altariel | Regime change

Over the weekend, several of us had a short discussion about elections in SF television. We struggled to think of examples of shows in which elections have provided an ongoing narrative. Babylon 5 is a notable exception; Free For All in The Prisoner is a great one-off. I happen to find elections really exciting and great drama, so I don't know why they don't turn up more often as an element in narrative.

Blake's 7 only refers to elections in passing, e.g. Sarkoff's election in 'Bounty'. Thinking about the justice machines that we see, which give the appearance of justice being done, it's fun to speculate that perhaps there are electoral machines, giving the appearance of democracy being done. We see Servalan seize the Presidency in 'Star One' of course, but I would like to know more about the setting up of the Federation. I remember reading a story about the setting up of the Federation in which the bad guys were put into power with the mandate of the electorate and then promptly dismantled the apparatus for elections, à la 1930s Germany. I can't remember what this story was or who it was by; I think it might be 'Drug Induced Tranquillity' by Christine Lacey, in 'Pressure Point', edited by the inestimable

temeres. Someone correct me if I'm wrong, and an online link would be great.

As DS9 drew to a conclusion, there was a lot of change at the top, although very little of it seemed to be as the result of free elections: Worf does for Gowron and hands power over to Martok; the Nagus chooses his successor; and, of course, poor Cardassia, suffering coup and after coup and then blown to smithereens. BTW, you were right,

kalypso_v, Winn is briefly both Kai and First Minister, in the third season episode Shakaar. Little separation of religion and the state on Bajor!

I found the transference of power to Laura Roslin and her swearing-in as President really moving, and BSG is beginning to live up to my hopes that it would not just be a run-around, and would examine its premises in greater detail. In last night's episode, 'Bastille Day', the promise of forthcoming elections was a significant part of the story. I hope this picks up as a plot thread and gets explored in forthcoming episodes or - even better - a forthcoming season.

My own favourite SF (in its broadest sense) elections are in the near-future drama A Very British Coup. It really captures the drama and excitement of elections, but then it's all very close to real life.

Edited because my memory sucks.