? of the Week: Worldbuilding Flubs — what pulls you out of the story?
We’ve got an episode coming up soon about worldbuilding. But before we get to that, we want to know this: What worldbuilding flubs pull you out of the story? What, for you, ruins the integrity of the world?Leave a comment and let us know!
? of the Week: What are the new gateway scifi/fantasy films?
It’s about time we drag this segment up from the depths! Every Friday, we will have a new ? of the Week feature. And we want you to get involved! This week’s question as a fun one. There are plenty of films we older folks remember from our youth. They were the films that got us into SF/F, or helped foster a burgeoning interest. But what are the new gateway flicks? Which films would you give to your children to get them into SF/F? Which would you suggest for those who want to get into the genre via film, but aren’t sure where to go? The comments are open. Have at it!
RIP: Sara Douglass
Locus Magazine has broken the news that Sara Warneke (better know to SF/F readers as Sara Douglass) passed away from ovarian cancer earlier today. She was 54. Readers will remember her for her fantasy novels, such as Enchanter, etc. (of which Jen has read a few). You can find out more about her various works on her website. She will certainly be missed. Our condolences to her family and friends. We hope you find your way to relief through the long process of mourning.
SFFTV: Falling Skies — Another Monumental Disappointment
I’m done with TNT’s Falling Skies. This is the second science fiction TV show they’ve produced that I’ve given up on and I’m starting to see a trend. The first was The Walking Dead, which suffered from many of the same issues that make Falling Skies such a weak piece of science fiction. Namely, the moronic use of the generic/subgeneric conventions (for The Walking Dead, post-apocalyptic zombie survival; for Falling Skies, post-alien-invasion post-apocalypse survival). But if failing to use the clichés of the genre effectively weren’t bad enough, perhaps the series’ blatant political agenda and its wishy washy handling of normally interesting and relevant subjects (to Americans) kills the show for good. Falling Skies, essentially, is about how conservative America—in the current conception of that ideal—can save mankind
SFFTV: Outcasts (Ep. 2) and Falling Skies (Ep. 3)
The second episode of Outcasts is another strong showing. A handful of escape pods have made their way to the surface of Carpathia, leaving the citizens of Forthaven the task of finding them and bringing their inhabitants to safety. But there are other people out in the wilderness of Carpathia. People thought to be dead. People who have a dark history with Forthaven and its first settlers. And they’ve taken a survivor from the CT9, the first ship to arrive in Carpathia in five years, well after the pulse beacon from Earth went silent… I love this show. I really do. Everything about it screams “I am good.” The cast is solid, the characters diverse, three-dimensional, and interesting, and the production quality, as I’ve already said, is remarkable. The first episode set the
SFFTV: Outcasts (Ep. 1) and Falling Skies (Ep. 1+2)
Two of the more interesting science fiction shows hitting U.S. airwaves this year are BBC’s Outcasts and TNT’s Falling Skies. The former has already had its run in the UK (cancelled, sadly) and is only now getting its fair shake on BBC America. The latter is the much anticipated, and heavily pushed, Noah Wyle vehicle. Both show remarkable promise. The first episode of Outcasts is an eye-opener. As a Doctor Who fan, I’ve been used to seeing science handled with a heavy dose of humor on the BBC. Outcasts is everything but a humorous show, though it tries hard to lighten the mood with a few jokes. It’s a fine display of what the BBC can do when it puts its mind to serious SF, with a strong cast and beautiful CG and cinematography. Outcasts focuses on the first settlers on the planet Carpathia, who have been specially selected to pave the way for future
