V is shiny awesomeness – a spoiler free gush fest

I really wanted to love Stargate Universe.

I really did.

I may still yet.

But it burnt me, there was a hole in my heart for a weekly science fiction show that would make me want to rush out and buy a watercooler, fill out the required forms to get permission to install it in my office, position it in a strategic point not too far from my desk but not too close that if my phone rang I would have to leave the water cooler area to go answer it and then discuss this golden science fiction show at the watercooler.

I just watched the first episode of V.

Perhaps I can love again?

Because the first episode of V did more in terms of things happening and characters being developed than SGU has done all season.

The show is tight, and there are a lot of characters for us to get across but none seem to be ignored in this first episode. By the end of the episode they have established the show and set it up to head off into must-watch-television-land. The cast is really good, and I will note that Scott Wolf is a real asset to the show rather than as I expected a bit of a drag (I have no idea why I don’t generally like him, none at all, maybe it was a vicious rumour that I told myself).

As Anna the Visitor supreme commander Morena Baccarin is perfect, she has captured that reptilian leader that Diana was in the original series but dare I say it, better.

The look and feel of the show is really great as well, if I was asked I’d actually say it was bloody marvellous. Everything has a consistent visitor feel to it, and watch out for the nod to the original series when you see some Visitor writing on a screen (oh look a little geekgasm). There are of course other elements from the original series that are handled so well in an exciting way especially in the characters.

I’m already in love with the show, all it needs to do is keep up the good work.

SK

Haven't seen the new V yet but it's on my list. So excited when I get round to it. (Right after I'm up to date with Big Bang Theory) BTW Letting you know the "Hulk in Rain" competition will be announced Monday, had to get the Halloween posts out of the way first.

Marita

Morena Baccarin is far more elf like in V than the voluptuous vixen she was in Firefly.

I'm really enjoying V also.

Captain Incredible

Morena Baccarin shows what you can get away with without big hair and an attitude :)

V started last night on TV3 here in Ireland, a major coup for what is a relatively small commercial station. I have to admit I wasn't expecting much, but I am impressed.

Eager to see how it develops...

Sujoy

I don't know why, but I think I need to stop myself from reading all the press and reviews before the show. I read E! rating the pilot an 11 on 10, and that it is the best pilot since ever. That deffo raised my expectations, and with every scene I kept asking for more.

I have not seen the original miniseries, and I have nothing to compare to. As a scifi series on its own, the pilot has a lot of strong points, but nothing that totally blew my mind. Having said that, if the series is consistent with its level of story-telling as the pilot, I will be very happy.

But so far, imo, the pilot of the year goes to - wait for it - Flashforward

Lee

See I liked the fact that in this episode so much happened and was revealed where as Flash Forward is plodding along so slowly. Flash Forward for me is barely above SGU (actually it might not even be above).

I can't wait to see the next episode of V and I'm glad they've moved the story so far along. The trouble as you mention though is consistently providing the same level.

Sujoy

Exactly. So much already has happened in the very first episode. The teams have been divided. And the 'secret' that the V's have been here for ages has already been revealed.
All of this made the pilot a good start. Another thing is that unlike other TV series, ABC is planning on making it as a TV event, so its going to be on for 4 episodes on 4 consecutive weeks, and then it takes a break for the Winter Olympics and will return in March. Although this wait is going to test my patience, it gives more stuff and content per episode, rather than a slow unveiling as in the case of a full 25 episode season like Flashforward.

Arjan

Hmm I like both aproaches. I really loved the V premiere, but I still like the way in which Flashforward is unveiling everything small step by small step.
I think it has to be your thing and I can understand if people don't like this, but I really do!

Sean Bennett

Having never heard of the original, this premiere kinda reminded me of "Animorphs"

Lee

Wow, you really are coming in fresh then! That's really awesome.

I only a very limited awareness of Animorphs so I couldn't say (my limited awareness is also limited to just seeing the covers!)

Andrew

This is why I read this blog - I had absolutely no idea they had remade V. I'll have to add watching this to the list of stuff to do over a slow summer study period.

Lee

Awesome!!

Jayne

I loved the first season of the original series but by the 2nd season it had grown stale...what with the whole lower jaw unhinging and devouring pet guinea pigs type thing lol.
Will give it a look-see ;)

Lee

i think, well at least so far, is that they are taking the best elements from the original series and running with it - the original V was only supposed to be a mini series.

Dan Hughes

I'm not sure if it's showing here or not, but to b e honest I usually wait for the box set with stuff like this. I don't watch enough TV a week to handle a regular weekly series, I like to binge watch when I'm in the mood.

We're on chuck at the momenent, which is entertaining enough, but a little average.

Lee

I have never seen Chuck and something tells me that I should have. You on the other hand need to watch Farscape.

We've struggled ourselves with the last couple of weeks because we've been watching certain shows on TV and not being able to pick and choose the time has been really hard!

Arjan

This episode was awesome. You've already named the points on which it has done MUCH better than SGU. You get to know the main characters fast and you get a connection with them.

I had high expectations after the first 9 minutes I saw last week, and I was NOT disappointed. Is it a 13 episode mini-series? Or a multiple season series?

Lee

It's an ongoing series I believe so if it maintains any of this quality it should be a weekly pleasure.

Glad someone else liked it too!!

arkonbey

I really wanted to watch this, but I must say that the "re-purposing" of the rhetoric of the Obama campaign left me feeling a bit creeped out (and suspicious).

Plus, I missed the premiere, so I'll just wait for the DVD ;)

Lee

I did pick up on the healthcare issue, though I imagine they wrote it quite a while ago, we've got health care here in Australia so I don't really understand the debate going on.

I'm doing the DVD bit for Lost - we missed a couple of episodes early on and then thought to hell with it I'll watch it on DVD when I have the time (so far time is the issue!!)