Visual Fiction in 2195

Visual Fiction in 2195

Despite all the advances in culture since the end of the twentieth century, there is still a market for passive (or indeed active) visual fiction entertainment shows. Rather than televisions, most programming is now supplied as software through planetary computer networks rather than through specialist devices like old style televisions.

Below are by no means exhaustive selection of drama, science fiction and comedy shows showing in 2195.

European Union Shows

Revolutions: Shown on EBC through out Europe, Revolutions is a lavish and high budget retelling of the French Revolution and Napoleonic wars, told from the perspective of both real historical figures and several fictional characters, both military and civilian. The story follows all sides of the war and is very historically accurate, generally giving a sense of the grandeur of 18th and 19th century Europe, but also reflecting themes of the terrible cost of nationalism.

The show has been a general critical success, though it’s depiction of action between Britain and American during the war of 1812 has attracted some negative reviews in America.

Special Unit Five: a police procedural drama set in contemporary Paris and following a French police unit and investigative judge attempting to solve a the murders of a series of young men, leading them into a tangle of intrigue involving a corrupt European MP and illegal biotechnology research. Unit 18 has been an international success across Europe, though some non-European audiences have found some points of the inquisitorial system hard to grasp.

South Street: a popular soap opera in England, centring around South Street, a small suburban street in London, and the tribulations in love and life of the families who live there. South Street is quiet popular across Europe and features several characters from other EU nations.

Excelsior: one of the few professional science fiction produced in the European Union, and one of the longest running, Excelsior follows the adventures of a European Union exploration craft more than a hundred years in the future. While initially heavily focused on education and teaching children the physics of space travel later seasons have moved more towards high adventure and drama, including the exploration of new worlds, and confrontations with hostile aliens.

The aliens, who resemble giant scorpions called the Tokomids, and are regarded by many as a thinly disguised stand in for ZOCU, with the hostile group the Excelsior encounters being separatists from a much larger and more civilised alien empire, and using extensive cybernetic modification.

Excelsior has gained a good following across earth and in the colonies, and now includes several characters not from the EU, including a charismatic American fighter ace and a Russian navigator.

The Guardian Force: Guardian Forces is a crime/law enforcement drama show produced by one of Garun's largest entertainment networks. Rather surprisingly, considering it's original focus on GEIB and Garun, the show has become popular throughout the EU and networks are beginning to air it in the PACT to fairly good reviews.

The show follows an elite major case team of GEIB Agents(Garun Enforcement and Investigation Bureau) as they investigate and solve crimes, face terrorists, and other threats and issues. Part of the show's charm is it's eclectic mix of agents and support staff - from the retired GFN team leader to the medical examiner and forensic specialist. Each character is well developed and rounded and the writers have built on that as the show goes on by further developing the characters, killing some off, etc etc.

Among other rewards Guardian Force has won significant acclaim for it's realistic, fairly accurate, and well researched depiction of law enforcement work. The fictional criminal cases used in the show are noted for being well thought out and put together, often with a number of surprising twists. They have law enforcement experts serving as consultants and advisers and they actually listen to them when appropriate. They also take the time to talk to the agencies they are planning to use and just get some general feedback. The actual director of GEIB has appeared on the show more then once and GEIB along with other agencies have also cooperated in other ways with the show's directors and producers.

It was never thought that the show would become popular beyond the Federation but as it has the producers have begun adding in episodes with GEIB cooperating with law enforcement agencies from other powers both in the Polgara system and outside. There was even a small arc involving a murder on an ARROWs ship which was filmed on an actual ARROWs vessel.

Guardian Force is scheduled to begin airing it's third season in late February 2195. It has become one of if not the most popular shows produced by any Federation entertainment company.

Colonists Marooned: Colonists Marooned is an interactive drama focusing on the survivors of the passenger liner Maria. The Maria's power plant goes critical and only a small group of colonists make to 'safety' in the liner's escape pods. The survivors land on a strange but seemingly Earth-like planet that grows even more mysterious with nearly every episode. The show focuses on the survivors exploits and adventures as they try to survive and discover the truth about the uncharted planet that they have found themselves.

Colonists Marooned is popular in the EU and surprisingly ZOCU, and has a cult following in PACT space. Marooned has won acclaim for it's acting and plot, but has also been the subject of controversy over several very gory scenes - especially one involving some of the few surviving children. Colonist's Marooned is scheduled to start airing it's second season in February of 2195.

PACT Shows

The Crisis in August: A popular historical drama in Korea, the Crisis in August follows the events of leading up to the Reunification of Korea from the perspective of the various political figures involved. The drama contains a high degree of historical accuracy, but is more willing to fictionalise events than EU historical shows like Revolutions. The show is based on the book of the same name.

