3NE1
I watched the first episode last night. All I can say is WOW!!!!!! This looks like it is going to be an incredible television event. Very cool!!!!! Was getting sick of my DVD's and all the reruns by HBO/MAX, finally a new "movie" to watch everynight for the next 10 days!
Posted by: jlb
Unfortunately I don't get SCI-FI. So I am relegated to reading hte novelization and waiting for the DVD Boxset to come out.......Maybe in time for my birthday in May!
Posted by: Big_Daddy
Well I finally caught the first episode - mmm...how I love time shifting! I broke down after all.
It was good - not great, not exceptional - but solid. Still unsure if I want to dedicate almost one whole day of my life to watching the series! But I'll probably check out my recorded second episode tonight.
My main fear is that Taken will follow Sir Steven's recent movies (A.I. and Minority Report) and will be an act too long. Both of those movies would have been better had the last 30-40 min been cut off. For Taken this would roughly equal the last 4-5 hours!
AH, well, enjoy it while you can. Or wait for the DVD.
Posted by: DanT
Or download off Usenet.
Posted by: DanT
Personally, I thought the first episode was just promising enough to make me stick with it. The second episode was better, so I'm looking forward to tonight's (3rd) episode.
And I really want to know:Spoiler Alert! (highlight to read)
What the kid makes people see that freaks them out! Is it the same for everyone, or is it tailored to each individual, like a greatest fear thing? Or do they even "see" anything? Maybe he just makes them feel terrified.
Posted by: Skittles
From the way they made it look last night, he was
Spoiler Alert! (highlight to read)
Using his telepathic powers to cause cerebral hemmoraging. I presume it's the same reason that Sally's oldest son had the headaches when he first met the visitor
I'm really more curious about seeing
Spoiler Alert! (highlight to read)
How Jesse fits into all of this. Obviously, Jesse's dad was infused with alien DNA at some point, and he's the one that Jacob referred to when he said "I'm not the only one that's important". I just hope they explain why Jesse is so important
Actually, my biggest question with the show is where I had seen the actress who plays Sally. Then I realized it's the same woman who plays Danny on The Shield.
Posted by: Dancar
While I can enjoy this as science fiction, my concern is that fiction based on pouplar psuedo science only encouranges more people to believe this is all real.
I liked how the script is written to fill holes in the myth. For example, the Airforce in Roswell did issue a press release about finding a flying disc, then later said it was a weather ballon (this really happened).
But the original story and the accounts of the famers who found the debris did not support the myths that emerged later about finding bodies or a ship intact enough to store in an Air Force hanger. So what do they do? Invent a 2nd ship that is found by a man and two boy scouts, and then say that this required them to deny the original flying disk story!
The latest iteration of this myth is that the Aliens are now warning people (via chanelling) about a mysterious planet that will pass by Earth in May 2003 causing all sorts of global castatrophies. I wonder if THAT will make it into the last installment?
Posted by: cancermatt
Dancar, I agree with you. I had not seen/read any of the advertisements or web articles on "Taken," so after watching parts 1 and 2, I finally saw the "Inside Taken" preview show and realized the story is part truth and part urban legend. I am disappointed. Reading the very basic preview of the first episode, I was thinking "Taken" would follow three real-life families for several generations (that would explain the perfect tie in with the "newly discovered" evidence on Roswell also currently airing on Sci-fi) and after seeing "Sir Steven" speak about filling in the blanks of the unknown universe with his personal perceptions makes me wish for my 4 hours back I've already wasted.
Sure, I'll stick around a little longer, for (hopeful) entertainment's sake, but any more suspension of disbelief will force me to turn off the tv permanently. I don't normally watch the Sci-fi channel, but I'm a big sci-fi fan in general, and it's things like this that turn me away from watching any more "event" specials on the channel if the show turns any more unbelievable.
"Sir Steven" KNOWS there's a higher form of life in the universe and that's what keeps him filming movies. Well, I know there's ultimately a good entertaining program on tv... somewhere. If it's not "Taken," then I surely won't be any longer.
