Monthly Sci-Fi Club

[tielan]

The best part of today was watching the first few minutes of Knight Rider 1.02 (or was it 1.03?) at my monthly sci-fi club and predicting what would happen. That's one show that I've gotta watch - and watch with other people, just for the joy of poking fun at it.

I also saw Terminator: SCC 2.03 today and have decided I should watch the rest of it. Although some of the characterisations bug me - such as Cameron's social cluelessness, and John's continuing cluelessness that disobeying might be a typical teenaged act of rebellion, but in his case, it gets people killed - like his mother's ex-fiancee's wife when he gave the ex-fiancee his phone number, and nearly him when he played hookey from Cameron.

We also watched Dr. Who: Resurrection of the Daleks, sort of - vintage Who. Because there were apparently several episodes dedicated to this storyline and we saw episode #1 and #3, and it definitely didn't finish at #3.

I'm kind of enjoying The Middleman, although it's a slightly odd show. Traditional British sci-fi style in an American setting, which actually works for me. I don't imagine it'll ever be an old man River particularly popular in America, but it's funny enough.

Does anyone know when Eureka comes back on in the US?

In spite of my continuing and growing dissatisfaction with SGA, I have enjoyed other shows, although none have grabbed me. Mostly, I think, I need to find a place to fit into the fandoms, although it would probably help if any of the characters really spoke to me. I like the physically kickass girls who aren't emotionally disconnected from the people around them. Not exactly a common complaint in science fiction.

Anyway, the club has been good for me this year, brought me into the realm of people that I wouldn't have otherwise met. And at $10 a month, it's way cheaper than paying $3000 for a round-the-world ticket every time I want to catch up with people who can talk sci-fi.

And saeva? You were right. Sanctuary 1.04 was better.

Comments

[thelana.livejournal.com]

You know, if it wasn't deeply masochistic I would suggest Merlin. You know, yet another fandom with pretty neat girls, a canon her pairing, yet a fandom that is 1736275378% one single slash pairing.





I like the physically kickass girls who aren't emotionally disconnected from the people around them. Not exactly a common complaint in science fiction.

Hmmm, I guess Marian on Robin Hood would fit the bill (and she was popular), but she died.

The girl from Legend of the Seeker, I guess she is somewhat disconnected, but not willingly, but because of her gift. Also, very canon pairing, both in the source material and on the show and no serious competition from other pairings I think. And despite her girly looks she must frequently save him because she is a much better fighter than he is. Though maybe he dilutes the dynamic a bit because he is one of these "chosen one" guys.


I don't watch enough Chuck to know how disconnected the woman there is, though probably a bit because of job again, though she is probably more connected than the main character.

I can't really sit through Fringe, but maybe the lead character there would fit the bill?

I know it's not SciFi, but maybe you should give The Mentalist a try. She is the boss of unit and definitely the voice of reason and it her job to keep HIM in check.

[tielan]

I've seen part of the first episode of Merlin but the chronological anachronisms bugged me. After the first two or three episodes of the new Robin Hood, I stopped watching: too much swashbuckle not enough substance.

I have two eps of The Mentalist although I haven't started watching it yet. I did get a rec for Blood Ties yesterday at the meet, and I know I have most of that.

It's interesting that not one of these shows with physically capable women you've mentioned is 'popular' on my f-list. And possibly rather terrifying, too.

[caladria.livejournal.com]

Oh, Classic Who is cheesetastic.. As a general rule of thumb, the longer the serial, the more filler it has (I've never made it through anything over six serials long). Have you tried new Who? series 4 has Donna in it, who's bloody fantastic; physically kickass is probably pushing it too far, but she's no damsel in distress.

[thelana.livejournal.com]

I'd totally love to see who among Rose, Martha and Donna would be tielan's fave. My fave was actually Donna because I really appreciated the LACK of romance between her and doctor.

[tielan]

I suspect my problem with Dr Who is that I'm better watching it with someone else. Actually, that could sum up my issues with most shows - I prefer watching in a group, not by myself. The enjoyment is considerably more when watching with others.

I liked Donna, though. I liked Martha, and I didn't really see too much of DW when Rose was there. Although, really, most of S3 seemed to be about Rose's absence instead of Martha's presence. But then, I only watched the first three or four episodes when Martha was there.

[landwm.livejournal.com]

I would actually totally recommend Fringe. It took me a couple of episodes to really get into it, but now that I am, I find it very very interesting. The lead lady, Agent Dunham, is portrayed as strong, intelligent, and dedicated to her job. And Walter, the crazy scientist guy, is absolutely hysterical. His personality is like an absent minded professor that confesses to some pretty horrible evil genius scientist moments with childlike enthusiasm. I like how the episodes are House-esque, meaning the science behind the cases they are investigating get kind of dummified down so that Agent Dunham and Peter, Walter's son, can understand what is going on.


