briiian
Apr 5, 2005 @ 10:17 pm
this show, charlie jade, is coming to SPACE in a few weeks. does anyone know more about it? anyone seen any video or anything? rumours are there's some pretty good CGI.
it's supposed to be about interdimensional travel. and a private investigator or a cop gets trapped in a dimensional shift and figures out that international corporations are running out of resources to exploit, so they're trying to rip off other parallel universes.
hmmmm...
Hegel88
Apr 6, 2005 @ 11:22 am
From
TV Tome:Charlie Jade (Jeffrey Pierce, The West Wing, JAG, Boston Public) is a rogue private detective in a world dominated by greedy multinational corporations. When Charlie sees the corpse of a beautiful young woman he realizes she embodies the impossible: she has no identity, something inconceivable in Charlie's world.
While tracking her suspected killer, the trail leads Charlie to a secret desert facility. A massive explosion propels him into a parallel universe, our own chaotic twenty-first century world where he is both baffled by its differences and seduced by its similarities. Charlie is soon drawn into a conflict that not only involves his home universe and the one he now inhabits but also includes another, a pristine pacifist universe with unsuspected terror at its heart.
Three worlds... One hope
Created by Robert Wertheimer (Due South, RoboCop: Prime Directives) and Chris Roland (Stander, Man to Man, The Bone Snatcher), the series is written by Guy Mullally (The Lost World, Little Men), David Cole (Cold Squad, Due South) and Stephen Zoller (Super Rupert, Anne of Green Gables). Executive Producers are Robert Wertheimer, Chris Roland, Izidore Codron (The Bone Snatcher, Stander), Robin Spry (Big Wolf on Campus, The Lost World), and Jacques Pettigrew (Galidor)
Charlie Jade is filmed in Cape Town, South Africa.
You can get a trailer and more at
Charliejade.com.
Ide Cyan
Apr 7, 2005 @ 2:53 am
I've seen the ads running on Space. They're going to air it in BSG's current timeslot after they finish airing the first season of that. I'm going to give it a try.
Here's the Space webpage for the show:
http://www.spacecast.com/events/charliejade/index.asp
Glark
Apr 7, 2005 @ 2:56 am
Charlie Jade? Stop using the cheesy auto character name generator please.
Johnny Cage and Max Power say hello.
Ide Cyan
Apr 18, 2005 @ 2:09 am
Did anyone watch the premiere? I'm afraid I missed it.
lagendyk
Apr 19, 2005 @ 12:02 pm
I watched the premiere - much to my regret. When it wasn't mystifying, it was stultifying. I'll give it one more try, but if the next episode is anything like this was - forget it.
Hegel88
Apr 19, 2005 @ 12:19 pm
The premiere was a bit hard to follow at times, but I think it has promise.
Richard Burns
May 9, 2005 @ 11:27 am
I'm surprised that there isn't more talk about Charlie Jade. That show is original and intelligent. I guess its limited availability is hampering the talkback. A person involved with the show is present on Space's forums and is giving some very good insight on the characters and the three universes.
I have to say that O1 Boxer is one of the most original characters i have seen in a long time. Apparently he is a child in Alpha, an adolescent in Beta and an adult in Gamma. He really acts differently in each universe. The only thing i find weird is that we got to know more about him than Charlie in the first five episodes that have aired.
briiian
Jun 28, 2005 @ 12:25 pm
yeah, it's hard to figure out how characters know things about one another sometimes. and when they're shifting to those in-between spaces, i'm not sure if the conversations are taking place metaphorically or not.
i think charlie and boxer are shadows of each other.
this show is kind of more fantasy than sci fi... especially after the first ten episodes. but i like it. it's ambitious. and it's trying to be relevant...
Richard Burns
Jun 29, 2005 @ 10:11 am
On the SPACE forums, we have a Charlie Jade writer that shares his insights on the show. It's very interesting.
I really love that they emphasized the importance of a natural resource as simple and yet as vital as water.
Unusual Suspect
Jul 2, 2005 @ 9:28 pm
I'm having trouble getting into this show, it's kinda dull. But I admit, Charlie and 01 Boxer are hotties.
briiian
Jul 4, 2005 @ 4:45 pm
hotties? i don't think boxer's very hot. although he does pick up a LOT. charlie is ok, but they're always trying to make him look so aloof. sometimes his expressions are a little overdone.
leethomson
Aug 16, 2005 @ 6:35 am
Well, the season wraps up this weekend and I have to say that, after struggling for it's opening half dozen episodes, this show really found its feet around episode seven and has been absolutely terrific since then.
