Comments on: THE GEEK SHALL INHERIT THE EARTH http://www.youdothatvoodoo.com/2009/07/07/the-geek-shall-inherit-the-earth/ Thoughts on screenwriting and creativity from a UK based writer, trainer, and script editor Sat, 31 Jul 2010 13:03:57 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Mercer Finn http://www.youdothatvoodoo.com/2009/07/07/the-geek-shall-inherit-the-earth/comment-page-1/#comment-942 Mercer Finn Thu, 09 Jul 2009 13:29:53 +0000 http://www.youdothatvoodoo.com/?p=1074#comment-942 Can you get ironically excited by spaceships and androids? Maybe it's when you get excited, but are self-deprecatingly aware of how silly/sad that is. I think most Battlestar fans have this mindset. Also, sorry guys, but Battlestar is not nearly as clever as you make out. Sure it touches on all these ideas, but it's hardly The West Wing in space. The show is saved because it's beautiful (visually and sonically) and because the actors can do extraordinary things with the (sometimes) dire writing they are given. Not that I hate it, you understand. The episode "Dirty Hands" actually made me tear up at the end. But I don't think it's as good as it should be. I'm an English geek, but even that doesn't help me understand the appeal of Doctor Who etc. Which probably makes my opinion on everything worthless, so I'll shut up now. Can you get ironically excited by spaceships and androids? Maybe it’s when you get excited, but are self-deprecatingly aware of how silly/sad that is. I think most Battlestar fans have this mindset.

Also, sorry guys, but Battlestar is not nearly as clever as you make out. Sure it touches on all these ideas, but it’s hardly The West Wing in space. The show is saved because it’s beautiful (visually and sonically) and because the actors can do extraordinary things with the (sometimes) dire writing they are given. Not that I hate it, you understand. The episode “Dirty Hands” actually made me tear up at the end. But I don’t think it’s as good as it should be.

I’m an English geek, but even that doesn’t help me understand the appeal of Doctor Who etc. Which probably makes my opinion on everything worthless, so I’ll shut up now.

]]> By: Griff http://www.youdothatvoodoo.com/2009/07/07/the-geek-shall-inherit-the-earth/comment-page-1/#comment-935 Griff Wed, 08 Jul 2009 13:42:40 +0000 http://www.youdothatvoodoo.com/?p=1074#comment-935 Fair enough - it was just that "fare for people who get unironically excited about spaceships and androids" seemed rather dismissive of a great show. Get that box set watched! Fair enough – it was just that “fare for people who get unironically excited about spaceships and androids” seemed rather dismissive of a great show. Get that box set watched!

]]> By: Adrian Reynolds http://www.youdothatvoodoo.com/2009/07/07/the-geek-shall-inherit-the-earth/comment-page-1/#comment-931 Adrian Reynolds Wed, 08 Jul 2009 11:32:56 +0000 http://www.youdothatvoodoo.com/?p=1074#comment-931 I'm aware what Battlestar Galactica is about, having seen and enjoyed some episodes and with a box set to watch downstairs; just pointing out that stylistically Torchwood does things with a light touch and some humour...qualities that endear it to a mainstream audience. BG lacks that accessibility, and instead substitutes moral seriousness -- good worthy stuff, but not fun and a magnet for casual viewers. I’m aware what Battlestar Galactica is about, having seen and enjoyed some episodes and with a box set to watch downstairs; just pointing out that stylistically Torchwood does things with a light touch and some humour…qualities that endear it to a mainstream audience. BG lacks that accessibility, and instead substitutes moral seriousness — good worthy stuff, but not fun and a magnet for casual viewers.

]]> By: Griff http://www.youdothatvoodoo.com/2009/07/07/the-geek-shall-inherit-the-earth/comment-page-1/#comment-930 Griff Wed, 08 Jul 2009 09:06:37 +0000 http://www.youdothatvoodoo.com/?p=1074#comment-930 Battlestar Galactica - the new one - is not about spaceships and androids. It's about self-identity, resurrection and redemption, religious belief, what it means to be human, dreams and memory, politics and morality in war, and all kinds of intriguing stuff. I haven't seen this latest Torchwood, but comparing it with the Torchwood I've seen so far is like comparing "The Sopranos" to "Midsummer Murders". Battlestar Galactica – the new one – is not about spaceships and androids. It’s about self-identity, resurrection and redemption, religious belief, what it means to be human, dreams and memory, politics and morality in war, and all kinds of intriguing stuff. I haven’t seen this latest Torchwood, but comparing it with the Torchwood I’ve seen so far is like comparing “The Sopranos” to “Midsummer Murders”.

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