So, aside from writing and driving and stuff, I have been gorging on this show. In fact I finished the first season already. Gotta love Netflix. If there is one thing I cannot stand about television, it is having to WAIT for the next episode of something. Hate that.

Anyway, thoughts.

1. It is my opinion that the pair on the left (The Wachowskis) have been toned down by the fella on the right (J. Michael Straczynski). The three co-wrote (all of the episodes) and co-produced this program. The Wachowskis are most famous for “The Matrix”, and JMS (I’m not typing all these names over and over…to hell with that) is most famous for Babylon5 and was nominated for the BAFTA for his screenplay for The Changling starring Angelina Jolie. (Among many many many other things.)

1b. The Wach’s (see? heh.) have been on a serious downward spiral for the last several movies, culminating with one of the worst written films I’ve seen in a long time, “Jupiter Ascending”, which has been nicknamed “The Wachowski’s Descending”.

1c. I cannot vouch for this, but after watching this season, I can see JMS’ hand in this series, and I can see the Wach’s. If left to the Wach’s this show would have been a boogered up mess. With JMS involved, it is only a partially boogered up mess…which leaves one hell of an entertaining tale at the end of the day.

2. Positives. The characters are EVERYTHING in this show. Without good performances in roles that you care about, none of this would matter a damn. As it is, I cared…a lot.

2b. Interesting action sequences. Without spoiling anything, I will say this has been a season of some of the coolest (read: original) stuff I’ve seen in a long time.

3. Negatives. The pacing of the episodes is not good. Sometimes meandering, sometimes preaching a bit much, and sometimes just downright slow. There were times I sat thinking that the editor should have said, “Frack you Wach’s, this needs to get chopped.”

3b. The sticky bits.  I’m prefacing this sub-point.

I AM A BIOLOGICAL HETEROSEXUAL. Not uncomfortable in my skin. Not a closet anything. K? Got it? Now…

3c. TOOOOO MUCH GAY SEX. I do not care one bit which way a person swings, or what gender they are. I say this from the point of the viewer being bombarded by it. (Notice I said “””toooooo””””” much. )  I don’t say anything about the hetero sex, because frankly, there wasn’t all that much of it.

But when I, the viewer, start to look away from the screen, wondering where the fast forward button is…”too much”.

4. Bottom line.

This show has a “Heroes” vibe, coupled with a low key X-Men feeling, as well as being a very good character(s) drama. If they would tone down the excesses, tighten up the editing some, I could see this becoming a brilliant show. By the rousing season 1 finale, I was completely invested in these characters, caring deeply for all of them, and interested in where this story will take me.

As it is, I happily look forward to season 2.

JMS, please keep those two crazy kids in check. Please.

Oh, and I have a man crush on Bae Doona. Yep. Said it.  😀