My only criticism is that the show has too much ambition. Certain characters and storylines have occasionally been given short shrift, which has been a little frustrating.
Here's hoping re-runs or DVDs are in the works, because Charlie Jade really deserves to be seen.
caper24
Aug 16, 2005 @ 2:34 pm
I just started getting into this show with the clip-show they did a couple of weeks back. It's kinda weird, because I just started reading a book where the main character is a world-walker.
It seems to have a lot going for it. I'm looking forward to seeing the rest of the episodes when Space inevitable reruns them.
Edited to add: Apparently CHUM's A-Channel stations will be showing Charlie Jade Season 1 this fall. (CHUM owns Space as well.)
Unusual Suspect
Aug 16, 2005 @ 2:43 pm
I taped the two-hour pilot and the first episode after that, but they'd sat on the tape until I was channel surfing and caught "Through a Mirror Darkly", and it managed to keep my attention enough for me to go back and watch the stuff I taped. Charlie Jade isn't a bad show, but it's not the "Filet Minon" that the actor who plays 01 calls it in those SPACE interviews I keep seeing.
caper24
Aug 16, 2005 @ 2:48 pm
No, it's not Filet Mignon... Heh heh heh... but I think it has promise. Might be one of those shows that really finds a groove in the second season (if it lasts through to a second season.)
Ide Cyan
Aug 20, 2005 @ 8:09 pm
So... can anyone explain what it was all about, now that the season's over?
Richard Burns
Aug 20, 2005 @ 10:34 pm
I think a lot of people will have difficulties with this show because they are used to being spoon fed. Charlie Jade requires you to think and concentrate on what is going on. It's one of the rare shows that treat you like an adult instead of a child with a limited attention span that requires easy storylines and self contained episodes.
It started slowly but those who persevered were rewarded with one of the most original and compelling science fiction show ever. The choice of South Africa for the shooting made it visually unique. It's a lot less familiar to us than British Columbia which we have seen way too often. They did wonders with a limited budget.
I have two suggestions for those who haven't seen it:
1. Bug the hell out of Scifi channel to get it. It deserves to be seen in the United States.
2. Try to watch all the episodes and see them in order. You can't judge the show after only seeing one or two episodes.
Ide Cyan
Aug 20, 2005 @ 10:44 pm
I have difficulties with the show because I missed all but three or four episodes. And I hear there are no plans for a DVD release.
So, what? Charlie and 01 make peace, and save the multiverse. Is that all? Was there more to get?
Jiminator
Aug 21, 2005 @ 3:53 am
yeah, and in case you haven't seen starwars, darth and luke make peace and save the universe.
for everyone else, i have to say it is a really enjoyable show. the locations are great. I think it probably took about the 8th or 9th show for things to really start kicking into high gear (or become understandable), but it was fantastic after that. both charlie and 01 play such great characers.... I do hope they are able to swing a second season...
Unusual Suspect
Aug 21, 2005 @ 12:33 pm
Is SPACE gonna repeat this show? 'Cause I missed the finale (got home late, didn't set the VCR) and I wouldn't mind watching all the way through now that I'm more interested in it. I still think the show's biggest problem was glacial pacing early on, it wasn't drawing me in.
jonathanacohen
Aug 21, 2005 @ 1:45 pm
I think a basic problem (I stopped watching after about 5-6 episodes, which is plenty of time to give a show a chance), is that it didn't give the central character a goal to strive for.
Charlie was just plunked down in a new world. So what? He didn't care, just bummed around, and la di dah. His partner didn't even have any cases; how did that detective agency survive?
There were some striking visuals and great concepts, but you need more.
leethomson
Aug 22, 2005 @ 6:52 am
I completely agree. I was underwhelmed by the first batch of episodes - Charlie kept saying he wanted to go home, but there didn't seem to be any reason why he should. 01 was nothing more than a B-movie psycho. Reena was just, well, a waste of screen-time. But a new writing staff took over as of episode nine, and the whole thing just turned around. Seemingly overnight the episodes were a whole lot tighter, and the characters more sympathetic.
caper24
Sep 5, 2005 @ 8:58 pm
A-Channel Ottawa re-aired the first episode on Saturday. So I'm gonna try catching it this time out. Should be fun, I hope.
Wyldemusick
Feb 13, 2007 @ 1:00 am
Just coming to this show via outside guidance, but I'm guessing, given the first seaon date, and the date now, that it never got to a second season. Ah well.
