fiction, but I love to watch sci-fi TV shows and movies. And to me, a romantic at heart, it's made even better if there's a love story in the mix.Sure, I loved all the action in the original three Star Wars movies, the story of good versus evil, but what part of The Empire Strikes Back did I watch and read (I did read the novel) over and over again? The part where Leia and Han confess their love to each other moments before he's frozen in carbonite. This movie was released just days before I
turned 10, so I was in full possession of my romantic streak early.In the more recent Star Wars trilogy, I even rooted for Anakin and Padme, even though I KNEW it wouldn't work out in the end. That, my friends, is an incurable romantic.
Fast forward to 2002. Firefly debuted on FOX. Being a fan of sci-fi and westerns, I was very, v
ery excited about Joss Whedon's mixture of those two genres in this fantastic show that FOX -- grumble, grumble -- didn't give the chance to grow its audience that it deserved. Did I mention grumble? The dialogue and banter was great (which is a Whedon hallmark), it was full of fun action and scary bad guys (Reavers -- shudder!). Again, however, it was a budding romance that was one of the high points for me. I loved seeing how the ship's engineer, Kaylee, and the doctor, Simon Tam, circled around each other until they finally got together in Serenity, the feature film based on Firefly.
Staite's character is one half of the latest burgeoning sci-fi romance that has me on the edge of my seat, on one of my favorite shows, Stargate Atlantis. On the recent episode "Quarantine", Staite's character of Dr. Jennifer Keller is trapped in the infirmary with Ronon Dex, a Satedan warrior who is often the Atlantis gang's muscle. The longer they're trapped, the more they talk and reveal to each other about their lives. Then the looks begin to pass between them, and you cheer that this tough guy who has a loss in his past he doesn't often talk about and this brilliant buy shy and timid doctor who has never felt she's belonged anywhere might be on the road to romance. In fact, they're on the verge of kissing when the cityJewel Staite, who played Kaylee, is now one half of another shuts down the automatic quarantine and they are able to leave the infirmary. Just when I was afraid that this might-be romance might come to nothing more than the product of being trapped together, a scene near the end of the episode still has Ronon and Keller giving each other some glances that other members of the Atlantis expedition notice. Yay! I can't wait to see what happens.
So, any fans of sci-fi romances out there? Any of you watch Atlantis? If so, what do you think of the Ronon-Dr. Keller pairing?
17 comments:
Hi, Trish. I have no business being up so late, but I just had to hear you talk about sci-fi romance. You have such a wonderful take on all these characters.
Whoa, whoa, girl. Han and Leia confess love to each other. But, but they're brother and sister, right? Just kidding!
I was just the opposite, not much of a sci-fi viewer, but liked the stories, especially the older writers.
Great topic! Uh, do I get a golden something or other for being first LOL?
Trish, great post. Actually I'm a sucker for ANYTHING with a good love story in it. I think I could watch paint dry if it included a compelling emotional relationship for the hero and heroine! Sci fi romance? I love Blade Runner. I love Han and Leia in Empire but thought it all went to pot in the next ep, sadly.
Great post, Trish. I too love watching sci-fi but I don't read much of it. I've caught a few episodes of Firefly and like you, I loved the building chemistry between Simon and Kaylee. I was also a huge Han Solo/Princess Leia fan.
I'll have to check out Stargate Atlantis - sounds like a great show *g* Any other sci-fi shows you'd recommend?
I just watched all the episodes of Firefly about two months ago. Yeah, very late to the game. I love, love, loved it!
Now I'm going to have to watch Stargate Atlantis...
Hmm, Jo, we haven't come up with a golden object ala the Bandit's Golden Rooster just yet, but kudos to you for being the first poster anyway. :)
Anna, paint drying -- hee hee. You always put a smile on my face.
Beth, I suggest getting the DVD set of Firefly and the movie Serenity and watching them in the order they were intended by Joss Whedon. FOX screwed it all up by insisting the shows out of order and then didn't show them all. They're all on the DVD set, and the story continues in Serenity. As for other shows, I really like the new version of Battlestar Galactica. The third and final season will be starting in March, so there's time to catch up on the first two seasons on DVD. An older show I really liked was Dark Angel, starring Jessica Alba before she got really famous. Jensen Ackles from Supernatural was on it too. I believe SciFi shows reruns, though I always hate to watch things out of order.
Holli, I was very late to the game with Buffy and Angel, but that had the benefit of being able to watch all the episodes in a row without having to wait for next week or -- gasp! -- next season. :)
Hey Trish - that bit in Star Wars with Hans and Leia was the bit I liked best too.
