Pilots! The promise of a shiny new TV show that might actually be good served up on a DVD, sometimes with spiffy, thematic packaging and rushed out to us writers via priority mail! And we watch them, with the knowledge that some of these shows will go on to greatness, no matter how hokey the pitch sounds (see: Lost), others will get yanked despite decent reviews and a nostalgia-stirring star we're rooting for attached (see: The Beast and My Own Worst Enemy) and still others will go on for seasons on end despite their unwatchable suckage. In the case of good shows that don't make it, at least we can console ourselves with the remainder of the first season, shoved off to die on Saturday nights (see: Kings) or the web (Jeremy Sisto's Kidnapped of a few years back). Probably not so of Ron Moore's Virtuality. Despite Moore's optimism, unless the ratings are through the roof, which is unlikely on a Friday night in June, we won't be finding out what happens to the crew of the Phaeton. Word on the street is that the network was less than pleased with the Peter Berg directed pilot. After watching the two-hour would-be premiere, which FOX is presenting as a "movie," I'm kinda bummed. I actually liked it. I'll be reviewing Virtuality at length later this week, but in the meantime, here's what I loved about it and what FOX probably didn't.
What I loved:
Reality TV
Reality TV in space! I make no apologies, I'm a sucker for the bleeped out f-bombs, over-produced drama and conniving cliques that make for god-awfully good reality TV. Put a bunch of people in a pimped out fishbowl and watch 'em bring out the worst in each other. Name the time and channel and I'll get my TiVo on it! Baking this into a sci-fi setting works in Virtuality. Actually, it's a pretty ingenious plot device. The humanity of these characters, their flaws, their emotions are front and center in their confessional interviews and other footage we're shown from the reality show that's paying the bills for the expedition, Edge of Never. Pulling the crew out of their very sci-fi surroundings and listening to them pour their hearts out against the barren backdrop of the confessional forces the viewer to focus on the characters, to care about them, and for a moment forget about all that schnazzy sci-fi eye candy.
Clea DuVall
Unfortunately, DuVall has been type cast too often as the "edgy, angry" chick and Virtuality adds another one of those notches in her spikey, punk rock belt. Her character, Sue Parsons, is pretty much Starbuck lite. She's a former hotshot pilot with a mouth that's gotten her some unwanted attention from above, she's got issues with men, blah, blah. But as Sue Parsons, DuVall demonstrates why she's so often slotted in the role of angsty badass. She's good at it. Virtuality is no different.
Virtual Reality
What's great about the VR angle in Virtuality is how it lends itself to learning more about the characters. We see the worlds in which they choose to recreate - A Civil War battlefield, a polar camp ground, a moonlit yacht cabin - which are not only visually interesting, but tell us more about these people. Because watching the crew hang out in the ship's quarters could get stale after a while, especially if they're getting "shore leave" for ten years.
Wendy and Lisa
So I'm sitting there, watching this thing and thinking about the music I'm hearing. It sure ain't Beary McCreay but yet I'm digging its cheezy, dated feel and obvious attempt to sound "sci-fi". Turns out Wendy Melvoin and Lisa Coleman are the musical masterminds behind Virtuality's score! Ya know, "Wendy and Lisa" of The Revolution? Like I said, the music is cheese but we're talking about a reality show in space and people wearing VR goggles. It's works!
Real People in Space
You've got a gay couple and a guy in a wheelchair among the Phaeton's ranks. Sure we've seen gays in space before, but two men together living as a couple and showing affection, that's pretty cool. And the surly, wheelchair bound Dr. Jimmy Johnson, proves an invaluable crewmember, and even manages to take "an armchair general" joke in stride.
What the Network May Not Have Loved:
It's Too Heady
Ron Moore likes to tackle sociopolitical issues in his shows. Virtuality is no exception. At times, the show dips into the deeper end of the sci-fi pool, touching on environmental, social, ethical and feminist issues. That can be a lot to ask a network to get behind - no matter how many cool space ships and dazzling virtual reality landscapes you throw at them.
Gays in Space
Can people handle it? They have a hard enough time dealing with homosexuality on this planet. You've gotta wonder if the network is a little concerned about a show aimed at the 18-34 male demo featuring two dudes cuddling.
Not Enough Action
Too be sure, Virtuality has plenty of "action" just not the kind that involves ships blowing up and heroic captains firing blasters at an alien threat. I'll admit, at times I found it a bit slow and talky but overall I liked watching the human drama element play out.
Virtual Reality
It's not exactly the sexiest science fiction trope. When I first heard about Virtuality's premise I couldn't stop myself from having a Max Headroom flashback. Loved that show! But I suspect the network might be worried viewers will have a similar association, without the same affection.
It's the Name of a Really Bad Rush Song
I'm quite confident that this had nothing to do with FOX' decision not to pick up Virtuality but I just couldn't help but mention this craptastic Rush tune off Test for Echo. Ask anyone here at UGO, I'm the biggest Rush fan you'll ever meet. But this song is not among their best. "Net boy, net girl, send your message around the world??!!" Digital Man was all these guys ever needed to say on the topic of emerging technology.
