flinglog

Last night I watched Virtuality, a series pilot from the Ron Moore and Michael Taylor, better known as the creator and show runner for Battlestar Galactica respectively, and Peter Berg better known creator of the failed but amazing show Wonderland and the successful Friday Night Lights and Chicago Hope.

Simply put, this “movie” was amazing, but unfortunately doesn’t stand a chance in hell of becoming a full blown series. Like the Battlestar Galactica reboot, it isn’t a science fiction show, it is a show about people that just happen to be traveling in space. Also like BSG, it deals with multiple themes that are very relevant to the problems we have today.

The story is about a crew of 12 astronauts about to leave the solar system for 10 years on a mission to a solar system. Originally planned as a research mission, climate change has become so severe on Earth, that it is now a mission for find suitable life on another planet.

To build support for the mission back home, as well as to help fund it, all of the events are recorded and broadcast back on earth as a reality series. Which doesn’t come off as silly as that sounds. They make it very relevant, and even a bit logical in the show.

The title refers to the Virtuality or virtual reality modules that the crew uses to escape the confines of the ship. Allowing them to invent escapes and provide some sanity on the long voyage.

A glitch is discovered in the modules, altering peoples virtual experiences, taking form as the shows villain. Different crew members interpret the glitch differently, some as a violent predator and some as some sort of divine inspiration to continue on the mission.

You question, is the glitch part of a corporate conspiracy, is it the reality show producer trying to invoke conflict to boost ratings, is it a ghost in the machine, or something else entirely? Chances are we will never find out.

The entire time I was watching it I was thinking: how the hell are they going to turn this into a series. The multilayered themes worked in the format. And they were able to conclude each hour with a suitable ending leaving you wanting more. I could imagine how they could create a number of scenarios each week, exploring virtual environments, space and the human condition. But it was just too good, too smart for television, at least in the United States.

It felt a lot like the 2001 or the Solaris movies, but a lot less dull. It was more like Firefly/Serenity and BSG, but a lot more relatable. It easily had the story and cast talent to be a highly regarded, possibly even classic sci-fi movie if it had been released in theaters, but television was the perfect format for it, had it been picked up for even just a short 12 episode run.

Peter Berg’s failed Wonderland was probably one of the best shows I’ve ever seen on television even though it only aired two hours. Virtuality seems likely doomed to the same fate. A great story, cut short by bad ratings.

Had it found a home on Sci-Fi (NBC Universal produced it, so it’s possible) or even HBO, I think we might have seen something incredible. But alas all we are left with is a snippet of what is capable when you put great people with great ideas behind the camera.