The Sci-Fi Television Series Genre
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The Science Fiction genre in television shows would encompass four of the most popular television series of all time: The Twilight Zone, Star Trek, Star Trek: The Next Generation, and The X-Files. While there is a distinct difference, say, in the optimism and hope for the future exhibited in the original Star Trek TV series in comparison to the more bleak and nihilistic portrait provided in Star Trek: The Next Generation, all of these shows in the science fiction genre tend to exhibit an overarching similarity. The main purpose driving all four of these shows appears to be, on close examination, a desire to ôredeem humanity.ö This analysis will discuss a number of the textual and contextual features of these four shows in order to demonstrate this underlying purpose behind each. In addition to this analysis, a discussion of how these textual and contextual features have pushed science fiction genre television shows from ôcult statusö to ômainstream popularityö will be provided. A conclusion will address the future of the science fiction series genre on television. The original Star Trek series aired on television from 1966-1969. However, once it went off the air, it gained an enormous following of fans. As James Hibberd (p. 28) writes, ôIt was the first cult TV show.ö No longer are science fiction television shows the stuff of cult adoration. Sleek, trendy shows like The X-Files and Star Trek: The Next Generatio
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ure. As Grossberger (p. 30) suggests as part of the series popularity, it featured ôRod Serling standing around like some iconic specter, wielding his deadly cigarette and barking his clipped, staccato brand of existential hokum.ö
The themes of The X-Files often deal with many of the same experiences or issues of The Twilight Zone but with greater emphasis on militarism and religion. However, Grossberger (p. 30) argues that ôThe X-Files has been called The Twilight Zone of the æ90s for the obvious reason that both exploit the supernatural and the unearthly.ö The X-Files has tapped into a number of contextual themes and issues that have resonated with the American imagination and sentiments. It often portrays paranormal activity, undermines faith in democratic government, revolves around conspiracy theories, and never fails to question authority. One writer for the National Catholic Reporter insists that the showÆs willingness to combat the military-industrial complex in the U.S. definitely resonates with Christians and other views of the hit series. As John Allen, Jr. (p. 21) maintains, ôI think viewers find Mulder and ScullyÆs crusade against the military/industrial/national security complex compelling on the same basis
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Some common words found in the essay are:
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Approximate Word count = 2931
Approximate Pages = 12 (250 words per page)
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