MovieChat Forums > Earth: Final Conflict (1997) Discussion > Was this show cancelled, or did it finis...

Was this show cancelled, or did it finish its run?

posted 14 years ago by Dacksaleb
20 replies | jump to latest

I apologize if this has been covered. I tried to take a look through the various topics to see if the question had already been answered, but I was afraid to spoil it for myself.

I'm on a major sci-fi kick. I just recently finished watching Star Treks TNG, DS9, and I'm a little over half way through with Voyager. Did BSG and Farscape. Loved every minute of every show, even episodes people probably didn't like. I'm interested in checking this show out, but would hate to be left on a cliffhanger. I know the story got weird around Season 5, but I'm still thinking about checking this out.

Was the show cancelled and left on a cliffhanger, or was it "completed"?

Thanks for the help!

[–] dareseven 14 years ago

No, Dacksaleb, the show wasn't cancelled. It finished its run with a definite ending that closed everything out. Although I hung in there from Day-1, I felt that each season offered less than the previous. And yes, like most people are saying, Season Five was the worst. However, it had its moments and Jane Heitmeyer was competent (and lovely) enough to keep my interest. I wasn't too disappointed with the final episode, thinking it was going to be terrible, but there is kind of a suprise at the end, a character that was supposedly killed shows up. I won't spoil it any more than I already did. It sounds as if you're the type to totally get into a series from the beginning to end. If you start with Season One and continue through, I think you'll be satisfied. I have no regrets. Now would be a good time to purchase the DVDs. The goofy part is that Seasons 3 thru 5 came out first several years ago. Season One (or was it Two) came out last year, and the final release (Season One or Two; sorry I forgot) is coming out later this month, so you should be able to collect the entire run. Of all of previous stuff you've watch (I have them all), which is your favorite so far. I think DS9 was the best. Enjoy.

"We are all more alike than not alike." Sci-fi action/adventure novel Omicron Crisis by D. L. Smith

[–] Dacksaleb 14 years ago

Thanks for the reply, sorry for my delayed one. I appreciate the info about the show. I think I'm going to check it out for sure.

As for a favorite, man, that's a tough question! I loved each show, honestly.

BSG... it was sci-fi, but the story was so great that you almost forgot that fact. You didn't get bogged down in details, and the characters were really interesting for the most part. Like Gaius. You hate him, but at the same time, you can't help but empathize at least a little. I know a lot of people hated it, but I was even okay with the ending. That might be because I watched the entire show without a break in between seasons or episodes.

The Star Treks were all pretty neat. I took a break from Voyager and started watching Enterprise with my roommate, but of TNG, DS9, and Voyager, I think I'd agree with DS9 being my favorite. Though I really like Janeway WAY more than I thought I would. Picard was stuffy and formal all of the time, befitting being the captain of the flagship of Starfleet, but that kind of got tiresome. Janeway is more personable, and at least for me, I think she took more risks than Picard. I can't say much about Sisko except for he's the effing man. I really liked all of the characters on DS9.

Farscape was wicked too. That was another one that I expected to be a little cheesy, but was way better than I thought it would be. At first, the puppets kind of had me on the fence, but I got used to it pretty quick.

Sorry if any of this doesn't make sense, I'm enjoying adult beverages!

[–] dareseven 14 years ago

It makes perfect sense, Dacksaleb, you're speaking my language. LOL. After re-reading the great shows mentioned here, I realized I mispoke about Farscape. I never watched that one, and the reason is the same as why you originally hesitated; the puppets. I simply couldn't take the show seriously. The fact that you got used to it reminds me of the original Star Wars trilogy. Although I like Star Trek better, I dig Star Wars a lot, but had to cough, wink and slightly turn my head whenever Yoda showed up in "Empire Strikes Back" and "Return of the Jedi." Regardless of how others feel about the prequel trilogy, they will always redeem the "Yoda Factor" in my head because the CGI F/X are so much better than the puppets. As such, I've found that I don't cringe as much when I see the originals. Maybe I'll give Farscape a go one of these days.

"We are all more alike than not alike." Sci-fi action/adventure novel Omicron Crisis by D. L. Smith

[–] feamsr00 14 years ago

If you're still looking to continue your scifi binge, may I suggest Babylon 5. While not perfect (the last 1.5 seasons were kinda rushed/rewritten), it stands defiantly with some of the best broadcast scifi out there. One of the reasons I recommend it is the rather well done character development throughout the series, especially with the leading alien roles. And actually because the way the last season was produced, it feels like one long epilogue and many loose ends were neatly concluded.

[–] dareseven 14 years ago

I own everything of the B5 Universe, including the after-series "lost Tales." I wonder if there'll be anymore of those? Although I thought the character Sinclair brought a maturity that otherwise was lacking after the 1st season, I was okay with Johnny Nuke'em (Sheridan) bringing more action and such. I actually prefer the long epic, seasons long storylines, which I understand must be difficult in a tv series, especially when the lead actors aren't consistent. With that said, I though B5 held together fairly well.

"We are all more alike than not alike." Sci-fi action/adventure novel Omicron Crisis by D. L. Smith

[–] Dacksaleb 14 years ago

dareseven - Yeah, I got over the puppets a lot quicker than I imagined I would. I had always had this impression that the show was somewhat not-serious and comical just because of the puppets, and it was mostly the opposite. There is some humor, but for the most part, the show is serious enough. I'd say give it a shot if you get a chance. There are really only two puppets you'll encounter on a regular basis. It's been a little while since I watched it, but I don't think there were too many puppets other than those. If there were, they were basically "extras", I can't think of many main characters or even monster-of-the-week characters that were puppets.

feamsr00 - Actually, I watched Babylon 5 up through season 4 last year. It was really much better than I thought it was going to be, and I rather enjoyed it. I only finished it up through the resolution of the Vorlon/Shadow thing. I might go finish it sometime. I had an interesting though... it's almost like Lord of the Rings in space.

