Sci-Fi News and Reviews

"Defying Gravity"

I know it's well before the kickoff of the fall season - but there is new Sci-Fi on network TV this weekend!

ABC has decided to launch "Defying Gravity" this Sunday. To be honest, this is probably a bad sign, since, if the network thought it was going to be a hit, they would have included it on their true fall schedule. However, it is scheduled for 13 episodes, so there is a chance it could stick - if it's good.

There are a wide variety of views out on the web. The official press release describes the show as:

The Antares crew, a team of eight astronauts, launches into space, embarking on a six-year journey to explore Venus and other planets in the solar system, find their lives and destinies intertwined and carefully directed, not only by Mission Control officials on Earth, but also by an unseen force which is much closer and far more powerful.

I can get behind the concept. I like the idea of a relatively small crew, in tight confines, with an general mission. If Ron Moore or Joss Whedon was in charge, I would be agog. The actual show leadership, James Parriott and Michael Edelstein, seem to have more experience in primetime dramas like "Grey's Anatomy" and "Desperate Housewives", so I am taking a more reserved approach. Thus, I went a-googling and tried to find some early reviews.

I found two that I considered worthy - a highly critical review from the Chicago Tribune, and a much more positive one from the Pioneer Local site.

The Trib review is pretty brutal. It is titled "Defying Gravity' defies good TV" and describes the show as an "...intergalactic story that is half space opera, half soap opera. Merge "2001" with "thirtysomething," and you get this ugly mutant offspring named "Defying Gravity."

I have to admit - that guy pretty much eviscerated "Defying Gravity". However, the reviewer (Vince Horiuchi) did admit that he didn't care for "Stargate" or "Battlestar Galactica", so there is a pretty good chance that my viewpoint will differ from his.

On the other side of the reviewing coin is the Pioneer Local piece. The reviewer (Jennifer Thomas) describes the show as "...better than I expected but not as good as they could be" and as a "...cross between "Grey's Anatomy" and "Top Gun."

To be fair, she also does note that the show will "...appeal more to fans of romantic dramas than strict sci-fi fans". Thomas also reveals that she was a fan of "Buffy" and "Alias", so I may be predestined to agree with her viewpoint.

So, after digesting the early reviews, press releases and preview videos, I think "Defying Gravity" might be a fairly decent addition to my TiVo Season Pass list. My wife will certainly like it, and there seems to be enough Sci-Fi to keep me interested. Could it be a perfect 'date night' show?

Defying Gravity debuts with a two-hour premiere on Sunday Night on ABC at 9:00 PM, then moves a regular 10:00 PM EST time slot next week.

Posted by Fred on July 30, 2009 11:35 PM
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