Did you guys watch Revolution last night?

[Brian4Liberty]

I don't expect much from an NBC corporate show. No doubt it will have typical propaganda, written by soap writers.

Watched the first episode, and my initial prediction stands. Poorly written and produced corporate garbage TV. A show written by soap opera hacks on the company payroll, and the only reason the show got created in the first place was due to a demographic poll. No depth, no technical accuracy in anything. This is very similar to the series "V", and will be cancelled just as soon. Attempting to make science fiction with scientifically illiterate network writers with no imagination never works.

p.s. I liked Lost and Heroes. Those were exceptions to the rule. At least they had some imagination.

 

[Aratus]

its almost like a modified story-arc sub~plot from Jericho that is less
thought out that basically sits in someone's 'out' or 'in' box somewhere.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

I have to catch up on hulu. Ive been anticipating this show just to see which direction it takes. It looked good in the trailers.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

I don't know, SA. It's probably available online somewhere.

Hulu

 

[Brian4Liberty]

Spoilers alert:

The notion that "the whole world is dangerous" was similarly forced.

The "event" was set up to be an EMP type thing, but for some reason internal combustion engines don't work anymore. That'd be fine if that were consistent, but then we see muzzle-loaders that work on the same fire/explosive/pressure reaction that engines work on. The science of one can't work without the science of the other, so whatever "explanation" there is for the driving premise of the show in inconsistent and flawed. But knowing JJ Abrams, there won't ever be an explanation. It will just be "things that we show working work for some magical reason, and things that we show that don't work don't work for some magical reason." This was hinted at in the nerd's questioning of the "students" as to why physics didn't work anymore. There won't be an intellectual answer given, but they will string it along as something that can be "found out."

And as others said, the whole "the govt failed so there was a power vacuum so there were violent gangs ruling the whole country/world" was really disturbing. There's no reason that the govt would fall, and there's no reason why peaceful solutions wouldn't be found anywhere except that these things were necessary for the plot.

Yeah, I am getting tired of these shows where human nature dramatically changes because of some change in technology. People all become ignorant savages all of a sudden? This is the type of thinking that supports big government. "OMG, it would be pure anarchy without big brother to take care of us!" And nothing is maintained any more? "Yeah, I've lived here for 15 years since society collapsed, so there's no reason to clean up debris or fix things that are falling apart."

As far as the physics behind this, a one time EMP could fry a lot of circuits, but if chemistry/fire and the laws of magnetism and electromagnetism are still in place, every thing can be fixed. What, no steam engines? Fossil fuel fired electricity generation? If electromagnetism stops working, the solar system must have dramatically changed. Star Trek can do this on a regular basis, because they are constantly going to new solar systems. Less suspension of disbelief is required.

Modern internal combustion engines require computers to run. And by modern I mean within the last 30 years. Most car from 1980 on, had some sort of ECM unit that if exposed to an EMP would not work unless you found a new ECM module that wasn't effected by the EMP. GUn powder will still work after an EMP. EMP's only effect electronics so guns will still work just not your red dot laser scope attached to it. Hell, fireworks will still work so party on.

Ever hear of a distributor cap? No problem to retrofit. People on this forum could probably get a vehicle working in less than a day.

Another thing that was irritating: planes fall straight down out of the sky? Have aerodynamics changed too? And of course a plane has to fall into the Golden Gate bridge...

Just too cheesy for my taste.

 

[libertariantexas]

I have a hard time watching these "end of the world" type of shows, because there are so many ridiculous things in them (a few of which have been mentioned).

One example. At the end of the show, the woman fired up her computer and phone/radio after turning on her secret special power amulet.

So why did the computer look like something that predated the computer in the 1983 classic "Wargames?" (to say nothing of how this ancient computer was linked to another computer given that there was surely no functioning transmission mode).

It's kind of like other "end of the world" shows where the "survivors" always drive 30+ year old cars. I was recently watching "Walking Dead"- and the survivors were driving an early 1970s vintage "woody" station wagon, an early '80s motor home, and a '70's vintage pickup. Seriously, if the world ended tomorrow, wouldn't you be driving something nice? You'd have your pick, so why drive something 30+ years old that keeps breaking down?

 

[libertariantexas]

Another thing that was irritating: planes fall straight down out of the sky? Have aerodynamics changed too? And of course a plane has to fall into the Golden Gate bridge...

Yup. Kind of looked like someone dropped a cheap plastic model off a shelf.

 

[sevin]

Wow, you guys are ruining this show for me. Damn you all and your logic!

 

[MelissaWV]

I have a hard time watching these "end of the world" type of shows, because there are so many ridiculous things in them (a few of which have been mentioned).

One example. At the end of the show, the woman fired up her computer and phone/radio after turning on her secret special power amulet.