[–] asabz 14 years ago

It made it to 5 seasons, but should have been cancelled after four

[–] dareseven 14 years ago

I enjoyed season 5 of B5, although it was a major turn of events from the previous seasons. In fact, were you guys and dolls aware that the last ep of season five, "Sleeping in the Light" I think it was called, was actually the Season Four and Series finale? This is why Ivanova was present and Locksley wasn't. That ep was filmed and "in the can" even before Season five was developed. The series was, technically, cancelled after the fourth season.

The b5 series, like Earth Final Conflict, had changed direction with the last season, although EFC changed after the first season and then every season after changed. As such, it didn't hold up as well, but I have no regrets hanging it there all five seasons. Incredible, that the villain Sandervol was the only character consistent throughout the series.

"We are all more alike than not alike." Sci-fi action/adventure novel Omicron Crisis by D. L. Smith

[–] 14 years ago

[deleted]

[–] therealboozysmurf 12 years ago

They obviously were right. With each passing season and each cast cut the show became worse and worse.

The worst being the unceremonious axing of Lili because she got pregnant.

[–] 12 years ago

[deleted]

[–] jayhn1111 12 years ago

What surprises me is that people thought season 1 was so dam good and they ruined it after that. I thought season 1 was every bit as mediocre as the other seasons. Think of all the great sci fi series that got canned after one season, and this crap makes it to 5 seasons. I'll never understand that

[–] cmb74656 11 years ago

If you want to see a sci-fi series that turned into crap near the end, look no further than Andromeda.

-
You might be a cunning linguist, but I'm a master debater.
Made you look!

[–] jayhn1111 11 years ago

I didn't think EFC turned to crap near the end. I thought the whole series was mediocre but I didn't think the last season was any worse then any of the other seasons. Interesting you should mention Andromeda. I've never watched it but I bought the series and I'll probably start watching it in a few weeks. Can't imagine it's any worse than EFC.

[–] jzmtl 11 years ago

They had an excuse, the production company went bankrupt and they had to make do with much smaller budget.

[–] jayhn1111 8 years ago

I know I'm a few years late with this, but I finished watching Andromeda and it was solid. EFC does not even belong in the same conversation as Andromeda. That series completely blows away EFC.

[–] dblackman70 11 years ago

I hated what happened to Lili. I much preferred her to Renee. It was one of the three biggest disappointnents for me ........................ I adored everything Babylon 5 from the series / novels /graphic novels / spin off's / lost tales. Great tv

[–] carolamaderer-546-107816 10 years ago

I have to concur with what the majority of viewers on this thread have stated: EFC kicked it off in high gear but started losing it - for me, by the 3rd season or whenever we started losing the original protagonists. By the 5th season, it had definitely (as they say) jumped the shark.

Maybe someone here knows how much of the show was Gene Roddenberry's creation. I remember flipping through channels many years ago and landing on an EFC episode (1st season). The first thing that crossed my mind was how much it felt like the Original Star Trek (always been a BIG time fan of the triumvriate of Kirk, Spock and McCoy). When I found out Gene Roddenberry was the master mind --- it was like, no wonder --- I followed the series through completion even though it crapped out at the end.

So, Gene thought up the original idea and how closely were those ideas followed? Had he written a story arc that some yahoo changed or added to -- after the first or second season? Anyone here up on Gene's writing and ideas? He was one of the all time creative geniuses when it came to sci fi story writing.

As an aside, thinking about Gene brings back memories of when I attended a Star Trek convention in the 1980's - can't remember the exact year but it was held in either Wilkes Barre or Scranton. Gene Roddenberry spoke at this convention and he came off completely different than what I had imagined. I expected him to be like a Captain Kirk kind'ave guy - bigger than life. Although he was a big guy (not heavy - just tall and actually strong looking) --- he appeared to be one of the most self deprecating men I ever seen or heard.

During Gene Roddenbery's talk, he stood behind a podium speaking in a quiet voice and actually staring down at his feet much of the time. It just made me admire him even more --- I know how it feels to be uncomfortable talking to a bunch of people staring at you (expecting something profound) and I make a point to avoid those situations. To give his talk, as uncomfortable as he looked, took a lot of courage on his part and I will never forget it. I was far less impressed with Walter Koenig (sp?)and whomever else was there that day.

Ok - who knows if anyone is following this thread ... I have looked up several old SF tv series on this site and threads sure aren't current so perhaps I should just search for the individual tv series' message boards.

[–] doomedmarine 10 years ago

Yeah you can generally consider a thread dead when it's years between posts lol.
Pretty much the law of the internet from what I have seen, if it's 5 minutes old you cannot talk about it any more. From the rage it induces in many it must have some cancer inducing or other life threatening qualities. So for the sake of human life new threads must be made or we will all eventually die.

I plan on having every book on the planet made before 2014 burned if I should win the lottery, with each years books burned the following year from then on. :p

imdb, once for discussing movies, now a facebook substitute. Off topic and all drama.

[–] fiero-49251 9 years ago

Hard to have a consistent discussion with a show that isn't even in syndication playing at the time! It's been off the air for almost 10 years! I still maintain my blog on it though and make contributions if someone does come by and posts something pertinent to the show and its history!

- Jamie/Fiero425 - - http://www.childrenofrassilon.com/earth-final-conflict--oz.html -

- - http://scifiblogs3.blogspot.com/2012/12/earth-final-conflict.html - -