Media Notes

Just two I want to note this morning - though given all of the television I've been watching over the past year (the DVR really has changed things) there are quite a few bits I'll eventually want to get around to... just not this morning.

First, I see that the lead for the THOR film slated to come from Marvel in 2010 appears nearly cast. Reportedly it appears to be going to Chris Hemsworth, the actor who played James T. Kirk's father in the generally enjoyable STAR TREK franchise restart. (There's another topic.)

Also, it appears FOX and Joss Whedon reached a price point agreement and DOLLHOUSE has been renewed for a 13-episode second season. I'm guessing FOX had Whedon over a barrel, especially with the ratings drop-off the series had at season's end, and were able to get him to cut the price on the show. Potentially, the series may have a stronger second season if they can gain some momentum from people who give the first season DVD set a shot. I suppose it works out well for all parties, as Whedon gets to keep his name attached to something current (outside of comics) and FOX gets to continue something with a modest cult following that may break out into broader popularity if given the chance.

I've enjoyed the series enough to want to see where Whedon intends to go with it, though it could become uncomfortable if they lean too heavily on mock metaphysical debates that risk flattening a couple of the characters' depths (which, frankly, could use a little fluffing already) as they become proxies for Science vs Faith. As with any episodic show with a Big Conspiracy element behind it, I hope that Whedon knows exactly where it's going and has a sufficient heads-up on when the plug will be pulled to be able to get the audience there.

Comments

Dwight Williams said…
A fair concern about any TV series designed with a serialized plotline from day one, I suspect.

Yeah, Trek XI was good viewing. They didn't throw out the old toys, but expanded the size and scope of the playground instead without scaring any first-timers off.
Mike Norton said…
It definitely should be a concern, and hopefully it is, but I'm reluctant to give anyone the benefit of the doubt in that respect as more often than not these are open-ended affairs where much is made up as they go along. It took the commitment of a set 6 season limit for LOST to finally get me to come on board and catch up on four seasons so that I could ride the recently concluded 5th season through in real time.

Heh. I think that's the first time I'd seen it referred to as Trek XI. Still, hey, it works.

Of immediate interest moving forward will be seeing how freely elder Spock spreads info around. Sure, the political makeup of the galaxy is already in flux, but even just his 129 years of advance knowledge concerning technological breakthroughs, major natural phenomena (including wormholes) and the existence and details of distant cultures, should be a boon to the Federation.
Dwight Williams said…
As to the numbering of the movies, I intend to keep practicing it for my own mental "book-keeping" purposes.

"Spock Prime"...could end up something of a ticking plot device here, or a doomed character, depending on how future installments run with his involvement in this particular alt.universe. As it is, he's in danger of becoming a "Gandalf" figure.

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