Dear Friends,
It seems to me, the reason modern science fiction is having a hard time connecting with audiences, is that the stories aren’t relatable. People don’t identify with the characters. We can certainly empathize with the struggles of a clone, alien or android, but we don’t identify with them. Keeping a curtain between us and the stories. Moreover, those unidentifiable characters are usually a stand in for some marginalized segment of our society. Further alienating many who just want to be entertained and not preached to. Further, there is the propensity of studios today, to have women play the hero role. Which is all well and good, but it shows a fundamental misunderstanding of the role of the heroes myth, in human cultures. All adding up to expensive productions that don’t appeal to anyone.
When its done right science fiction meshes potential innovation with human stories to explore the big questions. Not with an eye to answering them but intending to expand our thoughts. In an almost Socratic method. Logan’s run, Babylon 5 and Star Trek TOS fall into this category. In Logan’s Run, ideas like death, what is a good life, a rigid versus complex society, and the nature of friendship are all explored naturally, as a natural consequence of the scenario itself. Instead of contrived. Babylon 5 is world building at its best. Exploring the nature of power, authority, just action, and even alcoholism and drug addiction. Of course, Star Trek TOS, is legendary for its story telling. Making philosophy available for everyman. These are only a few of the science fiction stories that elevate.
Many times the stories are antithetical to the scenario. When this is the case, the story has to warp to the scenario or the scenario has to warp to the story. Star Trek Picard I consider in this category. It both warped the scenario and the story. Leaning heavily on nostalgia, and listless in theme and execution, I’m surprised it did as well as it did. Then there’s Star Trek Discovery. I have a hard time getting through a single episode. Many new science fiction is so inhuman hearted, they’re unwatchable. Because the authors are trying too hard, to shock, and not tell a story. Some of the Korean Science Fiction is like that. Too gory to enjoy. There are many other examples I’ve seen, but they’re so forgettable, I’ve forgotten them.
The fundamental reason for the existence of the heroes journey is for young men to navigate the path from boyhood to manhood. Young women by the fact they are women are desired. Young men, on the other hand, have to earn desire. To sharpen the point further. Men rate women’s attractiveness on a bell curve. While women rate men’s attractiveness on a power curve. Which means almost all men have to earn attractiveness. We’re not born with it. That’s where the heroes journey comes in. In the heroes journey a boy becomes a man. Whether by defeating a dragon or a puzzle. The story structure illustrates the need to take risks and go on adventure to get the girl. Which is always the real goal. Treasure is only a means to that end. Which is lost if the girl goes on the journey instead of the boy.
Good science fiction challenges us intellectually, philosophically and metaphysically… but doesn’t claim to have the answers. Only more questions. If people feel the desire to be preached to they’ll go to church. Moreover, action adventure alienates boys and men when the hero is a girl. No matter how pretty she is, a boy can’t identify with a girl on a heroes journey. In fact, the prettier she is the less they identify with her, and the more they want to win her. Which is impossible if shes the hero. Then there’s the clumsy attempts to illustrate how horrible our culture, society, nation and ethnicity are in the eyes of the storyteller. More than once Stargate SG1 did this and it diminished a great show as a result. If producers want to connect with audiences, I would offer, give them what they want, not what you want.
Sincerely,
John Pepin