Posted by: Rob Helmerichs
Ya know, I felt the same way about X-Files before it aired. The promos made me hate it with a passion; it stood against everything I stand for (reason, intelligence, and accurate drive times in the LA area). So I watched the pilot, just to get ammo...and fell in love with the show within the first hour. The characters were great, and the writing was smart, even considering that it was dealing with truly silly issues. I think what made it OK for me was that the premise was so silly that no rational person could take it seriously.
I sort of feel the same way about Taken. The premise is insanely stupid, and you'd have to be insanely stupid to believe it. (And yes, I know a lot of people do. We live, I fear, in an insanely stupid culture.) Nobody is going to watch this and be convinced that aliens abduct us, and the government is involved, etc.; people who would believe that crap already believe it. It is clearly fiction, and not intended to be taken seriously as a possibility, so the question is, does it work as fiction? So far, yes, not as well as the early X-Files did, but well enough to keep me watching in a month when not much else is on television.
I wonder if, 100 years from now, the whole Alien Conspiracy thing will be seen as a cultural phenomenon, or as a literary plot device?
Posted by: Skittles
Wait a second...we know that some of this is true. Taken told us that Velcro was introduced by the visitors, and Enterprise confirmed that. :)
Posted by: jradosh
After watching the second episode I can say that I'm liking it more and more. As already mentioned, the fact that it's character driven more so than special FX driven is a plus. And the actors (not big-name ones either) are great. The direction is pretty good too, although you can feel Spielbergian influences throughout (like the 4ft. squirrel in ep. 2, and the good guy/bad guy characterizations).
BTW, did anyone else notice that Tobe (Texas Chainsaw Massacre) Hooper directed the first episode?! :eek:
One thing I really like is the fact that almost (so it seems) half the characters are smokers (even the women). Not that I'm advocating smoking, but it does accurately reflect the lifestyle of the 40s more than most made-for-TV shows are willing to do. :up:
BUT, I really am getting annoyed by the little girl voice-over narration. The big words and sentances aren't right for a little girl's voice... although I suspect we'll find out why in the last episode (my guess... she's an alien/human child). For now though, I wish she's just go away. :(
Yeah, I'm sticking with this series. :)
J
Posted by: kimsan
Just watched the 1st part tonight and it grabbed me by the pillow. Hopefully the pace will pick up.
But in the simple-stupid-concepts-missed department I came up with this question. If the saucers passing overhead kill the flow of electricity in a car (no lights, radio, ignition), why does the ELECTRIC starter still work?
Go as far as you like into the theoretical, but how 'bout some consistancy in the physics, okay Steve?
At least no one was carrying walkie talkies ;)
cheers,
kim
Posted by: jradosh
quote:
why does the ELECTRIC starter still work?
Yeah, I noticed that too. That, and the fact that all the airplanes in the WWII scene didn't go kaput either.
But you know those aliens have very specialized energy-field-disruptors, don't you?
J :p
Posted by: kimsan
quote:
Originally posted by jradosh
But you know those aliens have very specialized energy-field-disruptors, don't you?
Right! I knew there was a logical explanation :)
That probably explains Sue as well. Car ceases to function, UFOs fly overhead, then crash, shockwave knocks her down...first instinct is to go stroll through the burning wreckage! Guess her brain-energy-field got disrupted instead of the starter motor ;)
Now if the pace picks up I may be willing to overlook the dumb factor.
cheers,
kim
Posted by: unoriginal
quote:
Originally posted by Otto
Nah. There's not enough cash in the universe for them to pay me to watch that god-awful piece of crap show one more time. I watched 3 episodes. I gave up because it wasn't sci-fi, it was pure gibberish and fantasy and that was that. Not even good fantasy. I agree, SciFi makes perhaps the worst programming decisions known to man, but they were right on the money for that one.
Farscape sucked and deserved to be taken off the air.
Yeah, I said it! Bring it on!
:p
Otto Otto Otto... What am I going to do with you?
