Battlestar alumni brings original sci-fi to broadcast tv.
I'm looking forward this friends, set your DVR's.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/26/arts/television/26virtuality.html?ref=arts

Me, too. Shame it hasn't been picked up as a series. All the reviews I've read seem to imply that while this film introduces the characters and sets the scene, it's still a pilot with no series attached. FOX chose to go with 'Glee' instead, lest we forget that reliable commerce is ultimately the name of the game. Still, the impressive pedigrees of the writers, producers, and director make it must-see TV, for me at least. I'll be there.

8 minutes till it starts

Frak; I nearly forgot. Tuning in a bit late, it certainly has the look of BSG....dark and gritty. Looks like digital cinematography with a bit of grain thrown in.

Virtual Reality combined with Big Brother ...

that combines an overused sci-fi cliche with a television show I despise. Yep, I don't think there's going to be much point watching the rest of it.

Pity, because it's been a long time since I've seen Clea DuVall in anything and I like Peter Berg as a director.

That dumb FOX promo-stuff doesn't help the plot. And the VR makes me think of that stupid movie, Strange Days, I think it was called.

Bah....no wonder it wasn't picked up......!

Well, I thought it was pretty decent, and I would have been glad to have it on the schedule. I don't like reality, but in this setting I didn't mind. I thought it got better as the show progressed, it takes a while to figure out who's who. We need a good space adventure in prime time, this had potential.

I was kind of bored the first 20 mins but I stuck it out till the end. I agree it did start to pick up a little towards the end but the characters and their plots seem very cut and dry. I wanted to like this, as we need more shows of this nature on primetime ota but it was a letdown in my book, no 2nd week for me

After trying for 100 min to make the viewer care about the characters I was hoping they would crash into Neptune doing 5000 MPH.

Bring back Stargate Atlantis.

Virtually unwatchable

Oh, the rough-neck lady was the FBI woman from Heroes; took me forever to figure out who she was. But, I guess it doesn't matter now.....

It was ok, nothing special.

First off, I don't see the complaints re: the reality part. That part actually plays in a very similar way to the mockumentary style of "The Office," but nobody complains about that.

I actually found the promo of the show within the show to be funny. If in this show Earth really is going to be uninhabitable in 100 years, it's funny how they have this reality show to watch this space mission.

What I didn't get though is that, in that promo, they make it sound like the space mission is now about finding a new world to live on, but it seems like the mission is just about visiting a star or something. There is a discrepancy there that is never explained.

Also, if almost everyone is having glitches in the VR in the form of that guy, wouldn't you think when they pow-wow'ed about it someone would ask, "hey that guy who shot you in the VR, what did he look like? It's the same guy appearing in everyone's VR. There's a problem here. Let's figure it out."

In fact they never resolve that issue about that the guy who shows up in everyone's VR programs. They kind of just let it go.

Besides the stupidities and inconsistencies in the so-called "plot", this pilot-without-a-series was very soft; not at all hi-def. Another reason to label it "unwatchable."

I'm about halfway through it now; I've abandoned it twice already. I'm not sure I can stand to slog through the rest. But ax gates did say it picks up a bit toward the end. And I do love me some science fiction. Hmmm...

[edit] On resuming, almost the first thing I hear is this campy line (delivered in a Slavic accent): "Fearless gay duo are ready to face unknown, Commander." Blechhh!

[re-edit] And, during the launch toward Epsilon Eridani, the beautiful (and sharp!) graphics are accompanied, not by anything even half as good as a Johann Strauss waltz, but by loud, insistent porn music.

Kinda looked like half "Survivor" and half "Star Trek" so to speak. Don't really know why it turned out to be a big mish-mosh of different series wrapped up into this. I mean, I loved the concept, but is it really worth turning this into a series?! It...hmm. I dunno. I mean, coming from a background of watching sci-fi television since my childhood, I really can't fathom why this really should become a series. I'm trying to watch more reality TV, too, but to try to combine the two, I think that Lost seems to be more successful of reality meets sci-fi than this does.

