thornton@kcl-cs.UUCP (ZNAC468) (10/24/85)
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":
A mysterious thingie made of energy of a type never before encountered
snares the Enterprise (which of course is made helpless) and takes it off to
a nearby planet. All the command crew beam/are beamed down and discover a race
of child-like innocents who compel them to stay against their will.
One of the not-quite-so-young innocents falls in love with Kirk
(as they have a habit of doing) and tells Kirk all she knows about her race.
Spock raises an eyebrow and says "interesting". Kirk does some theorizing
(which Spock should be doing) and convinces himself that the entire planet
is a computer and the only way to free his ship (which has by now almost
freed itself anyway) is to talk to it and hopefully make it explode as
most of them do whenever Kirk tries to confound them with his logic.
Spock raises an eyebrow and says "logical captain". Kirk then goes to a likely
spot and starts to talk to the computer which isn't interested.
Kirk asks the computer a question ,"WHY?",the computer responds
"WHY NOT?".(Sorry ,wrong series).
After a few minutes of related waffle the computer is convinced that
Kirk is its creator and gives a thirty second countdown to its own destruction.
All the crew is beamed up except for Kirk because a transporter malfunction has
occured.(20). Kirk turns to jelly.(15)...The transporter is made "partially"
functional...(10). Kirks stomach (most of him) is beamed aboard and split
into two identical gut buckets except that they have different temperaments.
One can't digest too much science..(5). Realising that having two stomachs in
command of a Starship was a non-functional idea, Spock puts the transporter
right and repatterns the whole of Kirk (1)..(0)..(-1)..Just in time Kirk is
beamed aboard with stomach. The whole planet explodes.
Kirk is hungry. Spock reminds him of the non-intervention policy.
Kirk finds a good reason why he interfered and caused so many megadeaths.
He then makes a witty comment about Spocks ears. The bridge explodes
with laughter. Spock retorts with some logic and raises an eyebrow quizically.
End Titles.
The episode wins a HUGO award.
Lets have some more.....
Andy T.
("Excess,my lord...Excess!")edward@ukecc.UUCP (Edward C. Bennett) (10/27/85)
In article <206@argon.kcl-cs.UUCP>, thornton@kcl-cs.UUCP (ZNAC468) writes: > > 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. Archetypal episode of "Amazing Stories" Opening credits....Steven Spielburg presents blah blah blah story by Steven Spielburg blah blah.... (30 minute nap) Closing credits....blah blah Steven Spielburg blah blah -- Edward C. Bennett UUCP: ihnp4!cbosgd!ukma!ukecc!edward /* A charter member of the Scooter bunch */ "Goodnight M.A."
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'
barryg@sdcrdcf.UUCP (Lee Gold) (11/02/85)
Some years ago, some humorist at TV Guide amused himerself by summarizing Star Trek for several weeks as "The Enterprise encounters a seemingly idyllic planet, but Captain Kirk senses all is not well." This was followed by several weeks of episodes summariced as "The Enterprise gets into trouble and only Captain Kirk can save it." --Lee Gold
fishkin@degas.BERKELEY.EDU (Ken &) (11/05/85)
In article <2432@sdcrdcf.UUCP> barryg@sdcrdcf.UUCP (Lee Gold) writes: >Some years ago, some humorist at TV Guide amused himerself by summarizing >Star Trek for several weeks as "The Enterprise encounters a seemingly >idyllic planet, but Captain Kirk senses all is not well." This was >followed by several weeks of episodes summariced as "The Enterprise gets >into trouble and only Captain Kirk can save it." > >--Lee Gold There are also any number of episodes in which a variant of the following exchange occurs: Kirk: "What *is* it, Mr. Spock?" Spock: "A Strange Blend of Matter and Energy, unlike anything we've ever seen before" Off the top of my head: 1) the big amoeba thing, 2) Apollo, 3) the rock creature that ran the contest between good & evil, 4) the spirit of Jack the Ripper, 5) the creature that smelled of honey that Kirk was obsessed with Ken Fishkin Berkeley Computer Graphics Lab ucbvax!fishkin fishkin@berkeley
tom@utcsri.UUCP (Tom Nadas) (11/11/85)
A friend of mine swears he saw this listing in TV GUIDE:
Mr. Spock takes an old friend for a ride.
The episode being described? *The Menagerie*
RJS in Toronto
c/o
--
Tom Nadas
UUCP: {decvax,linus,ihnp4,uw-beaver,allegra,utzoo}!utcsri!tom
CSNET: tom@toronto