Sci-Fi Malady

Bigger brain bug, boobs, and Halo copying. Yep, they were out of ideas on this one. Note: Yes, we screwed up the symptom numbering in the episode. But don’t worry, the text is right.

Let’s see here; brain bug, check. Crappy trench warfare, check. Media propaganda, check. Religion being used to control the masses, ok why not, check. Unnecessary nudity, what? Why? Oh fine, check. Singing Sky Marshal, uhmmmm, this is getting a bit much. Giant brain bug eating someone with a metaphor for vagi…ok what is going on in this film? Find out sickies.

If you were to overlook this gem in the Starship Troopers lineup, or forgot it existed, you wouldn’t be blamed. Thematically, it misses the mark. Story wise, it’s boring and overdone. Finally, it is so tenuously connected to the franchise that if you were to change the title, no one would know this was a Starship Troopers film.

The first film is a cynical version of the book, which, depending on how you see it, is either sheer Paul Verhoeven brilliance or horrible bastardization of Heinlien’s original work and intent. This week, Thomas had to step out, which is too bad as the bigger discussion was right up his alley. Still, Scott more than made up for it.

Soldiers, check. Space, check. Green cheese, check. Thoughtful dialogue about topics such as patriotism, militarism, moralism, and many other -isms, check. This month is gonna have it all. It’ll be as ridiculous as it is deep. Would you like to know more? Tune in sickies, to Sci-fi September.

What happens when a super soldier program goes wrong? If you said creepy homicidal quadruplets or more, how? Did you watch this episode already?!

Wanna see a freaky guy who can stretch himself like Stretch Armstrong and consume livers? Us too. Sorry about the spotty sound quality. Scott has been thoroughly beaten for it.

Brad Dourif, the guy who voices Chucky, acting like a psychic criminal. If that doesn’t interest you, I don’t know what will.

I know, it seems strange to do a “best of” series using the second episode after you’ve done the first, but this is the quintessential flavor of the show. We kinda had to. Moreover, it raised questions that are directly in Scott and Thomas’ alleys, so enjoy that.

Where else to start but the beginning? This pilot is a rare kind in that it shows the characters as they will be from the get go. In addition to the episode, we also discuss how much of this show is to blame for modern conspiracy theorism. Listen and find out.