StormFeather
Just passing
I found this on the iPlayer at the weekend, and watched the first 2 episodes whilst catching up with the ironing (my exciting life!!
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Now, I don’t know enough about sf enough to be able to recognise that the transporter wasn’t a design that can make surface landings, and there are other aspects of such tales that I’m happy to take at face value.
But it seems to me that certain basic elements of telling a compelling story were missing, not that I’m an expert there either.
For me, the plot line that seems exceptionally weak is that of the transport, it’s passengers and crew, and the relationship with the citizens of Carpathia.
The transport appears to be the last they’ll see from Earth, and yet the general population, or anyone who is seen on screen, apart from the leaders, seem fairly apathetic about the whole thing. As it finally disintegrates on entry to the atmosphere, a barely perceptible shrug of shoulders and a muttered ‘blessing’ for the lost souls is all that is made of it.
In episode 2 it becomes apparent that more than one escape shuttle made it, and we see scenes of the survivors walking into Fort Haven. I would expect the general population and key workers to be there to meet and greet them – a triage set up for minor injuries, someone showing them where to line up and give their details – families desperate for news of loved ones crowding and pushing to get to these people who are their last lifeline to Earth. Not, as it seemed to me, a bunch of interestingly dressed people (wouldn't they be wearing ship suits or some kind of evacuation suit in the event of an emergency evacuation – not knowing where you might land??) just randomly walking through a town, not knowing where to go, and no one there to say ‘hello’.
There were other things too, but this really stood out for me as a very weak aspect of the plot, and I found it most annoying!
Anyway, I’ll catch up on last nights episode when I’m next doing the ironing and avoiding the Football/Rugby/Cricket/Golf etc and see if it gets better.
)Now, I don’t know enough about sf enough to be able to recognise that the transporter wasn’t a design that can make surface landings, and there are other aspects of such tales that I’m happy to take at face value.
But it seems to me that certain basic elements of telling a compelling story were missing, not that I’m an expert there either.
For me, the plot line that seems exceptionally weak is that of the transport, it’s passengers and crew, and the relationship with the citizens of Carpathia.
The transport appears to be the last they’ll see from Earth, and yet the general population, or anyone who is seen on screen, apart from the leaders, seem fairly apathetic about the whole thing. As it finally disintegrates on entry to the atmosphere, a barely perceptible shrug of shoulders and a muttered ‘blessing’ for the lost souls is all that is made of it.
In episode 2 it becomes apparent that more than one escape shuttle made it, and we see scenes of the survivors walking into Fort Haven. I would expect the general population and key workers to be there to meet and greet them – a triage set up for minor injuries, someone showing them where to line up and give their details – families desperate for news of loved ones crowding and pushing to get to these people who are their last lifeline to Earth. Not, as it seemed to me, a bunch of interestingly dressed people (wouldn't they be wearing ship suits or some kind of evacuation suit in the event of an emergency evacuation – not knowing where you might land??) just randomly walking through a town, not knowing where to go, and no one there to say ‘hello’.
There were other things too, but this really stood out for me as a very weak aspect of the plot, and I found it most annoying!
Anyway, I’ll catch up on last nights episode when I’m next doing the ironing and avoiding the Football/Rugby/Cricket/Golf etc and see if it gets better.