And the hubby and I love Eureka. The last episode was such a cliffhanger, we both actually yelled "NO!" when we saw that it was the midseason break and that new episodes wouldn't air until January. I really like Alison in this season as opposed to last season; I thought she was looking rough there for a while and acting pretty harsh, especially to poor Jack. It seems to me that she is going back to being how she was in the first season, smart, no-nonsense when she has to be, but with a friendlier personality.


Terminator: SCC takes watching a few episodes to really get into, and for me, it took practically the entire first season. I originally started watching it because Summer Glau is in it and Firefly is one of my all-time favorite sci-fi shows that ended way before it's time. But this season is ok, not great, but ok. I seem to be having a hard time getting into some of the characters, especially the leading bad guy terminator lady played by the chick from Garbage. I realize that they are playing robots, and therefore their personalities are supposed to be flat, but still...


Robin Hood really is the only other show I can think of that has a very strong, able to kick ass better than the guys, leading lady. And they killed Marian in the last season, which makes absolutely no senses because what other love interest is Robin supposed to have if not Marian?


I suppose Smallville could go towards strong leading ladies, since Lois Lane tends to be portrayed as independent and a risk-taker. But I haven't watched a single episode of season 8, partly because my husband wants to finish watching season 7 before getting caught up in the latest episodes, and also partly because Lex Luthor isn't in the show anymore. The actor decided not to renew his contract, which is why there is a new bad guy and bad lady. It's hard to reconcile that this is very likely the last season of Smallville, and yet no Lex, no more ultimate battle between Good and Evil and all that. And I really liked Lex; he was not quite the bad guy with the heart of gold, but he had his moments.

[tielan]

I've got the first episode of Fringe but haven't yet watched it. It's on my 'list of things to do when I have a spare second that isn't devoted to writing'.

And Smallville is one of those shows I've never touched. Prettyboyness doesn't interest me, and neither does prettygirlness. I guess that kinda marks me out, even before I've watched a minute of a show.

[ryf.livejournal.com]

Ot's not sci-fi and already ended a few years ago, but Buffy is really quite good if you don't know it already. And also not sci-fi, but Pushing daisies has great characters .

[tielan]

Already seen most of Buffy and large chunks of Angel. To tell you the truth, my favouritet character out of that panoply was Faith, and I was very disappointed that Eliza Dushku went with Tru Calling rather than Faith The Vampire Slayer although I can understand why she would.

[wlykyoti.livejournal.com]

There doesn't seem to be any official word on when Eureka will start again. The rumor is March. *shrugs* I can tell you it will be 21 episodes instead of just 13 so yay there.

[tielan]

That's a bit of a break! Why 13 eps?

[beth-soprano.livejournal.com]

I second the vote for Chuck. I'm not sure if you'd like it but you should definitely give it a try. Have you seen NCIS? It's not sci-fi but it's pretty good.

[tielan]

NCIS is something else on my 'to watch' list - particularly for the Tony/Ziva dynamic, which doesn't have to be romantic, but just has to be them being partners and awesome.

So, yeah, I would like to watch NCIS, but the difficulty with that is getting my hands on it and watching the seasons as they go... Aren't there quite a few of them now?

[alliesings.livejournal.com]

That sounds really cool. I'm enjoying Legend of the Seeker and am planning to borrow the first book from a friend. I love the 'ship in Chuck. The girl is somewhat disconnected, but she shows that it is because she has to be, not that she wants to be. They are squishy.

[tielan]

I have no idea what Legend Of The Seeker is. Help?

[jadestrick.livejournal.com]

DARLING. I have one word for you:

FARSCAPE.

I think I watched all of it in three weeks. It's just bizarrely BEAUTIFUL. And my favorite part in difference to all the other shows we love? It ENDED. Like, they actually wrote an ENDING.

*loves her Farscape* :D

Just a subtle rec.

[tielan]

People have been trying to get me into Farscape for years. YEARS.

I've seen three episodes - one on silent. :D

The pilot, Crackers Don't Matter (in which many Australian biscuits were most wastefully wasted), and the one where Crichton gets marooned on a planet where the natives wear purple and orange shantung silk (on silent).

I think I'd like to watch the rest of it, but it's finding time (four seasons feels like an awful lot to watch). Still.

*puts it on the list and makes a note to call her 'dealer'*

[ladyjax.livejournal.com]

I'm not watching a lot of sci-fi shows right now, mostly because nothing really caught my eye, although I love Chuck. I picked it up last season and continued into this one and it makes me happy.

Fringe didn't catch me at all and I broke up with Heroes

Mostly, I've been grooving to a lot of short term series like Saving Grace with Holly Hunter and The Closer with Kyra Sedgewick. Two very different cop shows with women firmly at the center. Looking forward to the return of Battlestar Galactica and Eureka and I'm totally taken with Leverage.

