[Whisperzzzzzzz]

Gnaw, on 16 December 2014 - 08:48 PM, said:

Whisperzzzzzzz, on 16 December 2014 - 03:46 AM, said:

HOLY SHIT. That ending! And then the scenes from tomorrow!

Well, that was intriguing.

Briar King, on 16 December 2014 - 08:12 PM, said:

Oh damn indeed it was.

Hmm. So I should watch? Off to set the DVR time machine.

Based off the first hour alone, I would have said no. However, the ending really opens the story up to be a lot different than it started out, and it seems like the show will follow that new direction, which I think would be good for them. So, yes, watch it.

[paran falcon]

Whisperzzzzzzz, on 16 December 2014 - 09:31 PM, said:

Gnaw, on 16 December 2014 - 08:48 PM, said:

Whisperzzzzzzz, on 16 December 2014 - 03:46 AM, said:

HOLY SHIT. That ending! And then the scenes from tomorrow!

Well, that was intriguing.

Briar King, on 16 December 2014 - 08:12 PM, said:

Oh damn indeed it was.

Hmm. So I should watch? Off to set the DVR time machine.

Based off the first hour alone, I would have said no. However, the ending really opens the story up to be a lot different than it started out, and it seems like the show will follow that new direction, which I think would be good for them. So, yes, watch it.

I only got to watch part 1 last night. I definitely had half-formed questions/doubts about the premise (that all that could have been put in play in '63) but as others have stated, the last 5 minutes of the episode was a jaw dropper! Did not see that coming at all, even with the hint

Spoiler

of "other" people moving around on the ship during the "mass sedation".

There are a variety of ways they can go now, which could prove interesting...

[Whisperzzzzzzz]

The second night of episodes wasn't bad. It felt a little rushed, and the sub-plot with

Spoiler

the consultant and the conspiracy site lady

didn't really flow smoothly. Also, the whole thing is pretty clearly MASSIVE SPOILERS

Spoiler

an experiment to create psychics\telekinetics

.

Overall, it's enjoyable, but they better ramp it up for the ending.

It feels to me like they've opened up a lot of threads and interpersonal conflicts that can't be resolved well in one more night. Makes me think that Syfy created it as a mini-series to test the water, but really wants to turn it into a full show.

EDIT: Oh, and there's only one character who I actually find compelling, and - unsurprisingly - it's Tricia Helfer's. She's great.

This post has been edited by Whisperzzzzzzz: 17 December 2014 - 04:27 PM

[Whisperzzzzzzz]

Anyone understand the deal with the

Spoiler

inside man

on Ascension?

Spoiler

He must've been, what, 10 years old when he was recruited for the mission? And he's been a spy for 50 years? But then in tonight's episode, he said that he designed the server system for the ship, and I assume the servers were on the ship since launch. So, he designed them when he was 10?

[Whisperzzzzzzz]

What the fuuuuck.

Once again, I was disappointed with how this show's first hour went, but the motherfucking ending drew me back in again.

Spoiler

mofuckin Gault, the explorer

.

I feel like they really did a full 360 with this show:

Spoiler

Advertised as being a space opera about travelling to another star system, ended up being much less scifi and more just soap opera with an interesting science plot tied in, and then it kept turning until it landed back at space opera (what with Gault being teleported to an alien planet).

Really pissed with the lack of a conclusion though. This miniseries was 100% made to test the water for a full series.

[paran falcon]

Whisperzzzzzzz, on 17 December 2014 - 04:16 PM, said:

The second night of episodes wasn't bad. It felt a little rushed, and the sub-plot with

Spoiler

the consultant and the conspiracy site lady

didn't really flow smoothly. Also, the whole thing is pretty clearly MASSIVE SPOILERS

Spoiler

an experiment to create psychics\telekinetics

.

Overall, it's enjoyable, but they better ramp it up for the ending.

It feels to me like they've opened up a lot of threads and interpersonal conflicts that can't be resolved well in one more night. Makes me think that Syfy created it as a mini-series to test the water, but really wants to turn it into a full show.

EDIT: Oh, and there's only one character who I actually find compelling, and - unsurprisingly - it's Tricia Helfer's. She's great.

I only got to episode 2 last night. I agree that it was somewhat uneven. They do seem to suggest that

Spoiler

the traits Christa is starting to exhibit is what they have been after, but, seriously, they'd spend 50 YEARS and billions and billions of dollars to produce that??!! (On the other hand, this IS the US government we're talking about!!) There would seem to be an infinite number of ways to put people under the kind of stress that could cause similar anomalies for much less expense. Hell, willing (or unwilling!) genetic experimentation would probably turn up something similar in a fraction of the time and cost, I would have to think. As to the "inside man", your point hadn't even crossed my mind. Is it not possible to insert someone during one of the ion cloud ship-wide sedations? But then, that person wouldn't be known to the others on the ship so I guess that wouldn't really work. That issue needs to be explained. I like how in part 1 they portrayed Tricia Helfer's character, Viondra, as just an adulteress bitch but in part 2 she's shown running a space escort service, including herself, for the purpose of gathering information so she and her captain husband can maintain their positions. I can't say I'm 100% convinced she really loves him but they both exhibited at least a modicum of jealousy over the other's activities, so maybe so.

