Will another "big budget" TV production fail in just one season or less?

Television

ONCE AGAIN WE see a “big” television show spending its production budget on everything but the script. Remember last year's Terra Nova? Competent actors, good premise, great special effects, all brought together by legendary producer Steven Spielberg.

How could this fail after just one season? The answer is simple. Terrible scripting. Hobbled with poorly contrived conflict, mostly arising from stupid decisions by the characters (these people couldn't survive in a terrarium let alone in a world populated by ravenous theropods) each episode was worse than the one that preceded it.

So, here we go again. I have my doubts as to whether or not Revolution will make it past one season.

There are some who argue that big screen producers, directors, and actors don't translate well to the world of television. Live stages and movies required different storytelling and acting techniques. Emoting on stage comes across ham-handed in front of a camera. However, it's hard to see much difference between the techniques needed on the big screen as opposed to the television screen. Well, television is serialized and theatrical presentations are not.

No, I think that poor scripting is again the culprit. We are too hard pressed to suspend disbelief when characters make such bone-headed decisions and expect to survive in a hostile world. You need an example? Okay, one young man with one arrow in one crossbow attempts to face down a squad of militia armed with muskets. Sure, he's young and brash. But, seriously? 

I admit that I am at a disadvantage. I was trained as an infantry officer and I have special knowledge that helps me spot the flaws better than most. I cringe as the characters galumph around the countryside, moving always in the daylight, sauntering without concern along open paths without any concern for what might be lurking in the bushes or waiting around the next bend. Sure, you don't have to be explicit, but at least make some effort to make it believable, please. And please give those who survive some survival skills. 

Most of all, don't use the same hackneyed plot devices to create conflict week after week. Let's not have the spunky girl insist on having her way every time so that the hand of heroes finds themselves in one tight scrape after another. If I were one of them, I would have broken her neck after the first incident unless she promised to never open her mouth again. I don't care how pretty she is.