Unusual Suspect
Feb 13, 2007 @ 7:56 pm
Plus the actors have moved on, I saw Charlie Jade on the short-lived "The Nine", as the other bank robber. Didn't watch the show, but came to the conclusion that those were a hot pair of bank robbers.
teraelli
May 12, 2007 @ 9:42 pm
I just discovered this show as well, and blitzed through all the episodes in just a few days. Slow start, yes, but very rewarding.
Why the hell hasn't the Sci Fi Channel picked this up?
Bobby Drake
Oct 9, 2007 @ 2:27 pm
This just started in the UK last week on the FX channel, will be watching in the next couple of days but does look very interesting. The SFX magazine has just given a free dvd away with latest issue of episode one and i think behind the scenes.
teraelli
Apr 4, 2008 @ 8:52 am
I saw this several days ago and forgot to mention it here, but there's
a report that Charlie Jade is coming to the Sci-Fi Channel. The article doesn't say when, though, and there hasn't been an announcement on the Wire.
Hagakure
Apr 14, 2008 @ 5:42 am
Well it's ABOUT TIME! The
official site is up on SCIFI.COM now. The premiere is on June 8th. I'm so excited!
caper24
Apr 17, 2008 @ 2:42 pm
Well, I hope you folks enjoy the show. I certainly did, a couple of years ago. Just wish it had made it to a second season.
Senator X
Jun 4, 2008 @ 2:00 pm
This premieres this Friday before Doctor Who. Good job promoting it, Sci-Fi!
Here's a clip and synopsis at
io9
AngelKitty
Jun 7, 2008 @ 7:07 am
The premiere was a bit hard to follow at times, but I think it has promise.
When it wasn't mystifying, it was stultifying.
I have to agree with these quotes from 2005. It was kind of confusing and the ending was a bit abrupt, but I'm looking forward to more.
ChamallaPlease
Jun 8, 2008 @ 5:15 am
Just watched the pilot ... pretty good overall, a bit slow coming out of the gate. Enjoyed the second half of the episode much more.
Is SciFi planning on airing all 20 episodes consecutively?
Ebongreen
Jun 8, 2008 @ 3:21 pm
The show has style & visuals to burn, but it seems a little hampered by the amount of fanservice and loose writing.
Very pretty people: shirtless Charlie, Jasmine in her nightie, and unnamed-bomber-girl in her cleavage-accentuating beach garb.
Writing WTFs: the folks from Gammaverse use a tac-nuke on the reservoir? (It sure looked like a mushroom cloud to me.) That's not gonna leave much left. Armed guards from the parallel universes' most powerful megacorp can't shoot a single barely-armed woman who barely knows the business end of a pistol running straight away from them on a concrete runway? (Stormtrooper syndrome.) The copter carrying 01 (Owen, ha ha) conveniently flies along highways so Charlie can follow, and he doesn't suspect a trap? And this man is supposed to be off-limits to private investigators?
I mean, really. It's not as bad as the new Bionic Woman - nothing really could be - but the coherency level leaves a great deal to be desired. I need more meat & less dessert, be it cheescake or beefcake thank you very much.
Baker23
Jun 8, 2008 @ 5:13 pm
I stumbled onto this on Friday and found it completely captivating visually and conceptually, although the dialogue seemed pretty cheesy. Strange combination, actually. But I'm hooked.
weyrbunny
Jun 10, 2008 @ 9:54 am
The show has style & visuals to burn
It reminds me of
Dark City a bit. I channel-surfed on to this on Friday and am intrigued enough to watch another ep or two. I also had the Hey!-It's-that-guy! moment with Jeffrey Pierce--I last saw him on
The Nine.
The cheesiest moment had to be when CJ posed in an alley while backlit smoke (fog?) swirled behind him. It looked like a photo shoot, a grimy, smoggy photo shoot.
Senator X
Jun 10, 2008 @ 6:11 pm
Writing WTFs: the folks from Gammaverse use a tac-nuke on the reservoir? (It sure looked like a mushroom cloud to me.)
I don't think it was a tac-nuke because there was a shot of a nuclear cooling tower next to the lake. I think the explosion set of a nuclear explosion.
I liked it. I liked the mood of the Alphaverse, quite Blade Runner. I'm waiting for the next episode to explain more about what's going on in the other two 'verses because I was confused about both the bombers and the man who drove from the airport in Normalverse.
I liked that the detective narration and the conversations with the police were cheesy in that Dixon Hill/noir sort of way, but then again I'm a huge fan of noir detective stories.