Black Lions: A recent historical show, Black Lions follows the adventures of a US Marine armoured unit during the ZOCU war, fighting in several engagements across PACAM. The show is completely fictional, and follows entirely fictional engagements on Theia both against ZOCU tanks and mobile suits. The show is supported by the US Marine Corp. who provided the armoured vehicles used on the show. The program has spawned several spin offs including video games and a sister show dealing with marine infantry in the same conflict.

Izanagi X (Earth Defender Izanagi X): Produced in Japan in the old anime style, Izanagi X is a homage to the old super robot shows that were popular in the late 20th and early 21st centuries. The show follows the adventures of a teenage boy named Ken who encounters an injured post human girl and upon saving her is recruited to fly the titular Robot, Izanagi X in battle against a race of mysterious aliens, the Mazids who are overrunning humanity in space, and launching terror raids against earth. The show also features a romance between Ken and his post human benefactor. It has seen substantial success in Japan and has been a surprise hit elsewhere and in the colonies.

The Shining Tower: A Brazilian soap opera following the adventures of the Brazilian elite in Rio’s glitzy financial district. The show includes quiet a large amount of plot for a soap opera, with episodes dealing with office politics, business dealings and frauds as well as the usual soap opera staples of relationships and family.

The Purple Heart Battalion: A historical documentary about the remobilized 442nd Infantry Regiment, an all-transhuman PACT unit which fought in several of the bloodiest infantry battles in the Pac-Am arm. Although somewhat less popular than "Black Lions", the show is historically accurate, with several of the veterans of the engagements reprising their roles in the engagements. One of the relatively few shows with Adharans featured semi-prominently, it has been praised by the Church of the Imminent Eschaton for portraying the religion and its tenets with accuracy and respect.

Into the Black: A wild west in space historical epic about the initial American colonisation to the stars. Notable for including three real starships (members of the UN stargazer triad) leased from the UN, and its rather uncompromising portrayal of early colony life. Into the Black has a generally pro-colonisation pro-exploration message however, and is popular, feel good television to many American households.

Subjugation A fantasy show produced by Adharan media (extremely unusual), Subjugation is set in a world where the rich are immortal and superior in every way to the poor by dint of ancient magics, surveying the suffering masses in their ivory towers as they toil in the fields or in the armies of these empires. Only a small sect of dissenters dares to claim otherwise, seeking to share the gift to whomever wishes it. The hero and his dying love journey to find these magicians, and possibly to rearrange the social order. Reactions are generally positive although critics say that the entire plot is Eschatonic propaganda, and an extended insult to every major power bloc.

Chinese shows

The Romance of the Three Kingdoms: Yeah, this again.

Chronicle of Heroes: This lavishly produced TV show is a digital reconstruction of famous battles and campaigns throughout the the history of China, using a blend of archival material and reenactments. While state-funded, the show portrays mistakes accurately, and presents enemies realistically, though still focusing on heroic units and leaders. It has some popularity in other states, but is one of the more popular shows on State TV.

In The Shadows: Set in mid-21st century Shanghai, with its corruption and crime, this portrays a disgraced cop trying to infiltrate the Triads amidst a web of betrayal and deception. Noted for its amazing action scenes and tense drama, it is a hit both in China and abroad. Many of the minor characters have become almost as popular as the heroes, but critics have complained about the astounding amount of violence.

ZOCU media

Fire Knives: One of the first Harawayian shows to attract an off world following, Fire Knives follows the adventures, military and romantic of a group of Harawayian shock infantry in a near future conflict with a virulent strain of feral drones (recently revealed to be aliens) on the rim. Fire Knives is notable for it’s high level of interactivity, with some regarding it as more a game than a program, and the capacity for view choice to influence how the show goes for them. Fire Knives is also known for its extremely realistic portrayal of battle suit combat, and has attracted audiences of both sexes off world, it is also one of the first Harawayian interactive fictions to include options for heterosexual romance.

The show has seen some controversy at home however, due to several fairly sympathetic depictions of EU and PACT units, though this has only increased its viewing figures.

Zero-Hime: A popular Kanonian anime, Zero-Hime is set in an alternate universe with a larger similar level of technology to ours, but also including hidden magical and supernatural elements. The story follows a princess named Ayeko whose home planet has come under the control of the oppressive Empire of the Grand Wheel, which rules earth and the inner colonies. The show centres on Ayeko’s quest to raise an army and navy to liberate her home world from the Wheel Empire, and on the strange power she finds attached to her bloodline and that of the Empire’s royal family.

Zero-Hime is currently in its second season.

CONDOR: Kanonian anime drawing material from 20th century Chinese author Jinyong - primarily from the Condor trilogy. However, it liberally changes the setting to that of an epic dimensional opera as backdrop, featuring extreme levels of technology and magic with a plot only somewhat related to its sources. The show enjoyed moderate success but rekindled interest in fishing up old 20th and 21st century intellectual properties for transformative adaptation.

