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Old January 5th, 2005, 10:33 AM   #21
martok2112
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Much of what has happened in the Galactica fan community has happened out of spite..


And unfortunately, much of that spite is geared towards fans of the opposite series...whether it is claimed otherwise or not.

Many (not all) fans who pray and shout that they hope the new series goes down in flames, knowing full well that fans of the new show would probably be upset or incensed, do so in such taunting methods. The underlying message is that the supporters/fans of TNS are THE ENEMY, because it is keeping the fires stoked for the success of the new show. Much of this is because of the pain that fans of TOS had to endure for 26 years, with promises and their subsequent withdrawals.

Many (again not all) fans comfort themselves with some divination that the new series WILL fail. And with some divination that downloading the episodes off the internet will spoil the ratings when the show hits stateside. This is also expressed as concern by the writers/producers of the new show. (So naturally, SOME TOS fans encourage this action....thinking that it will kill the ratings here.)

No one knows for sure.

This is a double edged sword. (What I am about to say is NOT...repeat...NOT offerred in disrespect to any one fanbase. Merely speculation of the furture.)

If the new series fails, then hope springs eternal for the continuation/show that the TOS traditionalists (even myself) have been hoping for. For them, the new Galactica will be a swiftly forgotten nightmare and memory. Word of the new show's demise will be a day long spoken of throughout the tumultuous history of the franchise by vindicated fans. The hardcore traditionalist fans of TOS Galactica are happy, dancing the jig...and SOME will even go insofar as to taunt fans of the new show. "HA! Your show sucked, and it bombed..and you bought into the wrong side. Now go get a clue as to what REAL science-fiction is, LOSERS!"

If the new show succeeds, and goes multiseasonal, many hardcore TOS traditonalist fans will be forced to resignation that this IS the new Galactica that fans will speak of for years to come (and regretably, and I do mean REGRETABLY in the strongest sense of the word) TOS would pass on into obscurity..kept alive only by the dwindling fans who fondly remember the beloved show (including myself). The new series fans are happy, dancing the jig..and SOME will even go insofar as to taunt the fans of the original show. "HA! Your original show is too dated and too hokey for today's audience. Go back to your mothers' basements and cry."



Now, we are asked to look at a different hypothetical scenario. This scenario comes with its own set of variables.
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A continuation movie is FINALLY under production...and set to hit theatres the following year.

If the new show is still a success, and airing, then TOS fans will be rejoicing simply because now they feel that their voices have finally been heard as well, and upon release, will flock in droves to the multiplexes to gaze upon and revel in the glory of the original show's spirit on the big screen. TNS fans who are curious about the charms of the original show, and who have been even more convinced by viewings of the original series on DVD come out to see this spectacle also. Fans of both shows now KNOW that they have TWO Battlestars Galactica to enjoy. (For them, it is DEFINITELY a good time to be a Galactica fan.) There is peace throughout the land. The promised one has been delivered..and the fans are satiated.


But, let's turn this over on its uglier side:
If the new show has tanked, and is yanked off the air, especially with the announcement of an impending (and nigh unstoppable) Classic Galactica continuation on the big screen, TOS traditionalists will be rejoicing. Some Hardcore TNS fans will feel dejected, and probably not contribute one cent toward the success of the revival. (and their numbers may have been numerous) Those who enjoyed both series are split down the middle in their thoughts. On the one hand, they are getting their continuation story. One the other hand, the series they were starting to enjoy has gotten cancelled. It could become a time of ambivalence for them.

Now..let's examine this uglier side of the coin.

During the new series' run, some TOS traditionalists had actively (and aggressively) taken part in trying to bring about the series downfall. Some by word of mouth (or typewritten text on the net). They're doing this because they lack the faith that the series will fail due to its own flaws. They feel they have to do something to ensure that the flaws are fully exploited, even to those who acknowledge the flaws, but do not hold them against the new show. Some encourage this downloading phenomenon which SUPPOSEDLY will sabotage potential ratings for the new show stateside. And still some will verbally attack the TNS fandom...claiming that TNS fans are WRONG for supporting something that goes counter to a (perceived) majority. They claim that TNS fans are far less discerning about what passes for "good science fiction". Websites that are trying to promote peace and perhaps unity among the fandoms are still rife with those who refuse to see the peace...and still cast their derisions toward the fans of the new show. (It cannot be denied...it still happens). And yet, TNS fans are not supposed to feel anything. The war with the producers had been carried over into the fandom...and as long as the new show is a success, that war will never end (at least, until the old guard dies off or simply gives up.)

Okay, so the new show tanks. Taunting increases. "HA HA! We told ya!"

So now the movie goes into production. TNS fans who feel slapped in the face by the execs (and even by TOS fans) now go about with their own little agenda of sabotaging the success of the new, long awaited classic production. Some will use the usual low-brow reasoning (70's hairstyles make a comeback, fuzzy robots run rampant, and lousy acting will once again become the standard). Now, some dejected TNS fans will return the same fire they received for simply supporting something they'd come to love in as short a space of time as those who revered the original show. Now, some TNS fans start resorting to the same tactics as those crusaders of TOS who sought the boycotting/shutdown of the new show. Some will start calling the execs/actors/writers/whatnot. Some TNS fans will start spouting the same derisions toward TOS fans that some TOS fans expressed towards TNS fans.

What we fail to remember is that we are all human. Everyone has their tolerances. Eventually, the derisions will become as unwelcome as those that were cast by some TOS fans when the new show was in production. And the flame wars will begin anew.


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But take comfort, all....this is only speculation.


Martok
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