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. |
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Page 6
... nature' can be rejected. Revolutionary ideas and experiences can be offered, and a new element to television's storytelling repertoire has emerged in the shape of a dynamic and powerful mise-en-scène. In art and photography this visual ...
... nature' can be rejected. Revolutionary ideas and experiences can be offered, and a new element to television's storytelling repertoire has emerged in the shape of a dynamic and powerful mise-en-scène. In art and photography this visual ...
Page 7
... nature of sf demands that we renegotiate at every step; in doing so, we are made aware of our own inconsistencies as well as those of the creative process itself. The achievements and potential of science fiction television are immense ...
... nature of sf demands that we renegotiate at every step; in doing so, we are made aware of our own inconsistencies as well as those of the creative process itself. The achievements and potential of science fiction television are immense ...
Page 20
... natural order or pattern already existing in our physical or cultural environment'.22 In effect, these component elements enable readers to construct the story world in a fashion plausible to them. However, for a genre like sf, not only ...
... natural order or pattern already existing in our physical or cultural environment'.22 In effect, these component elements enable readers to construct the story world in a fashion plausible to them. However, for a genre like sf, not only ...
Page 26
... ' is strongly biased towards natural sciences rather than technology, whereas the French word science, like its German counterpart Wissenschaft, is better translated as 'knowledge'.53 This subtle difference 26 AMERICAN TV SCIENCE FICTION.
... ' is strongly biased towards natural sciences rather than technology, whereas the French word science, like its German counterpart Wissenschaft, is better translated as 'knowledge'.53 This subtle difference 26 AMERICAN TV SCIENCE FICTION.
Page 27
... natural laws, whether those happen to be empirically true or not'.56 Therefore, sf narratives notably create their own limitations; for instance, Federation vessels in the various Star Trek series cannot exceed Warp 9.9. There are ...
... natural laws, whether those happen to be empirically true or not'.56 Therefore, sf narratives notably create their own limitations; for instance, Federation vessels in the various Star Trek series cannot exceed Warp 9.9. There are ...
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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