A lot of the people who otherwise really liked the movie still winced a litle at the concept of the Hand.
I was one of the who really groaned at it.
Anyway, here's a summary of various positions. [And yes, you can tell which way I lean, but that is not the main point.]
A lot of disappointed viewers see it as just a tired recycling of the Shadows, YAAE (as in Yet Another Ancient Enemy - don't remember the source of *that*).
A lot of positive viewers insist it will be another classic JMS bait-and-switch when all is said and done.
[Some critics would say, if that's what he was up to, why not make the pilot look good, then blow us away later with something truly great? Why make it look *bad* first -- to make the switch seem greater by comparison? And isn't the passionate insistence that JMS is up to something back-handed acknowledgement that the Hand as presented is not very satisfying?]
Still others take it at face value and are happy with it as-is. It's a big universe after all, isn't it?
[Some critics would agree and ask why some other plot driver couldn't have been created instead.]
Many of the give-the-man-a-break camp suggest the motive was a readily understandable hook for B5 virgins who are unaware of the thematic resemblance to the Shadows.
My POINT (finally) is this:
Regardless of your personal views on the suitability of the Hand, given the strongly negative reaction of many long-time B5 fans doesn't it count as a tactical blunder by JMS?
Does aggravating a sizable portion of those who would otherwise be some of LOTR's biggest cheerleaders for landing a series deal seem very wise? Was it an intentional calculation? If so, was the math mistaken?
Once again, regardless of your opinion on the Hand, was it a smart move? Look at the end result and don't just blame the critics (or the product).
------------------
newscaper,
from the SciFi Channel Farscape BB
I was one of the who really groaned at it.
Anyway, here's a summary of various positions. [And yes, you can tell which way I lean, but that is not the main point.]
A lot of disappointed viewers see it as just a tired recycling of the Shadows, YAAE (as in Yet Another Ancient Enemy - don't remember the source of *that*).
A lot of positive viewers insist it will be another classic JMS bait-and-switch when all is said and done.
[Some critics would say, if that's what he was up to, why not make the pilot look good, then blow us away later with something truly great? Why make it look *bad* first -- to make the switch seem greater by comparison? And isn't the passionate insistence that JMS is up to something back-handed acknowledgement that the Hand as presented is not very satisfying?]
Still others take it at face value and are happy with it as-is. It's a big universe after all, isn't it?
[Some critics would agree and ask why some other plot driver couldn't have been created instead.]
Many of the give-the-man-a-break camp suggest the motive was a readily understandable hook for B5 virgins who are unaware of the thematic resemblance to the Shadows.
My POINT (finally) is this:
Regardless of your personal views on the suitability of the Hand, given the strongly negative reaction of many long-time B5 fans doesn't it count as a tactical blunder by JMS?
Does aggravating a sizable portion of those who would otherwise be some of LOTR's biggest cheerleaders for landing a series deal seem very wise? Was it an intentional calculation? If so, was the math mistaken?
Once again, regardless of your opinion on the Hand, was it a smart move? Look at the end result and don't just blame the critics (or the product).
------------------
newscaper,
from the SciFi Channel Farscape BB
