I caught up with the first episode of
SyFy's new SF TV show
Defiance last night and overall was very impressed. Set on a terraformed Earth, thirty years after an alien invasion it was an interesting mish-mash of post-apocalyptic Western and classic SF series. For anyone who enjoyed the film or TV seris
Alien Nation, the influence of Rockne S. O'Bannon can be clearly seen, especially the use of alien languages.
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| The Votan arrive - the airliner gives an idea of scale! |
The series is being developed in conjunction with the producers of a MMOG (Massively Multiplayer Online Game) and as the story develops on the TV, so will the game to reflect it. Whilst not a MMOG player I do think this is very clever and allows the gamer to feel part of a developing arce in a rather unique way. Also some of the things seen in the MMOG will make for great TV!
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| Something big and alien getting shot in the MMOG |
The pilot episode was rather grand with massive spaceships, a whole raft of aliens with interesting traits (and weapons!), a massive alien automaton army, weird alien flora and fauna and
Max Max style alien bikers; all good stuff! Ok, the CGI did wobbly on occasion but one could forgive that given the scope and amount of effort that went into the entire production.
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| The robotic Volge from the TV series |
Overall, given the dearth of decent SF that actually looks suitably alien and fantastical on TV, this is a series well worth checking out and could be quite inspiring for SF wargamers.
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| The Volge on the march... |
I have to agree. I'm very pleased with what we've seen of Defiance so far and I love the fact that the different alien races are being fleshed out beyond their physical differences. I have high hopes for this (which means it'll probably get axed before the end of the first season).
ReplyDeleteWell if it is cancelled Tim, you can always play the MMOG! :-)
DeleteI am enjoying show too, there is something very familiar about, reminds me of babylon 5.
ReplyDeleteJ
Yep, the developed core alien races. Good call.
DeleteI have been enjoying the show also. My only dislike is the CGI was a bit rough for the bad guys at the end of the first episode (very video game like), not clean CGI like prior, I felt it was rushed. As was the plot, a full episode wiped out an army in the blink of an eye. I felt the opening plot was robbed and no suspense was built up.
ReplyDeleteThe second got better and I felt more on track again with pacing.
Agree, they should have gone with a cliffhanger of the shield down and the Volge entering the valley. Still not too bad.
DeleteI liked the first season and have watched it 3 times and I play the game too.
ReplyDeleteRoll on more Defiance!