Recently, I’ve found myself drawn to watch sci-fi more than I have in a good while. I was quite the sci-fi fan in the 90s through early 2000’s. Along with my weight loss journey in late 2008 to early 2009, my watching of a lot of “geek” shows, movies and reading comics diminished. I’m not sure if my interests merely changed or if I just needed time away from those things. Since I’m now beginning to again want to re-watch and read them again, I have to believe it was simply just a part of my journey. I had to learn how to embrace the “new me” and in doing so, I changed a lot about myself and the person that I once was. Even as adults, we evolve and change throughout the years.
Over the weekend, I pulled out an old favorite, J. Michael Straczynski’s Crusade. It was a way too short-lived television series that was cancelled even before it hit the air. Oddly enough, it was Crusade that got me interested in finally giving its predecessor, Babylon 5 a try. A friend at the time had been trying to convince me that I would love Babylon 5, as I was a big Star Trek fan. But, for some reason, I just wasn’t willing to give it a go just yet. So, when the spin-off series, Crusade was in production and the internet was a buzz with talk, I became intrigued and told him that I would check out the new show.
Almost instantly, I liked the series. Sadly, as I watched the first episode, I was all too aware of the problems that had taken place behind-the-scenes with the creator and the network. Turner Network had pulled the production of the show after only thirteen episodes had been filmed. There were disagreements that just could not get resolved between the parties. TNT wanted things one way, and Straczynski another. This meant that the series was doomed. I applauded Straczynski’s firm hand in not wanting the show to deviate from his vision, but it was still disheartening for the fans as I’m sure it was for the cast and crew.
I’m plodding my way through the small DVD set thinking how well-done Crusade was. When Joss Whedon’s Firefly was cut short years later, I recall having thoughts back to Crusade. It’s always sad when a good show; a well-written and well-done one is cancelled and other not so great series seem to thrive on the air. Another example is Veronica Mars, though that series was fortunate enough to get three seasons before meeting it’s early cancellation by the network. I’m sure I could go on and on listing other television shows. That just seems to be the way it goes sometimes.
Shannon,
I was also disappointed when the production of Crusade was canceled before the thirteen episodes were shown. This was an unfortunate decision by TNT executives who determined that Crusade was not the kind of show that TNT’s primary viewers, wrestling fans, would watch.
I have been a fan of Babylon 5 and J. Michael Straczynski since “The Gathering” was shown back in 1994. I have also had the pleasure of corresponding with Mr. Straczynski over the years.
Since you are clearly a fan of Crusade and Babylon 5, please consider joining us at JMS News (http://jmsnews.com/forums/index.php).