SciFi Diner Podcast Ep. 166 – The Science Fiction Quandary: Keith R.A. DeCandido, Jim Arrowood, and Raul Ybarra Join Us To Solve The Dilemma

Promos:

Jim’s SciFi Blog Promo 

Tonight’s Discussion:

Join Keith R.A. DeCandido, Jim Arrowood, Raul Ybarra, Miles and Scott as they wrestle with what science fiction is and try to come to a common understanding of what it is.  Throughout our discussion, we tackle the issue, what makes its so difficult to define, the whole Science Fiction versus Fantasy, whether Star Wars is Science Fiction, and hear from some of you as well.

If you want to find out more about our panelists, check out their links below!

The official web site of author, editor, musician, podcaster, curator, anthologist, and all-around hoopy frood… Keith R.A. DeCandido

Raul Ybarra’s site: Welcome to the Christian Geek. It’s pretty safe to say that this will not be your typical blog. Tech, gadgets, sci-fi and geekery in general are welcome here as well as Christian thought and perspectives. Though you don’t often see them together, there is no reason why they shouldn’t mix.

Jim Arrowood’s Blog: As he says, “The purpose of this blog is to have a little fun. It is NOT to start arguments. I don’t profess to be an expert on Sci-fi, nor do I aspire to become an expert. You are welcome to comment on any and all content you find here. If my opinion differs from yours, as far as I am concerned, it’s all okay. I will never say that you are wrong because you disagree with me, and I expect the same from those that comment here. Posts will hopefully be regular based on the movies I see, the television shows I watch, and the books I read as well as what ever strikes me as noteworthy.

The SciFi Five In Five

Fringe: The Series Top 5 – Raul

After giving it some thought, here are my personal Fringe top 5.  I can’t call it moments, because some of these are obviously not moments.  I guess the best way to describe them are the 5 most outstanding things about Fringe.

5. Season 5: For two reasons. 1) That it happened at all.  2) that a series be allowed so much time for a real denouement is incredibly rare and Fringe pulled it off successfully.

4. The number 4 spot is a tie. The choices don’t out rank my higher spots, but neither does either bump number 5 off the list. The first one is when Newton restores Walter’s missing brain pieces in the season 2 episode Grey Matters.  The Walter we see there is a defining moment for the character.  We see the 1970’s Walter, Waltenate and 2036 Walter all rolled into one.

The other is the season 4 episode, A Short Story About Love. Olivia makes the choice between which Olivia she is going to be. Not only is this unique character development, but it is a clear message that both timelines happened and both are relevant.

3. The Episode, Peter. Speaking as a father, this one just cuts my heart out.  How many dads listening would not take Walter’s path if they had that ability?  Fatherhood is an important theme in Fringe and this episode is the key one establishing it.

2. White Tulip.  Not just the episode, but the symbol.  Walter’s conversation with Alister Peck alone would be justification for this list, but the show went so much further.  It comes back several times over the course of the show and its appearance as the concluding moment of series is one of the best endings in television.

1. The World Trade Center.  The pull back revealing the Twin Towers in season 1 was one the most Oh, my God moments I’ve seen in television. Few writers would dare take the chance to go that route.  That was the moment it became clear that this wasn’t just a good show, but that we were in for something *very* special.  And Fringe did not disappoint.

RUAL

The song at the end of the episode is below: