Conference ljsrv1::tv_chatter

Comments, and then the last few scenes.

It certainly was filled with action.  Special effects were much better than
I would have hoped for TV, at least equalling all of the Star Treks.

The writers knew and respected SF history.  I spotted references to E.E. Smith
(Tellus), Joe Haldeman (Groombridge 34), Timothy Zahn (AI Wars and specially
enhanced humans having trouble fitting into society after the war is over),
and I am sure I missed some.

The tech level seemed reasonable.  Before you flame me on this, hear me out.
If you assume that there is a single technological breakthrough, such that
we figure out how to use worm-holes to get to distant stars without having
to traverse the intervening distance, then I think we *could* have colonies
on other planets in 65 years.  Think about what has happened in the last 65
years (computers, inter-continental travel, etc).  I grant you that the
writers fluffed over the distances in this solar system, such that a trip
from Earth to Jupiter is done in hours, but I am prepared to give them this
one in order to make the rest work.

And the political background was also reasonable.  The United States still
exists, the UN is still around as a coordinator, etc.

But when will writers learn that aerodynamic maneuvering like today's jet
fighters do in atmosphere *WON'T WORK* in space?!?!?!  Chandelles and such
are only necessary if you are fighting gravity and need airspeed to stay
aloft!  Oh, well, they are not the first to make this stupid mistake...

The rest of it was cardboard cut-outs for the cast, but that is not what I
was primarily interested in anyway.

I will give it a chance...

Spoiler (given that it *was* the last 10 minutes of the show):


The high command had just caught onto the fact that the plans for attacking
Groombridge 34 were a fake, and that whole bunches of fighters were on their
way to attack Earth itself.  So our heroes are ordered to hide behind the
asteroids in a Trojan orbit around Jupiter, wait for the bad guys to pass
by, and attack from the rear in order to buy time for the Earth forces to
get back from Groombridge through the worm-hole to take on the bad guys.
Not a bad plan if you don't mind losing the entire squadron, which was what
they were stuck with because of the bulk of Earth's forces being faked out
like that...

So here they are, hiding in the asteroids, and the bad guys come in off the
ecliptic, way away from our heroes.  Bummer.  The "tank" violates orders
and attacks before he should, and the rest of the squadron follows him in.
They get some kills, but it is clear that they alone aren't going to be 
able to handle all of this.  But the bad guys do hold up to deal with the
threat long enough for the rest of the Earth fleet to arrive, which (given
that it was the end of the show) kicks serious alien tail...

Our heroes, having accomplished their mission, are recalled to the Saratoga.
Next scene is them sitting in full dress Marine uniforms with a new gaudy
medal, being praised by the head of the UN (the same guy who announced the
alien threat on TV during the fight in the bar).  

During the party afterward, the temporary CO announces that he has been made
their permanent CO, and if they ever pull anything like that again he will
bust them right out of the Marines.  Salutes all around...

The guy who was split up from his girl-friend by the shuttle mission (she
went, he didn't) then walks out of the party, thinks about his girl-friend
and how the same system that is praising him now shafted them then, and throws
away his medal.  End.

-- Ken Moreau

    Does anyone have a tape of the premiere? We were unexexpectedly out of
    the house and I didn't get a chance to set the VCR. I live in Westford,
    MA and work in HLO so I can pick up anywhere between ZKO and MRO.
    
    Thanks in advance.

RE: .2

Handled off-line.

-- Ken Moreau

    
    You know what.
    This show is pretty good.
    Far better than what has been showing up on Voyager lately.
    
    Second episode really was entertaining. Wonder what all the mystery
    is regarding the survivors and that creep guy.
    
    Dave
    
    

    I just got word that the fate of Space: Above and Beyond will be decided 
    on May 15th. Below is an email address for Fox and relevant names.
    Basically, they are looking for fan response as a deciding factor.
    
foxnet@delphi.com

Mr. Rupert Murdoch
Mr. John Matoian (be sure to check your spelling on this)
Mr. Bill Coveny
MJ Lavacarre

Paper mail has more leverage, but is less likely to get there before the 15th 
(though enough paper mail may cause them to reconsider if they cancel). Snail 
mail address is:

John Matoian
President, Fox Entertainment Group
Fox Broadcasting Company
PO Box 900
Beverly Hills, CA 90213 

-Eric

PS they will be airing the last 2 new episodes on 5/26 and 6/2, a 2 parter.
    

    

    Space: Above and Beyond has been cancelled. However, because Fox has
    decided to air the remainder of the season, as well as reruns over the
    summer, they will continue to monitor the ratings. If it does well
    enough, and people continue to write, there may be a chance of its
    return as a replacement if one of their new shows flops.

    Anyone know how many episodes remain?
    
    The one on Friday actually seemd to be leading to some kind of closure!
    
    (I HATE it when cancellation leaves the story unfinished.)
    
    Dave

    
    Next week is the final episode. They will be rerunning over the summer
    and if the numbers are there, it might be renewed as a mid-season
    replacement for next year.

    If you like the show, please write, and get your friends to write as
    well. The address is given in an earlier reply. Currently, the biggest
    campaign to save Space is Operation HammerFOX, where they are trying to
    get people to send a letter every day from now until the end of June.
    
    -Eric