Okay, maybe a swing and a miss, but I enjoyed it. Big shocker ending turning everything upside down, which is a Ron Moore trademark. I was very impressed by the faithful rendition of the Orion Drive (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orion_drive), a method of space propulsion first proposed way back in the 40's! I agree that the choice of music was a bit jarring for such a wonderful series of vfx, however. I've always wondered what a serious effort at portraying the first manned interstellar journey might look like if a real visionary was involved and he had a decent budget to play with, and this could have been it. There's not going to be any warp drive or FTL travel, in all likelihood. If we do it, it's going to have to be done with technology of which we're already aware, more or less - like this. Clearly, a lot of money was spent on this production, and the talents of all the participants are considerable.

I'm also betting that Moore & Co. had more than a passing knowledge of Kim Stanley Robinson's Nebula award winning novel "Red Mars", which dealt with some similar subject matter. I'm just reading it now actually, and I keep thinking what a terrific TV series adaptation that could be if, say, HBO and its very deep pockets were to get behind such an effort. It could provide a catalyzing effect in terms of getting people excited about the possibilities of space travel again; get them "thinking big". And let's face it, every few million years the earth has a very bad day, and if we haven't established some kind of human presence elsewhere, our particular chapter of history will be a short one. And there is a real possibility that the climate change now occuring could have devistating effects on the current worldwide ecology we've become comfortable with; we just don't know yet. Interesting speculation however, and gives more weight to the mission's importance.

I would have loved to have seen this go to series. Don't know exactly what they might have had in mind, considering the Captain seemed to have a hidden agenda from the start, and put all this into motion, including his own demise. It's a wild concept, very RDM-like to turn things topsey-turvy like that. I'm not sure Peter Berg was the right choice of director, though. His work, with all the intimate close-ups he loves, is very personal - and this is a very big concept. Nevertheless, like the fictional TV show which is one of the primary conceits, they've got to make an interesting show first which means getting invested with the characters right off the bat. A good pilot should make you do that. What I'm getting from some of the negative comments here is that many of you don't think they accomplished that key goal.

For me however, I'm just so impressed by the fact that they took a shot at what I think is a fascinating subject, and TV has had so little "realistic" science fiction. This could have been a really interesting voyage to the stars. Think of the possibilites, especially when they arrived at their destination and found - or didn't find - a habitable planet to set down on. But the failure of FOX to pick it up means a lot of money was wasted on a project that got shelved before it could, literally, get off the ground. A shame.

Oh well, we've still got 'Glee' coming. :rolleyes: It's pilot seems to have made a much more positive impact on FOX executives and the viewing public.

I liked it as well. I agree that it feels very unfishied with plenty of dangling plot threads, but of course I would expect that in a pilot.

I liked the VR questions they raised. Is sex in VR "cheating" or just fantasy? Is RAPE in VR the same as a physical violation or just a bad dream? How fulfilling can a fantasy be in the absence of true physical companionship (of a baby or a child)? The painting VR was especially cool and well done, more like what I think a real VR would be like, versus all the physical stuff. They don't explain how the VR could physically restrain someone, so presumably there is some form of neural interface beyond just projected sight, sound, and reading physical action.

Of note, there IS a device that can "scan" your brain and determine what you are thinking, translating that into commands for video games. Thus you "think" about moving forward, and the neural pattern formed is somehow unique enough to translate into a distinct command.

Anyway, I hope the show gets picked up, mainly because I think there are some oddities and twists about the show that will be very interesting to watch. I was distressed to see the airlock sequence. I wish NASA or someone would just show what would ACTUALLY happen in such a situation so we can get over human bodies being tossed around and all that.

I was distressed to see the airlock sequence. I wish NASA or someone would just show what would ACTUALLY happen in such a situation so we can get over human bodies being tossed around and all that.

You could always call Michael Foale. He's been through a similar situation. :)

i felt like it was a waste of 2 hours. it was pitched as a movie. but what kind of a movie leaves everything wide open at the end? terrible.

I really enjoyed it.
But no way is this going to make it with a network tv audience. Sci-fi channel.....maybe, HBO or Showtime Yes. Fox?? A BIG no way buddy.

And that's why fox did not and will not pick this up. :(

i felt like it was a waste of 2 hours. it was pitched as a movie. but what kind of a movie leaves everything wide open at the end? terrible.

Agree.......I felt played as well :(

My wife and I watched it, and for the most part enjoyed it.

