dorettas@iddic.UUCP (Doretta Schrock) (10/29/85)
> References: > Xpath: kcl-cs argon neon > Xref: ukc net.sf-lovers:5555 net.tv:225 > > > Isn't it funny how the same old themes keep rearing their heads > (ugly or otherwise) in popular sf tv shows. It occured to me that one could > probably "distil" the most typical of these to form a resulting "gestalt" > episode from the essence. > Take, for example, the following gestalt "Star Trek": ... Or how about this formula, from the same series: :00 opening credits :02 setting described :04 problem-of-the-week portrayed :20 initial solution well under way :31 Kirk (sometimes Spock or McCoy or Scotty) discovers the *REAL* nature of the problem, which is impossible to solve :40 Principal (usually Kirk or Spock) proposes radical solution :47 Radical solution attempted...with only seconds to spare :55 Solution works perfectly; all counters reset to normal :58 Witticism by principal (usually Kirk) :59 closing credits This formula works unbelievably well, within a few minutes either way. It works best with Star Trek, though similar ones (like the Brady Bunch "who has a developmental problem that we can solve in a half-hour" disease) can easily be recognized. Mike Sellers <-- note the name difference from above
thornton@kcl-cs.UUCP (ZNAC468) (10/30/85)
Some good responses noted on this subject. Is "Amazing stories" really as bad as it sounds? How can anything be that bad (Galactica accepted)? Ho hum... Here is another gestalt adventure, at the expense of DR WHO. 1) The Tardis materializes on a deserted barren wasteland somewhere in the south of England. The Doctor and his 'screamers' (companions) dash outside (without checking atmosphere, radiation, life-readings etc) and wonder about until one of them gets lost. The Doctor goes looking for this companion and gets seperated from all the others. Meanwhile the first companion has discovered the Alien lifeform from the Doctors past. But it is getting towards the end of the first episode so something exciting has got to happen involving the Doctor, the Aliens and the prospect of sudden death, so the aliens reveal themselves and attempt to kill the Doctor.....CREDITS 2) One of the Aliens says something to the effect of "He is of more use alive" or "He must suffer for our past defeats" or "He is the major character, lets explain the plot first , then try to kill him!". The result is the Doctor lives, is reunited with companions and escapes just in time for next weeks cliffhanger...CREDITS 3) Building up to the final episode, usually quite slow and boring..CREDITS 4) The usual length for an adventure. The Doctor combines forces with the down-trodden inhabitants suppressed by the Aliens. After a battle involving lots of low budget effects they emerge victorious and, before they can thank the Doctor ,he leaves leaving goggle eyed natives staring at an empty space. CREDITS This is slightly more prdictable than the Star Trek episode: "RETURN OF THE APPLEING MACHINE WITHIN" (the last attempt) and relates to so many episodes that naming it would be a shame. Honestly, I do like DR WHO! Andy T. P.S. Nightmare episodes of other series are being draughted at this moment. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED.... P.S.S. I am in two minds as whether to do one for 1999. Looking at the second season, I don't think it needs any more. Also it would probably turn out to be better scripted.
pete@stc.UUCP (10/31/85)
Summary: Expires: Sender: Followup-To: Distribution: Keywords: Xpath: stc stc-b stc-b stc-a Xref: ukc net.sf-lovers:5676 net.startrek:57 In article <2268@iddic.UUCP> dorettas@iddic.UUCP writes: >Or how about this formula, from the same series: > >:00 opening credits >:02 setting described >:04 problem-of-the-week portrayed >:20 initial solution well under way >:31 Kirk (sometimes Spock or McCoy or Scotty) discovers the *REAL* > nature of the problem, which is impossible to solve >:40 Principal (usually Kirk or Spock) proposes radical solution >:47 Radical solution attempted...with only seconds to spare >:55 Solution works perfectly; all counters reset to normal >:58 Witticism by principal (usually Kirk) >:59 closing credits > >This formula works unbelievably well, within a few minutes either way. Well, yes, it would. The main points occur just before the commercial breaks. They're not silly, y'know... |+) -- Peter Kendell <pete@stc.UUCP> ...mcvax!ukc!stc!pete `Turn up the Eagles, the neighbours are listening'
pete@stc.UUCP (10/31/85)
Summary: Expires: Sender: Followup-To: Distribution: Keywords: Xpath: stc stc-b stc-b stc-a Xref: ukc net.sf-lovers:5677 net.startrek:58 In article <209@argon.kcl-cs.UUCP> thornton@argon.UUCP (znac468) writes: > Ho hum... Here is another gestalt adventure, at the expense of DR WHO. > | > | > This is slightly more prdictable than the Star Trek episode: >"RETURN OF THE APPLEING MACHINE WITHIN" (the last attempt) and relates to >so many episodes that naming it would be a shame. Honestly, I do like DR WHO! So do I. You've forgotten the two most important archetypal lines, though. 1) Doctor's companion - "Look out, behind you, Doctor!" (Rubber monster, Mechanoid, Dalek, etc. lumbers into view) 2) The Doctor - "If I reverse the polarity and give it all we've got, it might just work..." (Last ditch Finagle gadget blasts rubber monster, mechanoid, Dalek, etc. into its component quarks) -- Peter Kendell <pete@stc.UUCP> ...mcvax!ukc!stc!pete `Turn up the Eagles, the neighbours are listening'