# Virtuality (open spoilers) **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [June 27, 2009, 2:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/virtuality-open-spoilers/501133 "2009-06-27T02:08:55Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![alphaboi867](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alphaboi867/32/3898_2.png) [@alphaboi867](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alphaboi867)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2009, 2:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/virtuality-open-spoilers/501133/1 "2009-06-27T02:08:55Z")
Most of it was was **The Real World: Space** , but it took an interesting turn in the last 20 minutes. Is FOX actually considering ordering a series; normally they don’t ever air rejected pilots. If they ever see the light of day it’s usally as a “made-for-TV movie” on cable. ---
**Author:** ![cmyk](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmyk/32/3353_2.png) [@cmyk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmyk)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2009, 4:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/virtuality-open-spoilers/501133/2 "2009-06-27T04:44:33Z")
I’m utterly confused as to what the idea is here. I really, really liked the pilot, thought it was some great acting, great production, with a really interesting look a life in multi-year ship journey. The whole thing was interesting to me, if not slow paced, but I can deal with that if the characters are well formed and I can tell it’s going somewhere. It definitely is going somewhere, but it leaves off as if it’s one part of a 2-parter. IMO, it was some of the better TV I’ve seen in the science fiction genre, and hope it actually turns into something, I want the story to continue. But I have zero faith in Fox. So, uh, now what? ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2009, 5:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/virtuality-open-spoilers/501133/3 "2009-06-27T05:47:01Z")
Watched for several minutes. Realized that it was about a reality series set in deep space, projected that it would become a soap set in space (if nothing’s getting blown up, we have to listen to people whine, right?), and turned on the British version of _Antiques Roadshow._ Yeah, and when you write a book you have ten pages to engage me before I toss you in the AAUW book sale barrel. BTW, the barrel asked, “No Trash, Please,” but there was no Patricia Cornwell in it, so I left it alone. ---
**Author:** ![N9IWP](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/n9iwp/32/3154_2.png) [@N9IWP](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/N9IWP)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2009, 11:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/virtuality-open-spoilers/501133/4 "2009-06-27T11:44:19Z")
I totally digged the Japanese “Munsters” song. I’d watch the rock star / spy show… Brian ---
**Author:** ![Grrr](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/grrr/32/146_2.png) [@Grrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grrr)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2009, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/virtuality-open-spoilers/501133/5 "2009-06-27T17:09:28Z")
I’m thinking it’s going to be like “Lost” only except in space. Hey! “Lost in space!” I think this show has potential. I’m going to give it a few more episodes to see how it pans out. I’m disappointed they killed the captain off. He was the most likable character on the show. ---
**Author:** ![cmyk](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmyk/32/3353_2.png) [@cmyk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmyk)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2009, 10:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/virtuality-open-spoilers/501133/6 "2009-06-27T22:36:47Z")
> [@SHAKES](#): > > I’m thinking it’s going to be like “Lost” only except in space. > > Hey! “Lost in space!” > > I think this show has potential. I’m going to give it a few more episodes to see how it pans out. > > I’m disappointed they killed the captain off. He was the most likable character on the show. I don’t think there _are_ a few more episodes. I think that was it, so far. Unless Fox picks it up for a series. ---
**Author:** ![cmyk](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmyk/32/3353_2.png) [@cmyk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmyk)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2009, 10:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/virtuality-open-spoilers/501133/7 "2009-06-27T22:39:08Z")
> [@dropzone](#): > > Watched for several minutes. Realized that it was about a reality series set in deep space, projected that it would become a soap set in space (if nothing’s getting blown up, we have to listen to people whine, right?), and turned on the British version of _Antiques Roadshow._… I understand a whiny, fake reality show can be annoying, but the last half hour sorta turned things on its ear. Not sure if it’s worth it to you. It was a slow burn, but definitely get more interesting as it progressed. As a stand alone, it doesn’t work, but if I knew there was much more to follow, they totally have me captivated. ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2009, 2:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/virtuality-open-spoilers/501133/8 "2009-06-28T02:50:19Z")
So, are they actually on a spaceship, or was the whole thing virtual? Is that what the captain figured out? ---
**Author:** ![TBG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@TBG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TBG)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2009, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/virtuality-open-spoilers/501133/9 "2009-06-28T22:46:42Z")
> [@N9IWP](#): > > I totally digged the Japanese “Munsters” song. > I’d watch the rock star / spy show… > > Brian Yeah, I was wondering what the English translation would’ve been, since there weren’t any words in the actual Munsters theme (unless you count the version from that horrid Munsters Today revival from the late 80’s) ---
**Author:** ![levdrakon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/49beb7/32.png) [@levdrakon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/levdrakon)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2009, 3:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/virtuality-open-spoilers/501133/10 "2009-06-29T03:43:30Z")
That was a really good show. I’d watch more. If they are all in a virtual reality, I guess all bets are off as to where, when or even what they are. Maybe they’re still on Earth. Maybe they’re already at the new system, but got trapped in this present simulation somewhere along the way. Maybe it takes too much energy to keep the humans awake and active, and they were never intended to find out everything’s fake. Then, the commander figures it out and the computer activates its automatic “eliminate character” program. ---
**Author:** ![cmyk](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmyk/32/3353_2.png) [@cmyk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmyk)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2009, 6:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/virtuality-open-spoilers/501133/11 "2009-06-29T06:13:41Z")
I was thinking it was all a VR simulation of some sort too. But, really who knows, as they left it 100% open ended. I don’t want to put much time into thinking about it, if that’s as far as the story will go. ---
