other kinds of fiction

[badlands]

Does it have to been either fantasy or science fiction?

[Michael]

Nope.

There is "Sword and Sorcery".

"Space Opera".

"Science Fantasy".

"Supernatural Horror".

"Horror".

"Barbarian Fiction".

"Historical Science Fiction".

"Historical Fantasy".

"Historical Gothic Horror Romance".

And probably a dozen others I cannot think of off the top of my head.

[Mordomin]

I agree. Take the movie "Avatar", for example. I take it as sci-fi. A lot of people think it is fantasy. I could make a case for either.

Who am I to decide?

Write it. Post it. And let the readers decide.

[RobRoy]

"Caprica", the follow up/prequel to "Battlestar Galactica" is also another good case. It's more drama/soap than science fiction, they're just using the science fiction framework to build out their story.

[Michael]

I get the impression from the latest promos for Caprica that it will be something like an ongoing thriller with two cloned girls (pre-Cylons?).

[RobRoy]

Originally Posted by Michael

I get the impression from the latest promos for Caprica that it will be something like an ongoing thriller with two cloned girls (pre-Cylons?).

The preview interview I read had Eric Stolz (I believe) saying that it was like “Dallas”, except on another planet and with robots. I caught the first installment, and I honestly didn’t see it as falling into that evening drama category.

I’m not certain about the cloned girls portion. It boiled down to the first cylon being created, along with some of the religious basics (one god versus the many) being explored, along with questions of decadence and technological overuse.

I have to say that I’m intrigued. I should probably post a full review in the BSG forum.

[Mordomin]

I came across "Caprica" more or less by chance. I had heard about it from a number of sources. But since I had not seen the SciFi version of BSG, I was not that excited about it.
But during my mis-spent youth, I had seen the original BSG, so I had some grounding in the show.
Well, I saw the "Caprica" pilot the other night, and I was floored! This is great stuff!
I probably should go out and buy the BSG DVDs if they are out there.
But really, at least to me, "Caprica" stands by itself. That is, you do not need to have seen the other series(es) first.
I would go on, but I would need to use a lot of spoiler alerts, LOL.

Btw, the girls aren't "cloned", at least not genetically. The series could be subtitled "Rise of the Cylons".

[RobRoy]

Originally Posted by Mordomin

Well, I saw the "Caprica" pilot the other night, and I was floored! This is great stuff!

You should probably come over to the BSG forum we have!

I probably should go out and buy the BSG DVDs if they are out there.
But really, at least to me, "Caprica" stands by itself. That is, you do not need to have seen the other series(es) first.

The BSG DVDs are out there to rent or own, I also believe all the seasons are up on Hulu.com. But I haven't looked in awhile, so don't hold me to that.

Btw, the girls aren't "cloned", at least not genetically. The series could be subtitled "Rise of the Cylons".

Right, I think Michael was referencing the avatar version of Zoe. But he can correct that himself.

[Michael]

I have not watched, and at this time do not intend to watch, Caprica, so I'll gladly sit corrected on any points I may have made that are in error.

[Mordomin]

Heh, no offense meant Michael, and certainly none taken. Sorry if I was aggressive about my earlier objection.

RobRoy, as for coming over to the BSG forum, I have some hope of seeing BSG (that is, BSG 2000) some day (like maybe next month, if Comcast would oblige), but I would almost certainly encounter (unintended) spoilers on that forum. Correct me if I am wrong on that.

One more thing...a person I work with (and think very well of) mentioned BSG the other day, and I offered as how I had been watching Caprica and was enjoying it. She told me in no uncertain terms that Caprica sucked, and all right-thinking BSG fans agreed with her.

Shades of "Star Trek: The Next Generation".

[RobRoy]

Originally Posted by Mordomin

RobRoy, as for coming over to the BSG forum, I have some hope of seeing BSG (that is, BSG 2000) some day (like maybe next month, if Comcast would oblige), but I would almost certainly encounter (unintended) spoilers on that forum. Correct me if I am wrong on that.

In regards to BSG, yes, you would probably read spoilers. In regards to Caprica, however, all spoilers would be noted, as the series is brand new.