I also agree that Scyfy put this out there in the hope it generates enough interest to get a series going. I'm not sure it could maintain a compelling storyline for very long. That rarely happens these days.

[Whisperzzzzzzz]

Mmm. That shot of Tricia Helfer swimming au naturale and then walking away from the pool was a delight.

[Gnaw]

Halfway through part 2. The bug at the back of my mind just floated to the top.

I don't know how integral to the plot "the Rubicon" is but they passed it 25 years ago. They've been accelerating for 50 years.

[A Demon Llama!]

Are you guys talking about Ascension?

I watched 25 min of the first ep and just had to stop cause I was bored. Maybe I'll continue it soon, but is does this murder solving get dragged on throughout the season or its just a spark for a larger idea and will go away soon? Murder solving type scenarios are just the laziest thing anyone can make, and starting with something like that is so uninspired. Does it change to something interesting and original?

[Nicodimas]

One of my favorite things about Farscape is how John will rattle off earth statements/cliches/trivia/knowledge.

So naturally he must sound nuts most of the time. making me laugh tonight.

[paran falcon]

A Demon Llama!, on 23 December 2014 - 02:34 AM, said:

Are you guys talking about Ascension?

I watched 25 min of the first ep and just had to stop cause I was bored. Maybe I'll continue it soon, but is does this murder solving get dragged on throughout the season or its just a spark for a larger idea and will go away soon? Murder solving type scenarios are just the laziest thing anyone can make, and starting with something like that is so uninspired. Does it change to something interesting and original?

I'll echo what BK said and only add this: the jaw dropper in the last 5 minutes of part 1 is worth it. If you're uninterested after that, I wouldn't blame you for giving up.

Also: STILL LOVE FARSCAPE!!

[Jakovasaurus]

Starting December 26 HBO is going to run every episode of The Wire. I've never seen the show but have heard it is really excellent, so much so that I've heard it is in the debate of being the best show ever. Is it worth freeing up space on my DVR for this?

[worry]

Yes, absolutely. But on the other hand, if you have HBO don't you have HBOGo? Or On Demand? Asking just in terms of saving DVR space.

[Nicodimas]

Best show ever? nah..xfiles wins that.

Totally amazing show though.

[Nicodimas]

I really enjoyed the Port Season. <season 2>

[Jakovasaurus]

worry, on 23 December 2014 - 09:00 PM, said:

Yes, absolutely. But on the other hand, if you have HBO don't you have HBOGo? Or On Demand? Asking just in terms of saving DVR space.

Yes, HBOGo is an option, but HBO is supposed to have done an "High Def upgrade" of the show, so I want to watch on my HD television. I haven't checked the "On Demand" with Comcast. I suppose that is an option too. Thanks for the heads up.

[worry]

Ah. For the record, the show's creators aren't too enthused with the HD remix (particularly the move to widescreen; 4:3 was the intent all along) and I'm not really sure how it'll come across...probably a mixed bag. But the HD, in and of itself, might look sweet.

[amphibian]

The reviews suggest that for the most part, the remix works well.

The Wire is the greatest fictional work put on tv yet. Nothing else compares. For those who haven't seen it or finished the series, it is well worth your time.

[QuickTidal]

Blitzed through 5 eps of Netflix MARCO POLO and though it started a little slowly, it got up to pace quickly and is REALLY really good.

First and foremost the entire cast is accurately portrayed and diverse. The only Caucasian actors in the whole thing are the Italian Marco Polo and his father. Benedict Wong especially shines as Kublai Khan (you actively believe in his power even when he's just sitting on his throne). Joan Chen's infiltrator spy concubine from the Song Dynasty is also really well played.

My fave character is Tom Wu's character Hundred Eyes. He's basically a blind Chinese kung fu master who was found and hired on by the Khan to train his forces in hand to hand combat, and Marco Polo is basically trained by him, and any scene which features Wu shines.

The Chancellor of the Song Dynasty who is ruling in regent for the 5-year old emperor also displays the first real knowledge of the Praying Mantis style against a soldier, which was a nice nod.

It's great to see the absolute adherence to the actual Mongol history (Kublai often talks of revering his grandfather Ghengis, his uncle Ogedai being a drunk, and his own father Tolui's cowardice) and rules...as well as the diversity of the Khanate at the time (Genghis actively brought anyone from any culture who was useful under his banners, and allowed them whatever religion or culture they wished to practice freely) so Kublai's two financial advisers are middle eastern, his bodyguard Chinese (possibly Northern Chin), and he has no issues allowing the "Latin" Marco Polo to not only stay in his court and get close to him, but overlooks a careless lie or two in the need to keep one so close to the Pope close to him (he wants the Pope to bend the knee).

The clothing for both the Chinese and the Mongols is accurate for the era, as are (so far) the adherence to the Steppe nomads horse bowmen past.

Liking it a great deal, and will be watching the rest of the series. A few critics have been exceptionally hard on it...but honestly I've not seen a production about the middle aged east be this accurate and this well cast and be this entertaining.

Worth a look.

[Tiste Simeon]

Hell yes Hundred Eyes kicks all kinds of butt! Great show!

This post has been edited by Tiste Simeon: 29 December 2014 - 11:01 PM