Ever since I was a child, I’ve cried during pivotal scenes from films and television shows. This habit was like catnip or fish bait to my two younger brothers who endlessly teased me over it. During family movie nights, tears would roll down my face during the emotionally wrenching climax of whatever film we’d be viewing. Then I’d hear the unmistakably sound of mock sniffling from the other side of the couch. Followed by bursts of laughter.
Well, my brothers have grown up, but other things never change.
Several nights ago, I watched the pilot episode of DEFYING GRAVITY on hulu.com. I’d heard about the show from Laurie Green, proprietor of Spacefreighters’ Lounge. And since she helped turn me on to Sandra McDonald’s terrific THE OUTBACK STARS, I sat up and listened when she blogged that “…DEFYING GRAVITY is science fiction romance….Four men, four women, and a six-year mystery mission in space....”
Now, even with Laurie’s stamp of approval, I had my doubts. Because of the potential time investment, I’m very picky about my television shows. If I do start a series, nine-and-a-half times out of ten I’ll choose an SF show if one’s airing. (I made an exception for ENTOURAGE, but with Ari Gold in the house, who wouldn’t?!) But televised SF doesn’t always deliver. Or sometimes it’s not there to watch at all.
In The Great Sci-Fi Divide: Why don’t we want science fiction on TV?, there were many insightful comments about why there aren’t more SF shows. Here are a few I culled together:
• Budget considerations/inferior quality because of lower budgets
• Competing mediums: SF fans obtain their SF from other sources (e.g., Hulu, DVD)
• TV series are often canceled before they end, resulting in viewer mistrust
• SF is considered too complex for TV, which is seen as a form of mindless escapism (which speaks to a marketing issue since SF films are frequently positioned as action movies)
• The mythology/speculative elements overshadows the characters
• Multi-episode story arcs alienates viewers who haven’t watched from day one
• Advertisers will only support what they perceive the “typical” viewer wants
• Large-scale, epic stories don’t always translate to the small screen (exceptions: BATTLESTAR GALACTICA, STAR TREK)
There were other reasons cited for the so-called divide, and in truth, they all probably play a part. Even though I’m always happy to hear about a new SF show, there’s always the possibility that the negatives will outweigh the positives. So why did DEFYING GRAVITY leave me in tears when I watched the pilot?
I enjoyed it. A lot. The tight focus on the characters and their emotions really got to me. I didn’t cry through the whole episode (because boy, would my brothers have a field day with that, even now). The part that started the waterworks was the montage scene toward the end with the angst-driven song. I couldn’t tell you the name, but it’s been in my head for days.
The production values worked for me. Especially since I was fresh off of an episode of SPACE: 1999, I was impressed with how far television has come in depicting spaceships and their accessories. The near future setting was refreshing. The bit with the nano suits and how the writers worked in explaining them was very inspired, and made for very accessible SF.
From the acting to the writing to the cinematography, there was plenty to enjoy. I especially liked that last shot, where we discover that Ajay placed the you-know-what on the hull. Come to think of it, I shed a few tears over that scene as well.
DEFYING GRAVITY is not a perfect show. I would have liked to see a few harder science fictional elements (but this is network television after all. Le sigh). I thought the writing could have been stronger, and some of the relationship dynamics played out along rather predictable lines.
But there’s enough present that I could commit for the long haul if the show found a stronger overall voice. DEFYING GRAVITY could succeed if it stayed focused on character driven stories, used a limited number of settings (e.g, Mission Control, the Antares), and delivered content via smaller scale, standalone episodes. As Laurie noted, it certainly has a strong science fiction romance flavor, probably more than any other SF television shows that have preceded it.
In this review, Todd VanDerWerff noted:
Theoretically, a space-set workplace soap opera could work and work really well. There’s been enough Star Trek slash-fiction over the years to suggest there’s a vocal contingent of sci-fi fans who might really like that, and there’s something refreshing about the idea that having weightless sex in the cockpit could send the craft hurtling into the sun if you’re not careful (or something).
Overall, I believe DEFYING GRAVITY is a step in the right direction for SFR on television. I wonder where we’ll leap to next….
Joyfully yours,
Heather
22 comments:
I keep meaning to step over to hulu and give this show a shot. Must do so.
I've seen the first three episodes and have the fourth on my DVR. I've enjoyed the hell out of it, because it doesn't pretend to be more than what it is. I need strong emotional connections in all of my shows (complex mythology is just icing on the cake provided it doesn't go haywire), and DEFYING GRAVITY nailed that emotional connection the first episode and kept it going.
What worries me (aside from the ratings, the writer has three seasons planned, but will ABC really let it last that long?) are the reactions from people who've been watching this show. There's so much HATE involved, and I keep wanting to ask whether or not human emotion is such a BAD THING in science fiction? God forbid people have connections to one another, but for some reason, this show is really ticking certain SF audiences off.
