17th Precinct Unaired Pilot

[fembuck]

Unaired Pilot - Part One | Part Two | Part Three (on the youtube)

I’ve just watched the 17th Precinct un-aired pilot and I'm really sad that it didn't get picked up. Honestly, I wasn't that excited about it when I first heard about it, but having seen what they did with it I am now very disappoint that it didn't get picked up.

I've heard complaints that the show didn't have a "hook" or that there were no memorable scenes or lines in the pilot and that astounds me because I found a lot things in the pilot interesting and memorable and it definitely hooked me.

First, let's start with the shallow.  Tricia Helfer.  That's enough right there, but Tricia Helfer as a necromancer, a necromancer named Morgana ... *iz ded*  There honestly wasn't tons of her character in the pilot, but I definitely wanted to see more of her (especially lounging around all sexy in bed lol)

I thought the stuff about the magical legal system was really interesting, how it was more based on feelings and emotion than facts and logic.  I never would have thought about it, but in a world that based in the mystical, in magic, it makes sense that their legal system wouldn't have the logical, factual organization that ours does.

About a quarter of the way through the pilot it's revealed that Esai Morales' character Liam, used to actually be Lisa, and around eight years before the pilot he had some kind of magical sex change.  That's not interesting and new?  Also, it seemed like Lisa and Mira (Stockard Channing's character) were lovers/romantically involved with each other before the sex change and getting background of them was something I was really interested in (not to mention that Stockard playing lesbian would have been very relevant to my interests).

I must be easier to please than most (pls, no that's what she said jokes ;) because the ending really hooked me.  I found it utterly fascinating that a movement to bring "science" into their world was the doomsday prophecy that had everyone so worried, and the reveal of the bullet really worked for me. Science goes against everything their world is founded on, and they would have no more defense against our scientific weapons (i.e. guns) than we would against a crucio spell.  I definitely would have liked to see what the show would have done with this, especially with the minds of BSG and Caprica behind it.

*sigh*  It would have been a beautiful show (with a beautiful cast).  R.I.P 17th Precinct, you were taken away far, far, far (a lot more "far's") too soon.

Comments

[kith-koby.livejournal.com]

Yes, it was very interesting. I wept for it as well. There aren't enough good magical worlds on TV, but there are even fewer good magical worlds where magic is in active conflict with science.

The justice system was kinda meh. It was rather horrifying, yet made sense with magic being the ruling element. It also makes sense, especially if Bacon never invented his method, seeing no need for it. I think it would have worked better in a book, where all the small differences could be explained rather than making me go 'huh?' and pulling me out of the world.

The bullt reveal was an awesome scene, especially with Stockard getting drunk with her new partner. Fun all around.

In the end, I think it was very interesting and intriguing, but would work a lot better if it was written as a book, then made into a TV Series (something like Sword of Truth - Legend of the Seeker).

Oh, and Tricia Helfer was awesome. I'd have loved to see more of her, especially what other stuff necromancy can do.

[fembuck.livejournal.com]

but there are even fewer good magical worlds where magic is in active conflict with science.

yes! this is one of the reasons I found this 'world' so interesting. I'd never really come across anything like it before.

Yeah, the justice system just got more terrifying as the episode went on. I really liked seeing the differences between there world and ours. Like the plants are power sources never would have occurred to me.

I really liked Stockard and her partner. If I wasn't so invested in the idea of Mira being a lesbo (based on the Lisa/Liam coversation) I would totally have shipped them. I like May-December pairings with older females!

A written book series would have been great, but I think that the show would have been just fine if it had gotten a first season. Kind of like how people who hadn't read the books found Game of Thrones a bit overwhelming at first, but got a handle on it as they saw more of the world and the characters.

And yes, Tricia is always and forever amazing. She has such great screen presence. I just love her.