I've always been a sucker for romance too. Laura Ingalls and Almanzo Wilder, Anne Shirley and Gilbert Blythe ... Moonlighting, Remington Steele, Secret Army ... uh, showing my age!
I used to be a big sci-fi reader when I was younger. Not so much these days.
I love the romance of the 30's and 40's (WW2) - one day, I'll even write a romance in that time. I know no-one will buy it, but I just think that period is so romantic.
Good afternoon, Trish! I have to admit the ending of TESB where Han and Leah kiss is the part that saves that whole second movie for me! And of course the entire ROTJ is great!
I was an old Battle Star Gallactica fan in the *cough70'scough*. So I have to tell you I was thrilled and very impressed with the new Sci Fi channels rendition. I even like StarBuck as a girl!
Then there was the whole Mummy series of movies. I could watch them over and over. Made Brendan Frazier a sexy hero to me! Then there's the sheikh guy...oh mama!
Hi Trish! Waving from Bandita land. :> I loved Dark Angel. Wasn't that a great show? I haven't started any of the Stargates because I know I'll get hooked. Oh, and Anna mentioned Anne Shirley and Gilbert Blythe. *Sigh* One of my all-time favorites. I STILL reread those Anne of Green Gables books and even as an adult, their fab.
I'm with Jo on Brendan Frasier and Omad (??) - the sheik guy, as Jo so aptly-named him. Yum.
In book form, I'm a huge Mercedes Lackey fan. She almost always has a romantic element in her books as well as the fantasy, same with Anne McCaffrey, another fav. I'm currently enjoying Larua Gilman's Retriever series too.
I always like STNG for the romantic and comedic elements they brought together, and their willingness to cross race and gender lines in the plots. BTW, great looking hunk as the "muscle" you used in the photo...
Anna, though it isn't sci-fi, I was a huge Laura/Almanzo fan too.
Suz, I think it rocks that Starbuck is a kick-butt girl. My husband was less impressed. "Starbuck's a GIRL?" :) And, oh yeah on the Mummy movies. Oded Fehr is very, very yummy.
Jeanne, isn't Jason Momoa good-looking? I love his character too. I think he and Dr. Keller are going to be a great opposites-attract romance.
Trish, I agree, I love the romance in Sci-fi. I also love the romance in the paranormal and fantasy series. Someone mentioned Dark Angel. Loved that one. I also like the love triangle in Blood Ties.
Helen
Hi Trish! LOVE Han Solo/Leia romance. In fact I'll give any subgenre a go if it has a good romance in it.
I keep hearing about Firefly and since it is Joss Whedon, I think odds are I'd like it. Must see if it's on here.
Hey Trish! This is great! I got turned on to sci-fi by Star Wars. Who could ever resist Han & Leia if you're true romantic? I'm so glad you mentioned Dark Angel, luved that one too. I started watching the Atlantis Stargate when I was living somewhere else and could get the show. Can't here. But it had it's fun, fun interesting elements. Although being an Atlantis aficiando, not in line with my studies. Although, Mr. Hunk -- omygawd, luved him from the beginning. Thanks for posting his pic. I could go and on, but I won't. Beautifully said and presented, Trish. Oops, have to mention I luved the episodes of Firefly I got to see, and the episodes of Serenity. Way cool...
Helen, YES, I love that triangle in Blood Ties, though I must admit I root for Henry. :)
I think I need to watch Dark Angel over again.
Christine, Firefly is just awesome, just like all Joss's work.
Savanna, LOL on calling Ronon Mr. Hunk. That certainly fits. I never thought I'd think dreadlocks were sexy, but he wears them well. :)
Ah, Trish, you and I should get together and share our DVD collections! I'm a die-hard fan of anything involving romance and sci-fi. Thanks for the gorgeous screen shots--fodder for my screen saver slide show!
Anitra, I just changed my screen saver from Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End to a shot of the Stargate Atlantis station. Prior to the Pirates one, I had one of Buffy the Vampire Slayer. :)
Why was Firefly cancelled?? It's just so wrong - especially since Nathan Fillion seemed to have no problems taking his clothes off for the sake of his art. This should be encouraged not nipped in the bud.
Also loved Star Wars and Dark Angel though for some reason I haven't really got into Battlestar - I must try and do a whole season and see what happens since I'm ready for a new addiction!!!
Yeah, what Amanda said...not nipped in the bud, and for the sake of his art...
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