HOLY FRAK.

[rogueslayer452]

CAPRICA. HOLY FRAK YOU GUYS, CAPRICA.

FRAK YOU SYFY, YOU STUPID MOTHERFRAKKERS. *shakes fist*

Seriously, I will make heavily detailed reviews shortly. All I have to say is had Syfy not been fucking assholes for mistreating the show or at least shown some interest and support of it from the beginning, we could have had at least one more season to really fully explain everything leading up to the inevitable. At least. Because shit got real really fast and it's amazing. Hell, it had been since day one. Those motherfrakkers who don't see that, screw them.

Why is it that the majority of my shows that I love are the ones that are prematurely canceled before their time? Or that nobody sees the value of until it's too late? :(

Comments

[love-jackianto.livejournal.com]

'Why is it that the majority of my shows that I love are the ones that are prematurely canceled before their time? Or that nobody sees the value of until it's too late? :('
Tell me about it. Most of my favorite shows have a nasty habit of being canceled during their first season, or sooner.

[rogueslayer452.livejournal.com]

It's just a waste of amazing potential for good television and not some of the crap that plagues our screens these days. It's like, networks sacrifice an amazing quality show for something like reality tv, and that's just fundamentally wrong. I understand the ratings system is part of the business and it keeps everything afloat, etc and so forth, but the ratings system means jackshit these days and it should be changed.

[love-jackianto.livejournal.com]

'It's just a waste of amazing potential for good television and not some of the crap that plagues our screens these days.'
That it is. Does the world really need so many quote unquote reality shows?

'I understand the ratings system is part of the business and it keeps everything afloat, etc and so forth, but the ratings system means jackshit these days and it should be changed.'
True, but that would mean that TPTB would have change and that's just crazy talk.

[rogueslayer452.livejournal.com]

It's ridiculous. Reality shows are mostly scripted anyway, or the people are told what to say and what they cannot and really, it's mostly just mindless trash. I want thought-provoking shows, dammit.

True, but that would mean that TPTB would have change and that's just crazy talk.

IT IS MADNESS I TELL YOU, MADNESS! ;p In seriousness though, with the evolution of technology growing so fast it's harder to keep track on who watches what by the normal devices, aka the Nielsen system. There really needs to be changes or altering of their plans of calculating and tallying the ratings with those who watch online, DVR, normal television viewing, etc.

[love-jackianto.livejournal.com]

'Reality shows are mostly scripted anyway, or the people are told what to say and what they cannot and really, it's mostly just mindless trash.'
I know! That's why I always put quotes around reality.

'I want thought-provoking shows, dammit.'
Me too. At least I have Southland to look forward to. It's probably one of the best written cop shows I've ever seen. Of course NBC canceled it after only six episodes, but TNT not only aired the other six as a season two but gave it a season three.

[rogueslayer452.livejournal.com]

Of course NBC canceled it after only six episodes, but TNT not only aired the other six as a season two but gave it a season three.

See, it's incidents like this that give me my optimism that somewhere out there people are willing to give canceled shows their deserved time to shine. I've encountered others who have said "well it's already canceled nothing else to be done, let it go" when obviously little miracles like this, resurrection of a canceled show for example, do indeed happen. Not always, but there is a fighting chance for some.

[love-jackianto.livejournal.com]

'See, it's incidents like this that give me my optimism that somewhere out there people are willing to give canceled shows their deserved time to shine.'
Yeah, it doesn't happen very often, but it does give me hope too. The best thing we can do is show our support for the show.

'I've encountered others who have said "well it's already canceled nothing else to be done, let it go"'
You could always point them to this TvTropes link. Looking at that page, I was quite surprised by how many have been uncanceled over the years.

[rogueslayer452.livejournal.com]

I did share that link with them, they just didn't care. Which shows the kind of cynicism they hold, apparently. :/

But it is amazing seeing how many shows have risen from the ashes of cancellation. It doesn't always happen, but that doesn't mean it's impossible for our shows now to have that opportunity with the right kind of campaigning and fan support.

[love-jackianto.livejournal.com]

'It doesn't always happen, but that doesn't mean it's impossible for our shows now to have that opportunity with the right kind of campaigning and fan support.'
Yeah, I think the best thing we can do is show our support. Using the Southland example, Michael Cudlitz (one of the leads on the show) has said that one of the reasons TNT picked the show up was because he has quite the following on Twitter.

