Message-ID: <254@ames-lm.UUCP>
Date: Thu, 17-May-84 16:06:45 EDT
Article-I.D.: ames-lm.254
Posted: Thu May 17 16:06:45 1984
Date-Received: Fri, 18-May-84 07:30:24 EDT
References: <4271@utcsrgv.UUCP>, <1578@dartvax.UUCP>
Organization: NASA-Ames Research Center, Mtn. View, CA
Lines: 40

[No...get back...AAA{           (burp)]

	Despite my extremely low opinion of "V" (the first one, not 'The
Final Battle', which I did not watch), I agree that a lot of
people are wasting time picking it apart. As one correspondent put it,
it's "shooting fish in a barrel". Too little thought went into it, to
justify spending much thought on criticizing it. While "The Game" (finding
the flaws in the science in science fiction) is an honorable tradition
in SF fandom, it is better played against a worthy opponent. For instance,
I heard Larry Niven once mention that he has received over 100 valid
complaints of flaws in the science in RINGWORLD, even though he did very
thorough homework before writing the book.
	Even so, I submit that at least some of the postings on "V" (such
as mine :-)) have been more substantial, in that they point to truly serious
problems in the film (illogical plot, unbelievable characters, internal
inconsistancies, and generally slapdash filmmaking).
	I suspect that the real message of all these put-downs of "V",
though, is positive. It expresses the disappointment of those like myself
who, at least briefly, had hoped that "V" would be better than the kind
of 'sci-fi' that TV usually offers. It shows that we are basically optimists,
and are hurt when we see trash, and know something worthwhile could have
been done on the same budget.
	So, sure, it's OK to like "V". It's no worse than most TV drivel,
just a bigger disappointment. I confess that I, too, am capable of enjoying
real junk when it happens to tickle my fancy. But I'd still say it's
too bad that they didn't try a little harder, as I think that just a
little (?) more regard for logic and attention to detail could have resulted
in far more than what we got. And I think it's sad, as well, that the
high ratings received by something like "V" only confirm the writer's
and producer's low opinion of the taste and intelligence of the TV viewer,
and thereby encourage them to do more of the same.
	Speaking of which, I gather there will be a "V" series this Fall.
Permit me to make you a small bet, John Cabell - before more than a few
episodes have been aired, I predict that you, too, will be ready to upchuck.

                                                Kenn Barry
                                                NASA-Ames Research Center
                                                Moffett Field, CA
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