"It's a hobby."

[hihoplastic]

Okay! So, my BFFs at Uni have expressed interest (after much prodding, whining, berating, flailing, etc. on my part) in watching sci-fi with me. My problem is, I don't know which show to start them on! They are basically n00bs. They know the difference between Star Trek and Star Wars, thankgod, but beyond that they're very much, little green men? / dude, they're grey. / Huh? They also aren't fannish people. No fandom, no weird obsessions to speak of, definitely not the type of get really, really into television. ...unless, of course, their lives have just been bleak and empty without sci-fi and they are about to discover how epic it is. We shall see.

So! I need help deciding which show to start them on.

SGA is my personal favorite, and the one I'm most invested in, and therefore if they don't like it, my soul will be crushed. But it's also the least intense - not a lot of cliffhangers, not a lot of continuity, or deep metaphors, or intense story arcs. It's just fun and campy and witty and awesome, and it has John/Lizzeh. Also, I have all the DVDs with me. So no obnoxious streaming.

BSG is probably a better show, it has more depth and arcs and character development, and also has epic romance. But even though it's probably "better" in terms of writing and cinematography, etc., it might be too intense, you know? But on the other hand, I'm not as invested in BSG, so if they don't like it, I will be sad, but I won't have to pick up the pieces of my Elizabeth-loving soul.

And Farscape is probably The Best in terms of, well, everything. And it also has really hot people. But it also has muppets, and is more "out there" than the other two, and might be too much for their newbie sci-fi hearts to handle.

Dilemma. I has it.


ALSO. and I were talking, and she humored me and agreed that having an Elizabeth Fic Fest is a good idea. It would be after the secret santas, probably around January or something, and would be the same format as cuddy_fest, where anyone can submit prompts for Elizabeth-themed fic (gen is preferable, as are rare pairings, but John/Lizzie is of course acceptable), and after the prompts are collected, they are posted and people can comment and choose what they want to write. It's not an exchange, more of a free for all. So. Please vote?


[Poll #1477886]

Comments

[miss-atom.livejournal.com]

:D I checked other on both polls. SORRY FOR BEING ANNOYING. Here is a comment to make up for it.

Right, OH THE PRESSURE OF LETTING SOMEONE WATCH YOUR FAVOURITE SHOW, I often find it difficult. So idk, people who don't watch sci-fi are freaks.

It depends what sort of thing they like in general, I would say if they are into drama/crime programs/law and order or something go with BSG, less of a departure from reality (except it is) but if they like light-hearted more silly/out there things go with Farscape.

Although I will not be writing/reading the Lizzeh fest YOU SHOULD DO IT because it makes you happy ♥

[hihoplastic.livejournal.com]

- Hee, truefax! I don't understand the non-sci-fi-loving population. They are very odd.

- Hmmm good plan. I will have to ask them. I am considering making them sit through the first two episodes of all three shows, and then making them choose, lol.

- ♥!!! You are so sweet.

[miss-atom.livejournal.com]

That is an excellent plan!!

♥

[anuna-81.livejournal.com]

Atlantis. And YES I want to write for you and Lizzeh. And I want to watch Farscape and SGA with you.

Catch you after I'm done with getting married! *mad!hugs*

[hihoplastic.livejournal.com]

AAAAH YOU ARE MAWWIGED!!!! :D :D :D :D

- AND YES. Lizzeh Fest + SGA + Farscape watches = WIN. I'm so excited!

[peanutbutterer.livejournal.com]

My vote - anything but Farscape! I have had like a zillion people tell me how awesome that show is and I have tried several times to watch it, but OMG THE PUPPETS. Cannot. Handle. Puppets. Also, they will mock you right out of the gate for that theme music screeching business. Trufax.

And I'm always up for more Lizzie love. I will try to write, most definitely, but all I can promise is that I will read them enthusiastically =)

[hihoplastic.livejournal.com]

When I watched the pilot of Farscape I definitely had a moment of panic, because I wasn't sure if I'd be able to handle the puppets. BUT NOW I LUFF THEM.

Horray!! :D

[antiqueskies.livejournal.com]

Wait, why does this have the tag about me making you fail?! LOL.

Even though I don't particularly like BSG, it is the most accessible of the three. I also chose "other", because I think Doctor Who is really the best way to introduce people to sci-fi. It has aliens and time travel and space travel, but it mostly goes down in modern-day London and the only alien that really stars in the show happens to look human and is, in fact, friggin' awesome (Doctor #9) and then regenerates into friggin' hot (Doctor #10). It's how my friend got into sci-fi. Also, the seasons are shorter so it's a quicker watch.

As much as I love Farscape, it's definitely not the show for sci-fi newbies. Elaboration: When I started watching Farscape I was...high on painkillers, true enough, so the puppets didn't bother me (though they did wig me out a bit). When we got to the point where Moya was pregnant though? I went, "Uh, whaaat?" And I was already a sci-fi fan. Season three is even more wtf-inducing, even though it is BRILLIANT. I don't think anyone is ever ready for the mindfuck that season is, because it definitely threw me at first. So don't have them watch Farscape, because if they see it before they're ready they will be turned off of sci-fi for all eternity. And that would be sad.

