The universe is big. In fact, it is very big. It is so big that we cannot prove there is not other life out there. This other life might be just like our own or there might be four elephants on the back of a turtle. The genre of science fiction has given us ideas of what that life might be like. Two sci-fi television shows, Battlestar Galactica and Firefly are examples of this genre. Through evaluating characters, science, and setting, we will see what that life might be like.
In today’s culture characters that the audience can connect to are vary important. In Battlestar Galactica the characters struggle with being the only survivors from a war that destroyed all of there worlds. Not only are they on overcrowded spaceships, most notably the Galactica, they also do not always get along. The fact that these people cannot get out of their current situation means that they must deal with their feelings for each other or repress them. Conversely in Firefly the characters are part of a larger society that spans many worlds and speaks both English and Chinese. There is a lot more room for the small crew, on their ship Serenity, and there is much camaraderie with little argument. These people chose to live on a firefly class ship and they seem to be happy with their choice.
An enemy helps shape the way we look at our selves. In Battlestar Galactica the enemy, the Cylons, have troops that have infiltrated their military ranks. The Cylons are cybernetic machines that were created by the people of the twelve colonies. The people struggle with the doom their own creation has caused and the burden they must carry. This is the nothing like Firefly which has an enemy that is a major company called Blue Sun. Blue Sun is responsible for the one of the crewmembers to go mad in a facility that tried to tern her into a psychic weapon. The fact that the enemy is so huge makes the crew feel they must make a great impact to show change or else there is no point in fighting.
In Battlestar Galactica, there are many things that they take for granted but we would consider outlandish. Such technologies as faster than light drives, cybernetic-organic hybrids, and transference of consciousness make up these fictional technologies. Firstly the FTL drives are definitely impossible as depicted in the show. To show this ships “jump” or shimmer and disappear than reappear in a deferent location. This is not possible, for the laws of physics state that nothing can go faster than light. Secondly, the concept of integrating electronic hardware into an organic creature, though not new to science fiction, is still not possible by today’s technology though this dose not mean it is impossible all together. There is simply the matter of translating the electronic synapses into comprehensible computer code. Thirdly, transferring the entire memory of someone from one body to the next is still in theoretical stages. Though the process might be possible, having the whole event happen wirelessly across light-years is highly implausible. To summarize, the technologies that help the plot precede are not always in the realm of possibility.
In Firefly, the science is based on real knowledge that is implemented into a futuristic setting. The physics are incredibly real as exemplified in such cases as the sound, culture, or technology. As it was eloquently stated in the move Alien “In space no one can hear you scream.” This phrase has special significance to the science fiction genre because most shows and movies do not hold to this law of physics. In Firefly, they do. This shows up in one particular scene where a space ship is being destroyed, and the explosion is seen but not heard. In other forms of hearing the languages spoken make sense from an anthropological point of view. Chinese and English are the two most spoken languages on Earth so it makes sense that in the future they would be part of every child’s linguistic exposure. The technology of Firefly is advanced but it again stems from real technology of today. Taking the guns as an example, they do not fire special photon thingies. Instead they fire bullets, real mettle bullets. For all the fancy stuff that could have been done to this show it is surprising what was deliberately avoided for quality.
In the two television shows, there are differences in where they take place. Though Battlestar Galactica has a militaristic base there is also a civilization behind it. The main example is “the United Colonies of Kobol,” which serve as a democratic republic but with a president to break ties when voting on legislation. Galactica is a battlestar class ship and it is also a very old one. Despite this show being very futuristic there is also an old-fashioned feel to it. Such as corded phones and worn-down consoles. In Battlestar Galactica the crew, for the most part, stay on the ship for their planets were all nuked. Conversely, in Firefly, the show is more of a western but still has futuristic qualities trademark of the sci-fi genre. This is marked by the end of the opening credits, which show the spaceship Serenity flying over a herd of horses. On Serenity there is use of hovercrafts and medical implements that are definitely futuristic. In Firefly, at least once an episode the crew “goes planet side.” Separating distinguishable characteristics are important, for people, to not make assumptions about all science fiction.
Alternately the shows are not completely alien to one another, bizarrely enough they do share similar points. In the case of the crew, the people on board a ship, whether it be a spaceship or otherwise, have got to get along. They do, for the most part. There are arguments on both ships but the cooperation, whether it is due to a military hierarchy or just plain respect, these people know how to make a ship function. In the case of the technology and setting, it is obvious where the similarities are. Both shows center around space and crafts that fly through it. Though there is much to contrast the comparisons are not to be overlooked.
If you want to know all the pretty little details that make these two shows special than there is more that can be read. But this is a good beginning for any new fan. To recommend one show over the other would make no sense. They both have there qualities and the viewer deserves the right to make up their own mind. All the time that is put into a show is not always seen by the viewers. Despite this there are great people making shows like Battlestar Galactica and Firefly possible. Without TV like this I would have nothing to geek out about.