Local SF in more than one way

[vilakins]

A couple of days ago I arranged to meet alicambs for lunch in Mission Bay, so of course it defied the inaccurate as ever weather forecast and rained all day. We mightn't have bothered meeting by the sea as we couldn't tell the grey water from the grey sky, or see across to any islands. :-( However we had a very nice lunch and an excellent conversation about SF and other things, and I'm sorry (for my sake) that Ali and her family will be living somewhere else.

Speaking of SF, I'm pissed off about our local series This is Not My Life. I was hoping for some interesting scenario like people on a generation ship being woken at intervals and living in an artificial environment, but no, they've gone for just what I wanted least (but was half expecting from the smugly preachy clues): the ruined planet scenario, our equivalent of the overpopulation or nuclear war obsessions of older SF. How unimaginative. And if Waimoana is meant to be the perfect community where people can have the chance of starting again and being better people without the burden of who they were before, it's not working, guys.

Probably only one person will even care about this, and discussion is welcome. I'll keep watching but If they start preaching, I'm turning right off.

Comments

[alicambs.livejournal.com]

*beams*

I enjoyed myself. We're not going yet, so plenty of chances for more chats. :-)
PS Friended you for scrabble.
PPS Read your spoiler and felt miffed for you

[vilakins.livejournal.com]

I was saying to Greg, we should treat you guys to an evening meal out since Greg's up on IT here and can advise while we two discuss SF and fandoms.

I saw that and have confirmed. :-)

[alicambs.livejournal.com]

That would be lovely. :-)

[vilakins.livejournal.com]

OK! One evening then, or maybe a weekend lunch somewhere interesting.

[alicambs.livejournal.com]

Since our diary is soooo full, not, whatever suits you both best. Son will be happy playing on his PS3 or using my lap top at whatever time!

[vilakins.livejournal.com]

OK, I'll get back to you with some ideas for restaurants. :-)

Good night!

[alicambs.livejournal.com]

Sweet dreams. :-)

[vilakins.livejournal.com]

You too!

[imhilien.livejournal.com]

I missed the last episode. :( So, there's no generation ship? *pouts*

[vilakins.livejournal.com]

I doubt it, going by the not very subtle eco messages so far. A lot happened in this one; you can watch it on the website and I think they repeat it, don't they?

[imhilien.livejournal.com]

The first episode was repeated, but I think that was the only one.

[vilakins.livejournal.com]

Oh. I thought they repeated all of them, but I hadn't checked. You can see it on the site (given in comments below). It's worth it since they're advancing the story quite a bit these days. Or have you lost interest?

[imhilien.livejournal.com]

I get a headache if I watch TV episodes online. :( Ah well, I'll figure out what happened when I watch it this week.

[vilakins.livejournal.com]

I can email you a brief synopsis. Just in case someone else doesn't want to see a spoiler.

[imhilien.livejournal.com]

That would be great, thanks. :) No pressure, though. :)

[labingi.livejournal.com]

I am curious about This Is Not My Life. Can you watch it online if you're not in NZ? I haven't heard of this but am always interested in a new SF series, brilliant or not.

[vilakins.livejournal.com]

I'm not sure. You can try here (http://tvnz.co.nz/this-is-not-my-life/not-my-life-index-group-3631491). :-) I've heard the series has been sold overseas so you may well get it in the US at some point. I like the style (everything's in pastel blue, green, and lilac, very minimalist and intentionally soothing, and the cast are very good. I'm just disappointed that what's behind the perfect little town might turn out to be all too predictable; I expected more.

[labingi.livejournal.com]

Alas, if you are not in NZ, you are only permitted to view that ads. It's funny how international trade agreement doesn't bar me from hearing about NZ health insurance I'm sure I would like but can't have over here in the land of no health care rights. I appreciate your trying though! Hopefully, the show will filter around elsewhere at some point.

[vilakins.livejournal.com]

I'm barred from a lot of the BBC site, and can't use Hulu, so it's unusual that there's something I can use that others can't. I'm not sure who's bought the series, but it mat well appear sometime over there, or be remade. :-)

[labingi.livejournal.com]

I'm barred from the BBC too. Is Hulu only open to Americans? I find this all very silly. Surely it maximizes a show's success to be seen by the maximum number of people. I know I'd want anything I produce to be available all over the world. Ugh.

[vilakins.livejournal.com]

Yep, just the US. I really think the BBC and other places should at least allow people to see series their country has bought.

Greg says TINML has been bought by Lion{s)gate (not sure of the exact name) who are an international distributor, so it may turn up in the US.

[labingi.livejournal.com]

Good news:) I'll have to keep an eye open for it. Thanks.

[vilakins.livejournal.com]

I've found where you can download it!

There's a sister site to TheBox (British TV) for TV from countries settled by the British, called TheEmpire.bz (http://anonym.to/?http://www.theempire.bz/). Right now signups are open, which means you don't need an invite. (if you'd like an invite to TheBox for UK TV, I can send you one.)

When you've joined, click on Browse, then put This is not my Life in the search box, select "exact" to search for exactly that title (fussy will return far too much), and hit go. I got 13 files as there are double-ups. Sort in descending Added order if you like. There are 7 episodes so far, but the first two were shown together (S01E01-02) as an extra-long pilot.

I'll be interested to know what you think. :-) The plot's really started to ramp up now they seem to have introduced all their major characters.

[labingi.livejournal.com]

Oo, this is interesting! I will have to check out this site. Thanks!

[vilakins.livejournal.com]

I hadn't realised Greg had joined us up or I'd have suggested it. I think you'll enjoy TINML. If you've ever watched Farscape, you should be used to the accents.

That was meant to be "fuzzy", not "fussy" BTW. :-P

[labingi.livejournal.com]

Sorry for a belated reply. I'm holding off on The Empire for now. It is aimed at a much techier audience than I. I have never successfully bit torrented anything (every time I try, it's always something obscure that is going to take 60,000 years), and I don't think I have the energy right now to join a group that has so many rules and expectations for uploading/downloading/ratios/etc. I understand that they need these rules for the group to work effectively; I just don't think I'm in a good position to be a very successful member, at least not without a lot of initial learning that I don't really have time for. I really appreciate your taking the effort to point me to it though. I have it bookmarked for future reference.

[vilakins.livejournal.com]

I know their rules are draconian; Greg got thrown out of their sister site TheBox a while back for not being active enough so we rejoined under my name. We have capped internet access (like everyone here) so we can't always get a good ratio, so we actually pay them some money now and then. Perhaps you can find the episodes somewhere else. I doubt they're on YouTube though.

[labingi.livejournal.com]

I'll keep my eyes open. I'm sure I'll be able to watch all these Commonwealth shows; I may just have to wait till they're out on DVD. At least I have a region-free player.