Spicing old shows up, PtA style

[Frank T]

I really love the new Battlestar Galactica show. I was sceptical about it because I always watched the old show as a kid. But the new one is just so much more grown up, packed with conflicts, bite, momentum, style, you name it. In the specials on the DVD there is an interview with one of the actors who talks about how the new characters have so many issues. And I realized it's true: the new show is all about issues!

So I wonder what twists you could give to those old, simple, naive shows of your childhood. What conflicts would Colt Sievers and Howy be brooding? What dilemmas would MacGyver face?

Another Glen A. Larson show of which I watched almost every single episode as a kid is Knight Rider. Imagine Michael Knight with an old Mr. Knight still alive, a dark past come back to haunt him, and an issue of being a lazy playboy versus doing his duty. Imagine Bonnie having an affair with Devon behind the back of Devon's caring wife who doesn't have a clue and even supports Bonnie. Imagine some weird Artificial Intelligence stuff regarding KITT. Imagine conflicts between the Foundation and the police, and some hard questions about taking justice into your own hands. It's just what PtA would do to such a show. Anybody got any other cool ideas on twists to give to existing shows to make them more PtA?

- Frank

[Chris Goodwin]

The A-Team.  Hannibal is the Old Man; he's the commander and takes his responsibility for the group seriously.  If they hurt, he hurts; if they're in trouble, he rescues them not because they need to be on next week's episode, but because they're counting on him.  Face is smooth and suave on the outside, which masks the core of fear, anger, and hatred inside; he's the consummate salesman, seeing others in terms of what they can do for him, and if that's not enough he discards them like a used Kleenex.  Murdock was a fighter-bomber pilot who realized too late that the last "military target" he bombed, at least the last one on the other side, was an orphanage.  B.A. grew up on the streets of LA; the last time he was busted the judge gave him the option of jail or the Army.  The Army did a lot for him and, despite the fact that they're hunting him for a crime he didn't commit, still loves it. 

[Matt Wilson]

I really love the new Battlestar Galactica show. I was sceptical about it because I always watched the old show as a kid. But the new one is just so much more grown up, packed with conflicts, bite, momentum, style, you name it. In the specials on the DVD there is an interview with one of the actors who talks about how the new characters have so many issues. And I realized it's true: the new show is all about issues!

It's that meaty character drama that gets you to care about what happens in the action scenes. I LOVE the new BSG. I think it's the best show on TV right now, without a doubt.

Your rethinks of all these shows are really cool.

[IMAGinES]

I wonder what twists you could give to those old, simple, naive shows of your childhood. What conflicts would Colt Sievers and Howy be brooding? What dilemmas would MacGyver face?

You know, I'd suggest Doctor Who, except the BBC have already gone and done it! They've given their characters, the Doctor included, issues, which gives them more character!

I thought about another vehicle show of the eighties, Airwolf, which I've not seen in ages. Now, if I'm actually describing how the characters worked, my apologies. I'd keep the overall premise the same - hyper-advanced attack chopper "borrowed" by hotshot pilot who won't give it back until he finds his brother or the Government does it for him.

To add a bit of spice, I'd play Stringfellow Hawke's military history into the issue; he's chafed under taking unjust orders for ages and now sees Airwolf as a chance to deal out justice as he sees fit. His issue is making sure he considers his decisions instead of turning into what he despised - someone who sets what's right by having the biggest gun.

Dom Santini is, of course, an old buddy of String's. He's had a long history as a pilot, radioman and early EW specialist. He was disillusioned with the military in the same war that String fought in, but unlike Hawke, he wants the Airwolf dismantled, and would love to take the crowbar to it himself. He hates flying and combat, and only flies with String to help him get his brother back. His Issue is whether he can keep sacrificing his needs for the sake of others.

Michael Coldsmith Briggs III has long been the guy who the Company calls to save its ass when an operation goes wrong with potentially damaging consequences; the fact that he can save not only the CIA's face but also the reps of those involved in each disaster is why his CIA colleagues call him 'Archangel'. Because of this, however, Archangel's not actually directed an op of his own for years. Naturally, when the Airwolf was stolen, he was called in, but when Stringfellow Hawke refused to hand the chopper over, Archangel took the opportunity to use the situation to get "back in the saddle", turning the Airwolf, Hawke and Santini into his own personal operation. The question with Archangel is, can he care enough about Hawke and Santini to back them up/help them out if things get rough, or does he consider Hawke and Santini just another set of CIA assets to be plausibly denied and disposed of?