Outcasts, New Sci-Fi From Kudos Options

[Jessopjessopjess...]

American shows typically run for at least 13 episodes, and quite often 22 to 26, and this gives their writers more time to set up story threads and to introduce characters. Look at Heroes, for example, they had a huge cast, but they were introduced over weeks rather than in one confusing and dull hit.

British shows generally just don't have the luxury to do things at that pace, so they are forced to spend a disproportionate amount of time in the first few episodes doing dull meet and greets.

Having said that though, one of the best introductions to a cast, that does take place in one episode and is over and done with in the first few minutes, is the Firefly episode The Train Job (the "second" pilot for the show). A quick tour through the ship, everyone gets a look in and it’s made clear what they do, and then it’s straight into the plot with the character’s background being filled in from there. Bish, bash, bosh, job's a good 'un!

As you say, the length of series is no excuse.

Heroes had a bigger cast, and everyone was introduced within two episodes. Outcasts' isn't even that big. There are 6-8 main characters at the most. Lost had more than that and we got a feel for all of them within two episodes also... as well as a shedload of mystery.

[Raven]

So really what we have is an issue of pacing and the perceived - possibly erroneous - need to do a "round the houses" style introduction.

[Bloomeeney]

Was pretty disappointed with the first two eps, even to the point of hurling abuse at the screen during episode 2! Still will give it another go if I have nothing better to do...

[Raven]

In a move that will surprise none, the Beeb have wielded the Outcasts Axe.

Ah well, that's British TV sci-fi done for another 10 years then . . .

[Chapman Baxter]

Not really a surprise. I stuck it out for the full run. I thought it had some interesting ideas behind it, but the execution was really poor - the script was clunky; the planet seemed really small, and everyone kept bumping into whoever was needed to advance the plot.