[rogueslayer452.livejournal.com]

It really was, I was in such high anticipation the entire time throughout watching these last several episodes, literally on the edge of my seat, ngl. And the montage at the end was fantastic, though I couldn't help thinking that we could've seen everything more thoroughly of what happened with those quick images going passed, you know? Like, that is the season that should have been, and had this been a season finale instead of a series finale it would have given us a peak into how things would have gone down.

I can't see how Blood and Chrome is gonna fit into this timeline though, considering everything that happened. Unless they give flashbacks or something, but I highly doubt so.

[rogueslayer452.livejournal.com]

I legitimately cried over Serge. It sounds ridiculous, but I was all shocked when that happened. I was like NOOOOO SERGE! ;___; *clings* I loved that little guy.

My main concern is how Syfy is going to handle it. Because let's face it, with what happened with Caprica and other shows on that network these days it wouldn't be unlike them to discontinue it after only a few episodes, at least. It's just that ominous feeling I get when things like this happen. They didn't give Caprica a chance, why should they for B&C? Because it's more action-packed than the previous? More like BSG that will bring more viewers in? I doubt so, but we'll see.

[silverusagi]

Why is it that the majority of my shows that I love are the ones that are prematurely canceled before their time?

Serious question, which is worse? Shows cancelled prematurely, or shows that go on too long and methodically destroy characters that you loved?

[rogueslayer452.livejournal.com]

Now that is truly something to ponder about, isn't it? While I hate my shows being canceled prematurely knowing the wonderful places they could have gone, it preserves the quality of the characters and the story. For example with Firefly, I truly adored that show and the characters involved, despite it being canned too early. Each episode was filled with richness of the story and you could tell the amount of hard work and utter joy everyone had making it, which sometimes cannot be said for other shows. And the shows that go on forever (Smallville, for example, having gotten so ridiculous even the fans are wanting it to die, and to a lesser extent now Supernatural is heading down that very path of "why didn't it stop here?" only because of rating purposes)

I think there could be a middle ground, and some have had that kind of achievement. For example, Battlestar Galactica. The creators knew that they wanted to end the show after four seasons, and that gave the series a proper beginning, middle and conclusive ending to the entire story and the characters, and rarely do shows get that proper full-circle feeling.

I feel like creators need to have a specific game plan handy, knowing where they ideally want their works to end and a backup in case things don't go as planned. But nothing exceeding reasonable expectations. In an ideal world, of course.

[silverusagi]

Well, shit. I don't even know what I did, but somehow I hit the back button and lost my reply. Cliff Notes version:

Firelfy=awesome. Though at least one full season would have been nice.

How much control does the creator have, versus the network? Because I keep hearing about Kripke's five year plan, but obviously that got thrown out.

[rogueslayer452.livejournal.com]

Awww, I'm sorry. :( I hate losing comments too.

I feel things get messed up once the network starts taking full control and dictating the creative direction of a show. Joss Whedon experienced it twice from the FOX network with his shows, and it demonstrates how much a network doesn't really care as long as they get the control. As he once placed it nicely, creative minds always get slapped down in the end. An unfortunate case with this business, I'm afraid.

Kripke had stated in the past that he wanted five seasons, and he wanted the show to end on his terms because he didn't want the show to go on endlessly like other shows did. It doesn't seem like that promise is being held based on how this season has been going. I somehow get the feeling he had been pressured into having more seasons by the network, and nagging fans, for ratings so he gave into such a proposal but wanted nothing to do with it thus stepping down as showrunner. Then again, this is from my own observation. We won't know the true story from behind the scenes on why his five year plan didn't go through. Some say it's because of the actor's contracts, but they could have done a televised movie or something of the like. I don't know.

[silverusagi]

because he didn't want the show to go on endlessly like other shows did

HA. It's a shame that he stepped down, though. It would have been better to end the show than to hand over the reins, I think. Or for him stay for one more year and see to it himself. I know it's about the money, but I just don't know how I could watch someone destroy my characters. OTOH, he could think everything is IC and peachy keen. I do wonder, though, about creators in general. If anything goes on long enough, it starts to suck. Do the creators actually think the story is going in exciting new directions, or do they just not care anymore? Either way, it's sad when you have characters doing things that S1 or book 1 characters just would not do.

[rogueslayer452.livejournal.com]

but I just don't know how I could watch someone destroy my characters.

Me neither, even for money. It's like these characters and this story was his baby, imagine watching your baby getting corrupted by someone else just for the shits and giggles and the big fat paycheck. It would be downright blasphemy and I couldn't stomach it.

