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Charlie Jade, a show lost in it's own presentation

posted 16 years ago by dean-202
13 replies | jump to latest

The series creators claim they are making something "truly unique and very sophisticated", yet at best they are taking the best elements of other scifi shows and mushing them together in a borderline incompetent manner. Charlie Jade starts out reasonably strong, however it loses itself along the way.
Full of time reversed, non-liner edits, a plot that go nowhere and a wondering storyline that is lost in faulty presentation.

Strangely enough the casting choices are solid. This show is full of interesting yet completely underutilized actors. Editing often turns a strong performance into a laughable mockery by dumping repeat takes in so they can emphasize a line, not trusting the delivery of the actors.

The camera angles are equally silly, many scenes consist of distracting off axis shots swinging to vertical. Often one or 2 seconds of a shot are randomly dropped making it look as though the video is skipping. This is supposed to be cutting edge for 2004, but it no longer is appreciated by 2008's viewing audience, who prefer a "Battlestar Galactica" documentary feel.

There is also a narrative at the start of every episode that conveys little or no meaning:
"Previously on Charlie Jade. My name is Charlie Jade. They told us parallel universes didn't exist. We were living a lie."

This is an example of a hook that has no meaning. No one actually suspects that there are parallel universes except for the people who work for the company, so therefor no 'living a lie'.
Many story ideas contradict themselves completely. For example, the show's 'bad guy' 01 Boxer travels through "verses" by pouring water on his head. When he is captured, he has multiple chances to dump water on his head and escape. He doesn't. In one scene, the hero even dumps water on him as he is torturing 01 Boxer, yet 01 stays for the beating.

Vexcor is likely based on Lexcorp (founded by billionaire Lex Luthor in the popular DC Comics Superman series).

The show's main plot seems to be about Jade's failed attempts to return to his "verse", though no real effort to return is presented.
The show also carries a storyline about Jade's mistress Jasmine who is left behind. This is delivered in such a poor fashion, the audience has no real feelings for her 'plight', thereby becoming filler material.

Should this show be picked up for a second season?
If changes to the writing are introduced and far stronger story driven plots are created, perhaps. One however gets the feeling that the series creators had only one good idea at the start and were clueless how to turn that into 21 episodes.
Had the entire storyline been condensed into a 2 hr movie format, this would make for a strong scifi film. As presented, Charlie Jade is a watered down show best aired during late nights when the mind requires less of a challenge.

[–] Dantelk 16 years ago

The series creators claim they are making something "truly unique and very sophisticated", yet at best they are taking the best elements of other scifi shows and mushing them together in a borderline incompetent manner. Charlie Jade starts out reasonably strong, however it loses itself along the way.
Full of time reversed, non-liner edits, a plot that go nowhere and a wondering storyline that is lost in faulty presentation.

That's *beep* my friend...

There is also a narrative at the start of every episode that conveys little or no meaning:
"Previously on Charlie Jade. My name is Charlie Jade. They told us parallel universes didn't exist. We were living a lie."

This is an example of a hook that has no meaning. No one actually suspects that there are parallel universes except for the people who work for the company, so therefor no 'living a lie'.

Eh, it wasn't a straight and literal lie, but a sort of metaphor.

Vexcor simply wanted people to think that their world is the only one.

Many story ideas contradict themselves completely. For example, the show's 'bad guy' 01 Boxer travels through "verses" by pouring water on his head. When he is captured, he has multiple chances to dump water on his head and escape. He doesn't. In one scene, the hero even dumps water on him as he is torturing 01 Boxer, yet 01 stays for the beating.

Scene from episode 13?
First of all, it wasn't water, but hot coffee. (you need water to go between the worlds.)
Even if it would be a water, 01 was half-conscious and too dazed to focus, all the more to shift.

Vexcor is likely based on Lexcorp (founded by billionaire Lex Luthor in the popular DC Comics Superman series).

So what? (If it's true, of course.)

Charlie Jade, a show lost in it's own presentation.

Look who's talking! You who lost in your own argumentation.

[–] dean-202 16 years ago

Thanks for your contribution.

[–] Dantelk 16 years ago

First of all, it wasn't water, but hot coffee. (you need water to go between the worlds.)

A little correction:

It was water. My mistake, however, 01 was still quite unconscious (not even half-conscious) and too dazed to shift.

When he is captured, he has multiple chances to dump water on his head and escape.

What chances? When? Could you enlight me?

[–] shadrack 16 years ago

I'm only about half-way through the first season, but so far I think you're dead-on. In fact I was thinking EXACTLY the same thing about the Jasmine subplot and the fact that the whole thing could have been condensed into about a 2-hour movie. Most episodes feel like they're 80% filler. The series has some things going for it (premise, location, acting), but it's just not as engaging as I hoped it would be.

