posted
Did anyone see this pilot on FOX? It was commissioned after Battlestar Galactica was canceled, and I think it would appeal to that crowd. And to others like me, who couldn't watch BSG but like compelling sci-fi. A bunch of interesting characters, a deep storyline, cool effects - and there was just something about it that drew me in.
Looks like it won't get picked up, but the pilot can be seen at HULU: Virtuality. It was a two-hour pilot (an hour and a half without the commercials). Seems like a very Hatrackian show.
Posts: 1522 | Registered: Nov 2005
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Saw it this morning, actually, absolutely loved it and came here expecting to find a thread... glad there is one now!
I love shows that are progressively deep like this one... a show within a show within a show. It starts out feeling like a rather cheezy sci-fi show, and then every 5 minutes goes another level deeper.
For example (SPOILER ALERT!)
At first, we're told "the Earth is going to be uninhabitable in 100 years", and it seems like your basic cheezy sci-fi premise. Then the captain starts talking about how it's probably just an incentive to add drama to the show... and at the end, you're given hints that maybe the entire ship is virtual and everyone is an unwitting participant in a VR show. (especially when the captain makes the civil war gun appear out of apparent thin air)
Also, I *love* the Commander Pike reference! As well as one of the first then Gene says is something about the outer sensor array needs to be realigned.
Finally, I really appreciate the seriousness with which they treat science. The ship is based on a real ship design. They actually rotate it to produce gravity instead of artificial gravity. They have a garden, they account for time dilation and also the speed of light. (the captain's remark about not getting anything more than basic schematic data, due to the data coming in so astronomically fast compared to the relatively time slowed ship, and also about it taking 90 minutes from neptune and back)
I'd love to see more shows like this where science is decently respected. I'm not saying it's perfect (I noticed a few holes, especially with the equilibrium problems their ship might cause), but it *tries*, and that's what's important.
Posts: 2222 | Registered: Dec 2008
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Incidentally, BSG wasn't canceled. A show can end at four seasons just fine, if the creators feel like that's the entire story. No sense stretching things out multiple pointless extra seasons, right?
Posts: 1577 | Registered: Sep 2005
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I had heard about the plot outline of Virtuality and thought it sounded really, really awful.
I watched the first 15 minutes last night and so far it looks pretty decent. Heck, I'm gratified that they rotate their vessel to simulate gravity.
Posts: 4287 | Registered: Mar 2005
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Just wanted to say the whole sequence where they activate the interstellar drive was utterly fantastic. Also, afaik, it's the only tv series/movie that's had a real intersteller space ship design used. It got me excited for what might actually be happening in 50 years! (Also, it shows the probably only realistic way to pay for such a ship - advertising out the whazoo)
Posts: 2222 | Registered: Dec 2008
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I just tried to set my DRV, and realized that the pilot is all there is.
Fox better pick this up. What is it with them and canceling every good show they have the opportunity to run?
Posts: 3950 | Registered: Mar 2006
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Maybe Syfy can pick it up, add some chain mail, and attempt to fit in some dialog they found in Joss Whedon's trash bin. *gag*
Posts: 4287 | Registered: Mar 2005
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I very much enjoyed it, and was almost literally glued to my TV for the first time since BSG ended. Posts: 3932 | Registered: Sep 1999
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I keep hoping if we can lure enough people to Hulu to watch it, they'll give it a chance. Or someone will. I want to see more twisty Virtuality.
Posts: 1522 | Registered: Nov 2005
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I had it run a couple times while I was away from the computer. I figure a few extra "views" can't hurt. Posts: 3950 | Registered: Mar 2006
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*Reply to Spoilers that necessarily contains spoilers*
quote:(especially when the captain makes the civil war gun appear out of apparent thin air)
He's clearly a Civil war buff, I didn't think it out of the realm of possibility that he had a replica/antique in his cabin. Others have personal items. There's a scene-cut and then he has the gun, he could have retrieved it from where he kept it in his room.
I like a lot of it, certainly better than most stuff on TV. I could do without certain elements (reality TV show bickering for one), but pretty strong overall.
Posts: 5656 | Registered: Oct 1999
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More spoily replies, etc, you know the drill...
quote:Originally posted by Xavier: *Reply to Spoilers that necessarily contains spoilers*
quote:(especially when the captain makes the civil war gun appear out of apparent thin air)
He's clearly a Civil war buff, I didn't think it out of the realm of possibility that he had a replica/antique in his cabin. Others have personal items. There's a scene-cut and then he has the gun, he could have retrieved it from where he kept it in his room.
I guess so, and it might even be a Whedonian attempt to lead us to a false conclusion... it just seemed a little odd that he was lying there with empty hands, then *bam* he's got a gun in his hand. Normal movie logic would either show him picking it up or at least imply some motion. It's perfectly reasonable for it to be real as well, though. All depends on how you read it.
A little side note: I've actually got an antique muzzle loader caplock pistol - circa 1800. The person who gave it to my dad (who in turn gave it to me) said it was used in the war of 1812. It's a compact model, though - about 6 inches from tip to handle. (though the muzzle is about as wide as a 12 gauge shotgun)
When I was a kid my dad had a huge bag of percussion caps. I'd load the cone use the pistol like a cap gun.
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