Battlestar Galactica Vs. Star Trek Enterprise
As you know, I didn't care much for the Battlestar Galactica mini-series that debuted on the Sci-Fi Channel a few months back. You also know that I have despised Enterprise from the beginning. Having now seen four episodes of the former (now a full-blown series) and nearly four seasons of the latter, I am forced to amend a few opinions.
BG rocks. I'm not saying it's the perfect sci-fi show, but the first few eps have been more compelling, more interesting, and more original than the first four seasons of ENT combined. I think the BG mini-series tried to pack in too much, and came across as a little shallow and disjointed. But the first two eps, "33" and "Water," were truly stellar.
As for ENT, it has certainly improved with time, but not much, and not enough. For me it boils down to the characters; I don't really like any of them because they haven't been sufficiently developed. I continue to watch the show out of some bizarre and misguided sense of loyalty, but it disappoints me almost every week.
BG rocks. I'm not saying it's the perfect sci-fi show, but the first few eps have been more compelling, more interesting, and more original than the first four seasons of ENT combined. I think the BG mini-series tried to pack in too much, and came across as a little shallow and disjointed. But the first two eps, "33" and "Water," were truly stellar.
As for ENT, it has certainly improved with time, but not much, and not enough. For me it boils down to the characters; I don't really like any of them because they haven't been sufficiently developed. I continue to watch the show out of some bizarre and misguided sense of loyalty, but it disappoints me almost every week.
posted by Rick Broida @ 8:58 AM
4 Comments:
At January 26, 2005 9:09 AM,
Rick Broida said…
Hey, pal, don't dis the original BG, 'kay? History will remember Dirk Benedict as the Brando of campy sci-fi TV!
Speaking of which, I hope you meant "otherwise dreary SCI-FI television landscape." Because the new BG is by no means the only reason to tune in these days. I give you: Arrested Development, Scrubs, The West Wing, Third Watch, Curb Your Enthusiasm, and on and on. There's a shocking amount of good TV these days...
But I digress. You seem to mourn the impending cancellation of Enterprise just because it means the end of an era. Surely you'll agree that after an 18-year run, Trek should take a break. The last couple movies bit, and Enterprise has no spark at all. Hey, don't let the door hit you in the butt on the way out...
At February 02, 2005 5:18 PM,
Rick Broida said…
Well, you won't be watching Enterprise much longer. It just got cancelled. Which, of course, validates my opinion and renders yours meaningless.
For instance, if you think The Undiscovered Country and First Contact weren't good Trek movies, you obviously have little to no appreciation for the series in any form. And don't dis my beloved Voyager; them's fightin' words!
So, let's see, you said the television landscape is "dreary," yet you rattled off a list of shows you like. You include Enterprise among them, yet say it "cynically squandered its chnace to be different and to tell really interesting stories about humanity's first bold step beyond the solar system." (I agree wholeheartedly, btw.) Does it cause you physical discomfort to contradict yourself so severely?
At February 07, 2005 9:56 AM,
Rick Broida said…
"Their value was fleeting"?! This from the guy who said Star Wars Episode II was the second-best movie in the franchise. You've got a really warped opinion of what makes for a good movie. But, of course, you're entitled to your opinion--even when it's limping along on thrusters.
You really need to stop changing the subject, which is that Battlestar Galactica is caviar; Enterprise, pork rinds. Look at last week's episode of the latter, which planted the seeds for the building of the Federation. FINALLY, a good script, some non-forced witty banter between characters, and even a decent cliffhanger ending; but there's Scott Bakula awkwardly trying to channel William Shatner and failing at every turn. I'm not wild about any of the actors in that show, but he is by far the worst. He's so wooden, he makes Pinocchio jealous. Ha!
At February 07, 2005 11:20 AM,
Rick Broida said…
Oh. My. God. Scott Bakula a better actor than William Shatner? Now I know you've gone round the bend. Do you even like Star Trek at all? Apparently you do, but why? You don't like William Shatner. You don't like most of the movies, especially those with the TNG cast. You hated Voyager and disliked DS9. You professed your love for Enterprise when it debuted, but have now expressed dislike for that as well. Why in the world are you so "sad" to see it go off the air?!
William Shatner is a Shakespearean-trained actor who, while certainly cartoonish at times in his portrayal of Kirk, made the character fun and complex and endlessly watchable. (I imagine you wouldn't have watched every single Trek spin-off series if you hadn't enjoyed the original.) Scott Bakula comes across as a dweeb most of the time, and when he switches to hothead mode (his only other method of acting), it seems contrived and overboiled. Bleh.
Go enjoy your milquetoast captain. I understand he's having Chef whip up a lovely frittata for dinner.
Post a Comment
<< Home