Oddly enough, I'm not necessarily mourning SGA's end but I'm feeling like I want to write fic for it again. Go figure.

[tielan]

but I'm feeling like I want to write fic for it again. Go figure

Dammit, hon! You write!

I know exactly what you mean re: wanting to write fic for it again. Except that I don't think I'll be in the 'happy place' until the show is over and i know how things have turned out. I'm kinda innured against the idea that the Things I Want To Happen Won't, but I'm also a little nervous at what fandom crap might go down in the wake of the finale.

Right now, I have the sneaking suspicion that there'll be a Harry Potter-style epilogue. And it's kinda terrifying me.

[thelana.livejournal.com]

You know, if it wasn't deeply masochistic I would suggest Merlin. You know, yet another fandom with pretty neat girls, a canon her pairing, yet a fandom that is 1736275378% one single slash pairing.





I like the physically kickass girls who aren't emotionally disconnected from the people around them. Not exactly a common complaint in science fiction.

Hmmm, I guess Marian on Robin Hood would fit the bill (and she was popular), but she died.

The girl from Legend of the Seeker, I guess she is somewhat disconnected, but not willingly, but because of her gift. Also, very canon pairing, both in the source material and on the show and no serious competition from other pairings I think. And despite her girly looks she must frequently save him because she is a much better fighter than he is. Though maybe he dilutes the dynamic a bit because he is one of these "chosen one" guys.


I don't watch enough Chuck to know how disconnected the woman there is, though probably a bit because of job again, though she is probably more connected than the main character.

I can't really sit through Fringe, but maybe the lead character there would fit the bill?

I know it's not SciFi, but maybe you should give The Mentalist a try. She is the boss of unit and definitely the voice of reason and it her job to keep HIM in check.

[tielan]

I've seen part of the first episode of Merlin but the chronological anachronisms bugged me. After the first two or three episodes of the new Robin Hood, I stopped watching: too much swashbuckle not enough substance.

I have two eps of The Mentalist although I haven't started watching it yet. I did get a rec for Blood Ties yesterday at the meet, and I know I have most of that.

It's interesting that not one of these shows with physically capable women you've mentioned is 'popular' on my f-list. And possibly rather terrifying, too.

[caladria.livejournal.com]

Oh, Classic Who is cheesetastic.. As a general rule of thumb, the longer the serial, the more filler it has (I've never made it through anything over six serials long). Have you tried new Who? series 4 has Donna in it, who's bloody fantastic; physically kickass is probably pushing it too far, but she's no damsel in distress.

[thelana.livejournal.com]

I'd totally love to see who among Rose, Martha and Donna would be tielan's fave. My fave was actually Donna because I really appreciated the LACK of romance between her and doctor.

[landwm.livejournal.com]

I would actually totally recommend Fringe. It took me a couple of episodes to really get into it, but now that I am, I find it very very interesting. The lead lady, Agent Dunham, is portrayed as strong, intelligent, and dedicated to her job. And Walter, the crazy scientist guy, is absolutely hysterical. His personality is like an absent minded professor that confesses to some pretty horrible evil genius scientist moments with childlike enthusiasm. I like how the episodes are House-esque, meaning the science behind the cases they are investigating get kind of dummified down so that Agent Dunham and Peter, Walter's son, can understand what is going on.


And the hubby and I love Eureka. The last episode was such a cliffhanger, we both actually yelled "NO!" when we saw that it was the midseason break and that new episodes wouldn't air until January. I really like Alison in this season as opposed to last season; I thought she was looking rough there for a while and acting pretty harsh, especially to poor Jack. It seems to me that she is going back to being how she was in the first season, smart, no-nonsense when she has to be, but with a friendlier personality.


Terminator: SCC takes watching a few episodes to really get into, and for me, it took practically the entire first season. I originally started watching it because Summer Glau is in it and Firefly is one of my all-time favorite sci-fi shows that ended way before it's time. But this season is ok, not great, but ok. I seem to be having a hard time getting into some of the characters, especially the leading bad guy terminator lady played by the chick from Garbage. I realize that they are playing robots, and therefore their personalities are supposed to be flat, but still...


Robin Hood really is the only other show I can think of that has a very strong, able to kick ass better than the guys, leading lady. And they killed Marian in the last season, which makes absolutely no senses because what other love interest is Robin supposed to have if not Marian?


I suppose Smallville could go towards strong leading ladies, since Lois Lane tends to be portrayed as independent and a risk-taker. But I haven't watched a single episode of season 8, partly because my husband wants to finish watching season 7 before getting caught up in the latest episodes, and also partly because Lex Luthor isn't in the show anymore. The actor decided not to renew his contract, which is why there is a new bad guy and bad lady. It's hard to reconcile that this is very likely the last season of Smallville, and yet no Lex, no more ultimate battle between Good and Evil and all that. And I really liked Lex; he was not quite the bad guy with the heart of gold, but he had his moments.

