While we currently have a lot of great genre shows populating the airwaves, columnist Kyle Munkittrick argues that it’s time for some of the premium cable channels to step up to the plate and deliver a “cinematic” sci-fi experience.
Here’s a sample of his argument:
HBO, Showtime, and AMC represent the best of cinematic TV. All three have been making bank and winning oodles of awards with a very simple formula that is extremely difficult to pull off: take a genre (Gangsters, Western, Horror), complicate the cliches, focus on the rule breakers, and tell a story that is unresolved at the end of every episode. In addition to simply having a bigger budget and more liberty with violence, sex, and language, shows on HBO, Showtime, and AMC are almost always better written, filmed, and acted than anything else on television. SF as a genre is no more limiting than period dramas (The Tudors, Mad Men, Rome), which also require extensive costumes, elaborate sets, and an extra level of commitment from the actors. All SF does is move the timeline forward instead of backward. There is, however, one binding flaw of great SF currently on television. All the best SF shows are set in space.
For SF to earn its place among shows like The Sopranos and Mad Men, it needs to get dark. Thus, I present three options. The networks may battle over them as they see fit.
To find out more and which three properties are recommended, read the full article HERE.
Is this not what BSG was? Or what Caprica is?
You are correct that is NOT what BSG and Caprica are. They are just poor writing.
“You are correct that is NOT what BSG and Caprica are. They are just poor writing.”
Hey, you forgot “Sanctuary” … and the first half of “SGU” Season 1.
So the solution to bringing cinematic science fiction to television is…adapting comic books and video games. Brilliant.
*facepalm*
BSG and Caprica are on basic cable which limits their budget and stories. Can you imagine a B5-type show with the budget of ‘Rome’ and free-reign to tell whatever controversial stories they wanted?
“BSG and Caprica are on basic cable which limits their budget and stories.”
Basic cable? Not for me. For me, it’s on digital cable. It’s the same for BBC America. You have to pay extra see those channels.
three letters. S G U. Just re-watched the episode “Darkness” and it was movie theater quality cinematic. If they are defining Rome as ‘cinematic’ then Caprica definitely fits. I think it Cap would have benefited from another year in development for writers to clear up what kind of story they could tell but its still cinematic.
Syfy is not basic cable here either. I have to go to Hulu or itunes. Although I do think BSG, SGU and Caprica definitely fit as Cinematic, I still would be really stoked to see what HBO would come up with given their resources and history of committing to a show. HBO also tells really good stories in 2 or 3 seasons which keeps them fresh and focused.
Why do they always take away the good shows?