If you know going in that it's a failed pilot for a series, you know there are going to be a lot of unresolved plot points; after all, they're trying to set up a series. The glitchy computer, the guy invading everyone's VR, things to be addressed down the road. A bigger problem with the show was the fact that there seemed to be very few in the cast to root for. I understand dark and edgy, but still, you have to like SOMEONE.

I really enjoyed it.
But no way is this going to make it with a network tv audience. Sci-fi channel.....maybe, HBO or Showtime Yes. Fox?? A BIG no way buddy.

And that's why fox did not and will not pick this up. :(

Then why did they commission this very expensive pilot, from a guy who's most definitely not going to give you a simplistic shoot-em-up? Kinda' like they did with 'Dollhouse' (although for some unknown reason, they renewed that equally low-rated, but promising, effort). FOX works in mysterious ways, I guess. :rolleyes:

Sure would rather have this one as something to look forward to every week than, um, 'Glee'. Whoopee. But that's just me (and anyone else who thinks there must be a place for intelligent, challenging science fiction on TV). The total audience for the genre seems to be limited to about 2 million people or so - that's about the upper limit that smart sci-fi can manage to muster. Jon & Kate & the various bachelors & weight-loss hopefuls & all those cops chasing all those serial killers should have such difficulty attracting a mass audience. No problemo there. :rolleyes:

Oh well, we'll still have 'Caprica' (next year), I suppose - for a little while at least - making do on its tiny basic cable budget. All 2 million of us. :(

@skipdrive, Red Mars has been lingering around Hollywood for more than a decade now. It was at Sci Fi for awhile and then it moved to AMC, which according to Futon Critic (http://www.thefutoncritic.com/devwatch.aspx?id=red_mars) still has it "in development." Seems impossible to do it justice on an AMC budget, but I guess stranger things have happened.

I liked Virtuality, and knowing it was a pilot, I'm not surprised plenty was left open-ended. That's the idea of a pilot.

I'm still convinced that Nikolaj Coster-Waldau is going to find the right vehicle one day. Maybe the third time will be the charm. Hopefully on something good and not a formula crime drama.

Kinda' like they did with 'Dollhouse' (although for some unknown reason, they renewed that equally low-rated, but promising, effort). FOX works in mysterious ways, I guess.:(

Dollhouse is coming back with a budget of about ten bucks per episode, that's why it's returning :)

FOX seems to like dabbling in Sci-Fi, particularly when you compare it to the other broadcast networks over the last number of seasons, so they keep throwing things against the wall.

Dollhouse is coming back because of the sultry (albeit asymmetrical) face of Eliza Dushku. But even she couldn't keep the estimable "Tru Calling" on the schedule for more than one and a half seasons.

For me however, I'm just so impressed by the fact that they took a shot at what I think is a fascinating subject, and TV has had so little "realistic" science fiction. This could have been a really interesting voyage to the stars. Think of the possibilites, especially when they arrived at their destination and found - or didn't find - a habitable planet to set down on. But the failure of FOX to pick it up means a lot of money was wasted on a project that got shelved before it could, literally, get off the ground. A shame.

Amen.

I just got around to watching it myself (I didn't even know it was on until I read this thread...that day), and I really liked it.

Of course it's going to be slow, plodding, and action-free for the most part...what else would you expect from the likes of Moore and Berg? Finally we had the chance for something different on tv, as opposed to the 10 billion CSI's or Law and Order's or other crime dramas. But of course, people don't want different. Great cast and great concept pretty much gone to waste since it won't be picked up. Don't get me wrong, I like mindless, silly fun as much as the next guy (I liked Transformers 2 for example), but it'd be nice to have something more filling to go along with it.

The one thing I do agree with though is that the music was just weird at times. Reminded me of Wonderland.

Oh, and I hate reality tv, but this has basically nothing to do with reality tv.

"Let's take the Truman Show, combine it with Big Brother and the Mole and set it in outer space, maybe on a holodeck."

I can imagine that one being pitched as a possible new series.

Still, for the most part, it actually worked. I wasn't sure they'd be able to combine all those elements into one show, but it played better than the way I described it in the first sentence.

Unfortunately, I agree that such a concept has a very limited audience potential if it ever went to series. Still, the question asked before has me intrigued. I wonder why Fox commissions pilots like this, given its track record with Firefly, Sarah Connor Chronicles and Dollhouse?

