MISSING THE MARK

Too much of modern day Sci-Fi has been missing the mark. SCIENCE FICTION is just that, it was never intended to rival daytime soap operas. An over sensitivity to character development and situational drama has not only deflated the wonder and glory for which so many of us had come to love it, but it has, in a failed attempt to increase ratings among a broader demographic, pushed many of us away in disgust and repute.
Take UPN's "Enterprise" for example. Drifting to far away from the original desired results from a Science Fiction program has left many a Star Trek fan disappointed and even at times, outraged. And it hasn't increased ratings across the general population as these lame executive producers imagined it would. You see, I watch TV FICTION for a reason. I want to be entertained; I want it to be an escape, a way to explore the unknown, reach for the non-real; melt away from the everyday drama that persists in our world. If I want intense character development and real life situations there's plenty of that to be found on TV
.
When I want realism I watch it. But when I watch Sci-fi I want to see ships flying, lasers blasting, battles and conflict, mystery and wonder. I want to see things blow up or DEADLY monsters attack, aliens to fight and unimaginable sights to be revealed. When I see 10 seconds of effects followed by 15 minutes of on set character development and situational interaction it reminds me more of "Day's of Our Lives" than Sci-Fi. (Gene is surely rolling in his grave.)
Too much political correctness and broad based audience appeal is killing the medium. I mean really, what happened to the days when Science Fiction WRITERS developed Science Fiction programs and movies. Even George Lucas has sold out to this ill-guided belief that if we alter the formula we can draw more females or mature viewers into the Sci-Fi realm. Unfortunately, in the long run, it's just driving away those who really love the genre for what it is.
OK, A little long term plot development is necessary to carry a storyline across episodes and even season. A little but of character development is necessary ONLY to enhance the stories, or add conflict and resolution. It could even drive interest to what might happen in future episodes. Even slip a little message in here or there...that's OK.
But that's where it should end. Too much and I lose sight of the topic, drift away from the adventure, become bored. These modern day writers expect us to be discussing the social and psychological ramifications of a character’s revelations in the Captain’s Mess rather than debating whether the Romulans or Kingons will eventually rule the Galaxy. After a long day at work, dealing with the mentally unstable and fallible, I do not want to sit at home and have to endure psychological neurosis and social inadequacies explored by my Science Fiction Characters. Again, leave the drama where it belongs and return my Science Fiction...PLEASE!