Is the new Bionic Woman living up to the hype?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around NBC's "Bionic Woman," comparing it to earlier iterations of the show and exploring opinions on its quality, writing, and character portrayal. Participants also touch on the feasibility of the technology depicted in the series, including advancements in artificial limbs.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants express interest in comparing the new "Bionic Woman" to the original series, with varying opinions on which comparison is more appropriate.
  • One participant mentions enjoying the comedy "Reaper" and contrasts it with their feelings about remakes in general.
  • There is a discussion about the actress portraying the new bionic woman, with some noting her background and previous roles.
  • Concerns are raised about the writing quality of the 70s shows, with one participant suggesting that the writing in the new series is better.
  • Some participants express skepticism about the scientific plausibility of the technology depicted, particularly regarding pneumatic machinery and brain interfaces.
  • Questions are raised about the advancements in artificial limbs, specifically regarding the use of electric servomotors and their potential integration into human anatomy.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the quality of the new "Bionic Woman" series or its comparison to earlier versions. There are multiple competing views on the show's writing and the plausibility of its technological elements.

Contextual Notes

Some participants express a willingness to suspend their scientific knowledge for the sake of enjoyment, indicating a recognition of the show's speculative nature.

EnumaElish
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Has anyone been following NBC's Bionic Woman? Do you like it so far? How would you compare to the "Golden Oldies" Bionic Woman or Six Million Dollar Man?

On a related topic: how's she for a "robot" wife?
 
Last edited:
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EnumaElish said:
Has anyone been following NBC's Bionic Woman? Do you like it so far? How would you compare to the "Golden Oldies" Six Million Dollar Man?
Wouldn't it be more appropriate to compare it to the old "Bionic Woman" show?
 
Evo said:
Wouldn't it be more appropriate to compare it to the old "Bionic Woman" show?
It wasn't "on" at my spacetime coordinates.

But, I've looked at the IMDB page just now, and it looks likeable.

Will edit OP in light of it.
 
I haven't watched it. Can I say I really like "Reaper" the comedy remake of "Brimstone"? Usually I hate remakes, but Reaper as a comedy is so different from the original that it really works. I'd say it's better than "Pushing up daisies".
 
I hadn't realized that the "remade" bionic woman was of the EastEnders "fame." (Nor, that she is British.)
 
Does she still have a mockney accent and mulch around with a permanent scowl on her face? :biggrin:
 
No making fun of Lindsay Wagner. She was my babe back in the day.
 
I mean Michelle 'Zoe Slater' Ryan :smile:
 
You can watch full episodes on nbc.com. Also check out journeyman and heroes. (both sci-fi, full episodes on-line)

70's writing, IMO, was lame even in the 70's. Writers were under pressure from execs with IQs less than 46, and whom had never read a sci-fi short story or novel in their lives (because they didn't know how to read--they only knew how to talk loudly in restaurants)

I've only watched three episodes and thought the writing was fairly good. Let's hope the execs stay out of the writer's office. Looking at a middle aged Michael Ferrar is like watching his dad (Jose') 30 years ago--uncanny resemblance. I think Michael's a better actor than his dad--or maybe he listens to the director.

As far as the physics goes... no. You can't put new wine in old wine skins without a mess, and you can't mount pneumatic machinery on a human skeleton without a mess. Also the brain interface stuff is a crock. But I know to suspend my scientific knowledge when watching a sci fi, so that I can enjoy it.
 
  • #10
fleem said:
you can't mount pneumatic machinery on a human skeleton without a mess. Also the brain interface stuff is a crock. But I know to suspend my scientific knowledge when watching a sci fi, so that I can enjoy it.
What about electric servomotors? Hasn't there been a lot of advancement in artificial limbs?
 
  • #11
EnumaElish said:
What about electric servomotors? Hasn't there been a lot of advancement in artificial limbs?

I should say you can't mount powerful stuff and then use it--it'd break the rest of her skeleton.
 

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