[SPOILERS] Andromeda TV General Thread

[fba827]

Didn't they do a story arc with Rev Brem, when he undergo a startling transformation since he departed Andromeda?

Was that a whole story arc?

I thought it was just one episode? (of course, I only get to catch the show sporadically, every other week or so...and even then, only if I can find it on

Though, some random thoughts:

They left some open ideas from that episode in season 2 (when the ship was fractered in time) - several little glimpses into possible future events. So some of those things could come in to play some time.

There was also one episode in which Trance (speaking to herself) referred to Beka as "The One" (beggining of the Trimming the Bonsai tree epsiode, when the assassin tries to kill Beka, Trance says to herself, "Does he know that she is The One?") so there is some basic ground work for a "grand scheme"

 

[Umbran]

Does anyone know if they plan to have Andromeda go back to having story "arcs"?

As far as I'm aware, no. The guy responsible for the long-running plots of season one and two is no longer with the series. He was asked to leave because he didn't want to do what they are doing now.

Do "stand-alone-episodes" mean that whatever happens in that episode will most likely have little or no impact on what happens on the rest of the show? Will it matter if "stand-alone-episodes" are watched in chronological order?

For the most part, yes. The current intent is that a new viewer can jump into the series at any time, and be able to understand and enjoy the episode without having to know the backstory. They want you to be able to watch and enjoy the show completely ignorant of the past epiosodes.

This doesn't mean that no episode will ever reference the past, but it does mean that they won't be making subtle connections that you'd have to think about.

Does "story arc" refer to say a particular overall goal that the characters are trying to accomplish...

In common parlance, a "story arc" is a plotline that extends over a number of episodes. It may be a plot about a particular overall goal, or it may not. The distinguishing feature is that it takes a number of episodes (possibly scattered through the series), to complete the story.

 

[dreaded_beast]

thanks umbran! very informative!

at first i was a bit hesitant about how will Andromeda would be doing, then i realized that the "non-story-arc" format was similar to other shows that i enjoyed from the past.

one example would have to be "star trek the next generation". although i admit that i watched it sporadically, i would say i have caught around 90% of the episodes they made. and i also watched them out of order. i was unable to determine if there was some story arc format, but it seemed to me like there wasn't one.

same thing for the early seasons of x-files. i've watched roughly 50-60% of the episodes made, and enjoyed them greatly, but i didn't really feel there was a "story arc" to them, at least in the beginning. i also caught this show sporadicaly and didn't even watch the last 2 seasons. i am assuming that x-files near the ending seasons had story arcs to it.

if andromeda can follow the same format in regards to "non-story-arc" plotlines, such as in X-Files or Star Trek:TNG, I would be satisfied.

 

[Mustrum_Ridcully]

TNG had no real storyarc - you might count reappearances of some guest characters (Q, some Klingons like Gowron, Data`s brother Lore, the Borg), but the series would have worked without them (even if some of the most interesting episodes would miss, I guess...)

I think not every series really needs a story arc, but I liked the Andromeda one`s. Well, maybe they will still have time to return to the story of the Maggog Worldship, even if it is not an obvious focus of the series. (More simliar to the Borg threat in TNG than the Dominion Threat on DS9)

Mustrum Ridcully

 

[ColonelHardisson]

The show hit some rough times after the big change in direction. There have been a lot of badly written and edited episodes since then, but it has shown some promise. The most recent episodes I've seen, which have been in the past couple of weeks, have actually been quite good.

The show has an appealing, strong cast. So far, though, the show simply hasn't lived up to its promising concept, the cast, or the effects. They need better writers on a more consistent basis. It still feels a lot like the first season of a series, when it's still trying to shake the bugs out. The show is already in its 3rd season, and should already have hit its stride. I hope it gets a chance to do so, but who knows how long it'll take.

 

[Ranger REG]

I don't know, ColonelHardisson. For me, it's guarded optimism. Ever since the former DS9 producer, Robert Hewitt Wolfe, left the series after having been able to develop it based on scribbling notes from Gene Roddenberry, I'm wary as to what the show's direction Kevin Sorbo (the show's executive producer, and "Captain Dylan Hunt") is taking.

For now, the show's premise went from establishing the New System Commonwealth to "Screw the New System Commonwealth and their Politics." But that's what Dylan get for not accepting one of the chief positions of the new government.

 

[mojo1701]

Yeah, I watch Andromeda when I can. I agree with your points about a show needing a story arc.

And if you've gone to allsystems.org, the site for most info in the show (sciences, history, etc.) tell you that the first faster-than-light propulsion we got it slipstream, and not something a little slower (i.e. Warp).

 

[Umbran]

It still feels a lot like the first season of a series, when it's still trying to shake the bugs out.

Well, in a large way, it is. They got rid of their head writer, who was up until that time the driving force behind the plot, and a large driving force behind the character development. That, in addition to the new direction they chose to go in, constitutes a large enough departure from what they'd done that it really is basically new.

The show has other issues besides the loss of plot arc and the head writer. Choosing to make the show more Dylan-centric, and more action-oriented are not doing good things for it, IMHO.

And, there are other things I think are bad news for the future - don't expect to see Tyr Anasazi much (if at all) in the 4th season....

 

[dreaded_beast]

And, there are other things I think are bad news for the future - don't expect to see Tyr Anasazi much (if at all) in the 4th season....

please tell me this is a rumor!

i like the main cast of the series, but i think Tyr is the character that really got me hooked. there are probably differing opinions on this, but i love how Tyr is portrayed! i believe that guy is a very talented actor. i wish i could model my dnd character after him, but i doubt my DM would appreciate that.

i will still watch andromeda even if tyr is gone or rarely seen, but it had better be damned good!

 

[Orius]

Anyone out there watch Andromeda?

I just got into recently. I have been downloading episodes from the internet and have been hooked.

I've been watching episodes in chronological order and have made my way up to Season 3 Episode 2. In the process of downloading Episode 3.

I realize that Andromeda is not the best show out there, and has much cheeseyness to it, but damn it, I can't help but love the show. I think it has to do with how each character has their own little nuances and starting from Season 1 Episode 1, you can really see how characters develop. Although, some, if not many episodes themselves were blah, I just enjoy seeing the characters deal with one another.

I've heard rumors though that Season 3 will no longer have story arcs. Instead, each episode is suppossed to be stand-alone, in order for new viewers to be able to jump right in to the series. I've always hated that approach to TV shows. I love seeing characters head towards a climactic goal throughout a season and always referring to events and characters that happened in previous episodes. Now I'm afraid that each episode will be so stand-alone that the sense of continuity will be lost. Give me my damn story arcs! I'll still be watching Season 3 though.

Anyways, who else watchs Andromeda?

I do. I've been thinking about starting a regular discussions about the show, especially given this week's episode.

Yes, this season has been episodic and relatively boring as a result. Kind of like the 5th season of B5. I hope they bring back some story arcs.