Oddly enough, I've found that the people who hated the two-hour premiere of DG loved the VIRTUALITY movie that Fox produced, whereas people who loved DG hated VIRTUALITY. I'm in the latter camp. I wonder how many people are out there who've embraced/love both?
I saw the second episode and didn't go back for any more. The flashbacks were really confusing and the characters all seemed a bit the same.
I guess I'll give it another try. From the beginning this time.
I just got me a big ole computer screen - just for my Hulu watching!
Yay, I'm glad you watched and liked it. I'm enjoying this one quite a bit. Hope it stays on air.
I like it all right. Re: Virtuality. The characters in DF are more likeable so you have somebody to root for. It's not like any of the DF characters are perfect but I don't cringe as much at their moral choices as I did on Virtuality. But the two shows have a LOT of similarities, don't they? It's almost like they entered a contest where a basic premise was set before them and they had to see what they could do with it. (Reality show on ship, preexisting couple dynamics, some funky woo-woo factor nobody really understands, etc)
Looks very cool. Wikipedia says ABC picked it up in June for a summer run. Oh really? Did ever even air? I would have watched it. I'll be checking out on Hulu and will see if I can find it through my DVR.
I keep wanting to ask whether or not human emotion is such a BAD THING in science fiction?
...this show is really ticking certain SF audiences off.
It's absolutely not a bad thing, except maybe to old skool SF purists. But they're not the target audience anyway.
If a network can give a show like DG a chance, they'll discover a whole contingent of fans who enjoy character driven/romantic SF and who will support it with their hard-earned money. So let's all buy more Tide or whatever's being advertised during that time slot, lol!
Z, I think the show could have used some more oomph. It may take a few more episodes for the creative team to work out the kinks. Even THE X-FILES got increasingly better as time went on.
Writer and Cat, I've read the same thing about the comparison to Virtuality elsewhere. I was also concerned to hear about DG being compared to LOST (the outer space version). I'm wary of new shows being compared to other shows like that. If this is a copycat effort by ABC they risk dooming the show from the start.
Lisa, Ella, be sure and come back to tell me what you think if you can catch it.
I've only seen the DG "H2IK" (love that code) episode with all the flashbacks and enjoyed it for the most part. I felt a little lost, having missed the initial episodes, and it seemed a bit soap opera-ish, but overall it was good. As long as the show doesn't jump the space shark somewhere along the line, I'm willing to play.
I've seen all of it so far and think it's getting better each week. Some of the details come out as you go along and that makes it easier to understand. I didn't see Virtuality so I can't say anything about that but I think the production values are great. I'm going to keep watching!
We can't get Hulu here in Oz, darn darn darn. Will have to see if it's available in dribs and drabs on youtube.
Space 1999 was one of the best shows when I was growing up, the whole family would sit down to watch it after dinner (it was on a Friday night here). Love those uniforms, they were the best.
Heather, thanks for giving DF some "air time." And I know exactly which scene you were describing. *sniff*
This show has a lot to offer on so many levels especially for the Skiffy Rommer crowd--romance, mystery, suspense, paranormal elements, great characters, a wonderful sound track and a fantastic setting. What more could a SFR fanatic ask? :)
I've seen it described as "Lost...in space", and "Grey's Anatomy in space," but I don't see it. It's it's own unique animal.
I didn't see a single episode of the short-lived Virtuality. It was gone before I had the chance. SF shows so often seem to die a quick death on the small screen, but that's been the track record even for the greats like Firefly. I hope DF beats the odds.
BTW, for those who were wondering, it airs Sunday nights on ABC. I hope you'll check it out.
I've never even heard of this show. What network is it on? I will have to look for it.
I can relate to the loss of trust due to shows ending before they're finished. I can list a bunch of them: Stargate Atlantis, Primeval, Earth2 among others.
Gee, I haven't watched regular television since my second child was born and I just had my fourth. But, hey, if it succeeds, I'm sure it'll come out on DVD once my babies grow up.
DEFYING GRAVITY is not a perfect show. I would have liked to see a few harder science fictional elements (but this is network television after all. Le sigh). I thought the writing could have been stronger, and some of the relationship dynamics played out along rather predictable lines.
Agreed. For being so far into the future, I would love to see more about the world and more tighter characterization. The ratings aren't doing so well and each week they keep going down further so unfortunately it may not last longer. If it's too low in the coming weeks, ABC may pull it from it's alloted 13 episodes. Ron Livingston, the star, said that the show was internationally funded so it may continue on CTV (in Canada) but it won't most likely return for a second season because the ratings are too poor and the suits don't see it as an investment.