**Author:** ![SenorBeef](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senorbeef/32/2220_2.png) [@SenorBeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SenorBeef)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2009, 3:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/virtuality-open-spoilers/501133/12 "2009-07-01T03:03:27Z")
Well, it was interesting enough to want to see a second episode, which is better than about 95% of what they put on TV. The reality show aspect seemed weird. I could buy the sponsorship logos around. But the thing is - at the end of the pilot episode, they were going out of communications range with earth - so the reality show would only last really for their Earth-\>Neptune transit time. If that’s the case, how would they continue to do the reality show bits? Record 10+ years of material for when you get home? Really? Why bother at that point? OTOH, if it was only a reality show for the duration of the Earth-\>Neptune voyage, and therefore wasn’t going to continue past the pilot, why include it? Just as heavy-handed social commentary? I’m as convinced of the stupidity of the masses as anyone else, and even I couldn’t buy the idea that we’d turn what could potentially be the greatest achievement in human history into a reality show. Any chance the show gets picked up or is it officially dead? ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2009, 3:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/virtuality-open-spoilers/501133/13 "2009-07-01T03:19:25Z")
> [@SenorBeef](#): > > Any chance the show gets picked up or is it officially dead? It’s ratings were very low. I’d give it a 10% chance at best. ---
**Author:** ![GargoyleWB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gargoylewb/32/199_2.png) [@GargoyleWB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GargoyleWB)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2009, 5:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/virtuality-open-spoilers/501133/14 "2009-07-01T05:21:40Z")
The excessively tokened characters would normally have annoyed me into dislike, but it was very well acted and I found myself enjoying it. The science was surprisingly well done, with rotational gravity, the Orion engine concept, and slingshot concepts. I hope it gets picked up. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2009, 8:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/virtuality-open-spoilers/501133/15 "2009-07-01T08:15:22Z")
So, was the first officer in a wheelchair _before_ they left Earth? Seems to me that’s the kinda thing that would disqualify him. I saw it all the way through, but even a _hintl_ of “this is all a simulation” is enough to put me off. It’s also kind of unclear exactly how their ten-year mission, assuming it is real, is supposed to save Earth. ---
**Author:** ![TBG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@TBG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TBG)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2009, 11:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/virtuality-open-spoilers/501133/16 "2009-07-01T23:53:14Z")
> [@SenorBeef](#): > > The reality show aspect seemed weird. I could buy the sponsorship logos around. But the thing is - at the end of the pilot episode, they were going out of communications range with earth - so the reality show would only last really for their Earth-\>Neptune transit time. If that’s the case, how would they continue to do the reality show bits? Record 10+ years of material for when you get home? Really? Why bother at that point? OTOH, if it was only a reality show for the duration of the Earth-\>Neptune voyage, and therefore wasn’t going to continue past the pilot, why include it? Just as heavy-handed social commentary? I’m as convinced of the stupidity of the masses as anyone else, and even I couldn’t buy the idea that we’d turn what could potentially be the greatest achievement in human history into a reality show. Would they actually go out of range, or would it just take longer and longer for transmissions to reach the Earth? Maybe the reality series winds up going monthly for a while, then annual specials. Along the lines of all the fiction about aliens picking up TV transmissions years after actual broadcast, it’s not a huge leap to think they’d at least be sending shows back to earth the whole trip, even if they can’t get responses back in time to tell them how the show’s doing, what the network wants to see, who the sponsors are, etc. ---
**Author:** ![SenorBeef](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senorbeef/32/2220_2.png) [@SenorBeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SenorBeef)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2009, 12:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/virtuality-open-spoilers/501133/17 "2009-07-02T00:00:20Z")
They said something during the episode about “being lucky to even receive engineering packets” in regard to communicating with earth. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Controvert](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/dec6dc/32.png) [@The\_Controvert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Controvert)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2009, 3:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/virtuality-open-spoilers/501133/18 "2009-07-02T03:59:41Z")
> [@Bryan\_Ekers](#): > > It’s also kind of unclear exactly how their ten-year mission, assuming it is real, is supposed to save Earth. Maybe they only meant “save humanity”. If Earth has only 100 years left, and the Phaeton crew identifies a suitable planet, that’s a spectacular success. With Orion drive technology, the rest of humanity could lift city-sized arks into orbit and presumably undertake interstellar journeys. That’s enough to save the human race and there is no need to worry about fallout if the Earth is already trashed. The problem I have is that Epsilon Eridani is 10.5 light years away, which means a ten-year mission is already impossible. Orion drives can barely get to a tenth the speed of light so by the time they get their message back, Earth is already dead. However, I suppose they could have an ark already launched, but awaiting a destination. In that case, the crew will be dead because they didn’t plan on having children during the voyage. Unless the crew are all in suspended animation or some sort of hyper-sleep that involves virtual reality, so maybe that’s the big plot twist right there. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2009, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/virtuality-open-spoilers/501133/19 "2009-07-02T18:06:38Z")
Well, we can assume it’s an Orion in name only and will go far faster than that the “real” design. In any case, “holodeck gone wrong” is a concept that was pretty well played-out the second time ST:TNG did it. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Controvert](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/dec6dc/32.png) [@The\_Controvert](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Controvert)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2009, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/virtuality-open-spoilers/501133/20 "2009-07-02T19:49:49Z")
> [@Bryan\_Ekers](#): > > Well, we can assume it’s an Orion in name only and will go far faster than that the “real” design. They way they showed it working, it was an Orion drive. And the only way to go significantly faster is to use anti-matter. But that only bumps the speed up from 0.1 to 0.5 of light speed. You still can’t go 10.5 light years in less than 10.5 years. Although I suppose time dilation might help the crew survive the long journey without dying of old age. But if they have anti-matter technology, humans could probably survive outside the Earth, like on the Moon, Mars, etc. Or they would be able to fix Earth’s weather problems or establish cities underwater, etc. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/virtuality-open-spoilers/501133.md?page=2)