Syfy: Ascension

[JasonPratt]

Does it explain why they changed their name to that "SyFy" gibberish? 

There is no valid explanation for that.

Nor is there one for SS Doomtrooper, Sharknado, Komodo Vs. Cobra, Supergator, Sharktopus, Mongolian Death Worm, Mansquito, Frankenfish, Arachnoquake, ad nauseum, ad infinitum...

Wrong. Those names are clearly awesome. The products, not necessarily so much (though I've actually heard tolerable things about some of them).

Would that they had expended the same energy in coming up with a ridiculous new name for their channel if they didn't want to be serious about it anymore.

Well, we all know that whoever bought the channel legitimately wanted it to die for some reason that only makes sense to heartless accountants. Under those circumstances, we may one day be grateful for them being able to do as... 'well' (for want of a better word)... so as to convince the bean counters the channel is worth bringing back for serious sf/f material.

(They're probably also looking at the moderate to runaway successes of respectable-if-not-always-entirely-serious spec fiction on other cable networks and thinking WE COULD HAVE BEEN GETTING ALL THAT MONEY OURSELVES!)

[Centurion40]

As a child of the 60's myself this looks very interesting. Three night mini-series starting December 15th.

I first encountered the concept of the Orion nuclear powered ship while watching the original Cosmos. The concept was also used in "Footfall".

http://www.syfy.com/ascension/about

One of the female leads is Tricia Helfer of Battlestar Gallactica fame.

Looks good, but sounds like a soap opera knock-off of a Doctor Who episode!

[DoctorQuest]

As a child of the 60's myself this looks very interesting. Three night mini-series starting December 15th.

I first encountered the concept of the Orion nuclear powered ship while watching the original Cosmos. The concept was also used in "Footfall".

http://www.syfy.com/ascension/about

One of the female leads is Tricia Helfer of Battlestar Gallactica fame.

Looks good, but sounds like a soap opera knock-off of a Doctor Who episode!

To be honest there have been some recent seasons of Doctor Who that got a little soapy for my tastes. It has never been a show that can afford a lot of self-examination and angst.

[Centurion40]

Yep.  Let's hope Ascension is a good show, all around.

[GDS_Starfury]

To be honest there have been some recent seasons of Doctor Who that got a little soapy for my tastes. It has never been a show that can afford a lot of self-examination and angst.

how so?  Ive rather liked the arcs from 11 and 12.