I never saw this show on cable. I only saw it as a filler show when t.v. stations would show cancelled productions as filler. However, I was working second shift and would get home after 11p. This actually made the show work for me even more.What it seems like some people don't understand about this show is the creators didn't want to make just another spin-off. This was made by fans of Philip K. Dick's questioning of what it means to be human. The show takes the themes and style of Dick's writing and builds a unique story around it. It may be intended to be in the same universe as "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep," however, in a way that is irrelevant. The show desires to have a unique richness all its own while paying homage to its inspiration.I would have the lights low to add to the moodiness. Having grown up immersed in the genre, I totally became enthralled with the plot. I still have memories of loving this show. If taken to its fullest production, this would have been a top notch worthy edition to the science fiction. Every episode lends to the greater texture of the overall story. Pure gold.
... View MoreWhen I read this show was very much Philip K Dick inspired, using many of his ideas, rather than just a spin off, I knew I had to see it.Total Recall 2070 shows a futuristic world dominated by multinational corporations, many of them operating on Mars as well. While crime has reduced spectacularly, there are still many problems in society. The show deals with a lot of cyberpunk topics: brain manipulation, androids, genetics, virtual reality, viruses etcetera. The CPB, a type of independent police force, often competing with other jurisdictions, has their hands full on it.Visually the show is literally very dark with sparse lighting and often a foggy, rainy scenery whenever things take place outside. Clearly the show had a tight budget, often repeating the same cgi imagery transiting between scenes to show parts of the city, but it was very cleverly used. The backgrounds show us but a glimpse of a grim world that is rebuilding itself on technology, nature having been destroyed mostly.Unfortunately the show is not addictive at all and there are some important elements missing to make it great: humor, a clear direction of storyline, well- motivated and consistent emotions. It too often feels as just another bland cop show, just set in the future, although it's really much deeper than your average police fare. Some characters, like David Hume's wife, or the female lab researcher,Olan Chang, are underdeveloped. But Hume and Farve, his android partner, are excellently casted. Hume is the cool, but emotional and aggressive agent, while Farve is the brilliant investigator, looking for his unknown origins.The ambient synth music fits very well with the whole Blade Runner feel. It would be unfair to compare it all with what Vangelis and Ridley Scott did for atmosphere: for a TV show they've done a good job transferring the script to a very watchable programme.Total Recall has occasional swearing and some sex but it is all functional, not just for the heck of it. Overall a very smart show with a lot of conspiracy, cover ups, tensions, but most importantly very relevant issues regarding humanity's fate in a world where technology can be one's friend or worst enemy, depending who is using it, who wants to have it, who owns it and who decides what is legal to do with it.So, there's some good and some bad. I didn't mind the lower production values but compared to this show, writing has dramatically improved for so many shows these days and so has their addictiveness. I hope to see a nice new cyberpunk/futuristic show soon, right now Westworld is the best one to watch.In particular avid Philip K Dick and sci fi fans should give this show a shot but you may get bored after an episode or 6.
... View Moreand as result, I can truly appreciate everything the creators of this series were trying to do. Yes, it is is in the "Bladerunner" universe with SOME elements of "Total Recall" (otherwise know as "We Can Remember it for You Wholesale") but, it does so much more. We recall the cliffhanger episode that ended the first and last season and get an intimation of the direction the creators wanted to take the show. The use of drugs and direct stimulation of the brain. Of memories wiped and different lives created. Of drugs (both chemical and electronic) and their repercussions on society are all dealt with (only on Canadian television by the way eh) This is good science fiction. I think the only show besides this one that created believable coherent (if somewhat less dark) culture in as short a time was "Alien Nation". I have seen few series so far ahead of their time as was this one..
... View MoreEaston & Pruner play a perfect pair of cops who work off each others strongpoints and makes for enlightening scenario of the future mental battles of crime. Easton keeps his character as dark and moody as he has in the past. Pruner is great as an android partner who craves human traits and feelings so he can fit in with his human counterpart Easton. Great series set with a toned down "BladeRunner" motif. Brings back memories of "Mann & Machine". Hopefully this series will last longer than "M&M" CDB
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