(unoriginal pulls out his walkie talkie contemplating what he knows he must do)(unoriginal loads the batteries)
Posted by: Skittles
quote:
Originally posted by jradosh
BUT, I really am getting annoyed by the little girl voice-over narration. The big words and sentances aren't right for a little girl's voice... although I suspect we'll find out why in the last episode (my guess... she's an alien/human child). J
From the way the making-of special made it look, and the listing on IMDB, she is (alert!!! Major spoiler).... Spoiler Alert! (highlight to read)
Allie Keys....meaning she's probably the daughter/offspring of Jacob Keys, the young boy that was in the school in Montana.
Posted by: Rob Helmerichs
quote:
Originally posted by SkittlesDFW
Spoiler Alert! (highlight to read)
Allie Keys....meaning she's probably the daughter/offspring of Jacob Keys, the young boy that was in the school in Montana.
Spoiler Alert! (highlight to read)
Jacob isn't a Keys (that's the family of the bomber pilot), he's a Clarke. It looks from the Taken web site like Allie is the grandaughter of Jacob and Jesse (the bomber pilot's kid, who just got abducted again), although the family tree there is slightly ambigious.
Remember, we've still got decades to go before this thing ends!
Posted by: Skittles
Ahhh! Thanks for the clarification. :)
Posted by: msgoff
quote:
Originally posted by jradosh
One thing I really like is the fact that almost (so it seems) half the characters are smokers (even the women). Not that I'm advocating smoking, but it does accurately reflect the lifestyle of the 40s more than most made-for-TV shows are willing to do.
I noticed this too - I wonder if it's being done in the name of "time realism" or if there's a plot link too? Maybe some sort of alien or government conspiracy?? I guess I've seen too many episodes of the x-Files!! ;)
Posted by: Dancar
I've read a bit of the "UFO-nut" literature over the years, and I look forward to seeing how much of it will be includied in this series.
One article I read once said that the films "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" and ET were part of a govenrment plan to prepare the people for a public announcement of of Alien contact. Wouldn't that be cool if that was in this series?
The same article claimed that around 1980 a meeting in the southwest between the aliens and a deligation of govenrment people went badly, ending in a shootout in which many aliens and earth people were killed.
After that, aliens in the movies became hostile again.
Posted by: Fleegle
I'm looking forward to seeing contact with the REAL MIB, (Not that crap from the Will Smith movies), and what the series' explination is for them. There are as many theories on teh MIB as there are sightings.
Posted by: chroma601
http://www.zetatalk.com/
Posted by: Otto
Well, it looks like it's going to keep advancing by stages until present-day and probably the future a bit. 10 years between episodes 1 and 2, and then about 3 years to the episode 3.
Interesting, but slow.
However, because everything bad that is done seems to be pinned to Crawford, I'm eagerly awaiting the UFO nuts claiming that Speilburg is hired by them to provide disinformation. :D
Posted by: mostman
Watched it again. Seriously - the bug makes this unwatchable. Ugh - I don't know how you folks deal with it.
-Mike
Posted by: Rob Helmerichs
quote:
Originally posted by mostman
Watched it again. Seriously - the bug makes this unwatchable. Ugh - I don't know how you folks deal with it.
Widescreen TV in zoom mode...clips the bug a bit, and the rest of it is on the bottom edge of the screen, where it's easier to ignore.
Posted by: sacherjj
quote:
Originally posted by jradosh
Yeah, I noticed that too. That, and the fact that all the airplanes in the WWII scene didn't go kaput either.
You could argue that the airplanes use magnetos, which generate electricity for ignition directly from the engines rotation. This is why you can fly planes with no battery (like the 1946 Aeronica Champ I have many hours in and start by turning the prop.) However, it is pretty lame to have the starter still working in the car scene... :)
Posted by: DanT
quote:
Originally posted by Otto
However, because everything bad that is done seems to be pinned to Crawford, I'm eagerly awaiting the UFO nuts claiming that Speilburg is hired by them to provide disinformation. :D
I think it'd be great if they somehow tied the release of Close Encounters and E.T. into the storyline! A little bit of an inside poke at himself. Maybe even a little cameo of a meeting between Spielberg and Crawford's equivalent in the mid-70's saying "So you understand what we want?" and "I'll forward you a script as soon as it's ready."
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