American Science Fiction TV: Star Trek, Stargate and BeyondFrom "The Next Generation" and "The X-Files", to "Farscape" and "Enterprise", sci-fi television series in the US have multiplied since the 1980s. Jan Johnson-Smith shows how, in line with national political upheavals, this vibrant and perplexing genre set about expanding the myth of the Western frontier into deep space. She looks at the "sense of wonder" or sublime that infuses much Frontier art and science fiction, and traces a possible historical precedent to the genre in the fabulous and heroic journeys of the Classical epic. She discusses narrative styles and their influences, from the overarching narrative of "Babylon 5" to the episodic formula of "The Outer Limits", considers how experimental series such as "Twin Peaks" challenge conventional structures, and how and why sci-fi television has adopted new technologies. She also explores the juxtaposition of arcane language and technological jargon in modern American sci-fi television, revealing the extraordinarily alien, yet curiously familiar arena it creates. |
From inside the book
Results 1-5 of 28
Page 4
... consider that stories can emerge from more than the plotted action-narrative: mise-en-scène has its own narrative too, and in sf it enjoys a particularly powerful function. Science fiction offers novel concepts for consideration – alien ...
... consider that stories can emerge from more than the plotted action-narrative: mise-en-scène has its own narrative too, and in sf it enjoys a particularly powerful function. Science fiction offers novel concepts for consideration – alien ...
Page 5
... consider such an awe-inspiring encounter as a remarkable opportunity for complex human beings to contemplate the minute and immense universe around us.11 Splendid examples of the American sublime occur from the mid 1800s in literature ...
... consider such an awe-inspiring encounter as a remarkable opportunity for complex human beings to contemplate the minute and immense universe around us.11 Splendid examples of the American sublime occur from the mid 1800s in literature ...
Page 7
... considers the unique combination of linguistic and narrative strategies that comprise sf texts. I have tried to be inclusive rather than exclusive, and the works of Darko Suvin, Patrick Parrinder, Eric Rabkin and Damien Broderick are ...
... considers the unique combination of linguistic and narrative strategies that comprise sf texts. I have tried to be inclusive rather than exclusive, and the works of Darko Suvin, Patrick Parrinder, Eric Rabkin and Damien Broderick are ...
Page 8
... considering dominant forms and trends in narrative and narrative-imagery. No story of American sf would be complete without due reference to Star Trek, but as there are many excellent books delving into origins of 'the franchise ...
... considering dominant forms and trends in narrative and narrative-imagery. No story of American sf would be complete without due reference to Star Trek, but as there are many excellent books delving into origins of 'the franchise ...
Page 9
... the standing of the military and its relationship to the political and public sphere. It also considers the questions of human expansion and colonialism, issues that are explored in only a handful of others 9 INTRODUCTION.
... the standing of the military and its relationship to the political and public sphere. It also considers the questions of human expansion and colonialism, issues that are explored in only a handful of others 9 INTRODUCTION.
Other editions - View all
Common terms and phrases
action actually alien allows American ancient appears articulated associated audience Babylon become called Centauri challenge characters comes command concept concerns consider context continuity create crew cultural Dark Deep Space Delenn demonstrates diegesis Earth effect Enterprise epic episode equally established example existence experience exploration film final forces frontier future genre human idea identified ideology images individual issues John language later light lives London Maquis McQueen means military Minbari narrative nature Nine occurs offers original parallel past perhaps planet political potential present Press problem programmes question races reality reference remarkable says science fiction season sense Shadows Sheridan ship shows Sinclair Star Trek Stargate station story Sublime suggests television tells texts turn universe Vietnam visual Voyager Western whilst wormhole