Foray into Science Fiction Fandom (10)
Softer Sci-fi fans, or closet fans, often find themselves attracted to shows about seeing the dead. There are three recent (within the last five years) shows on that vein, and one more that's partially related.
Most recently, the show Medium (based on the "real life" psychic Allison Dubois) features a woman who converses regularly with the dead while she's awake, and has clairvoyant dreams while she sleeps. I picked up Ms. Dubois's book while shelf-reading at the library the other day, and I have to admit, I don't believe for two seconds that she can do what she says she can. I do believe that she might believe it, however. These abilities contradict all the laws of God and common sense, which is why this show is science fiction, and not, for instance, reality TV (which shows, incidentally, also go against all the laws of God and common sense).
The draw of this show (besides the escapist fantasy elements) becomes really the relationship between this mother, her three girls, and her husband. Unfortunately, happy families don't sell anymore, so the bickering and fighting seems to increase as the show continues.
Haunted, An earlier show (2002) (I was on my mission, so I had to watch reruns on the sci-fi channel in 2007) which heavily features the "man with a vendetta" plot (and LOST actor Matthew Fox) combines the mystery-solving sci-fi (X-Files group, hence the vendetta plot) with seeing the dead. The main character has recently lost his son (see X-Files season 9), which caused the breakup of his marriage. He's being haunted by the ghost of a serial killer, among others, which occasionally causes images reminiscent of the movie 13 Ghosts, but he also sometimes sees (and is assisted by) the ghost of his son, whom he still attempts to deny is actually dead.
Tru Calling stars Eliza Dushku (the "other" slayer on Buffy), a medical student who takes a job on the graveyard shift at the city morgue. While on duty she discovers a rather fascinating gift. The dead bodies awaken and speak to her, often only saying one or two words (usually "help me") at which point she is returned to her bed in the morning where she must then spend the day trying to save their lives. An antagonist appears, the angel of death who feels he is being cheated, and tries to foil her plans to save the prematurely dead.
A semi-related show, starring Anthony Michael Hall, is The Dead Zone. Based on a novel by Stephen King, this show has several elements of horror and defeatism, as well as some interesting romance. Johnny Smith's gift tends toward clairvoyance based on touch. By feeling an object or shaking hands with a person he can discern a possible future, which, often Cassandra-like, he tries to change if it seems like a good idea. The overarching story is a horrifying future full of atomic warfare he continuously seeks to thwart by interfering with the political career of a handsome, popular young candidate (played by Sean Patrick Flannery).
I'm off to Vegas. More later.
Most recently, the show Medium (based on the "real life" psychic Allison Dubois) features a woman who converses regularly with the dead while she's awake, and has clairvoyant dreams while she sleeps. I picked up Ms. Dubois's book while shelf-reading at the library the other day, and I have to admit, I don't believe for two seconds that she can do what she says she can. I do believe that she might believe it, however. These abilities contradict all the laws of God and common sense, which is why this show is science fiction, and not, for instance, reality TV (which shows, incidentally, also go against all the laws of God and common sense).
The draw of this show (besides the escapist fantasy elements) becomes really the relationship between this mother, her three girls, and her husband. Unfortunately, happy families don't sell anymore, so the bickering and fighting seems to increase as the show continues.
Haunted, An earlier show (2002) (I was on my mission, so I had to watch reruns on the sci-fi channel in 2007) which heavily features the "man with a vendetta" plot (and LOST actor Matthew Fox) combines the mystery-solving sci-fi (X-Files group, hence the vendetta plot) with seeing the dead. The main character has recently lost his son (see X-Files season 9), which caused the breakup of his marriage. He's being haunted by the ghost of a serial killer, among others, which occasionally causes images reminiscent of the movie 13 Ghosts, but he also sometimes sees (and is assisted by) the ghost of his son, whom he still attempts to deny is actually dead.
Tru Calling stars Eliza Dushku (the "other" slayer on Buffy), a medical student who takes a job on the graveyard shift at the city morgue. While on duty she discovers a rather fascinating gift. The dead bodies awaken and speak to her, often only saying one or two words (usually "help me") at which point she is returned to her bed in the morning where she must then spend the day trying to save their lives. An antagonist appears, the angel of death who feels he is being cheated, and tries to foil her plans to save the prematurely dead.
A semi-related show, starring Anthony Michael Hall, is The Dead Zone. Based on a novel by Stephen King, this show has several elements of horror and defeatism, as well as some interesting romance. Johnny Smith's gift tends toward clairvoyance based on touch. By feeling an object or shaking hands with a person he can discern a possible future, which, often Cassandra-like, he tries to change if it seems like a good idea. The overarching story is a horrifying future full of atomic warfare he continuously seeks to thwart by interfering with the political career of a handsome, popular young candidate (played by Sean Patrick Flannery).
I'm off to Vegas. More later.
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