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Masters of Science Fiction Season 1 Episode 5

Watchbird

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7.7

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Episode Summary

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Flying droids patrol the skies of America, they are tasked with stopping murder before it can occur.

Fan Episode Reviews (4)

More than watchable

9.0

By AvatarBlue, Oct 28, 2008

My favourite episode of the show. Successfully melds seveal classic SF themes into an engrossing 45mins. These include: - Artifical life, and its eventual severance of the link between itself and its creator/master.

- When technology goes arwy and turns on its makers with devastating consequences.

- The manipulation of genuine well-meaning motives by the bureaucrats of a faceless government for some hidden agenda.

- Science vs business

As well as including some standard plot devices such as:

- murder

- greed

- revenge

Overall, the only let down was the cheesy music score played whenever the watchbirds are in flight or combat. If you can look past that, there is a very enjoyable story, that makes you care and provides enough drama and some action to make this the best episode in my eyes. The actors here do a thouroghly good job of convincing you that their situation and plights are real - or at least afford you the luxury of suspending belief.

The scenes come thick and fast as there is hardly a lull throughout. Sets and locations are near future however, though they fit the timeline, they are the least futuristic of the shows.

The plot arc is logicial enough and wont prove to much of a surprise to savvy SFers. Cant recommend this enough - my favourite episode and one Id happily watch again.moreless
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More than watchable

9.0

By AvatarBlue, Oct 28, 2008

My favourite episode of the show. Successfully melds seveal classic SF themes into an engrossing 45mins. These include: - Artifical life, and its eventual severance of the link between itself and its creator/master.

- When technology goes arwy and turns on its makers with devastating consequences.

- The manipulation of genuine well-meaning motives by the bureaucrats of a faceless government for some hidden agenda.

- Science vs business

As well as including some standard plot devices such as:

- murder

- greed

- revenge

Overall, the only let down was the cheesy music score played whenever the watchbirds are in flight or combat. If you can look past that, there is a very enjoyable story, that makes you care and provides enough drama and some action to make this the best episode in my eyes. The actors here do a thouroghly good job of convincing you that their situation and plights are real - or at least afford you the luxury of suspending belief.

The scenes come thick and fast as there is hardly a lull throughout. Sets and locations are near future however, though they fit the timeline, they are the least futuristic of the shows.

The plot arc is logicial enough and wont prove to much of a surprise to savvy SFers. Cant recommend this enough - my favourite episode and one Id happily watch again.moreless
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More than watchable

9.0

By AvatarBlue, Oct 28, 2008

My favourite episode of the show. Successfully melds seveal classic SF themes into an engrossing 45mins. These include: - Artifical life, and its eventual severance of the link between itself and its creator/master.

- When technology goes arwy and turns on its makers with devastating consequences.

- The manipulation of genuine well-meaning motives by the bureaucrats of a faceless government for some hidden agenda.

- Science vs business

As well as including some standard plot devices such as:

- murder

- greed

- revenge

Overall, the only let down was the cheesy music score played whenever the watchbirds are in flight or combat. If you can look past that, there is a very enjoyable story, that makes you care and provides enough drama and some action to make this the best episode in my eyes. The actors here do a thouroghly good job of convincing you that their situation and plights are real - or at least afford you the luxury of suspending belief.

The scenes come thick and fast as there is hardly a lull throughout. Sets and locations are near future however, though they fit the timeline, they are the least futuristic of the shows.

The plot arc is logicial enough and wont prove to much of a surprise to savvy SFers. Cant recommend this enough - my favourite episode and one Id happily watch again.moreless
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Despite objections from it's creator and controller the mechanical bird security system he invented is promoted from helping the troops in Iraq to helping in Homeland security

5.6

By AegisAtreyu, Jun 21, 2008

Despite the idea actually being a good one which could have basis in the real worlds near future the direction and performance in this episode feels really flat. You knew for a fact that in the end the robotic watchbirds would gain a sense of intelligence and go on their own personal mission but it's the fact that till the government pushed they were actually working that makes it an effective idea. Sean Astin as the creator having a neural link to the mother watchbird was also a good idea and although when we see his wife killed it doesn't impact us at all if it was played/written a little better it could easily have done. It definitely impacts the character, though only for plot reasons so the watchbirds can be elevated to take out potential use of deadly force. The end came too abruptly however as the creator is gunned down himself by his own watchbirds because of intent to commit suicide. It just goes straight to black and is wholly unsatisfying, now if it showed the aftermath that would have been different. Looks like budget couldn't handle it or something though.moreless
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Cast & Crew: STARS

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Sean Astin	Charlie Kramer
James Cromwell	Randolph Ludwin
Vincent Gale	Jack Vaentine
Stacy Grant	Sarah Moser
Christine Chatelain	Marissa
Michael Kopsa	Ratcliffe

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Cast & Crew: RECURRING AND GUESTS

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Viv Leacock	Willy	Guest Star
Dean Redman	Bradley Tanner	Guest Star
David Abbott	President	Guest Star

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Trivia, Notes, Quotes and Allusions

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TRIVIA (0)
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QUOTES (1)
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- Host: (opening narration) In a world that grows increasingly dangerous, what will we sacrifice in the name of security?
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NOTES (1)
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- International Airdates
  
  Canada: 09 December 2007 on SPACE
  United Kingdom: 22 November 2007 on Bravo
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