So yea i thot the pilot was good but it felt like they crammed the entire Mini series into the hour long episode
Heck, the original mini-series was 200 minutes long and they had gotten almost this far by the 50 minute mark. The meat of it was the gradual demonization of people who knew the truth (Like Donovan), the people who might discover it (the Scientists), and the use of charisma to get otherwise ‘normal’ people to do their bidding. We’ve only gotten the barest hint of all this, I think they did a good job.
They can cram and hasten the story-line all they want as long as they don’t bring back the big hair.
Agreed, the wife and I (both big fans of the original), enjoyed it and will continue to watch it, but thought it was VERY rushed. If they were not going to make it a mini-series, leading into a regular series. They could have at least extended it to a 2hr episode, to help with the character developing and story. This felt very rushed, they could have built up towards the big revelation(s).
I agree with the comments so far. I liked this show, so far anyway. They did cram a lot in, but I’m sure it was to grab our attention. Being in my late 30s I remember the first series, and it scared the bugessus outta me. Especially the birth of the second twin hybrid baby. I wonder what this show has in store for us…
One thing that always bugged me was the science fiction was really weak in the first series I thought. I thought in the original series the aliens were born like us with “skin” and not scales. Is that right? Did they ever really explain that? I remember the original pilot, the didn’t Donovan discover they were lizards when he saw one take out it’s “eyes?”
It seems last night they mentioned that the visitors have learned to clone our skin and then place it onto themselves. I can buy into that. But if they are still lizards, wouldn’t they be cold blooded? Couldn’t you just tell if they were human or not by taking their temperature?
I know, I know…giant spaceship…hello…suspension of disbelief. But still, seems easier than cutting open your skull to look for bone.
Looking forward to the next episode.
BSG spoiled me. I saw the mini-series and was stupefied it was so amazing. Can I get a hallelujah here? I mean it got a real “Oh my god…”
The worst series premiere I’ve ever seen was Stargate SG-1. Everyone tells me the series got better – and I believe them because there was only one way it could go – but the premiere…
Anyway, that’s my upper and lower bound for premieres. V was very much in between. It was interesting and engaging in and of itself. And I’m intrigued enough to see the next episode. But I wasn’t blown away. Nothing was truly amazing, but it has potential.
One thought. BSG, in my mind, captured the zeitgeist of the Bush/Cheney administration better than anything else I’ve seen. I think part of the reason BSG ended when it did was because times were changing and it was impossible for the show to change that much without becoming an entirely new show… like V. I’m not the first to notice the parallels. Hope, devotion to a savior, and Universal Health-care, come on.
I think that’s great, except for one thing: no drama Obama. Not so sure you can channel the drama if your muse is trying his hardest to create none. Just sayin.
Yeah, I just watched this on the DVR and I was pleased. It was better than most series pilots I’ve seen lately and I honestly want to find out what happens next. I just BARELY remember the original, though I really liked it when I was a kid, so this is a treat.
But…[spoiler]is Alan Tudyk the go to guy for good guys who turn out to be bad guys now?[/spoiler]
The Obama connection is good, though I wonder how much of it is purposeful. I wonder if BSG hasn’t conditioned us to expect too much allegory in our Sci-fi. (And yet, it’s a valid point all the same about buying into hype.)
Oh, and hey–apparently this was a big hit last night, with something like 14.5 million viewers tuning in despite it being known as a “troubled show.” Maybe we’ll actually see it bear some fruit and not get cancelled before its time?
Where the other show was trying to be good it turned very campy. Gotta remember the times. That was the state of SciFi at the time. Everything was big consoles and blinking lights. (watch Airplane2 and see what i mean along with Shat having too much fun).
We have the Wow here now but it’s much more reality based (wtf did I just say that). Everything is now more Applefied (yes I know). No over the top sets more streamlined on the mothership ECT. This pilot got a lot more sinister and insidious real fast. Gotta like that.
So for now I’m onboard. Lets see where this goes and how much they follow the original show.
You should check out “Dollhouse.” I was pretty much one and done with that series (after seeing the premier).
I know! But I love that[spoiler]Alan Tudyk[/spoiler]is on my tv in any capacity!
STOOOP! don’t jinx it! eep!
i purposefully avoided the original miniseries and really liked the pilot. for about 45 minutes i thought it middling fare, but at the end, i loved where it was going. like district 9, we have some entertainment that will use the amazing as a storytelling device for our own history.
I have. There’s no comparison.
Wow.
To each his own I guess.
It is plain to see though that premiers (if one was to use your judgment of them) are not good indicators of future success.
Did I hear right it’s 4 episodes then they are pulling a BSG and off for months.
You got it.
Who comes up with these clever marketing strategies?
I understand the “leave them wanting more” concept…but that’s retarded
Basically V is here for sweeps then it’s off for months. Wonderful calculations…NOT!!!
Oh, I’m with you. I’m not complaining. I’d just like to see him in a longer running capacity (though I suppose that wouldn’t leave much time for movies).
STOOOP! don’t jinx it! eep!
Okay, I won’t. No one watched this. It failed miserably. It will be canceled in a month.
(Is that better, Barb?) 
Well, it had a lot of production problems and I think the schedule might have something to do with how many episodes were ready. It still sucks, though, hit or not.
That is the only explanation that makes sense. Seriously, this plan’s just too strange and complicated for marketing evil to be involved.
I know! How could I forget to mention Wash!!!