I wouldn't say any of the characters on this show are direct analogues of characters on other series, at least no series I've watched. Granted I've not seen MANY shows.

The truth, though, is the show seems to be way too much about anticipation. You need to pay it off from time to time, and the problem is the payoffs are weak. They do indeed manage the build-up well, but when the result isn't as good, you begin to tire of it.

I've come to the conclusion this series might have been better served as a miniseries. It's obvious they were constrained by budget when it comes to encounters with the aliens, and the whole "let's join the survivors 7 months after the invasion is over" part just started from a negative place. It's almost like they're saying "we know what you want to see, but we can't afford it, so instead watch this."

Dart nailed it when he said this was a Western. Change the aliens for Injuns, make the refugees settlers, and add a twist where the Injuns want the settlers' kids and you pretty much have this show.

Unfortunately, I don't really like Westerns.



The Jedi Master

99% of science fiction is a western.

Really? How so?

How are Dune, Blade Runner, Andromeda Strain, Gattaca, Pitch Black, The Arrival, Men In Black, Tron, The Matrix, The Fifth Element and hundreds of other sci-fi movies at all like a Western?

Here you go Dart, you'll find this article intereting.

http://www.denofgeek.com/movies/992929/c...fi_western.html

Dune: Okay, some movies are overblown costume affairs with random stuff thrown back and forth to seem artsy.
Blade Runner: Reluctant hero picks up the badge one more time to fight the evil gang and rescue the girl.
Andromeda Strain: Been too long since I saw it.
Gattaca: Didn't see it.
Pitch Black: Reluctant hero puts aside his dark, criminal past to rescue the stranded settlers from the restless natives.
The Arrival: Didn't see it.
Men in Black: Sherrif trains his new comic relief deputy in running bad guy out of town.
Tron: Law man comes to town to get rid of corrupt boss that runs the place.
The Matrix: Six men overturn the corrupt officials that run the town after a turncoat does terrible deed.
Fifth Element: Law man takes up the badge one more time to fight the evil gang and rescue the girl.

Star Trek:

Original Series: Really big Lewis and Clark expedition into hostile Indian territory. Many killed, several screwed.
Next Generation: Also an exploration expedition, but deeply in touch with its feminine side. Many feeling hurt, some light kissing.
Deep Space Nine: Town stays in place, Sherrif deals with the riff-raff that comes through.
Voyager: Expedition lost; the Wagon Train to Somewhere.
Enterprise: See Original Series, but with better fist fights.

How much of that was stuff Westerns copied from elsewhere? I never recall hearing about the great innovation in storytelling that Westerns introduced.



The Jedi Master

The same comparisons could be made to story lines from anything from "I Love Lucy" to "Seinfeld".

Star Wars is just WW2 in scifi. Evil Empire Germany, Good Guys British.

LOL!

On a serious note, it's been mentioned by many film writers and directors that there are about 30 basic plots from which all films derive their stories from.

Pretty amazing isn't it?

Check out this link,

http://www.ipl.org/div/farq/plotFARQ.html

Indeed, although Star Wars also follows the usual US convention of having the REALLY bad guys played by British actors (i.e. Peter Cushing as Tarkin).

Although regarding the WWII thing, it's hard to argue with this (I love this, it works just as well with either footage!)