So why did the computer look like something that predated the computer in the 1983 classic "Wargames?" (to say nothing of how this ancient computer was linked to another computer given that there was surely no functioning transmission mode).

It's kind of like other "end of the world" shows where the "survivors" always drive 30+ year old cars. I was recently watching "Walking Dead"- and the survivors were driving an early 1970s vintage "woody" station wagon, an early '80s motor home, and a '70's vintage pickup. Seriously, if the world ended tomorrow, wouldn't you be driving something nice? You'd have your pick, so why drive something 30+ years old that keeps breaking down?

This is really another instance of not thinking it through on their part. The cars have some logic behind them. As others have pointed out, most modern vehicles are more computer than combustion. It would not be impossible to get one of them working, but it would be easiest to get vehicles that were a little older and in good shape to work. Now... to get one of those gas station pumps working...

 

[Aratus]

it had me getting sorta nostalgic for DARK ANGEL
http://www.futurescience.com/X5DNA/X5DNA.html

 

[Brian4Liberty]

it had me getting sorta nostalgic for DARK ANGEL
http://www.futurescience.com/X5DNA/X5DNA.html

Wow, that's some interesting information about EMPs.

Good news, your cars will still run! The stereo, on the other hand, will probably be toast.

Many vehicles that one would expect to be disabled by an EMP due to their dependence on sensitive electronics might be shielded well enough to continue to operate. Automotive electronic ignition systems in general are much better shielded and protected against EMP than other electronics. (After all, the purpose of an electronic ignition is to make high-voltage sparks.) Circuits in the automobile outside of the electronic ignition are actually the most vulnerable.

 

[tony m]

I have a hard time watching these "end of the world" type of shows, because there are so many ridiculous things in them (a few of which have been mentioned).

One example. At the end of the show, the woman fired up her computer and phone/radio after turning on her secret special power amulet.

So why did the computer look like something that predated the computer in the 1983 classic "Wargames?" (to say nothing of how this ancient computer was linked to another computer given that there was surely no functioning transmission mode).

It's kind of like other "end of the world" shows where the "survivors" always drive 30+ year old cars. I was recently watching "Walking Dead"- and the survivors were driving an early 1970s vintage "woody" station wagon, an early '80s motor home, and a '70's vintage pickup. Seriously, if the world ended tomorrow, wouldn't you be driving something nice? You'd have your pick, so why drive something 30+ years old that keeps breaking down?

The kind of vehicle to have when the SHTF is an older car. Carburetor, with distributor points, no computer or sensors.

These cars are extremely easy to troubleshoot and fix. Check for spark and fuel. No special training needed. That's all you need are some duplicate parts for when repairs are needed.

 

[Austrian Econ Disciple]

If you want to watch a good post-apocalyptic show try and find episodes for Jeremiah. It's probably the most well-done of them all. (Malcom Jamal Warner is great in the show)

 

[Cap]

If you want to watch a good post-apocalyptic show try and find episodes for Jeremiah. It's probably the most well-done of them all. (Malcom Jamal Warner is great in the show)

Netflix has season 1, they say season 2 has a very long wait.

 

[axiomata]

Last Resort had an interesting pilot.

Nuclear sub gets order to nuke Pakistan. Captain asks for confirmation. US ship tries to take out sub with a tomahawk and blames it on Pakistan. War with Pakistan startted. Sub takes over island and holds DC hostage with its nukes till it gets answers.

 

[fr33]

Last Resort had an interesting pilot.

Nuclear sub gets order to nuke Pakistan. Captain asks for confirmation. US ship tries to take out sub with a tomahawk and blames it on Pakistan. War with Pakistan startted. Sub takes over island and holds DC hostage with its nukes till it gets answers.

That's the one I saw the commercial for! Couldn't remember the name.

What is up with this stuff on tv? I've also seen commercials for another show where the actor is like I love my country but I won't stand for a government that kills it's own people. I can't remember the name. I only watch the television when I'm eating meals.

 

[Jumbo Shrimp]

Anyone watch Falling Skies?

It's better than Revolution, but I can't stand any scene with that whiny stupid little kid.

The acting in revolution really sucks. Then again, anything on the major networks always sucks.

 

[Jumbo Shrimp]

Another thing that was irritating: planes fall straight down out of the sky? Have aerodynamics changed too? And of course a plane has to fall into the Golden Gate bridge...

Just too cheesy for my taste.

Most people think that if an aeroplane's engines shut off mid flight the plane will free fall into the ground.

 

[GunnyFreedom]

Anyone watch Falling Skies?

I like Falling Skies. A lot.

 

[Jumbo Shrimp]

One word review: crap sandwich.

Those are two words.