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Regime change
Nov. 2nd, 2004 02:25 pmOver 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![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
temeres. Someone correct me if I'm wrong, and an online link would be great.
( DS9 season 7, cut for Deborah Judge ) 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!
( Spoilers for the Battlestar Galactica miniseries and last night's episode )
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.
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. ( DS9 season 7, cut for Deborah Judge ) 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!( Spoilers for the Battlestar Galactica miniseries and last night's episode )
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.
