Analyzing Sci-Fi Fans
Hi Holt, nice to have you among us! Personally, I *love* to share my opinion, so I’m glad you asked. [img]images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]
Lexx: I love Lexx because it’s completely fresh and wickedly funny. It has none of the politically correct moralizing that seems to be the hallmark of successful series in the US these days, and it doesn’t take itself seriously. I love how Lexx irreverently satirizes anything and anyone. Since Lexx doesn’t take itself seriously, I can revel in the nihilism and chaos – it’s all in FUN! For example, I knew I was irrevocably hooked when, in IWHS, the cluster lizards were let loose on the children who were supposed to be getting medals of honor. You can’t do that! I was practically shrieking with laughter at the audacity! Lexxian humor sort of reminds me of Vonnegut – everything human is a target for lampooning.
Lexx’s characters are flawed – selfish, confused, cowardly, hungry,horny, unlucky – dangerous to themselves and anyone who crosses their paths. It’s a refreshing change from Star Trek’s utopia where everyone is happy, healthy, and well-adjusted. The stories barrel along with a raucous energy – like children joyfully thumbing their noses and blowing “raspberries” at everything grown-up. And it does this without resorting to slapstick. Plus, here’s the kicker: amidst all this mayhem, the members of the crew have moments of heroism, heartbreak, honor, hope – enough to make them lovable (to each other and to us) in spite of, well, everything. The dialogue between them is often side-splittingly funny and sometimes even touching. Xev’s character is something completely new, I think. She’s like the sex-kittenish female characters women my age grew up with (Catwoman, Wonder Woman, Jeannie, Ginger), but she’s none of those stereotypes. She’s a combination of innocent, devilish, adventurous, sexy, strong, sensitive, violent, victim and heroine, and more. Maybe the first truly multi-dimensional female character I’ve seen on TV. Stan’s character is also multidimensional – he’s a cowardly, whiny, selfish git, but he’s got a basically good heart (if you don’t expect too much), and he will surprise you sometimes. I like characters to encompass both dark and light qualities (sort of like real people, only… entertaining). And, of course, some of the performers in Lexx are simply beautiful – total eye candy!
Off the top of my head I can think of one other aspect of Lexx that makes it the best show I’ve ever seen: I am continuously surprised. The writers seem to have an infinite capacity to take these stories in directions no one else would ever have imagined. Unlike most other TV (and movies), I just can’t predict what will happen next – and I like it!
Overall Lexx has the qualities that I appreciate most for rolicking fun entertainment: irreverence, energy, action, adventure, dark humor, irony, satire, tongue-in-cheek “horror,” originality, sharp & witty dialogue, a gorgeous tragic hero, sex appeal (without soap opera), multi-dimensional characters, and all of it delivered with a grain of salt.
Farscape: I can’t watch it for as much as five minutes. From what I’ve seen, this show tries to be everything to everyone and ends up being nothing – to me. It’s got Muppets, but it takes itself way too seriously. I’ve never liked creature-features with goofy-looking critters, UNLESS the critters are MEANT to be satirical & silly. Visually, the characters I’ve seen look derivative, unoriginal (muppet and non-muppet). The overall plot sounds like a real snooze. I can’t say more, because, as I said, I’ve never watched for more than 5 minutes at a time – and I don’t intend to. SciFi has tried to cram Farscape down our throats at the expense of Lexx (a far better show), and that just p****es me off!
Star Trek (and it’s progeny): I grew up with Star Trek and loved it because there was nothing else like it. Spock was the freshest character on TV at the time. The show was hopeful, yes, but there was a dark edge and plenty of tongue-in-cheek humor. It was adventurous, but not afraid to be silly. Everything about the Trek universe was new, unexpected. Later, when the first motion picture was released, I was prepared for a bit of a nostalgic reunion with the old crew, then ready to move right along into some newer, edgier, higher-tech action. TNG: I had high hopes, but kept being disappointed by soap opera love stories & the like. By the time DS9, and later, (whatchamacallit?) came along, I would have needed something totally surprising to recapture my interest. Oh, there were new bad guys and so forth, but the same Federation formula applied to every situation. Q was a fun character, and the Ferengi were entertaining, but overall, I steadily lost interest. The later series’ lacked satire, irony, dark humor, irreverence, and originality.
Andromeda: I’ve watched it a few times and the jury is still out. The story is fairly heavy-handed – restoring the Commonwealth and all that jazz. It has some potentially interesting characters that are more than 1- or 2-dimensional. So far, one episode does not leave me hankering for more.
Help! I’m talking and I can’t shut up! Whew…I gotta stop now and lie down in the gutter for a while.