RIP Caprica

We hardly knew ye, Caprica, but when the news of the cancellation happened, I can't say I was totally shocked. However, the remaining five episodes of this season 1.5 (which I will vent about later) won't be aired, and will be on the DVD for the remainder of the series that comes out in December. Syfy states that the cancellation stems from a lack of ratings- however, this show was mismanaged by Syfy from the get-go.

I have not seen such a botched attempt by a network for promoting a show since FOX dropped the ball with Firefly. The 18 episode first season has been stretched out for three years, and the first half of the season was starting to gain ratings momentum- but by that point, Syfy was ready to give the show the axe. Out of sight, out of mind. But for those who watched, Caprica was a riveting drama with true science fiction themes that was being played out. Yes, it was a different beast than Battlestar Galactica, but it still worked. After the first half of the season airs, Syfy has a break for an extended period of time to where people forget about the show. Then, they air it on another night that is filled with competition (Tuesday nights at 10 p.m.) with virtually no promotion, and expect it to succeed? And now, loyal fans have to wait until 2011 to see the remaining episodes filmed (shall we call this season 1.75 that airs in 2011?)?

Yes, it is true that since the series takes place fifty years before the events of Battlestar Galactica, so I do know that the Cylon War will inevitably happen. However, there were so many stories on Caprica that I was intrigued by such as what would become with Clarice Willow's plan to bring about Apotheosis, what becomes of Lacy Rand and if she rises in the ranks of the STO. Also, Barnabas Greeley could have returned in some form since James Marsters revealed that producers hinted that Greeley could have survived. Mainly, I was interested in how the two fathers- Joseph Adama and Daniel Graystone, would continue to interact and deal with their respective demons. Not to mention what would become of virtual Tamara and Zoe- and how they would be connected to the eventual Cylon war.

The show had a lot going for it, and Syfy dropped the ball with this series. Perhaps, they couldn't afford it after paying so much money for wrestling or it was crowding their Ghost Hunters or millionth Stargate spinoff- but it's a crying shame. I remember the Sci-Fi Channel and loved it, because it loved and cared about sci-fi, this new Syfy is an abomination and to let this series die such a thoughtless death is a tragic injustice.

To sum it up, all I can say is...

Frak you Syfy.