Christopher Gwyn wrote:
>
> [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
> > I was just watching Andromeda, the latest Kevin Sorbo television vehicle. It
> > is also the latest television show to claim to be created by Gene Rodenberry.
> the show does not make that claim - the claim, made by Majel
> Rodenberry, is that it was based on her late husband's work.
>
> > I don't know how it could POSSIBLY be created by Gene Roddenberry unless
> > Gene Roddenberry also created Blake's Seven.
> ????? Huh?
It certainly scans like a Roddenbery vehicle.
>
> > It begins to ask an interesting thought
> > question, "What could a good man do with the ultimate weapon?"
> not on 'Andromeda'. they don't have any 'super-powerful' technology
> (unless you count those useless 'nova bombs'*) on that ship, they
> just have one of the better ships in that region of space. (the
> Commonwealth fell shortly after the Andromeda was trapped in orbit
> around that black hole - but there was not a loss of technology. any
> poverty that is portrayed is a result of the collapsed economy or
> war, not a loss of technology. an analogy would be a Roman Legion
> appearing in 5th century Europe - they might be the best military
> power in the region, but none of their power would be unmatchable by
> the locals....and they wouldn't have the support infrastructure that
> they used to have...)
But remember, in the post-commonwealth era no polity can build and field
a ship like Andromeda.
> {*nova bombs are useless because they, apparently, destroy the star
> they are targeted on. the enemy may become dead, but that is all
> you've gained. and you've lost a lot because a lot because any
> habitable planets in that solar system are no longer habitable. even
> if the historians are otherwise on your side they'll say bad things
> about you.)
>
> > A small band
> > against a vast evil empire encompassing many innocent people. A complicated
> > question.
> there is no 'evil empire' in 'Andromeda'. there are a variety of
> local powers, barbarians, and pirates - but no 'evil empire'. almost
> any of the local governments, or warlords could take the Andromeda -
> and a couple of them nearly have. if anything most of the status that
> ship has is because it is a symbol of a vanished 'Golden Age', and
> not because of it's firepower.
>
Here, here.
But the point is to found the Second Commonwealth. At this Hunt and the
rest of the Andromedan community have already had remarkable success.
Not counting the Andromeda community there are already two or three
signatories to the charter. There are at least as many favorably
disposed.
Given this, I would expect (ok, like ...) to see a more cerebreal side
to the show.
What polity prevails on the Andromeda? Is she just a High Guard ship,
with a crew of irregulars, but nonetheless military with Hunt as Captain
in the final analysis? Or will the irregulars prevail and make it into
more of a founding community for the 2nd Commonwealth?
When will new crew be added? Will they be deputized from CW members,
High Guard, or more irregulars? If irreglars what will be their status
in the community?
When will Hunt be forced to deal with the fact that he *cannot*
re-establish the Commonwealth but can only sire its ideological
descedent?
Will the Andromeda ever call on a friendly port? When will member
states see the first benefits of Commonwealth?
Will we ever see an episode where the 1st Charter must be amended to
establish the 2nd Commonwealth?
Finally, will Hunt's rigid idealism ever have to yeild to pragmatic
concerns or the reality of compromise in an increasingly (re)animated
Commonweath?
Actually, I don't find Hunt terribly sympathetic. The Captian is a bit
of a prig with a zealous patriot's uncritical civic lesson, boy-scout
understanding of his Patria.
I like to see Hunt grow to become the POLITICIAN who could be the Father
of a successful 2nd Commonwealth over the seasons.
I would LOVE to see a Machiavellian (but 'secretly' loyal and
idealistic) historian/constitutional scholar/diplomat join the
Andromedan community as a foil to Capt. Hunt and Rev Bem. (Hm, maybe a
lapsed Quaker or Wayist??)
> Christopher Gwyn
> [EMAIL PROTECTED]
