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New PoG episode for me, "Mars". Fwee!
BookTV likes to edit down the episodes in the nastiest ways, usually by attacking the opening lead ins. This time we got the Second Nature opening and the pre-opening leadin intact (whoo!), but Rick's intro after the PoG opening was either completely cut (boo!). So, after the PoG opening it's right to the interviews.
I haven't seen a complete version of the episode, so I can't really compare the edited version. Because the episode was totally packed with interviews and info, I don't think I'm missing that much aside from a missing Robert J. Sawyer interview. Hacking the opening of an episode sometimes affects the flow of the show; In the episode "New Worlds", the reason Rick and Nance are at odds with each other during the episode is addressed in the post opening intro. In the BookTV version, you never find out why Nance is acting the way she is towards Rick. There doesn't seem to be a problem like that in this episode, mostly because the focus on the characters is next to nil.
Anyway, if any episode is showing its age, it's this one. Sure, the topic is on Mars, but we're talking about pre-Mars Rover days. The interviews where focused mostly on how past ideas and theories about Mars have shaped the then-current views of the planet. Pretty interesting stuff. Me likes the interview with Ray Bradbury on how exploring space is a religion.
Other odd things I noticed ("It's just a show, I should really just relax..."):
- I'm beginning to doubt that the series ever decided on exactly what Control was. Here it's addressed as a network of spies that Rick has control over (pun not intended). In other episodes, it was a small group Rick had contact with, but no control over. Other times, it appears to be a large group Rick has friends in. In the episode guide, it's a secret organization that supplies Rick with stuff. (And in IP&S, it's something like that... only more X-File-ish). Why couldn't they pick something and stick to it?
- Rick has Ray's home phone number. :-D
- Finally! In early seasons there were references to some strange functions Reality 1 could perform. In this episode, it's brought up again. Apparently, Rick and Nance managed to get into NASA's achives.
-For some reason, the above comment reminds me of the MST3K fic "Homecoming". :-P
BookTV likes to edit down the episodes in the nastiest ways, usually by attacking the opening lead ins. This time we got the Second Nature opening and the pre-opening leadin intact (whoo!), but Rick's intro after the PoG opening was either completely cut (boo!). So, after the PoG opening it's right to the interviews.
I haven't seen a complete version of the episode, so I can't really compare the edited version. Because the episode was totally packed with interviews and info, I don't think I'm missing that much aside from a missing Robert J. Sawyer interview. Hacking the opening of an episode sometimes affects the flow of the show; In the episode "New Worlds", the reason Rick and Nance are at odds with each other during the episode is addressed in the post opening intro. In the BookTV version, you never find out why Nance is acting the way she is towards Rick. There doesn't seem to be a problem like that in this episode, mostly because the focus on the characters is next to nil.
Anyway, if any episode is showing its age, it's this one. Sure, the topic is on Mars, but we're talking about pre-Mars Rover days. The interviews where focused mostly on how past ideas and theories about Mars have shaped the then-current views of the planet. Pretty interesting stuff. Me likes the interview with Ray Bradbury on how exploring space is a religion.
Other odd things I noticed ("It's just a show, I should really just relax..."):
- I'm beginning to doubt that the series ever decided on exactly what Control was. Here it's addressed as a network of spies that Rick has control over (pun not intended). In other episodes, it was a small group Rick had contact with, but no control over. Other times, it appears to be a large group Rick has friends in. In the episode guide, it's a secret organization that supplies Rick with stuff. (And in IP&S, it's something like that... only more X-File-ish). Why couldn't they pick something and stick to it?
- Rick has Ray's home phone number. :-D
- Finally! In early seasons there were references to some strange functions Reality 1 could perform. In this episode, it's brought up again. Apparently, Rick and Nance managed to get into NASA's achives.
-For some reason, the above comment reminds me of the MST3K fic "Homecoming". :-P
