Custom essays on “FlashForward”

In “FlashForward” not only scientific, mysterious and investigatory motives were disturbed: the religious theme is widely met throughout the show. Frequently the main characters remember God in their word expressions and sometimes the situation are supposed to be ruled by God probably in opposition to rationalized views on things. For example, Mark’s babysitter tells him: “I think God did this… To punish us.” In the next scene the doctor of Benford’s wife says that it is a flash-forward that saved him from committing a suicide. “It is like the sign of God” Generally religious theme only adds mystery and enigma to the plot: unknown for sure phenomena win over the generally excepted rationalized views.
Religious issues bring up topical questions about predestination or free will. Although people can do nothing about the situation, but follow their fate, they still try to do something to alter the way the things go. After all the main cause for the global disaster may be global warming: here we may suggest that the show is to make the audience speculate over the possibilities of saving the universe before the catastrophe happened. It may be that it is the most vital part of the show and only the end of this TV series may answer all the questions.
The special shooting effects so characteristic of the TV science fiction genre can be met in the series almost only through the events of flash-forward. The special effects in the series may not be characterized as the great ones, but still they manage to fulfill their task.
“FlashForward” is a vivid example of a science fiction TV series which is well-organized, thrilling and has many complex ideas in itself. Mainly we may distinct the science fictional genre of this show by the global disaster which is the central theme in the show. Also we may see one of the tendencies of modern science fictional genre – creation of naturalistic situations. Moreover there are some particular attempts for investigation of social developmental processes in people. The religious issue in the show helps the audience to define the main challenge of the series: if the humans are able to do anything to prevent global catastrophe? After watching this show we involuntary wonder if the humans’ will powerful enough to prevent the disaster.
“Buffy the Vampire Slayer’
The television series “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” was created in 1997 by Joss Whedon. It is not an easy task to define the genre of this TV series, as it seems to belong simultaneously to different kinds of them: science-fiction, action-adventure and horror. In TV shows such combination is frequently met, but in this essay we decide to concentrate more on the science-fictional nature of the series.
The series is one character centralized – Buffy Summers, a 16-year old girl living with her mother, who is the latest of the young women known as Slayer. Slayers are chosen by fate to defense people from Vampires. There is also a Watcher, who trains Buffy and gives her advice, and a group of devoted friends who support her in life and in destination – further known as Scooby Gang.
Although there is a complex and sophisticated storyline in “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” it is divided season long narratives. Each of the series in their turn has its own story line. Evidently there are 8 seasons of this TV series, so there was much space for the directors and producers to develop the series as they wished.
The popularity of this television series owes much to the brilliant cast. Even the most weird and lunatic moments were acted gorgeously. Though the cast group had a tendency of changing through time, there were several main characters who originally made the series as it is now. Sarah Michelle Gellar acting as Buffy has to be an ordinary girl at school and superhuman out of it. Her best friend Willow (Alyson Hannigan) is a perfect example of a boring librarian and a kind-hearted and reliable person at the same time. Gradually she even became the central character of the show. She had relationships with the boy Ozz (Seth Green) who belonged to their small friendly group too. James Masters acted irresistibly as the fierce vampire Spike.
The clash between alien and familiar images so typical of the science fiction genre has many vivid examples in “Buffy”: the vampires and supernatural abilities of a teen age girl go alongside with solving of ordinary kids’ problems and tasks. There are many references to the real world which are meant to create a “sense of reality” which can also accommodate to the supernatural. Moreover the characters of Buffy as well as vampires and creatures look extremely real. The mix of genres may refer to what is called postmodern television – a certain type of fiction based on commonly met traits.
One of the problems brought up by the series is feminism and women’s power. It is very characteristic of the science fiction genre to investigate social processes in the development of human nature. It is remarkable that in the series not only Buffy possesses extra-abilities. Now and then there appear different girls and women who have supernatural abilities. Moreover Willow somewhere in the 6th season after long years of practice and study acquires magical abilities too. It is interesting that women’s strength is connected to a will choice and thus, active position. If we turn to male characters of the show we will see that the origin of angel and Spike for example lies in their vampire nature, so it is a passive process. The boyfriend of Willow Oz finds himself a werewolf after a casual bite, Giles gets his magic power from a group of witches – both situations are passive ones. So, we may suggest that the character of Buffy has some feministic backgrounds.
Among cinematographical techniques it is necessary to mention steadicam, the dolly, the flat sequence and the abandonment of shot-countershot in each-dialogue. It is also interesting that the producer of the series Whedon isn’t afraid of high language usage in the film. From the technical point of view it is notable that the battles are held without any modern equipment used. Buffy and her friends rely upon ancient text, kicks and punches.
Also we may easily find the religious context in the series. Buffy often uses Holy Water to manipulate the vampires and defense herself .
“Buffy the Vampire Slayer” is a prominent American TV series which belongs simultaneously to science-fictional, action-adventures and horror genres. The main story line of the series is about a young girl who possesses extra-abilities and has to fight against the evil powers. The cast of the series is really outstanding and very vivid. We may characterize the genre of science fiction first of all by the mixture of alien and familiar images as well as balanced natural and supernatural lives of Buffy. Another thing typical for science fiction genre is the usage of elaborate high language which is widely spoken through the series. The feministic issue is easily traced in the context of active nature of women powers and passive nature of men ones. Evidently, Buffy is a thrilling and amazing fictional TV series which has a deep meaning to ponder about.