Medigal
Jun 13, 2008 @ 9:12 pm
I saw my first episode tonight which seems to be the second episode overall. Would anyone be able to give me a quick recap of the first episode? This might help me to understand what I just watched. OTOH, judging from some other posts, maybe not. I love the atmosphere and think I could really get into this, if I can figure out what the heck is going on.
mindmat
Jun 14, 2008 @ 12:21 am
Medigal, R. A. Porter at popcritics.com is doing episode recaps:
overviewEpisode 1eta: spelling
Medigal
Jun 14, 2008 @ 6:45 am
Thanks mindmat!
coyotesqrl
Jun 15, 2008 @ 11:34 pm
Hey guys. I'm R.A. Heard you'd mentioned my
Charlie Jade recaps and thought I'd come on over to pimp them and the show.
The
recap for episode 2, "Sand" is up, and if you'd like a short primer on the Jadeverses, you can take a look at the
preview I wrote a couple weeks back.
I'm a big fan of the show, obviously, but it is tough at first. I'd say it wasn't until the fourth or fifth episode that I thought I had a good handle on what was going on, but even then I was wrong about more than I was right. The show rewards careful viewings and repeated viewings.
@Ebongreen, I can't disagree about the guards being unable to hit Reena as she was running away, though it's quite likely they were Gammaverse natives hired by Vex-Cor and not particularly well trained or suited to the job. However, it was annoying to me, too. As for 01 in the chopper...you're not watching closely enough.
caper24
Jun 16, 2008 @ 9:36 am
As a Canadian who saw the show years ago, R.A., I'm really enjoying your recaps. Lets me "follow along", so to speak. A pity that Showcase or Space isn't repeating the show right now. Ah well.
To those of you wavering on sticking with the show or not: believe me when I say it keeps getting better.
Ebongreen
Jun 16, 2008 @ 12:26 pm
As for 01 in the chopper...you're not watching closely enough.
If I'm not watching closely enough, perhaps the show isn't interesting enough, or isn't being clear enough about its intentions, or just isn't well-written or consistent. My watching skills are pretty good, thank you.
I recall 01 was never shown in the chopper, and I recall that Charlie assumed he was there - otherwise why chase? Did I misinterpret that?
If he wasn't on it, fine - I can be red-herring-ed like anyone else. If the show is going to make a habit of it, that'll put it further down on my list of Bothers-With Television. It's certainly not Must-See yet.
mindmat
Jun 16, 2008 @ 12:33 pm
Thanks, R. A. for doing the recaps. We need more information online about individual episodes of Charlie Jade and which characters are worthy of our special attention.
Interview with Charlie Jade's Executive producer
Robert Wertheimer...every time somebody dips their spoon they miss a clue. And I think about how if people can embrace Charlie Jade in his full and complete content, how surprised they might be. It's a tough show. It's a hard show. How come it wasn't on the air here? Because it's not simple entertainment, and it's not that the corporations are evil. It's not that the broadcasters and cable companies are evil and they're trying to restrict our viewing, but in a sense they are. But they are businesses, and they've got to show profit, and audiences today have evolved to a place that Dancing With the Stars fucking means something. And it should have its own place, but there has to be a place for something like Lost or Charlie Jade.
Obsidianmagi
Jun 16, 2008 @ 1:26 pm
Forgive me if this question has been asked and answered, but when is this due on DVD. This is not a show to be watched with three minute commercial interruptions every 10 minutes. No disrespect to SciFi channel, everyone has to pay the bills, but give me this story on DVD, on a cold rainy day and I could fall in love with it. On TV once a week with commercials, not so much. I do have an american attention span afterall.
TheNarrator
Jun 17, 2008 @ 1:07 am
I'll check for Charlie Jade DVDs the next time I'm at Scarecrow Video. If it exists, Scarecrow probably has it.
weyrbunny
Jun 17, 2008 @ 12:02 pm
While the story feels like it's still just gearing up, I was impressed with some of the photographic elements in ep. 2. The use of reflections, windows, architecture--there were several shots that were actually photojournalistic compared to a standard TV show composition.
Anyway, I'm interested enough to watch a few more eps, especially since there are comments that it improves soon.
AngelKitty
Jun 18, 2008 @ 9:46 am
Thanks, R. A. for doing the recaps.
Yes, add me in on the thanks. Any help in understanding is appreciated. The questions are a bit overwhelming right now, but I'm sticking with it.
MrPissyPuppy
Jun 18, 2008 @ 2:10 pm
Aaaanddd ... it's been pulled from SciFi's schedule for this Friday so they can run another Doctor Who. I season passed it and it's showing up again on Tuesday, 7/1 at 3am EDT.
[Edited to correct time - sorry, we don't do daylight savings here and I get confuzzled.]
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