Sign of Asilis: Based on a once obscure manga, Sign of Asilis is about a fictional strategy game with mystical properties that enable biological humans to easily outplay cyborgs or computers regardless of the processing power or dust used in their construction. It features a contemporary high school setting with a largely female cast as well as an unexpectedly depressing ending. It was the most popular anime on Kanon for 2194 and propelled three members of its cast to great fame. A second series has been confirmed, rumored to start airing in early 2196 with "what should be a very surprising plot twist".

Lords of Ether: Written by a small Transbaal gaming company with art by Kanonian studio Eastern Wonder, LoE is by far the most popular MMORPG outside the core. However, its recent anime adaptation received negative reviews.

Tales of the Winter Court: a long running Londiniumsoap opera, Tales of the Winter Court centres around a young noble woman from the Londinium country side arriving at the royal court during the breakdown Londinium. Tales includes some heavy political elements but really centres on romance and glamor.

Secrets of the Rim: another ZOCU science fiction, created in Londinium, Secrets of the Rim follows the multinational crew of a fictional Ionia class starship, the Ares tasked with investigating strange alien ruins in the rim, and battling the Magnate super villains, feral drones and core forces. The show includes a considerable amount of science fiction technology, mostly created from the alien sites on the rim, and is generally designed more towards adventure and fun than more serious shows like Fire Knives.

Now in it’s third season, the crew of the Ares have recently confronted live variants of the aliens that created the sites, with hostile intent.

The Great House: a political drama about a fictional, recently married ambassador from Londinium to Kanon, and the affairs of the embassy; it’s great house and the like, notable for dealing with issues of the day, and produced jointly by teams from Kanon and Londinium.

Azure Skies: A Harawayian Soap opera set in the city of New Reykjavik’s immigrant district, and dealing with the culture shock between immigrants and native Harawayians. Filmed on location in New Reykjavik.

Many Worlds: a Harawayian science fiction show featuring a group of four Harawayian Sarissa pilots during the ZOCU war who are abducted by a mysterious post human entity and sent back to change the results of famous historical battles, sometimes using their suits, sometimes using period aircraft. Notable episodes include the team fighting destroying the Coalition fleet during the second gulf war, the team flying American interceptors over Pearl Habour, and the team flying PAK-FA’s during the Venezuela-American War of 2040. Many Worlds is notable for featuring period aircraft recreated in loving detail, and a very realistic depiction of contemporary mecha, and many mind screw elements.

Heroes of the Elements: An Ithacan digitally animated TV show, Heroes of the Elements follows a group of chosen warriors from across a technomagic fantasy kingdom. HotE fans are found across known space, and the show has spawned a large franchise of novels, games, and a number of spin-off shows. Some of there are quite notable - the Minkowski-produced Gravitomancer is one of the few Mink shows that is popular off of the fleet, and the Corregidor-produced Gunsmith Chronicles puts a Western spin on the setting. Politics are generally absent from the setting, and Ithacan conservative values seem less unusual in a fantasy setting.

Sphere Academy: Sphere Academy is a extremely popular stereovision show on IthacaNet Stereovision (INS). It follows the adventures of a group of high school students at Sphere Academy, a major secondary school in the suburbs of Telemak, and is a cel-shaded animation akin to those popular in the Pac-Am arm. What makes Sphere Academy special is that the characters and plot are based on a light-hearted version of current political events. Every major nation is represented as a student, and the producers aim to be at least somewhat fair in their depictions. (though Ithaca-tan and her ZOCU [in this case referring to Zany Outsider Classmates United] friends are clearly the heroes of the show)

Journey: A Harawayian non-interactive drama following the adventures of an embassy team to the EU during the beginning of the breakdown, and their attempts to get home to Haraway from Earth through the chaos of the break down and the magnate war. Themes include prejudice, diplomacy, politics and romance between members of the team.

ESA: A Harawayian alternate-history show that postulates that the end of the ZOCU war was brought about by a massive EU bombing campaign in 2187 that destroyed almost half of Haraway's population with high-yield nuclear weapons. The first season was set in an alternate 2184, where Haraway ended up breaking away from ZOCU and forming its own political bloc. The second season was set in 2185 but was cancelled midway through due to failing ratings. General criticism was the implausibility of the premise and the unsympathetic portrayal of everyone not Harawayan or allied.

The creators were said to have been bitterly disappointed by the shows cancellation, which occurred just before a pivotal episode and key plot twist.

League Shows

Horizon: Minkowskan science fiction. In AD 2222, Minkowskan scientists notice Mara's event horizon beginning to grow spines. Some weeks later Earth collapses in on itself, followed by the Sun and other bodies, spreading outwards. Minkowsky's relevant experience thrusts it into a leadership position in the fightback against the sinister, inhuman Horizon. The programme is criticised for dodgy special effects, ham acting, contrived plots and nonsensical science but is nevertheless popular domestically.

Arcana:Iron and Magic Biladi Fantasy series.