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
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Page 2
... planet in the future. Once we watched with fascination and awe as mighty Saturn V rockets erupted from their launch pads at Cape Kennedy/Canaveral, but today space stories no longer command the top news slot. If not exactly commonplace ...
... planet in the future. Once we watched with fascination and awe as mighty Saturn V rockets erupted from their launch pads at Cape Kennedy/Canaveral, but today space stories no longer command the top news slot. If not exactly commonplace ...
Page 3
... Planets, Walking With Dinosaurs and Space also indulge in astounding feats of cgi. These not only open up vast new areas of study to their audiences but, despite the empty coffers of the European Space Agency and NASA, they help make ...
... Planets, Walking With Dinosaurs and Space also indulge in astounding feats of cgi. These not only open up vast new areas of study to their audiences but, despite the empty coffers of the European Space Agency and NASA, they help make ...
Page 24
... it also becomes a form of estrangement. Little would work as effectively in the Planet of the Apes (1974) as those final scenes where Taylor (Charlton Heston) gazes up at a half-buried and derelict Statue 24 AMERICAN FICTION TV SCIENCE.
... it also becomes a form of estrangement. Little would work as effectively in the Planet of the Apes (1974) as those final scenes where Taylor (Charlton Heston) gazes up at a half-buried and derelict Statue 24 AMERICAN FICTION TV SCIENCE.
Page 25
... planet and thus the very future to which he must return. Both stories demonstrate Suvin's novum – an idea, a technological breakthrough – that allows the central question, often moral or philosophical, to be addressed. In this case, it ...
... planet and thus the very future to which he must return. Both stories demonstrate Suvin's novum – an idea, a technological breakthrough – that allows the central question, often moral or philosophical, to be addressed. In this case, it ...
Page 31
... planets. Star Trek series generally avoid this problem by employing a 'universal translator', even Enterprise (2001–) relies upon this, only half-heartedly charting the problems in its database development. The opening credits in ...
... planets. Star Trek series generally avoid this problem by employing a 'universal translator', even Enterprise (2001–) relies upon this, only half-heartedly charting the problems in its database development. The opening credits in ...
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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