The trouble with MacGuffins – BSG, Earth, and Cylons run amok
The impetus behind this whole summer series for me was the final season of Battlestar Galactica. Now cut me some slack here. This article is going to make me come off as a hater, but I really did love the series. I enjoyed the final season, even though I thought the show really lost its way. The MacGuffin management, which the show excelled at early in its run, became clumsy, and (in the ultimate sin of a MacGuffin) took over the show.
The MacGuffins that I specifically want to discuss are the search for Earth and the Cylons.
Virtuality: Great concept, but does it deliver? – CliqueClack Preview
As the huge Battlestar Galactica fanatic that I am, I have been looking forward to Ronald D. Moore’s next television projects, Caprica and Virtuality for quite some time. Both have had a rocky pre-production time period, but Caprica is set to premiere in January of next year. Things aren’t looking as good for Virtuality, however.
The show is set up at FOX, but it does not look like it will be taken to series. The network will be airing the two hour pilot on Friday, June 26th, but unless the airing does some killer ratings, a series pick up is doubtful. Moore, in a recent conference call, said they haven’t ruled out continuing the story in other mediums, but is waiting to see what happens next week. After taking a look at the pilot recently, I’m not as hopeful as I once was.
Jane Espenson on Buffy’s Oz, Warehouse 13, Caprica and Dollhouse
It seems anywhere I turn these days, Jane Espenson has some hand in many things TV-related that I love. I was turned on to her writing magic with Buffy the Vampire Slayer, of course, but it hasn’t ended there. Battlestar Galactica fans no doubt know of her involvement with that series, and it’s continuing on with the Caprica prequel series, for example.
Once again I grabbed the ear … well, the typing fingers of Ms. Espenson to ask some burning questions I had about some new projects she’s been involved in. As it turns out, fans of hers have a lot to look forward to.
CSI – Ronald D. Moore thinks the new Astro Quest sucks
Did you ever pull an all-nighter? I find that around the 36 hour mark, I start to get a little goofy. Things that seem to make a lot of sense at the time, really start to unravel when put under the harsh light of a good solid nap. That’s how I imagine “A Space Oddity” came to be. It’s just weird, and probably could have used a couple more naps somewhere in the process. But it’s still totally worth seeing. For one thing, it’s going to go down as one of the most memorable CSI episodes for the strangeness alone. If that’s not enough, it also offered the opportunity to get Liz Vassey in a bunch of great costumes. Liz Vassey just being on a show makes it better. Liz Vassey being on a show in the sexy alien lingerie makes it, by definition, must see TV. Read the rest of this entry »
Frakkin’ Clack – So say we all (or maybe just I)
It’s hard to believe that this is likely the last time I’ll be writing a post about Battlestar Galactica. The actors have said their piece already, and creator Ronald D. Moore has gone on detailed interviews and his usual podcast, into great detail, attempting to explain the decisions behind how things played out the way they did. The buzz has died down to near nothing now, only a few days later. Maybe it’s because all that needed to be said was said, people are still absorbing the happenings of the finale and the series as a whole, or are simply still in mourning.
My initial thoughts on the finale still hold true, even after a second viewing and a few days to let them stew. With Moore’s revelations after the finale, and also those he’s made throughout the series in podcasts, I now have some thoughts about the series as a whole that sum up to this: Ronald D. Moore should get out of TV and move entirely on to movies.
Thank you, Ronald D. Moore – Guest Clack
Ivey West is back Clacking for us again, this time about something he usually has a lot to say about every week, though maybe not so much after next week.
I would love to say that I’ve been a fan of the new Battlestar Galactica from the second the mini-series premiered. Unfortunately, I missed that boat. I did not then (nor now, really) hold the Original Series in that high regard, so I skipped it. However, when the reviews of the British premiere of the series started hitting the interwebs, I decided to get on board. At that point, I was hooked.
The mini-series, and season one, gave us some pretty incredible drama. Roslin’s reluctant acceptance of power, the first “So Say We All” speech, the horror of ‘33,’ Starbuck stranded… (I can keep going on, but I’ll stop) were all very good. As with the original, we were introduced to a society faced with the concept of forging on after an apocalyptic event that which we can’t really fathom. However, the new version was infused with deeper themes of religion and politics, as well as character dynamics that seemed to be more relevant than the plot itself.
In “Casting Clack”, CliqueClack brings you a summary of the TV casting news released throughout the week, be it the addition of a series regular, a new recurring cast member, a guest star, or even someone making a cameo.
Let thee be warned! The following casting news may contain slight spoilers about the roles the actors will play. If you are highly allergic to spoilers avoid this post.
This week, we have casting news for: Lily, Dancing With the Stars, CSI, ER, and many others. Read the rest of this entry »
Most Commented (Past Week)