The Letters to the Editor department is intended to be a forum for our readers to express their own opinions and ideas. While we appreciate the many complimentary letters we receive each day, you won't find them on this page. Instead, you will find letters that go beyond or even contradict what we have written, letters that offer a different perspective and provide a different view of science fiction. If you would like to submit a letter, please use our feedback form or send a message to scifiweekly@scifi.com.
-- Craig E. Engler, Editor
The Dune Film Was Hardly 'Good'
arc Edwards' comment in his Issue No. 126 letter "Dune Needs All Six Hours" that the movie producers had done "a fairly good job"
demands rebuttal. I understand the limitations of transferring a novel to film. Quite
simply, it's virtually impossible to get everything in and keep it to a running length that anyone
will sit through. But the film version of Dune stands as one of the most abysmal pieces of SF cinema of all time. The acting was abominable, the direction stiff, most of the effects
(especially the Bene Gesserit "voice") were vile. The movie was made by someone who
not only didn't have any affection for the "world" that he was working in but who didn't have any
understanding of it either. I'll give the miniseries a shot because I have a profound affection for
the tales of House Atreides, but if they use the movie as their basis, I doubt I'll last through the first
two hours. Star Wars, for all its shortcomings as science fiction, is far better than the movie
version of Dune. Lucas loves and understands the genre he is exploring (the movie serial,
rather than "serious" science fiction).
Jay Phillippi
jdrp@cecomet.net
Herbert Is Bucking The Odds
am excited and concerned at the news of Brian Herbert and Kevin Anderson writing more on
the Dune series. Being an avid fan of the series myself, I have done everything as far as even
creating a reading project based completely on the characters and story in Dune. Frank
Herbert's work is the most in-depth piece of science fiction that I have ever read. He created not
only characters and places, but societies, political structure, history, mysticism, language, and a
culture that is truly the epitome of what I consider SF to be. I would hate to see his son go up
against such odds and have results that are favored much along the same lines as many do
The Phantom Menace to Star Wars. I have enjoyed his work in the past wish him the best
of luck with his future endeavors.
Marci Northrop
mars2373@hotmail.com
Don't Dis Down Under
just read and enjoyed Kathie Huddleston's summary of your country's television fall line-up,
which we'll probably get six months or a year from now. But I was amused by Kathie's comment
on Farscape:
"While the show isn't perfect (okay, it's filmed in Australia, but does just about everyone have to have an Australian accent?)..."
Well, geez, guys, how would you feel if we down here made the same comment about Star Trek,
Babylon 5, The X-Files, Sliders...?
Simon Brown
atokley@mas.nsw.edu.au
First Wave Fuels Intolerance
irst Wave exploits people's fears of differences and diversity, advocating intolerance and
violence. Just hear the message from the TV ad for First Wave: "...believes in aliens. He just
killed another one. Taking you bastards left and right." The show is a product of sick mind(s)! It
ultimately turns its blade against minorities and immigrants; it fuels xenophobia. On the opposite
spectrum is Farscape. It is a story of cooperation among civilizations depicted with imagination,
and taste.
Mark Kasprovic
startz.1@osu.edu
How About A Space 1999 Revival?
didn't see what I wanted in the TV listings this fall.
In this era of "retro" TV, where every show ever made seems to be making a comeback ( CHiPs 99? Come on, folks...), I was saddened to see a milestone slip past. This year (and if I remember
correctly, this month) a nuclear weapon is due to explode on the dark side of the moon, sending
it out of orbit and into the depths of space. Sound familiar?
Yup, Space 1999. Those of us that grew up with the staff
of Moonbase Alpha still occasionally remember it fondly. As far as I can tell, though, there seem
to be no plans to revive the series--not even on TV Land (where I thought it
would be perfect).
Now, those that enjoy "harder" SF laughed at this show. It wasn't exactly a paragon of
scientific virtue. All right, so it was cheesy, big time, but it did have a lot of fun with its subject
matter, and showed the boundless optimism of the time frame it was made in.
So here's to Space 1999, and the date by which everyone figured we really would have a
permanent base on the moon.
Richard T. Perry
perryrt@ikansas.com
What's Wrong With Wrestlers?
was reading over your Letters to the Editor section and I couldn't believe all the negative
comments that came out about the wrestlers making a guest appearance on Star Trek: Voyager. I
must first off submit that in no way am I a fan or supporter of wrestling. On the other hand, I see
no reason that these people couldn't be used for spots like any other person. It seems that most of
these people that wrote in can't tell the difference between fiction (TV characters) and reality.
Like everyone else, it depends on how they are cast and if they fit the role. I have seen Bret Owen on more than one occasion make appearances on TV shows.
Normally I would have groaned and seen what else was on, but I was intrigued as to how bad a
job he would do, but to my surprise (and many others') he actually did a good job--as good as any
of the Star Trek cast could have done. So, believe it or not, some of these guys can act. Yes it
was a shock to me also. And before you trash these guys for the characters they play in wrestling,
remember these are just characters they play and not them as people.
Andrew Willison
andrewwilly@netscape.net
Wrestlers? Beam Me Outta Here...
lease tell me wrestlers on Star Trek: Voyager are a hoax (and a bad one at that). First Crusade gets axed,
now this. Please beam me out of here! So much for all the "worries" about violence and kids who
solve problems with guns and fighting and show no respect for anyone or anything, now we are
finishing off any type of intelligent alternatives for TV. Of course there is always a good side; now I
will have more time to read.