Unfortunately, I agree that such a concept has a very limited audience potential if it ever went to series. Still, the question asked before has me intrigued. I wonder why Fox commissions pilots like this, given its track record with Firefly, Sarah Connor Chronicles and Dollhouse?

My guess is somebody at FOX was a fan of BSG and FNL and wanted to bring the huge talents of the creators of those series under their wing. But, as usual, they didn't have the courage of their convictions (especially after what happened to T:SCC and Dollhouse). The only reason we got to see it at all is that they hoped to recoup a little on their investment by selling what ad time they could and telecasting it anyway, even in the famed "Friday night death slot" where they send all their sci-fi efforts to die. The only reason 'Fringe' is still on the air is its cushy post-AI timeslot. 'Firefly' would have been a hit there. It would be hard not to be a hit there. Unfortunately, between these five shows, 'Fringe' is the one least deserving of continued life, IMO.

Finally caught the pilot. It took me a while to realize that the actor who played Pike was the never-aging detective from New Amsterdam.

I liked it.

I think this series would have potential, but not on network TV.

I think this series would have potential, but not on network TV.

I don't know how successful they'd be with this show on a basic cable budget. Maybe it could be done... :confused:

I would think that one of the ideas behind the reality show was that you could use the "hull cams" for some of the outer space shots, which have to be cheaper than trying to create full FX shots.

I don't know how successful they'd be with this show on a basic cable budget. Maybe it could be done... :confused:
Well, BSG did just fine, and Caprica is going to have to do that same, so it should be doable.

It's a shame. We'll never know the why 'Lyle the Intern' kept pumping bullets into the commander.

it's a pretty kick ass pilot. as a stand-alone movie, though, it doesn't make much sense.

so is this thing DOA or what?

I found it intresting as well this is something that sci fi should pick up.. it might actually make them a credible channel and the sets and FX look cheap to create and not exactly a big location budget other than the virtual reality stuff.

Skiffy is not interested in quality Sci-Fi judging by their current offerings, and certainly with their current rebranding which will lead them farther away from it.

I thought this 'pilot' was fairly decent and had a lot of potential but it was a rehash of other stuff. Mix of Solaris, various ST:TNG eps, 2001:Space Odyssey, etc.

I thought this 'pilot' was fairly decent and had a lot of potential but it was a rehash of other stuff. Mix of Solaris, various ST:TNG eps, 2001:Space Odyssey, etc.

Well, isn't everything basically a "re-hash" at this point? How original and ground-breaking can a space-based sci-fi show be by now? But that fails to acknowledge there was a lot of stuff here that has rarely been been attempted before. Namely, a realistic example, grounded in hard science, of how mankind may finally become a space-faring, colonizing race. There ain't going to be any warp-drive, folks, and if we wait on something like that, we're just marking time until the earth's next "very bad day" at which point we will likely become an historical footnote. Not that there will be anyone around to care or even record that history, of course. And the setup for a follow-on series - what with the Captain's apparent suicide and his unknown motives - had a lot of potential from a dramatic standpoint, IMO.

Seems to me we need more of this kind of thing and less 'Warehouse-13', just to balance things out. Heaven knows, there's enough fluff; Syfy is building their new "brand" around it. Even W-13's premise was done much better and more intriguingly with 'The Lost Room'. But I guess that adult-oriented, more cerebral concept didn't provide as much clever, formulaic and homogenized banter for "the whole family to enjoy".

As I've said many times before, this is an example of the kind of adult-oriented, "serious" sci-fi we say we want, but never seem to support when we get it. It's hard to blame FOX for going with the silly and formalistic 'Glee' instead of a challenging, and even educational from a science perspective, effort like this. Too bad.

<shrug> I didn't see anything new here, but that's just me. Could've been a decent serious SciFi show worthy of attention, but as we know these are basically non-starters now.
Certainly a doomed attempt on Fox, and way too expensive for Syfy.

I finally got around to watching this the other day and really liked it. It's too bad we won't get to see where Ron Moore would've eventually taken this. It had lots of potential to explore issues network television rarely looks into.

It reminded me a little of "Sunshine", a movie I really liked until the end. I thought the cast was very good and was really surprised by the ending.

Oh well, at least it shows that Moore is still capable of interesting, thought-provoking stuff. Looking forward to Caprica.....