Earlier this evening, its first full hour episodes around man getting struck by lightening and able to read minds was a big let down with really weak ending which doesn't help this fledgling series any. So far, this anthology of short episodes has made some good and bad impressions. Forest Whitaker seems to be able to carry Rod Serling onwards, but hopefully there's going to be some bigger punch than tonight's version.
Mixed Bag - Should Series Continue?
- Thread starter tabuno
- Start date
We haven't seen this in the UK, nor does there seem much chance in the near future, but it is going to last a whole season:
I guess I'm one of those one percent of the people tuning into Twilight Zone after Enterprise. Actually, its the Twilight Zone that's more likely to get me to watch Enterprise than the other way around. So far, the new anthology has maintained a decent quality level, though as I've mentioned before its hour-long episode pretty much was a let down. This new series has both up-lifting and tear-jerking episodes. There is the one with the small boy who conjures up a magical hero who offers the boy the gift of independence by having the boy solve his own problems - I like the high road taken in that episode. Usually, you get something that's pretty mundane, ordinary but the twists have been good.
Going, going, gone
Several of the last episodes of the new Twilight Zone have not pushed the envelope of the imagination and seem more just a rehash of old plotlines that don't really spark the imagination. If such mundane scripts continue, the new series will probably die a quick death this season.
Several of the last episodes of the new Twilight Zone have not pushed the envelope of the imagination and seem more just a rehash of old plotlines that don't really spark the imagination. If such mundane scripts continue, the new series will probably die a quick death this season.
How does it compare with the original series?
I have been watching the old 30 minute black and white shows in the afternoon - they are fantastic! I have even managed to come across a few that I saw as a child that I vaguely remember. It sounds like you are disappointed in general, but I would be curious to know how the new one measures up in comparison to its inspiration.
I have been watching the old 30 minute black and white shows in the afternoon - they are fantastic! I have even managed to come across a few that I saw as a child that I vaguely remember. It sounds like you are disappointed in general, but I would be curious to know how the new one measures up in comparison to its inspiration.
Nov 6 Episodes - OK
The most recent episodes of the new Twilight Zone Series were decent enough and tried to be more original than the past two weeks. Both were somewhat upbeat and both had twists that had a mild prickling that one comes to expect from Twight Zone. Forrest Whitaker is doing a good job of introducing and summing up after each episode, doing it his own way. It's hard to be original anymore since most of what could be considered the product of the imagination has been done before. So far this series is squeeking by. The jury remains out, but there's enough positive to keep going.
The most recent episodes of the new Twilight Zone Series were decent enough and tried to be more original than the past two weeks. Both were somewhat upbeat and both had twists that had a mild prickling that one comes to expect from Twight Zone. Forrest Whitaker is doing a good job of introducing and summing up after each episode, doing it his own way. It's hard to be original anymore since most of what could be considered the product of the imagination has been done before. So far this series is squeeking by. The jury remains out, but there's enough positive to keep going.
New Episodes Barely Pushing The Envelope
The last two episodes of Twilight Zone (shown in the United States this past November 13 on UPN barely moved the series forward, it was more interesting just to see Ally McBeal's star in the episode than to see the actual substance of the plot about virtual reality sex, a cross between 2001: A Space Odyssey and Fatal Attraction. The ending twist was rather a bittersweet end that was inserted more for the effect than for the logic or moral message. The second episode again had to take great leeway as to what was human and inhuman and crossed the line of credibility. There were a few fatal flaws of consistency in the storyline of something attacking in the woods and the paramilitary group that goes after it.
The last two episodes of Twilight Zone (shown in the United States this past November 13 on UPN barely moved the series forward, it was more interesting just to see Ally McBeal's star in the episode than to see the actual substance of the plot about virtual reality sex, a cross between 2001: A Space Odyssey and Fatal Attraction. The ending twist was rather a bittersweet end that was inserted more for the effect than for the logic or moral message. The second episode again had to take great leeway as to what was human and inhuman and crossed the line of credibility. There were a few fatal flaws of consistency in the storyline of something attacking in the woods and the paramilitary group that goes after it.
Does the Twilight Zone really have anywhere to develop to now?
The original, along with Outer Limits, had a vast canvas to paint itself over. Television was still new and there were many taboos and preconceptions as to what could and couldn't be done.
Consequently it was comparitively strong stuff, shocking, scareing and generally forcing people to think as they sat watching their postage stamp sized screens.
Now most of those same ideas have been 'done to death' not just in film, but even down to childrens TV.
I've not seen any of the new attempt either. But I did see the earlier attempt to revamp Outer Limits and by and large that sucked as well, suffering many of the faults of modern TV (Dumbed down to the lowest possible denominator, not original, indiferent direction and acting but some occaisional and oversized effects). My guess is that the same ailments have/are afflicting the Twilight Zone
The original, along with Outer Limits, had a vast canvas to paint itself over. Television was still new and there were many taboos and preconceptions as to what could and couldn't be done.
Consequently it was comparitively strong stuff, shocking, scareing and generally forcing people to think as they sat watching their postage stamp sized screens.
Now most of those same ideas have been 'done to death' not just in film, but even down to childrens TV.
I've not seen any of the new attempt either. But I did see the earlier attempt to revamp Outer Limits and by and large that sucked as well, suffering many of the faults of modern TV (Dumbed down to the lowest possible denominator, not original, indiferent direction and acting but some occaisional and oversized effects). My guess is that the same ailments have/are afflicting the Twilight Zone
A Few Gems
Generally you are right about the warmed over plots. I thought there were a few good episodes with the new Outer Limits series and the latest version of The Twilight Zone suffers from the apparent banality but some episodes have pushed the envelope softly and made so impacts like last week's two episodes - one about Hilter's baby and the other about bad luck personified (fun, humorous and insightful lesson plot). Both were relatively good episodes. On the whole, though, the series has been rather tame. If enough money to allow quality writers time to develop ideas, both series might have something worthwhile to offer, but it is becoming much more difficult.
Generally you are right about the warmed over plots. I thought there were a few good episodes with the new Outer Limits series and the latest version of The Twilight Zone suffers from the apparent banality but some episodes have pushed the envelope softly and made so impacts like last week's two episodes - one about Hilter's baby and the other about bad luck personified (fun, humorous and insightful lesson plot). Both were relatively good episodes. On the whole, though, the series has been rather tame. If enough money to allow quality writers time to develop ideas, both series might have something worthwhile to offer, but it is becoming much more difficult.
| Thread starter | Similar threads | Forum | Replies | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| C | Would you read this book? H.P. Lovecraft mixed with Tom Clancy | Writing Discussion | 17 | |
| F | (Found)Series of sci-fi novels, mixed Asian character. | Book Search | 9 | |
| S | a very mixed race future | Writing Discussion | 90 | |
|
Lohengrin Remixed | SFF Lounge | 1 | |
| S | Mixed reception for SG:U premiere | Stargate Universe Season 1 | 0 |
Similar threads
-
Would you read this book? H.P. Lovecraft mixed with Tom Clancy
- Started by cbender89
- Replies: 17
-
-
-
-
Mixed reception for SG:U premiere
- Started by SFF Chronicles News
- Replies: 0