Salustra Wallace
salustra@worldnet.att.net
Real Voyager Fans Can Stand Wrestlers
was just recently browsing the Letters to the Editor section and saw all these messages about how Star Trek:
Voyager is going to "die" just because they are putting "professional" wrestlers on the show. I
would just like to say that I agree completely with David Herschel in his Issue No. 126 letter "Pro Wrestlers
Are Actors, Not Athletes." "Professional" wrestlers are actors! Now I don't watch
wrestling, I hate wrestling, but that doesn't mean I'm opposed to seeing a wrestler on one
of my favorite TV shows. Now if you're willing to quit watching an excellent show just because
they put a "stunt man" on as a cameo, then you're obviously not a great fan of the show, and I
don't even know why you're watching it.
Robert Schreier
sandj@icanect.net
Straczynski Should Write For Voyager
s I read the letters expressing concern over "professional wrestlers" appearing on Star Trek: Voyager, I
believe the concerns are misplaced. It's not the fact that Voyager is attempting to cash in on
wrestling's renewed popularity, or even their misuse of Jeri Ryan (she's a fine actress...why do
they feel the need to engage in titillation by having her wear a body suit tight enough to cut off
circulation? I appreciate the eye candy, but it detracts from the show).
No, Voyager's problem is bad writing and bad stories. From the first season "deadly cheese
threatens the ship" to the laughable "Captain Proton--let's use the holodeck because we don't have
a real story this week," they suffer from stories that go nowhere and characters that we really
don't care about.
By all rights, this should be the best damn show on the airwaves...a rich Star Trek universe, topnotch special effects, talented actors, and a big budget, yet it fails week after week.
Paramount needs to go back to what made the original series work so well...use good writers,
preferably with a background in science fiction. With the end of Crusade and Babylon 5,
perhaps they could get J. Michael Straczynski to pen a few episodes? Then again, they've written
five seasons of drivel so far, so why change now?
John McCulloch
j.j.mcculloch@worldnet.att.net
Wrestlers Will Add Diversity To Trek
ho cares if professional wrestlers will be on Star Trek: Voyager? If done right, I think that the concept
may actually enhance the quality of Voyager and all the Star Trek series to follow. After all, must
every person, creature or character in the Star Trek universe be of average human height, weight
and build?
And as for the acting? Let's face it, today's professional wrestlers have to good "actors"
to be able to perform such physical slapstick and be able to play out the role of his/her
particular character on nation-wide television. Only a fool would believe that these wrestlers'
"personas" are the wrestlers' true, day-to-day personalities.
I'm not sure I can recall any established television series in recent history that has been canceled
or lost its viewers due to airing episodes that guest-star a professional wrestler.
William McClure
willgen1@swbell.net
Le Guin Is The Most Gender-Fair Of All
was troubled to read that Elisabeth Schabus was "disappointed" that Ursula Le Guin chose a
male character in The Dispossessed ("The Dispossessed Has A Gender Bias," Issue No. 126). I will assume that she has not read the many books that Le
Guin has crafted. A reader needs to turn only to The Left Hand of Darkness or the Earthsea series
to see that Le Guin is one of the most progressive and gender-fair authors in SF and indeed in literature.
Le Guin's work with androgyny and the intricacies of male/female relationships provides some of
the most balanced and complete characterizations I have ever read.
Heather Lovelette
hlovelette@hotmail.com
Galactica Stands Apart From Star Wars
totally agree with what everyone has said about Battlestar Galactica. A lot of people often
assume that Galactica was a rip-off of Star Wars. I think if you actually watch it there are quite
substantial differences between the two. I, like many fans, support Richard Hatch's efforts to revive the show, and will continue to until it
is brought back. With the release of the new trailer and brand new visual effects it won't be long until "those"
people at Universal realize the power and support Richard Hatch has behind him.
Martin Gateau
Martingateaux@hotmail.com
Hatch Has A Passion For Galactica
have really enjoyed the recent discussion about Battlestar Galactica, since I always have
been a fan of the show. I totally support Richard Hatch in his effort to bring it back. He still has a
passion for the show. You can tell this from his two Galactica novels. My only regret is there are
few conventions in my area so I haven't seen the trailer he produced.
As for Glen Larson, he should drop his version. One of the reasons TV shows turned into
movies don't work is because they don't use the original cast. I hope Universal can straighten this
out so the fans can see the original cast together again.
Rick Haney
erhlah@aol.com
Farscape Is Compelling, Funny And Fun
'd like to make a few comments on Farscape. Even though I'm a fairly new viewer, I take issue
with your reviewer's comments on the quality of Ben Browder's performance and that of the
puppeteers of Pilot and Rygel.
Browder's rugged, if somewhat confused attitude is perfect! His good looks help, but it's his
ability to interact with some pretty freakish looking co-stars that keep me tuning in.
As for the characters of Pilot and Rygel, enough cannot be said for their voice actors--listening to
their well-delivered dialog can really help suspend the reality of a puppet-character.
For an effects-laden show, the writing is excellent and the actors very good at delivering it. It's
more that a solid show...it's compelling, funny, and a lot of fun.
Lisa Pett
Pett@ccitpa.com
