Sunday, October 28, 2007

The Bionic Sizzle

Jaime finally lands a man. But we knew it was coming since the opening scene had all the girls sitting around talking about who to fix her up with. See a clip of last weeks episode. Like many of you, I was not aware that Michelle Ryan (who plays Jaime Sommers) what a native of Great Britain; there she is already famous. I watched her on The View, and was charmed by her accent.

In the episode "The Education of Jaime Sommers", Jaime goes undercover to college as a British student. When the boss asked her "How's your British accent?", I'm guessing they had to do that scene a few times to get it without laughing. It's kind've like asking a Klingon actor to do their character, but without the makeup. In the video clip link, she uses her native accent when she shouldn't. And Nathan asked her why. Do you suppose they screwed up and didn't want to have to go back and refilm it?

What is confusing to me is the fight scenes. They have these elaborately choreographed fight scenes. The people she's fighting should be dead. In the original series, they didn't have all that. it was quick, and not usually painless. But one punch with the bionic arm and they weren't getting back up, to say nothing about a direct kick to the mid-section. Maybe David Eick needs to watch a few more of the original episodes. And I think it's a requirement to have the necessary visual and sound effects if you call it a Sci-Fi series. The new ones are... OK, but I really like the old CHEESY ones.

All in all it's a great show. It stands on it's own from it's predecessor. I really hope they DO NOT cancel this show. I think it has immense potential. I'd really like to see Lindsey Wagner make a guest appearance, that would be cool. But we know that when Lee Majors make a guest appearance the show is in danger of being cancelled. I think there's allot of nostalgic things they could throw in to the show that fans would like and appreciate. But if they try to push this thing on its own it probably won't make it past season 2. Given that it's a Sci-Fi series on network TV, the odds are stacked against it. Luckily it's getting extra air time from the SciFi Channel on Friday nights 7PM ET, and again on NBC Saturday night, times vary.


Regards
John Crawford

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Monday, October 8, 2007

The 50 Million Dollar Woman

I wouldn't call the new "Bionic Woman" series a remake. While the show shares it's title with the 1976 series about a female cyborg named Jamie Sommers, that is where the similarities end. One one hand I am disappointed that it is completely different. There's no kool sound effects, no OSI, no Dr. Rudy Wells, and no Oscar Goldman. There still could be a male counterpart, and I'm betting there will be. But 6 million dollars won't cover his medical bills.

On the other hand, I like the adventure cause you know there's gonna be some bionic ass kickin'. I'd never heard of or seen Michelle Ryan before Bionic Woman, but I think she was an excellent choice for the main part. It's unclear at this point whether Sarah Corvus, played by Katie Sackhoff, will be here ally or her nemesis.

Given the state of affairs in the world today, the story lines look to be dark, pulled from the headlines but with a twist. The classic Bionic Woman (and Six Million Dollar Man) was from a different age, for those of us old enough to relate to it. Terrorism was mostly unheard of. Communism was the subject of debate, and the US-Soviet Union cold war filled the story lines (and the headlines). The world mindset was NOT IF there is a nuclear war, but WHEN. And until 1989, most of the world felt that was a sure thing. (Ok, enough of that)

I sincerely hope they don't twist things up too much. Many a series, especially science fiction, start with simple characters and a simple story, but end up with something difficult to explain. Far too many movie and series remakes meet an early death for violating this axiom. I think this series has potential, if they keep it simple.

Also if you miss The Bionic Woman episode at it's regular time on Wednesday Night, you can also see it on the SCI-FI channel on Friday nights at 7:00 PM EST. I also spotted it on the USA Network on Saturday afternoon, and on Bravo on Sunday afternoon.

Here's a link to a kool homemade video of the Bionic Woman series. Enjoy!


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John Crawford

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The 4400 and The Dead Zone Season Finales

It's been too long since my last post. Several series have ended their season, while others have begun new. The 4400 and the Dead Zone both had very good season finales. Neither was a cliffhanger, both seemed to tie-up allot of loose ends, The 4400 especially. Almost like they were preparing to not be renewed next season. Shawn's brother and mother both die, along with Isabelle. What they left open was who is really in charge, not just Seattle, but the world.

Call me a traditionalist, but I like to know who are the good guys, and who are the bad guys. I believe that some shows twist that up too much, and viewers lose interest. The 4400 was all over the map on that one, but I believe they cleared it up in the season finale. The 4400's are emerging as the good guys, and the U.S. Government as the bad guys. But there's plenty more that we don't know about the temporal warfare being waged.

The Dead Zone Season 6 finale also provided a bit of closure. We got a much deeper insight into Johnny's doomsday visions, and we discovered his father, played by an aging Tom Skerritt, was alive all this time. Unfortunately he dies. But the proof of Greg Stillson's corruption is finally out in the open. And JJ discovers he has a "dead zone". Is there a spin-off in the making?



Regards
John Crawford

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