I do wonder, though, about creators in general. If anything goes on long enough, it starts to suck. Do the creators actually think the story is going in exciting new directions, or do they just not care anymore?

That's an interesting question to pose, and I would love to bend the ear of any creator whose work overstayed its welcome on television and hear what they have to say about it. Because I can only think of two things: a.) money or b.) not really giving a damn anymore, be it their disinterest or pressures of the business and TPTB in particular. There are certain creators that know that when things get bad and admit to it, then there are others that just simply think everything is a-okay (ex. Tim Kring thinking that Heroes was the bestest thing ever, while everyone else, the actors included, thought that was bullshit). So yeah, I'm not entirely sure how one could sit back and watch their own ideas getting trampled all over just for the money.

Either way, it's sad when you have characters doing things that S1 or book 1 characters just would not do.

Or seeing them not having any kind of development whatsoever in a convincing manner, and their behavior is completely unjustified. :/

[silverusagi]

I keep thinking of Joss and the Buffy comics. Have you kept up with anything about those? It's truly sad. A lot of people don't consider them canon because they're comics and not TV, but Joss says they're canon. And it's like...really? This is actually how you think the characters end up? He can't be getting that much money from comics, and I can't see him personally writing them if he doesn't care, which just leaves the "he thinks it's good" option.

For books, I always think of Anne Rice. Her first three vampire books are really good (if you like her genre), but then they just go downhill and finally end in a practically crack crossover with her witch books (which, okay are taking place in the same universe, but the characters did NOT need to meet and have weirdness).

[rogueslayer452.livejournal.com]

Heh, I've only heard details about the comics. I love Joss I honestly do but yeah, I also agree with others that it really isn't canonical. I do think comics are interesting and fascinating in general, another medium that has free reign of things that couldn't be done on television. Perhaps it's its own canon? idk

[silverusagi]

I can't avoid the comics. Post about them were all over my flist. Even when I stopped reading the posts, it was impossible not to know what was happening.

another medium that has free reign of things that couldn't be done on television

This is the problem. Joss has gone crazy because he can do all of these things, but instead of picking one or two cool things, he wants to do *all of them*. It's like cracky crack. If I saw any of that in a fanfic, I would be clicking the back button so fast, but because it's Joss, it merits reading and discussion. Though by this point, most of fandom has given up, I think.

[rogueslayer452.livejournal.com]

It pretty much just is crack, from what I've been hearing. I mean, what happened in the last issue? I just, what? D: *tears forever and clings to television canon*

Well, I love Fray though. ;)

[silverusagi]

I gave up when Dawn became a centaur, and it only went downhill from there. Angel is evil and he and Buffy are having sex in space and creating new worlds? IDEK.

[love-jackianto.livejournal.com]

'Serious question, which is worse? Shows cancelled prematurely, or shows that go on too long and methodically destroy characters that you loved?'
Great question. As much as I hate when shows are canceled before their time, I also hate when shows enter the Zombie seasons. I think it's even for the same reason, that is wasted potential; shows that get canceled too soon never reach their potential and shows that go on too long end up destroying the potential they had had.

[silverusagi]

Zombie seasons is a good word for it. But you know, with Supernatural, I acutally think they have good themes going this season. It's just all the retconning and little things. It's like everyone forgot that these are established characters in an established world. And almost every episode is like this, with things that are just off. It's not like they've run out of ideas (civil war in Heaven FTW, monsters roaming the earth FTW), but they're just executing them horribly.

[love-jackianto.livejournal.com]

'It's just all the retconning and little things. It's like everyone forgot that these are established characters in an established world.'
So very true. A lot of this season really has felt like a bad AU fanfic to me.

'It's not like they've run out of ideas (civil war in Heaven FTW, monsters roaming the earth FTW), but they're just executing them horribly.'
Agreed. I really hope they get their act together for the second half of the season, because if they screw up the Heaven War irritated will not even begin to cover it.

[fate-incomplete.livejournal.com]

So many shows that I love have been getting cancelled in the last few years. Its got to the point where my hubby is so jaded with new tv shows he prefers not to watch a new show unless it has been going for a couple of seasons. Can't blame him, there is nothing more frustrating then getting hooked on a show and it not even making it past a first season, especially if it has a cliffhanger ending or something.