I think the problem is that I don't really empathize with any of the main characters even after seven or eight episodes. Maybe I'm just heartless, but something tells me that's not the reason.

Edit: Guess I should have waited another two or three episodes before posting. As other people have said, it gets a lot better sometime around episode 9 -- much more focused and engaging.

[–] ssamnick 15 years ago

I think you've made a number of good points, the 01 Boxer water issue aside. I just finished watching what I think is the last episode of the one and only season of the show. It's ulitmate ending, and I presume they knew there was not going to be a second season (which is why I think they put so much into this last episode, it was excellent), is very interesting and reminded me of the ending of a Star Trek episode (the original series). Just like the similarities you noted to other SciFi ideas and stories, this one ends with Charlie and 01, enemies (one almost insane, one very sane) stuck together in some alternate universe, not Alpha, Beta, or Gamma. Possible at war with each other, in their minds, forever. Not exactly like the episode of Lazarus where two universes come together and the only way to seal them and avoid total annihilation is for the sane one to be trapped forever in battle with his other self. Yes, there are some differences, but Charlie and Boxer do save the three universes with their sacrifice to work together.

The strange guys in suits, who showed up now and again, I suspect are from a fourth universe. The other explanation is that Charlie and Boxer have always been in those beds, with all those other patients, and all this has been a mental experiment. I'm not sure what to make of it and since there will never be any more episodes made, we will never know. Having lasted only one season, it's not like it had time to build a fan base, which usually takes several seasons.

[–] hathor008 15 years ago

Well it's not a mental experiment by the men in gray because of the side plotlines with Reena, Essa and Daddy Boxer, Jules and other characters, so it can't be a "brains in a vat" scenario just of 01 and CJ in some shared delusion.

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Jesus wasn't a homophobe.

[–] my_boomstick 15 years ago

I find it funny how Reena can just walk into a job with Vexcor after having her face plastered all over the place as 'The New Face of Terror'. Pretty funny stuff.

All in all I enjoyed the show. One of the best looking shows I have ever seen. Just gotta suspend disbelief at times to fully enjoy it. But it looks great, the cast did a bang up job, and 01 Boxer is such a pimp - he's awesome.

[–] lantzn 8 years ago

Well the main photo they plastered all over the news was her with short hair, no makeup and very tired looking. When she interviewed she looked a whole lot different.

[–] Chrysanthepop 15 years ago

That's quite an analysis but I disagree with many things. I think it's an awesome show. IMO one of the best of its genre. Okay it may not be unique in terms of theme and premise e.g. parallel worlds where one is good one is bad and one is the present and there's a battle between them etc but look at the way the story is told. The landscape itself adds to the uniqueness. I think the camerawork is stunning.

"This is an example of a hook that has no meaning. No one actually suspects that there are parallel universes except for the people who work for the company, so therefor no 'living a lie'."

Uh, what about Charlie and Reena?

'In one scene, the hero even dumps water on him as he is torturing 01 Boxer, yet 01 stays for the beating.'

You missed the dialogue between Charlie and the little girl. Otherwise how do you think Charlie didn't manage it before but later on he did?

'Vexcor is likely based on Lexcorp'.
Interesting observation but is there anything wrong with that?

'The show's main plot seems to be about Jade's failed attempts to return to his "verse", though no real effort to return is presented.'

Uh, really? Now I wonder whether you missed most of the beginning episodes.

'The show also carries a storyline about Jade's mistress Jasmine who is left behind. This is delivered in such a poor fashion, the audience has no real feelings for her 'plight', thereby becoming filler material.'
I partially agree with this. I mean, I didn't want Jasmine to die but I didn't care for her much. I liked Paula much more.

Should this show be picked up for a second season?
It should have but like many great shows, it got prematurely cancelled.

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[–] blackbirrd 15 years ago

totally agree with u senyales

[–] HHFan 14 years ago

"a plot that go nowhere and a wondering storyline"

Hey kid, didn't you mean "wandering" ! *g*

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Lets nuke the site from orbit - its the only way to be sure.

[–] HHFan 14 years ago

"a plot that go nowhere and a wondering storyline"

Hey kid, didn't you mean "wandering" ! *g*

--
Lets nuke the site from orbit - its the only way to be sure.

[–] ithaca-2 13 years ago

I have just watched the first 4 episodes. It wasn't that bad. It was certainly different with that whole South African feel. I am not suprised it got canned as it is very slow moving. Definitely not a favourite with the commercial TV watching public.