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Friday, November 6, 2009 - 4:30pmSanction this postReply
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My take;

This show started off strong but it's ending was non-sensical and appealed a great deal to mysticism when for almost 3 and a half seasons it was deeply rooted in reality. For that reason I would say the show-runner Ron Moore is a fraud. It's clear he never thought of how he was going to end this story which is why it ended in such a complete mess. Many of the moral dilemmas were interesting, but only insofar as they were essentially life-boat situations. Many of the show's mysteries never get resolved, while others are half-heartedly resolved through deus ex machina plot devices. If you really want to get drawn into a mystery only to have someone kick you in the gut at the end of it, then this should be right up your alley.

(Edited by John Armaos on 11/06, 4:58pm)


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Friday, November 6, 2009 - 4:46pmSanction this postReply
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John, by "Michael Moore," you meant Ronald Moore, did you not? 
While Glen Larson (as the creator) is credited, Moore defined the writing efforts over time.  Even so, the show's uneven nature may, indeed, reflect that range of workers.  It is as if an single architectural firm "built" a skyscraper, when in fact, various floors were subcontracted out. 

Series Writing credits
Glen A. Larson   (73 episodes, 2004-2009)
Ronald D. Moore   (73 episodes, 2004-2009)
Bradley Thompson   (15 episodes, 2004-2009)
David Weddle   (15 episodes, 2004-2009)
Mark Verheiden   (9 episodes, 2005-2009)
Michael Angeli   (7 episodes, 2004-2009)
Anne Cofell Saunders   (6 episodes, 2005-2007)
Michael Taylor   (6 episodes, 2006-2009)
David Eick   (5 episodes, 2005-2006)
Jane Espenson   (5 episodes, 2006-2009)
Jeff Vlaming   (3 episodes, 2004-2006)
Toni Graphia   (3 episodes, 2004-2005)
Carla Robinson   (3 episodes, 2004-2005)
Michael Rymer   (2 episodes, 2006)

Michael Rymer was the series director, though again, for only a majority of the many episodes.

John, I posted the review here specifically after giving a day's thought (and a night's sleep) to your comments in other threads.  While I simply do not share your visceral reaction, I do, intellectually understand the motivations.  I only find the admittedly flawed entirety containing many valuable qualities.  By contrast, for instance, nominally "libertarian" messages such as 300, V for Vendetta and the new V (space lizards), offer the razzledazzle of speeches for apple pie and hotdogs, but nothing to think about after the show is over.


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Friday, November 6, 2009 - 5:07pmSanction this postReply
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Yes, I meant to write Ron Moore, I edited my post to reflect that.

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Friday, November 6, 2009 - 5:13pmSanction this postReply
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Michael I guess it depends on what standards you want to use to define good art. I assume you finished the whole series? Did you like the ending?

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Sunday, November 8, 2009 - 4:06amSanction this postReply
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John, no I have not seen then the closing episodes.  We are working our way through in order when and as we can.  We do have the episode guides and access to other information, of course. 

I am prepared for the disappointment.  You made your case quite clearly. 

I was also prepared not to like The Watchmen.  However, that was based not only on your evaluation, but mostly on the fact that I read the book (and bought the guide to the movie).  I discovered it on my own, when Borders bookstore put up posters in January ahead of the movie.  I came here and found some early mention.  I reopened the discussion.  I went to the flick on a recommendation and, indeed, it was worth the time spent.  We exchanged more observations.  I bought the DVD (inventory reduction) and watched it twice. 
 
You and I both seek the heroic, John.  We just find it in different places. 

That reveals a basic problem with forums such as this, where the dialectic is always an argument.  It would be unusual for two people to go on at length about their points of agreement, shared perspectives, mutual preferences, and consonant feelings.  On the other hand, you can find 100+ post threads of discord. 

The Objectivist theory of aesthetics is not well developed. 

You asked about my standards for good art, John.  I identified some of them in the lead post here.  However, if you are interested, see my comments in "Thinking about The Thinker"
http://rebirthofreason.com/Spirit/Art/62.shtml

If you care to, see my review of The West Wing, and especially Barbara Branden's comments.
http://rebirthofreason.com/Spirit/Movies/90.shtml

(Edited by Michael E. Marotta on 11/08, 4:16am)


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