Starting tomorrow night on SciFi TV is Sanctuary, season 3.5. I really enjoy this series with Amanda Tapping (SG-1 fame) at the helm. It is one of those shows that improves as time goes on. Fridays is also my busy night, so click, thank you recorder. Not so easy pre-iQ.
One thing I have mentioned before and I'll mention again, is when channels cut shows. Recently I watched the last episode of Stargate Universe (SGU). Sad face.
Again, while I have enjoyed this show from the beginning, it really got into it's stride at the end of season 1 and during season 2. It was a character driven space drama, where the characters didn't have black or white hats. One episode you are agreeing with one character, and the next you are shaking your head at the same character. I really do think this show had so much more to offer, as was shown in episodes like Twin Destinies, Hope, Common Descent, and Epilogue. And now, we will not know the ending of the story. The last episode was not meant to be the end of the series, but of season 2. I knew it was coming, but I felt cheated. I invested time, grew attached to the characters, followed their journey, and then at the end, 'SyFy' decided to cut it. I just can't understand their reasoning.
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| Scene from final episode of SGU, Gauntlet. |
Well firstly, let me say, I hate 'SyFy' as the name of the station. I'm so glad the Australian station has kept it Sci Fi TV, and that the Australian channel has kept programming of a speculative nature, and hasn't introduced wrestling into the line up.
Yes, you read correctly. Wrestling. On the SCI FI channel. Or I should say, SyFy (shudder) channel. Um...yeah, that is a marketing booboo. I mean whichever way it is spelt, science fiction (and all other speculative fiction) should be the focus of this channel, right? It doesn't look like that. I found a blog post exploring the de-scifi-ing of the SciFi channel. Interestingly enough, in the US, the tag line is 'imagine greater'. I don't relate that to wrestling, but to shows like SGU and Battlestar Galactica (also axed), who asked all sorts of questions, and had the audience thinking. Basically, like MTV, SyFy has left its roots behind.
So after over 17 years of the franchise, there is no Stargate being made in any of its incarnations. I just find that terribly sad. Each was different, each had a place, and just made the Stargate world all the more richer. So thank you to a franchise that started with RDA as Jack O'Neill (well, technically it stared with the movie, but I'm referring to the TV show). It has been a hell of a ride.
So, it's no wonder, that I am now turning more and more to DVDs. I hate the channel stop-start-change times. Take for example Alias. I lost some of the last season, because of this stopping, changing times. And then the end of the SERIES comes along, and while the first three seasons had this big hoo-ha, the last episode was shown on very late at night, with absolutely not advertising of the fact. At least it was shown, I suppose.
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| Alias |
Farscape, had been one of my favourite shows. Channel 9 swapped times all over the place, and then they cut it on a cliffhanger. Sound familiar, SGU fans? Luckily Hallmark stepped in and a two-part mini series was made, with some of the loose ends being tied.
Firefly was another series that was axed. I believed it aired in Australia after this had occured. Dollhouse, another Joss Whedon show, hit its stride in season 2. I think most good shows do. I shake my head. Luckily Buffy and Angel kept going. But I think they had almost been cut at certain times, as well.
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| Dollhouse |
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| Buffy |
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| Angel |
I know, ratings is the reason. But I wonder if shows are not changed way before anyone gets a chance to actually 'watch' the show. You love an episode, but if you go to the same time-slot the week after, and the show isn't there. Well, most people will not search for it.
Instead, programs are changed to an awful time-slot to make room for 'newer' shows (which doesn't mean they are better). Of course, viewers are going to drop off. And when they change the time slot yet again, more of a drop off. I know that I'm hesitant to start watching a new series, in case it is cut.
Hence DVDs are so attractive.
Recently, I watched Supernatural, season 5, over 3 days. (Yes, I took time out). It was great to see the story arc of the season play out, and to see the adventures of the Winchester boys. I didn't watch any of the episodes on TV. This is the biggest draw card with DVDs, is that I don't miss an episode because of programing change. Even if it's the 'Supernatural will return in two weeks.'
Hallelujah!
This has been quite a rant, hasn't it. Oh well, I'm just frustrated that loyal viewers are devalued. And having just spent time watching more DVDs than TV, I just wonder where the future of TV is going, especially with the channels offering their programs on internet a - with no commercials.
~yia~
6 comments:
Hey there!
You are a woman after my own heart. I love every single show you mentioned and have had a similar rant on my blog. Also, I can't tell you the number of times I've had the same bitch to my sister in law (excuse the french).
Firefly being cut before it even ran a whole series was a crime and a tragedy. And I agree with stupid time slots and changing when the show is being aired. Just how dumb are these TV people?
I don't have pay TV (*sniff* I would get it JUST for the Sci-Fi channel) but when the new digital free to air channel started, 11, a dirivitive of Southern Cross Ten, I was really excited because they advertised shows like Smallville, Stargate Universe and Supernatural. "At last!" I thought, I will actuall be able to watch these shows without waiting for them to come out on DVD. Well, while Supernatural has (thus far) survived its Monday night time slot, Smallville got axed from its Sunday night time slot for.... movies. Every Sunday night there's a different movie on and then Smallville is on at 10:30pm or later. I might love it, but I'm not going to sit up until 10:30 at night to watch it!I don't even understand why they would do something like that. Smallville was meant to be one of their big draw cards and they still advertise it as one of their new, premier shows.
And before I end this added rant, I just have to say, ah yes, the Stargate years with RDA and Michael Shanks. I still get my SG1 DVDs out and regularly do a random season re-watch. They never get old. Although, those mid-nineties fashions are really starting to look their age.
x
Jess.
Well you know me well enough to know I am not exactly an expert in the area of sci fi and, even worse, I don't watch any commercial channels (although Sactuary is on a non-commercial one)....and I am getting really tired of the Dr Who writers - I think I would like you to write the next series, it would be supremely better.
On a non-genre statement though I am in completely agreement and have often bought the DVDs of series that appear on TV but don't see air time here or get cut down or whatever....I much prefer DVDs...I love how now you get an extra disc rather than the less that happens on TV.
Hi, Eleni!
Could agree more with you on DVDs. No commercial breaks, no risk of free-to-air channels changing the time slot or dumping the series mid-season... I loved 'Lost' but I still haven't seen the final season. Thank goodness I can get it out on DVD and find out once and for all if all those people get off the darn island!
I'm sure there is a whole big, complicated equation involved, Jess. But I sometimes wonder if people who get rid of show actually likes TV. And I agree about SG1 - I've just finished watching season 2.
I didn't realise Sanctuary was shown - that's a positive. And Cam, I agree, I love getting the extras on DVDs. Maybe some shows will be made for straight to DVD!
Vanessa, lovely to see you here. And I'm with you on Lost. I lost so much of their re-scheduling the time again and again. I think I need to start watching it on DVD from the beginning, to see if everything was wrapped up or not. But at least that show got to finish off.
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