The Big Screen and Beyond
Caprica
Jen Ambrose

So I got talked into writing a review on something for this issue of the magazine.   I chose Caprica for many reasons, the most important of which is that I really like this baby new show.  It premiered on SyFy in January of this year (although most of us geeks had already seen the premiere either on Blu-ray, DVD, or Hulu prior to the network premiere.)  Before I get fully started with the review, I should probably give you the ol' “SPOILER WARNING, SPOILER WARNING, ALERT, ALERT” (wha wha whaaaaaaaaaa), but honestly, if you cared enough about that kind of thing in regards to this show, well, you’ve probably already seen every episode.

Things that I like about Caprica:

1)    No Prior Knowledge – So the creators made a big deal about how you didn’t have to have any prior knowledge of the Battlestar Galactica world to watch and enjoy Caprica.  Which, you don’t.  You really don’t.  But, what’s cool about this show, is that there are cool touches and nods so if you have seen the show, well, it just kind of rocks your socks.

2)   Avatarness – Avatars play a big role in this show.  In fact, two of the main characters are avatars.  And yet…they do it in such a cool and unique way.  (And I promise – none of them are blue.)  It makes you kind of want to be able to visit some of the V worlds.  (“V” as in virtual, not that other show involving aliens or black market vampire blood.)  Last week, when you got to see New Cap City (imagine Grand Theft Auto, but in the 1940s) live and in person….um, I kind of wanted to play.

3)   Evil is Monotheism – I really love how the twist is that the norm (and this is the whole BSG universe, not just Caprica) is polytheism and that it is weird to believe in just one, true God.  In fact, those that do are considered part of a terrorist group.  It really causes you stop and think several times throughout the show about how are reactions in life…are they because we believe what is truth?  Or is it because that is just what is normal?  Very interesting.

4)   Costuming – Okay, this get a big, humongous thumbs up to me.  They wanted this show to feel somewhat vintage, since it is a prequel to BSG.  But they do it in a way that isn’t obnoxious.  Everyone isn’t straight out of the 1950s, but there are subtle hints.  The cut of some of the suits.  The hats.  The shoes.  There are also hints that this is in a different time and space than that in which we exist.  It’s cool.

5)   Smoking – Everyone smokes in this show.  Everyone.  Which I find kind of cool because you would never see that on another show today.  Not that smoking is cool, but I love that they made the decision to add this little small thing into this world and really run with it.  Do you think that they are so technologically advanced that they have cured cancer so that isn’t an issue?  Or are their cigarettes non-carcinogenic?  My mind wonders.

Things that bug me about Caprica:

1)   Lighting/tone – They have tried to be very conscious in this show about really making the transition between the Greystone world and the Adama world.  The biggest way they do this is with the lighting, set design, and the camera angles.  It is not subtle.  In the least.  And it bugs the ever loving nonsense out of me.  I hate how orangey and dark everything is anytime you are talking to anyone who is Tauron.  And then the scene changes and it makes your head hurt with how bright and light it is.  You can see the change in characters coming before they even make it onto the screen and I shouldn’t notice stuff like that.  I can get why they did it, but the execution has not been great. 

2)   Technology nonsense – This is my biggest pet peeve about this show.  So, they are technologically advanced, no?  They have things like holobands and V world and frakking computers on pieces of paper, my friend.  So why…for the love of God…why….why do they have things like cameras that are obviously not only not digital, but don’t even have a built in flash, I mean come on.  Or old time radios with rotary dials?  It makes no sense!  I get what they are going for with the vintage feel and it probably was honestly a prop person who isn’t a geek that doesn’t think these things through, but that is why you pay a continuity director.  Seriously. 

Things that make my head ache about Caprica:

1)    Cylons – Those of you who paid better attention during BSG, or are really geeky and have read the novels or really studied the show will probably understand this, but I don’t.  So, the Final Five, who are really the first five who created the other seven who helped the centeriuns revolt in the first cylon war….um, where are they when this is going on?  Are they still on earth?  (Not our Earth, but the first, fake earth) Or are they watching?  Why don’t they stop it now?

2)    The Twelve Colonies - So, the colonies, they aren’t united yet as the “twelve…”, but I can’t remember how they get united and why – is that before the cylon wars? Are we going to see that soon?  Or is that a whole other show?  And how come we’ve only really seen Caprica and Tauron with a few references to Gemenon?  What about the other ones?  When do they come into the picture?

All in all, I have high hopes for this series.  It is from the same masterminds and the same universe as Battlestar Galactica, which is one of the best series I’ve ever seen.  That show always kept my interest and always kept me guessing and thinking, which is what I really consider to be the hallmark of great television. 

While it seems to have gotten off to a somewhat slow start, I’m trying to keep in mind that most of my favorite television shows always take a while to really find their groove and really kick out the good stuff.  I’m just hoping that they are given the opportunity and don’t get canceled.     

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