One more thing...a person I work with (and think very well of) mentioned BSG the other day, and I offered as how I had been watching Caprica and was enjoying it. She told me in no uncertain terms that Caprica sucked, and all right-thinking BSG fans agreed with her.

Shades of "Star Trek: The Next Generation".

Perhaps. Except that "Caprica" is being written and produced by the same team that brought us "BSG", unlike TNG which was a whole new set of folk (and Roddenberry's meddling). I was initially skeptical about BSG, but later came on board. I am interested in "Caprica" but I won't be getting the tattoo anytime soon.

[Michael]

For the record, I have no intention of joining the ranks of Caprica-bashers. I always thought the Star Trek show-based chauvism was unrealistic. I never really thought about how that might happen with the BSG fans (who now have three shows to love).

[Mordomin]

Would anyone who has seen BSG 2000 care to guess why a fan of that would dislike Caprica? I saw the original BSG, so I have some idea what a Cylon is. It seems to me that Caprica could be subtitled Rise of the Cylons. Without giving anything away, does that conflict with or challenge the assumptions of BSG 2000?

[Michael]

I'm just not interested in what I've seen in the previews. I guess for me, now that all the secrets are out, the storyline doesn't leave any unanswered questions.

Comparing this situation to, say, the Lord of the Rings fan movie "Born of Hope", that project was developed on the basis of a storyline that Tolkien had embedded in the LoTR Appendix, leaving some questions unanswered.

A story is more interesting when the audience feels it has questions that will be answered.

[RobRoy]

Originally Posted by Mordomin

Would anyone who has seen BSG 2000 care to guess why a fan of that would dislike Caprica? I saw the original BSG, so I have some idea what a Cylon is. It seems to me that Caprica could be subtitled Rise of the Cylons. Without giving anything away, does that conflict with or challenge the assumptions of BSG 2000?

Sorry, what is “BSG 2000”? I’m not certain if you’re referencing the original show here along with “Galactica 1980” or if you’re referencing the reboot which debuted in 2003? I’m not trying to be flippant or argumentative, I just want to provide the answer you’re seeking.

[Mordomin]

Originally Posted by RobRoy

Sorry, what is “BSG 2000”? I’m not certain if you’re referencing the original show here along with “Galactica 1980” or if you’re referencing the reboot which debuted in 2003? I’m not trying to be flippant or argumentative, I just want to provide the answer you’re seeking.

Of course you're not trying to be flippant or argumentative...everyone knows that's my job.

I am referring to the original series that ran on the Sci-fi Channel. The one with the guy from "Miami Vice" as Adama, not the one with the guy from "Bonanza". I didn't see it, since I didn't have that channel during it's run, so if you say that it debuted in 2003, you'll get no argument here.

I just call it "BSG 2000" because that's what I've heard true BSG fans call it. And I'm trying to, you know, blend in.

Between you and me, I'm a closet "GalaxyQuest" fan.

[RobRoy]

Originally Posted by Mordomin

Of course you're not trying to be flippant or argumentative...everyone knows that's my job.

Not at all, I leave that to the professionals!

I just wasn’t certain if you were getting “Galactica: 1980” confused with the reimagining.

I am referring to the original series that ran on the Sci-fi Channel. The one with the guy from "Miami Vice" as Adama, not the one with the guy from "Bonanza". I didn't see it, since I didn't have that channel during it's run, so if you say that it debuted in 2003, you'll get no argument here.

So to answer your question, as far as I can tell they’ve maintained a pretty solid internal consistency. Of course, we’re only four or five episodes into the series, but at this point nothing contradicts. I’ve erroneously believed there to be such contradictions, but so far they appear to be on the money.

I just call it "BSG 2000" because that's what I've heard true BSG fans call it. And I'm trying to, you know, blend in.

I must be an untrue fan, which is completely possible. I didn’t even bother with the show after the mini-series introduction until the entire thing had almost run its course.

Between you and me, I'm a closet "GalaxyQuest" fan.

That movie rocks all. It deserves as much praise as it ever got and then some. I own Galaxy Quest on DVD and watch it often.