[tielan]

I've got the first episode of Fringe but haven't yet watched it. It's on my 'list of things to do when I have a spare second that isn't devoted to writing'.

And Smallville is one of those shows I've never touched. Prettyboyness doesn't interest me, and neither does prettygirlness. I guess that kinda marks me out, even before I've watched a minute of a show.

[ryf.livejournal.com]

Ot's not sci-fi and already ended a few years ago, but Buffy is really quite good if you don't know it already. And also not sci-fi, but Pushing daisies has great characters .

[tielan]

Already seen most of Buffy and large chunks of Angel. To tell you the truth, my favouritet character out of that panoply was Faith, and I was very disappointed that Eliza Dushku went with Tru Calling rather than Faith The Vampire Slayer although I can understand why she would.

[wlykyoti.livejournal.com]

There doesn't seem to be any official word on when Eureka will start again. The rumor is March. *shrugs* I can tell you it will be 21 episodes instead of just 13 so yay there.

[tielan]

That's a bit of a break! Why 13 eps?

[beth-soprano.livejournal.com]

I second the vote for Chuck. I'm not sure if you'd like it but you should definitely give it a try. Have you seen NCIS? It's not sci-fi but it's pretty good.

[tielan]

NCIS is something else on my 'to watch' list - particularly for the Tony/Ziva dynamic, which doesn't have to be romantic, but just has to be them being partners and awesome.

So, yeah, I would like to watch NCIS, but the difficulty with that is getting my hands on it and watching the seasons as they go... Aren't there quite a few of them now?

[alliesings.livejournal.com]

That sounds really cool. I'm enjoying Legend of the Seeker and am planning to borrow the first book from a friend. I love the 'ship in Chuck. The girl is somewhat disconnected, but she shows that it is because she has to be, not that she wants to be. They are squishy.

[tielan]

I have no idea what Legend Of The Seeker is. Help?

[jadestrick.livejournal.com]

DARLING. I have one word for you:

FARSCAPE.

I think I watched all of it in three weeks. It's just bizarrely BEAUTIFUL. And my favorite part in difference to all the other shows we love? It ENDED. Like, they actually wrote an ENDING.

*loves her Farscape* :D

Just a subtle rec.

[tielan]

People have been trying to get me into Farscape for years. YEARS.

I've seen three episodes - one on silent. :D

The pilot, Crackers Don't Matter (in which many Australian biscuits were most wastefully wasted), and the one where Crichton gets marooned on a planet where the natives wear purple and orange shantung silk (on silent).

I think I'd like to watch the rest of it, but it's finding time (four seasons feels like an awful lot to watch). Still.

*puts it on the list and makes a note to call her 'dealer'*

[ladyjax.livejournal.com]

I'm not watching a lot of sci-fi shows right now, mostly because nothing really caught my eye, although I love Chuck. I picked it up last season and continued into this one and it makes me happy.

Fringe didn't catch me at all and I broke up with Heroes

Mostly, I've been grooving to a lot of short term series like Saving Grace with Holly Hunter and The Closer with Kyra Sedgewick. Two very different cop shows with women firmly at the center. Looking forward to the return of Battlestar Galactica and Eureka and I'm totally taken with Leverage.

Oddly enough, I'm not necessarily mourning SGA's end but I'm feeling like I want to write fic for it again. Go figure.

[tielan]

but I'm feeling like I want to write fic for it again. Go figure

Dammit, hon! You write!

I know exactly what you mean re: wanting to write fic for it again. Except that I don't think I'll be in the 'happy place' until the show is over and i know how things have turned out. I'm kinda innured against the idea that the Things I Want To Happen Won't, but I'm also a little nervous at what fandom crap might go down in the wake of the finale.

Right now, I have the sneaking suspicion that there'll be a Harry Potter-style epilogue. And it's kinda terrifying me.

[tafkarfanfic.livejournal.com]

Each episode of Sanctuary is either pretty darn good, or utterly abysmal. There's no in-between.

It has potential. It also has a terrible case of first-season-itis.

[tielan]

It also has a terrible case of first-season-itis.

A terribly apt description for the show! I'm...well, it's like Stargate, to be honest. It's nothing brilliant, but it's enjoyable enough.

[tafkarfanfic.livejournal.com]

Each episode of Sanctuary is either pretty darn good, or utterly abysmal. There's no in-between.

It has potential. It also has a terrible case of first-season-itis.

[tielan]

It also has a terrible case of first-season-itis.

A terribly apt description for the show! I'm...well, it's like Stargate, to be honest. It's nothing brilliant, but it's enjoyable enough.