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 45
Page 2
... later, Reginald Bretnor described sf as 'fiction based on rational speculation regarding the human experience of science and its resultant technologies'. 2 Modern American sf television undeniably offers considerably more than Campbell ...
... later, Reginald Bretnor described sf as 'fiction based on rational speculation regarding the human experience of science and its resultant technologies'. 2 Modern American sf television undeniably offers considerably more than Campbell ...
Page 8
... later series are considered here, along with the development and direction of this remarkable franchise. The interconnected universe of the various Star Trek series serves as a sort of benchmark (for good or for bad) against which other ...
... later series are considered here, along with the development and direction of this remarkable franchise. The interconnected universe of the various Star Trek series serves as a sort of benchmark (for good or for bad) against which other ...
Page 27
... later SF (such as the journey to other worlds) as its relationship to the body of cognitions in its own day.54 Most narrative structures in sf create 'a base from which the reader can reason about the ways in which the world of the text ...
... later SF (such as the journey to other worlds) as its relationship to the body of cognitions in its own day.54 Most narrative structures in sf create 'a base from which the reader can reason about the ways in which the world of the text ...
Page 31
... (2001–) relies upon this, only half-heartedly charting the problems in its database development. The opening credits in Farscape's later seasons are initially presented in an alien language before morphing 31 SCIENCE FICTION.
... (2001–) relies upon this, only half-heartedly charting the problems in its database development. The opening credits in Farscape's later seasons are initially presented in an alien language before morphing 31 SCIENCE FICTION.
Page 38
... later aesthetic stylistic tendencies, particularly in television. Much of sf's appeal lies 'in its combination of the rational, the believable, with the miraculous. It is an appeal to the sense of wonder.'97 As a result, as Nicholls and ...
... later aesthetic stylistic tendencies, particularly in television. Much of sf's appeal lies 'in its combination of the rational, the believable, with the miraculous. It is an appeal to the sense of wonder.'97 As a result, as Nicholls and ...
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