[rogueslayer452.livejournal.com]

I completely understand that feeling. I know shows get canceled but they seem to be doing it more frequently than usual these days, it gets rather disconcerting knowing that you might end up liking a show only to discover that it'll be canceled. Of course without viewing new shows there won't be any kind of show of support that people are actually watching these programs, thus making cancellation more likely. So yeah, it's a tough call to make. :(

I just wish networks would stop being nouchedozzles and let a show run its season before making conclusions like axing them or something. Give them a fair chance to gain an audience/fanbase, JFC.

[fate-incomplete.livejournal.com]

yeah I always cave and start watching new shows. Sort of getting used to them getting cancelled. I'm in Australia, so I usually watch new shows on the net and then buy the DVDs when they come out. So many shows get lost in the system when they come to Australia, Supernatural for example I think is playing at something like 11.30pm and getting chopped and changed for times and even days it is on. No hope of getting a sci fi show here unless its actually on Syfy and even then they delay everything.

I wish shows were given more than a handful of episodes to try and prove themselves. Its just not enough time. I'm always talking to my husband about it. These days everything just has to make money right NOW. No time to let a show find its feet, so many shows that could be great are cancelled before they hit their stride.

Even shows I love like Stargate had a reasonably ordinary first season and just got better and better. If they weren't so quick to chop and change shows they would do better. Or if a show is going to get cancelled why not give some notice so that there is a chance to have some sort of reasonable conclusion. That way at least if its a show you love you can buy the DVDs and when you rewatch them you at least have some form of satisfaction. There are shows I would buy the DVDs for if the story didn't just end midsentence.

Networks basically just suck. Just cross your fingers and hope at least some of the shows you enjoy are renewed.

[rogueslayer452.livejournal.com]

I think that's what makes me frustrated the most, because shows that premiere in the States usually are judged by the ratings here and not taking into consideration international ratings would be. Though I'm not knowledgeable in this particular field of how ratings work and everything, but I find it fundamentally unfair that other places would end up getting something aired that had already been canceled. You know what I mean? There are lots of shows that expand their popularity via overseas, but like you said these days it's all about making that first impression immediately and if nobody is biting they axe it completely. It's just a fucked up system.

Networks do suck. I know there's probably more to it than that, just contemplating all the behind the scenes contracting and whatnot makes my head hurt already, but it does seem rather simple to just let a show run its course before making any brash decisions.

What's worse with the Syfy Network is that they used to be all about the fanbases, or at least understanding that if there's a dedicated fanbase that means something, and the numbers were secondary. But lately it doesn't seem like they care much about that at all. :/

[rogueslayer452.livejournal.com]

Good shows just shouldn't get canceled.

[noybusiness.livejournal.com]

I thought it was good from the beginning. Really haven't understood people's complaints. This is the kind of television that people should be showing.

[rogueslayer452.livejournal.com]

I think some people were trying too hard to compare it to BSG when it had already been stated that it would've been nothing like its predecessor. While it wasn't perfect it still on its own quite nicely. And yes, I agree, this is precisely what television should be broadcasting instead of mindless reality crap.

[noybusiness.livejournal.com]

I wouldn't say nothing like, but it was its own entity. And better than BSG in some areas.

[rogueslayer452.livejournal.com]

I liked that it was expanding the universe that BSG didn't get into enough, such as the cultural aspects of the 12 worlds for instance. That was something I recall Jane Espenson being adamant about it since it allowed us to explore further, and we did with Gemenon and Tauron, particularly Tauron rituals and ceremonies, and the discrimination against cultures. But that really isn't enough for the entirety of everything. Now we'll never know. It's just disappointing and sad, to say the least. :(

[cookie-simone.livejournal.com]

Wait, I'm confused. I thought the new episodes weren't airing until Tuesday. My DVR didn't record anything. Have the episodes leaked or something?

[rogueslayer452.livejournal.com]

Oh don't worry, the episodes will still the airing on Tuesday. The S1.5 DVDs have already been released to buy (got mine on Christmas) and they already aired the last episodes in Canada a couple months ago, unlike Syfy here who are fucktards that don't know what they are doing.

[cookie-simone.livejournal.com]

Ohh. Okay, thanks. It's so weird that they'd release the DVDs before the episodes have even aired. I had no idea.

[rogueslayer452.livejournal.com]

I don't understand the logic for that, either. Also them airing the last five episodes all in one day pretty much says that they're only doing so to get it out of the way, which why couldn't they have just aired the remaining episodes like Canada did when it had been brought back after their really long extended hiatus? Idek. :/