[hihoplastic.livejournal.com]

HEE. Because it's YOUUURRRR fault I spend so much time sci-fi'ing and less time on my homework. :P

- I've heard Dr. Who is epic, and I really do need to watch it. But man, I cannot start another show right now, lol. It would probably splinter my brain into pieces. But I def agree with you about BSG. Less weirdness all around.

- Good point. As much as I am omgloving Farscape. (!!! I just finished the epic three parter about the Princess and omg John! *hugs him* SO MUCH AWESOME and yet woe. And I'm still totally stuck on the one before that where they swap bodies and aaaah I was laughing so hard I almost fell out of my chair. EPIC, I say.)

I think I might force them to watch the pilot + one or two episodes of each show, and then decide which one they want to continue. ^^

[antiqueskies.livejournal.com]

Fine, fine. :P

- I think you heard that from me, lol.

- Look at the Princess Parts 1-3 is my least-favorite Farscape, only because that scene in space would NEVER HAPPEN EVER EVER and it totally pulled me out of the show. My disbelief only suspends so far, yo. Out of Their Minds, on the other hand, is fucking fabulous. I loveeeee it! OH COME ON, I'M A GUY. THEY'RE RIGHT THERE! ♥ The cast is so fabulous that they were able to pull that off. LOVE.

That sounds like a good plan!

[blademistress.livejournal.com]

The new Star Trek movie might be a really good way to get them into it gently. It's not shot in a really sci-fi way, needs absolutely no prior understanding, and managed to appeal to some of my most Star Trek and sci fi disliking friends. It's also a pretty good jump into SGA because they're both sort of lulzy fun not taking itself seriously sci fi. I'd definitely not go with BSG because it's kinda a sci fi that hates it's a sci fi, and unless you're really, really into the set up and darkness of the show it can just get hard to watch. It's like Six Feet Under; you know it's really really good and well made, but it's just so depressing.

[hihoplastic.livejournal.com]

Very true! That's a good idea. I'm not sure if they've seen it or not; I'll have to ask. I'm thinking SGA might actually be the best, for at least one of them, because of that lolsy aspect. But, I may just subject them to the pilots of all three and make them pick :P

Oh, and I just remembered! Firefly! How could I have forgotten Firefly! FAIL, self. Hmm. More thinking to do now.

[ladyniko.livejournal.com]

If you want to host a Lizzeh fest, be sure, oh so very much be sure to prod irony_rocks. She writes awesome Lizzeh-John fic. (You should go read her latest fic, because I was in tears it was such an awesome fix-it!)

And my vote - FARSCAPE! It's wacky, psychadellic and crazy, but fun. :)

Then, SGA. BSG - eh, not so much, unless you go for classic BSG, which is still a fave show of mine.

[hihoplastic.livejournal.com]

I've read most of her fic. She is good. :)

I still need to see classic BSG! I fail in that department.

[ladyniko.livejournal.com]

Also - Firefly (quirky, fun & short - only 13 eps), Babylon 5 (lavish, detailed & lots of foreshadowing, but still keeps it quirky humor at times) is another wonderful one to watch, even if the final ep will leave you all in tears. (10+ years after Sleeping In Light first aired & I'm STILL a wreck every time I watch it...)

[trinity6788.livejournal.com]

I would definitely start with BSG. Since they're sci-fi virgins, it's the least confronting in terms of weirdness from outer space. It's also awesomely written and acted and visually stunning and generally fucking incredible. Plus, if they're easily taken in by hot men, there's a LOT to choose from. *G*

Speaking from personal experience, my introduction to sci-fi was SG-1 when I was 16, at the behest of a close friend who was all "MY JACK/SAM, LET ME SHOW YOU IT", because 99% of the time, the primary ship is my Achilles heel. Up until that point, the only thing I'd really seen was Star Wars when I was young, and I thought the whole genre was a load of crap. IF MY FRIENDS COULD SEE ME NOW. So, you never can tell.

Technically, I would like to both write AND read awesome Lizzeh fics, but right now is probably not the best time for me to make my first foray into the world of being an author. (I HAVE BEEN SAYING THIS SINCE MY EARLY DAYS ON YTDaW SIX YEARS AGO, FAIL.) So, let's stick with the reading for the time being. Feel free to send any recs my way. :)

[hihoplastic.livejournal.com]

- TRUEFAX. That's kinda what I was thinking, but then as a friend pointed out, BSG is just so frelling srs all the time. Not sure they would want that, you know? I feel like, for their first sci-fi adventure, it should be dramaz-free. HRM.

(Also, considering adding Firefly to the list! What'd you think? It's only 15 eps, and awesome, and cowboys in space! And pretty people.)

Ooh but I want you to write Lizzeh fic too!! When WOULD be a good time to host a fest? I has patience. :)

[trinity6788.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I read that comment, too, and it's probably valid.

Firefly is a very good idea, actually. It's very funny and accessible, and yes, very short (WOE). Even my best friend, who hates sci-fi (WTF how did I finish up BFFs with a sci-fi hater?), claims to be willing to watch it, though we haven't actually gotten around to it yet.

Heee, anytime AFTER next week. I can't wait until exams are over finally!!!

[ladyniko.livejournal.com]

January, after everyone's gotten their x-mas fics done & have them due starting V-day.

We have Sparktober, now how about Sparkuary? ;)