From: rdeletepaque@wi.rr.comm   
      
   On 11/17/2009 9:18 PM, Ian B wrote:   
      
   > I think part of the problem to be addressed is that what viewers want-   
   > especially in the sci-fi/fantasy/et al genres- has changed over the decades   
   > and is no longer well suited to seasons of episodes, as such. If you take   
   > the original Star Trek, or indeed BSG, or any other comparable series,   
   > episodes were self contatined with only marginal continuity; discover   
   > problem, have adventure, fix problem, back to the ranch (something that to   
   > modern eyes looks incongruous sometimes even in classic stories; e.g. Kirk   
   > and crew having a wrap-up joke at the end after a story featuring mass   
   > death. The Ultimate Computer's a classic of that).   
      
     Actually, I agree, but...   
      
     I remember not too long ago, the past 3-4 years, a lot of people   
   insisted that self-contained episodes were the way to go.  People right   
   here in this group, actually.  Lots of B5 and DS9 arguments, and   
   statements made to the effect that story-arcs make it hard for somebody   
   to drop into the series without having to watch every episode.   
      
     I think the problem that the networks are having is being forced to   
   produce QUALITY writing in science fiction, not to mention science   
   fiction that is a bit more "realistic" (for lack of a better term!).   
   They aren't used to taking scifi seriously.  Now that its becoming a   
   little more mainstream, they need to adjust, and the old boy's club   
   isn't moving very quick!   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)