Although this show has tons of flaws, I would have liked to have seen it move the mystery of Beta a little more, less flashbacks on trivial matters and more dealing with characterization mixed within real space tech. Most of the suits think us females don't like sci-fi because we want more soap opera types but not true. Many women tuned in for lots of sci-fi television but were ignored because it didn't get the numbers of, say Grey's Anatomy. Which is ironic because Defying Gravity was sold by the creater as Grey's Anatomy in space.
I'll be sad to see it go because of the potential of what it could be, but at the same time I don't think I would miss it much.
I posted more thoughts on my blog review in case you want to check it out: http://raelori.blogspot.com/2009/08/defying-gravity-new-show-on-abc.html
I don't want to clog your comments up with a full overview but I thought I would give my thoughts. :-)
Although this show has tons of flaws, I would have liked to have seen it move the mystery of Beta a little more, less flashbacks on trivial matters and more dealing with characterization mixed within real space tech.
Same here, Rae Lori. I watched last night and found myself easily distracted during most of the flashbacks. Some were fine for characterization, but do we really need to see Rollie charm Jen (is that her name?) away from Ted when we know they end up getting married? I'm all for well-rounded, well-defined characters, but balance backstory with plot advancement and worldbuilding, leaning more toward what's happening in the "now."
Based on the rec here I watched the pilot. I liked it! I think it has promise. It's a bit weird that this is the only place I've seen any talk about it on the web and I've never seen an ad for it on TV.
I'm not sure I like the male lead that much yet, other than his voice. He'll probably grow on me. I like some of the secondary characters already, just based on the pilot.
I think they set up some great internal conflicts for the characters. And the pilot had a spooky undertone to it.
I'll have to watch the rest of the eps after hubby goes back to work.
I agree the flashbacks in the pilot were a little distracting and a bit hard to follow. Course, I was watching it on a tiny scream with a toddler talking next to me.
This is one I'll give a go. Hopefully it doesn't get killed off quickly. Think I'll have to goodsearch.com ABC's feedback email addy.
I'm not sure I like the male lead that much yet, other than his voice.
Oddly enough, I can see how you had that response, even though I wound up really liking him. I thought he was a refreshing change from a lot of hunkish heroes we see on TV and in film. But I can see how he'd take some getting used to for exactly that reason.
Bill Hunt over at The Digital Bits had this to say:
Defying Gravity unfortunately is struggling in the ratings (no surprise - genre material always struggles on network TV), but I have to say I'm starting to really like it. It was billed as a sort-of sci-fi Grey's Anatomy with astronauts, which I would say is generally accurate. But what's interesting is that the characters (including Office Space's Ron Livingston) are getting more interesting and likable every episode, and the production design is absolutely superior for TV sci-fi. As you all know, I'm a bit of a spaceflight aficionado, and I'm telling you... the design team has really gotten all the little details right. And what isn't accurate is more about dramatic license than lack of research. I suspect we'll be lucky to get 12 episodes out of Gravity, but it's surprisingly intelligent and just... different than the usual show of it's type. Not overly self-important, high concept or heavy handed. It's kind of refreshing actually - just a story about people who happen to be on a space mission. I hope it sticks around a while.
Interesting how he says genre TV always struggles on the major networks. I wonder how long the revamp of BATTLESTAR GALACTICA would have lasted if it premiered on NBC instead of The Sci-Fi Channel?
So, is it time for a letter campaign? Everyone who's watching send a snail mail to ABC saying they like it?
Sometimes feedback can save a show despite ratings.
Well I'll be the outlier. I lasted 3 episodes with DG & finally bailed. I didn't like it at all & found that I only really cared about 4 characters (Ajay, Doc Mintz & the Cranes) who hadn't enough development to justify my tuning in for a 4th.
I felt I was the wrong audience for it (but I adored Virtuality & am a ridiculous BSG fan who's looking forward to Caprica). There certainly is a loyal fanbase for it, so it's certainly tapping into something. I just don't know what that something is. :)
Okay, I finally watched all the way to the end of ep and now I'm hooked. I care about the characters, the hero, and the romantic complications.
The final moments of ep 5 actually brought tears to my eyes. I didn't cry and still don't count this as a never miss favorite, but I can see myself watching any eps I miss on hulu later.
Personally, I was only marginally into the new BSG. I liked the Starbuck/Apollo relationship and when she married what's his name I lost interest.
But shows like Primeval caught me right away. And it's been canceled. Of course.
This show is slow to grow on me and yes, the flashbacks are still sometimes hard for me to follow, but I like it anyway.
It would appear that Defying Gravity has been cancelled. I hope this is more of hiateus. Anna M, just in case you are interested there is going to be another two series of Primeval, I was quite annoyed when I heard it was cancelled. I think we will see Defying Gravity again, the BBC has moved it from mid week to Saturdays at 10:00 PM on BBC2. Hill Street Blues was forever getting cancelled but came back from fan pressure.
Post a Comment