Science Fiction has become a poisoned well . .

7-27-06 | Marc Costanzo

[marc costanzo]

The essay below was originally written in the early Spring of 2001:

With the passing away of LEXX ends an intriguing albeit tawdry experiment in Sci-fantasy. One that breaks with conventions, or should I say cliches of TV sci-fi of the 90's . The politically correct pabulum, the multicultural indoctrination, the BladeRunner motifs, and not the least; the steroid mutated superbabes that can punch the lights out of men, but never get punched back in return !?

How about creating a new sci-fi anthology with none of the puerile baggage of Rod Serling, Rockne Obannon, Michael J. Stracinsky, etc .. It is time to end their reign of un-American cynicism and fatalism !

[RedStateRocker]

The Honor Harrington series.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Honor_Harrington

Honor Stephanie Harrington is a fictional character, the eponymous heroine of a series of science fiction books set in the "Honorverse", written by David Weber and published by Baen Books.

An officer in the Royal Manticoran Navy, the space navy of the Star Kingdom of Manticore. Harrington bears a striking professional resemblance to both the real life Admiral Lord Nelson, Captain Thomas Cochrane, and the fictional (composite) character Horatio Hornblower. Like Nelson, she loses an eye and an arm in combat; her initials are the same as Hornblower's, and like all three officers, she has a genius for tactical command throughout the series and becomes a living legend by using those skills in several major engagements—battles for which the press dubs her The Salamander— for always seeming to be "where the fire is hottest". By the tenth main-line novel (Ashes of Victory) Honor has emerged as a strategist of note as well, and has been promoted to Admiral in both the Manticoran and Grayson space navies.

Other parallels with real history include the political situation. During much of Harrington's career her native Star Kingdom of Manticore is at war with the neighboring People's Republic of Haven, a conflict that bears more than passing resemblance to the antagonism between the British Empire and France during the Napoleonic Wars. Last but not least, Weber references the author of Hornblower within the series on at least one occasion, a minor instance of 'breaking the fourth wall', as an homage.

[Hillarys Gate Cult]

I couldn't stand Lexx or Babylon 5 when they originally ran but after they hit syndication I couldn't miss an episode of either. Lexx is definitely worth a look.

I've only seen a few episodes of Red Dwarf but I don't see many similarities to Lexx more than any other Sci Fi shows do.

[Ciexyz]

I remember, and enjoyed, the original Galactica and was happy to see that the new series paid homage to the old series' good points yet still developed new ideas and concepts.

[marc costanzo]

>>The Fremen of Dune were Muslim. One complaint they had of the Harkonnen family was that they did not allow them offplanet even for Hadj.

A sandy desert planet with something the rest of the galaxy could not live without, under their sands...<<

Good point !

I saw this story turned into that 84 movie by David Lynch, long before I read any of the book .

I thought this movie was in bad taste at the time for so many Americans had been killed in the Middle East (think Beirut 1983) by fanatics claiming Jihad !

[LRS]

I'm glad someone else took up the casting challenge. I would be horrible at that, as I don't follow who's who in the acting field.

I had heard of the latest Ringworld rumor. I have just given up on thinking I'll ever see someone actually provide us with some screen adaptations of Niven's work. I had hoped several years ago when that rebirth of the Outer Limits TV series did Inconstant Moon that it would pave the way for some more Niven stories, but it didn't. That was easily one of the top 5 stories that entire series ever did.

[tortoise]

"Time Enough for Love" would make a heck of a movie.

Doing it justice would require a hell of a long movie. But done well, would be interesting to see. As bizarre an epic as would ever likely grace the silver screen.

[GreenOgre]

As others have pointed out... There are no muslims in the future...

I beg to differ. In the future muslims are called "Reavers".

[marc costanzo]

>>The Kzin were featured in the 1973 animated version of Star Trek
Ugh, I feel round teeth chewing yellow plants.

<<

He makes me feels yellow root crushed between flat topped teeth !

[Crooked Constituent]

What would go perfect with this thread? A Soylent Green sandwich!

[marc costanzo]

No, the series concluded in early 2001, but played on in syndication . .

[marc costanzo]

>>I have a huge collection of older sci-fi. Nothing current has been much worth reading , imo. I love the old stuff.<<

So do I !

I own an autographed copy of AE van Vogt's VOYAGE OF THE SPACE BEAGLE . .

That was written in the Golden Age of the 1940's

[RedStateRocker]

I hate to say it, but I've started reading some fiction in the Warhammer 40K series. There have been some good, bloody but militarily intelligent short stories, the idea of a 41'st millennium world is interesting,too. I played the Warhammer games when they first came out, picked up an anthology"let the Galaxy Burn" and was pleasantly surprised.

[Mike Darancette]

He makes me feels yellow root crushed between flat topped teeth !

[RebelBanker]

If you can find it, Taken Liberty by Steven H. Wilson is quite a well-written story. Steve produced a series of radio plays called "The Arbiter Chronicles" and the book was an outgrowth from them.

[Mr. Thorne]

Would add to the list any of Pournelle's 'future history' stories.

Admittedly, they no longer jive with the current political situation, but their definitely 'conservative'.

This would include books like 'Exiles to Glory,' all the Falkenberg's Legion stories, and the Spartan Hegemony series. Although I wish Mr. Pournelle would write some more, for crying out loud. Jerry, c'mon, your fans are waiting!

[Louis Foxwell]

Firefly was much too antigov and morally absolutist for the media. Even Fox could not tolerate the quality, the prose, the characterizations and the powerful religious message of this amazing series.

[marc costanzo]

I have Lucifer's Hammer, just started reading it, dated but also contemporary !

[Hillarys Gate Cult]

I saw that episode of Lexx but a cop show titled "High Incident" (1996, ABC ) described what a "fluffer" is on network TV several years before "Lexx" did.

[Mr. Thorne]

Shae Dorsai!