Ronald D. Moore’s Virtuality airs this Friday night (June 26th) on Fox and from this writer’s perspective, it has come down a long and harrowing path to get here.
The project started out being lined up as a television pilot and through some unknown series of decisions, Fox has again taken a proven showrunner’s idea and seemingly squashed it with their thumb.
The show that was originally slated to be a pilot for a series has been reduced to a 2-hour movie that’s being aired in the vacuum of Friday. At least Fox is consistent in their handling of sci-fi projects.
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The show is from executive producers Ronald D. Moore (Battlestar Galactica, Star Trek: The Next Generation) and Michael Taylor (Battlestar Galactica, Star Trek: Voyager) and stars Kerry Bishe, Ritchie Coster, Eric Jensen, Nelson Lee, Joy Bryant, Clea Duvall, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Sienna Guillory, James D’Arcy, Jose Pablo Cantillo, Gene Farber, Omar Metwally and Jimmi Simpson.
It’s about 12 astronauts on Earth’s first starship called the Phaeton, on an epic 10-year journey that’s crucial to the survival of life on Earth.
The idea seemed interesting and for those in the media who have reviewed Virtuality, they make it seem like something to look forward to.
A New York Times review said, “.. .it is an impressively credentialed and stylish bit of television moviemaking, an exploration not merely of our practical dependence on technology but also of our psychological and nearly eroticized addiction to it.”
USA Today warns us that there’s an awful lot of construct and deceit for 2 hours, but then goes on to say that “it’s better than most of the networks’ summer offerings.”
LA Times Entertainment calls it like they see it by saying “that [TV network] decisions are not always based on quality of work.” and continues to say “As directed by Peter Berg (”Friday Night Lights”), this is smart, handsome TV, a witty, measured mix of sci-fi, soap and satire that offers new twists on old tropes.”
I just don’t understand how Fox can screw up potentially good shows, as they did with Firefly, but yet they do.
All we can do is tune in, possibly get some friends to watch, or DVR it and check it out within the next day or two. Then after I’ve published my next article discussing the show, you can come back and add your thoughts to the comments / discussion thread about Ronald D. Moore’s Virtualty.
Sources: New York Times, USA Today, LA Times
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15 Comments
Seriously, the first I’ve ever heard of this. Nice work, Fox.
I’m watching it right now and its pretty cool so far
Wow I thought it was goign to be a show, the way it ended was horrible. It looked like it had the makings of a really good how but it I guess they cut it down to a movie?
Folks, WATCH THE SPOILERY type comments … Give us one more hour here on the West Coast!
I’m midway through VIRTUALITY at this moment.
I’m liking the depth I’m seeing. Will say more in a follow up post on the show.
In a word… wow.
I’ll be writing up my review and discussion post.
I expect it to go live sometime early tomorrow.
-Bruce
Loved it. Loved the depth and complexity and all the questions about reality and fantasy. I really hope this gets picked up somewhere.
God… it’s movies and shows like this, that makes you wish for a new cable tv station dedicated to bringing either more episodes or conclusions to tv shows ended before their time…
if they’re not going to continue with the series, why do they torture us by showing us so little? i agree with Jimmy.
Wow! Finally, a show that is intelligent, complex and thought-provoking that makes me want to watch television again. I hope FOX or another network picks this up.
Hey gang! My Review of the show is live.
Come on over and contribute to the conversation over yonder at:
http://bit.ly/nL2XJ
Fantastic story, suspense, sets.
What a refreshing scifi idea. Traveling
to another star.
Please keep this series going or make a
movie.
Watched it on Hulu – if this was a series, I’d undoubtably watch it – but there were elements to the show I had trouble with.
I imagine this might have a shot on SyFy – but given Fox’s record with Scifi, them picking it up might be worse than if it never got picked up at all
Nice Show Sienna Guillory is one of reasons to watch this one
Definately a must for FOX. If this doesnt go on air in 6 months, then i’ll never watch another fox production again; GOODBYE HOUSE!
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