January 2009

Red Dwarf Returns

Slashdot reports that science fiction television favorite Red Dwarf will return with a two part episode, titled "Red Dwarf: Back to Earth." The episode will be written and directed by Doug Naylor, half of the original team which created the first six Red Dwarf seasons. Doug Naylor and Rob Grant, the duo responsible for the creation and (some say best) early years of Red Dwarf, split in the mid-nineties, for reasons unknown. Prior to their split, they were known collectively as Grant Naylor, and wrote several Red Dwarf novels in addition to the shows. Rob Grant left Doug Naylor in charge of Red Dwarf, citing "creative differences." Doug Naylor did what he could with the series, but many people feel that it simply wasn't the same after Rob Grant left.

America's First Trekkie President

Much news has been made about Barack Obama being America's first black president. But few people realize that the REAL first is much more relevant: Barack Obama is America's first Trekkie president. I first stumbled across this astounding fact when I was listening to a rerun of the NPR show "Wait Wait Don't Tell Me" which featured a lengthy interview with Leonard Nimoy. Nimoy mentioned that he happened to walk through a hotel which was holding a rally for Obama's candidacy. Obama spotted Nimoy as he crossed the lobby, and - unbidden - grinned and flashed Nimoy the Vulcan hand signal. A little bit of digging turns up further evidence of Obama's Trek credentials. Last March during a rally in Wyoming, Obama is quoted as saying, "I grew up on Star Trek.

Battlestar Galactica - Still Relevant?

A lot of people are asking whether Battlestar Galactica, which is now finishing out its fourth and final season, is still relevant now that Barack Obama has taken the helm of the country. I have been pondering the same question. Certainly, the show's gritty sense of desperation and hopelessness seems out of tune with the feel of the new presidency. In his first week in office, President Obama waived legislation which formerly prohibited NGOs (Non Governmental Organizations) which participate and/or support abortion from offering support in foreign countries. He set a date for the closure of the Guantanamo Bay prison, and also ordered that all of the CIA's "black sites" be closed as well. And finally, he re-signed the Geneva Convention, and ordered that all military personnel will follow the official handbook, which is to say, NO MORE TORTURE. Under these welcome, whole-hearted efforts to improve the state of our country, do we really need Battlestar Galactica to hold up a brutal mirror to our face?

Dollhouse, What?

I saw my first television ad for "Dollhouse" last night, Joss Whedon's new show starring Buffy alum Eliza Dushku. It looked…. I don't know… okay? The premise of the show is that Eliza Dushku is one of a team of "Dolls" who can become any person that their "Handlers" want them to be. When it is time for a new role, the Handlers completely wipe out her personality and skills and basically swap out her brain for a new one. This is strangely reminiscent of the show "The Pretender." (This week he's a fireman! Next week he's the president of an oil company!) I liked "The Pretender," but I was a little baffled when it just… kept… going. It was great, but maybe not "four seasons" great. Of course, the main difference between "Dollhouse" and "The Pretender" is that Eliza Dushku isn't supposed to realize what is happening. But she starts to become self-aware, thus leading to the primary conflict in the show. I'm not really sure where this show is supposed to go.