Is SyFy actually "getting it" again?

[Joelist]

Yes it's a serious question.

After the SGU fiasco followed by dreck like Defiance, Dominion and Ascension I had to think that SyFy had totally descended into being a toilet.

But recently they have - GASP! - been airing some pretty decent stuff.

First was Z Nation, which was an utter shock as it is what The Walking Dead should have been. And from The Asylum no less.

Then we got Dark Matter and Killjoys BOTH of which turned out to be solid entertainment. I have yet to see 12 Monkeys but it also is supposed to be solid.

And recently we got the Childhood's End miniseries which, although I had my issues with it, was nonetheless a solid Science Fiction entry.

Finally, The Expanse has far exceeded my expectations. This first season was flat out good. The obeying real world physics, solid story, decent pacing, good acting and lack of soap were refreshing.

Yes there is still utter dreck on the network (like Magicians), but the other signs seem good.

So, what do you think? Has SyFy started to "get it" again?

 

[Overmind One]

Yes it's a serious question.

After the SGU fiasco followed by dreck like Defiance, Dominion and Ascension I had to think that SyFy had totally descended into being a toilet.

But recently they have - GASP! - been airing some pretty decent stuff.

First was Z Nation, which was an utter shock as it is what The Walking Dead should have been. And from The Asylum no less.

Then we got Dark Matter and Killjoys BOTH of which turned out to be solid entertainment. I have yet to see 12 Monkeys but it also is supposed to be solid.

And recently we got the Childhood's End miniseries which, although I had my issues with it, was nonetheless a solid Science Fiction entry.

Finally, The Expanse has far exceeded my expectations. This first season was flat out good. The obeying real world physics, solid story, decent pacing, good acting and lack of soap were refreshing.

Yes there is still utter dreck on the network (like Magicians), but the other signs seem good.

So, what do you think? Has SyFy started to "get it" again?

I totally agree with this. Syfy is getting it again. They found their mojo! I think now, they need to make sure they have original programming and they can no longer survive on reruns in syndication like Scifi Channel used to do. Perhaps, if TPTB ever do another Stargate series, they could grab it? They should seriously look into acquiring Firefly. How come TPTB do not see the huge potential for Firefly and spinoffs from it?

The Expanse has raised the bar for me in so many ways. Just the right balance of action, science, adventure, action, drama and AWESOME characters that are all worth following. It has blown me away and totally hooked me. Same with Dark Matter. I have not yet seen 12 Monkeys either. Killjoys sorta lost my interest after I started watching The Expanse.

 

[Joelist]

I admit that to me Killjoys and The Expanse scratch two different itches.

Killjoys is basically Space Xena and it knows it. It scratches the action schlock itch.

The Expanse is hard sci-fi and scratches that itch nicely.

 

[shavedape]

I think SyFy has been forced, by their previous bad decisions, to "get it" again. They are still not where they should be in terms of quality entertainment but shows like The Expanse prove that they are headed in the right direction.

 

[Overmind One]

I think SyFy has been forced, by their previous bad decisions, to "get it" again. They are still not where they should be in terms of quality entertainment but shows like The Expanse prove that they are headed in the right direction.

Somebody in those Syfy board rooms knows what real science fiction is. The Expanse manages hard scifi without soap opera level drama. There is drama, but it isn't melodrama and it is in the context of the story. NuBSG has been officially faded.

 

[shavedape]

Somebody in those Syfy board rooms knows what real science fiction is. The Expanse manages hard scifi without soap opera level drama. There is drama, but it isn't melodrama and it is in the context of the story. NuBSG has been officially faded.

I don't think it's going to go without a fight though. We still see shades of it in certain shows.

 

[Overmind One]

I don't think it's going to go without a fight though. We still see shades of it in certain shows.

Very true! But those shows were already in the can before The Expanse aired. I think the show will draw in a loyal fandom. I also think that they will have to find a way to expand into the story of the next novel after Leviathan Wakes which is Caliban's War. I have started reading Leviathan Wakes. Good read!

 

[Joelist]

Once you've read Leviathan Wakes you'll see where in it Season One got to, and hence where they still have to go.

 

[Overmind One]

Once you've read Leviathan Wakes you'll see where in it Season One got to, and hence where they still have to go.

Im sure I will. Question for you personally...do you prefer to read the actual paper books or do you read on your tablet/phone? I read on my tablet, using an app called ezPDF which has a page turning effect and gives much the experience of a real book. Im just curious. Anybody else read on their tablets over a book? Prefer the actual paper book?

 

[Gatefan1976]

Books. Real dusty, smelly, books.

 

[Jim of WVa]

Im sure I will. Question for you personally...do you prefer to read the actual paper books or do you read on your tablet/phone? I read on my tablet, using an app called ezPDF which has a page turning effect and gives much the experience of a real book. Im just curious. Anybody else read on their tablets over a book? Prefer the actual paper book?

I prefer the Kindle to an actual paper book. My eyes focus better on the letters.

 

[shavedape]

Good old fashioned paper the way God intended.

 

[Joelist]

I confess....(sobbing).....I use a Kindle!

That said, I have a LOT of paper books too. But the ability on a Kindle to change the page and type colors for night reading makes it work for me.

 

[Overmind One]

Books. Real dusty, smelly, books.

I prefer the Kindle to an actual paper book. My eyes focus better on the letters.

Good old fashioned paper the way God intended.

I confess....(sobbing).....I use a Kindle!

That said, I have a LOT of paper books too. But the ability on a Kindle to change the page and type colors for night reading makes it work for me.

I am glad I asked that question! I always used to read from actual books. But when I turned 45 I started wearing glasses and in order to read books I have to wear reading glasses or hold the book farther away than I want in order to make the words focus. Having said that, the ability to change the experience by changing the size of the type, turning digital "pages" with the swipe of my finger like on a book, and the convenient size of a 10" tablet screen and the impossiblity of getting barbeque sauce on the corner of a page....priceless!

I use the Kindle app about 50% of the time but most of the time I use ezPDF. Using an older Acer Iconia A500 for that.

This easy reading book Leviathan Wakes is great to read before bed. It's engaging on a very deep scifi level. Unexpected.

 

[Overmind One]

I prefer the Kindle to an actual paper book. My eyes focus better on the letters.

Mine too. We both wear glasses.

 

[Gatefan1976]

I do like PDF's for my gaming rulebooks, only because it is easier to carry a laptop to my friends house than 20 odd hard cover 200 page books, and I can reference stuff easier.

 

[YJ02]

I have yet to see 12 Monkeys but it also is supposed to be solid.

I have not yet seen 12 Monkeys either

12 MONKEYS is a very good show!

far better then the movie

but of course, now that I have said that, no one will probably watch it!

 

[YJ02]

anyone find out what SYFY still has to come in the future?

what was that show with the "generation ship" plot? was that on yet?

 

[Overmind One]

anyone find out what SYFY still has to come in the future?

what was that show with the "generation ship" plot? was that on yet?

You don't mean that awful Ascension movie do you? They would not pick that up...they would be fools to do that!

 

[Joelist]

Ascension was a ratings disaster, and SyFy already made the choice to go no further with it.

In fact, I do wonder if the Ascension disaster had a role in SyFy changing its ways?