Loathing seems to be much of the response of the interwebs after last week’s premiere. Now that I’ve had a week to listen to the opinions of, well, just about everyone, I’m still digging Defying Gravity. I get that I might be the only person out there that is, but I’m going to hold onto that for now. No, I don’t think the show is perfect, but I think it’s different than most of what’s on TV these days (yes, it’s Grey’s Anatomy in space, but it’s Grey‘s in space).
I like this interesting little mystery with “beta,” what it (or who) is and why it is able to exert this amount of control over the crew and the mission. The interpersonal relationships on the show are interesting, and I don’t just mean the relationships between the people sleeping together (or wishing they were), but the friendships, the sense of team, and everything else. I do worry, though — like I am sure many others do — exactly how much this team might be interconnected with this sleeping around.
For as much as this episode was about sex drive, Evram had it most correct at the end of the show. The problems that the mission planners should be worried about are the emotional byproducts of sex. Unfortunately, those same emotions can develop independent of the physicality, as we’ve already seen happen. It’s an interesting dilemma, and thankfully, since it is a space soap opera, one we’ll continue to explore.
Other stuff
Clacked by Ivey West 
on Aug 10, 2009 @ 11:00 EST5EDT
I pretty much agree with everything you say here. I know – it’s hard to believe. I like it. I like that it’s in space. I like the interpersonal dynamics between them all. I like the mystery of Beta, and wonder what the hell it is doing to what’s her name in that chair. Certainly makes it seem like more of an entity than not, at this point.
I’d like Donner and Zoe to be together, as well, as I think one couple (whether friends or lovers) need to be stable to hold it all together. I still wish Rollie was on the ship. Paula has annoyed me since she first opened her mouth, and I agree about Nadia. She was a really poor character choice for the writers to toss in the mix. She has nothing to offer. She doesn’t seem to be involved with the team in any manner and she’s a general pain in the ass.
I hope they don’t yank it. I’m rather enjoying it. Oh – then I guess it will be yanked. Shoot.
I guess there’s only the three of us that like the show. As long as the relationship stuff doesn’t completely over take show and there’s a good bit of science fiction and mystery thrown in, I’ll continue to tune in.
I must be missing something about this show and I think it is because I have been easily distracted during the pilot and last night.
I am going to watch it again and see if I can find the love for this show.
I still like the show too. I will say that I don’t like the locker room “girly chats”, but I can forgive quite a bit to get my science fiction fix. Agree about Nadia too.
On the crying baby issue – At first I thought is was her conscience, but now I’m thinking she could be having a vision of Jen and Rollie’s baby in the future. (I still contend Jen kept Rollie’s sperm for future implantation.)
I hope we get to see it all before they pull it!
*POST AUTHOR*
Yeah, I was surrounded by ideas that the baby crying was just another hint to the anti-choice message that the show was promoting. I contended, and still to this day, that the crying baby is completely unrelated to any agenda, imagined or not, that the show runners are supporting, but actually a significant plot point.
Though, I’m not sure if I’m with you on the the details of what Jen has got hidden.
I wish I would have saved the first episode, so I could review it again to be more sure of my position. I would dearly love to bet you. It would be great if I won so I could have you shave your head bald for your photo ;)
*POST AUTHOR*
I’m not saying you’re wrong, I’m just saying I don’t remember it that way. I also don’t know enough about the science, but you have to factor in the vasectomy in as well.
As for proving yourself right, the internets are a wonderful place:
https://www.hulu.com/defying-gravity
I thought the vasectomies reverse themselves up yonder, didn’t Donner’s?
*POST AUTHOR*
My thought was that Donner’s just didn’t stick. If it were happening to everyone, then I think it would have become a thing (Excuse my Sorkin-esque use of the word “thing”). When little Rollies and Teds and Jens and Eves start running around, I think the gig would be up.
The other alternative is that Beta had a hand (?… Claw? Testicle?) in the reversal of Donner’s procedure.
*POST AUTHOR*
WOW, did Firefox’s spelling correction get that wrong. That’s what I get for just clicking and not checking what it changed it too.
TENTACLE! (not, you know, the other thing)
Seems to have slipped under my radar, but it sounds good, so thanks for the heads up.
It does sound a lot like Virtuality was meant to be though, just without the VR, is it?
Well, given that only 2.8m watched last night (thx, Brett), I think I will forgo watching it again. Don’t think DG will be around long enough for me to start digging it.
I must be very jaded as of lately with all the networks premiering television shows, and then yanking them off the air. It’s like they’re having fun dangling carrots right underneath our noses, and then pulling them away right before we get a chance to nibble on the ends.
Defying Gravity is like Kings in a way that defines the television experience. Kings was smart television, unfortunately too smart for the average viewer. Defying Gravity is smart television, as well, unfortunately it is set in space and the average viewer of network television is not yet ready for that. Although they are/were on different networks, Defying Gravity will go by way of Kings. Even though the show is somewhat like Grey’s Anatomy–a successful show on ABC with a spin-off–the simple fact that it’s set in space is what’ll throw people off.
Shows like Defying Gravity, Kings, Crusoe, and Firefly will never make it big on the networks because the average person only wants to see what house guest is going to get the boot next.
*POST AUTHOR*
OK, see here’s where we disagree. I’ve not yet seen anything out of DG that makes me think its smart television, and thus in the same category as Kings (Or say the Wire which I’ve never seen, or the West Wing, which I worship).
I contend that DG is an attempt to take a genre show (Sci-Fi, space, mysterious force) and make it more accessable to non-genre fans (the emphasis on relationships and such).
Throw in Ron Livingston, the most underrated actor in Hollywood, and you’re golden.
Unfortunately though, the ratings indicate that very few agree with me :)
ABC doesn’t own the show, so what ABC does might not matter that much.
I also like the show …
I like the show but haven’t caught episode 3 yet.
I hate “it”. It totally disturbs the rest of the show. I’d be fine with “Grey’s in Space”. All those scenes where they open the door and see the Mars surface feel absolutely off and ruin the show for me.
*POST AUTHOR*
Yeah, I’m with BSG… What kind of element would you substitute?
I simply disagree. I think “it” is integral to the overall story, and is a fairly interesting mystery. What kind of being would be able to co-opt a mission like this, to the extent that has been done? What’s going on with the DNA changing (including Ted’s wife), specifically after “it” hand picked the crew?
If one takes the conceit that its Grey’s in space, then the sci-fi that comes with it is just part of the deal. I’m sorry you don’t like, it, but its one of my favorite parts.
My problem with “it” is that it is, at the moment, boring.
I agree that there needs to be a MacGuffin but this one is dull, uninteresting and overall lame. If I hear one more babycry or see one more “open door – see mars – throw yourself back into a chair” sequence, I’m going to start yelling at the TV.
I mean honestly, what’s so intriguing to you about this? That secondary storyline is all over the place and it is not interesting at all. It doesn’t even come close to “Life on Mars”. I think it’s because it has too much on-screen time. One hint at it once for 20 seconds would’ve sufficed. Less would’ve been more. Bringing in the doc on the DNA alteration should’ve been in episode four. And don’t tell me you don’t think the same. Too much too early I say.
*POST AUTHOR*
I can easily tell you I don’t think the same.
Real introduction to the mystery did not occur until the last seconds of the second episode. More in the third. Perfectly fine pace for me.
What would you substitute to get an element of danger/excitement/mystery in the show ?