Pioneer One

This show is the future in many ways. As resources in the planet dwindle, the "more with less" approach is sure to invade every aspect of economy, including the production and distribution of entertainment.

This show has a tiny budget (less then $10000/episode), and yet the production is technically clean and actor work, while not exceptional, is competent. Since capital investment is so small, the production has to rely on the bag of tricks of the old school of (theatre) drama: first of all good writing (no special effects to distract us from bad lines, like -- from "The Hunt for Red October" -- "listen, I'm a politician which means I'm a cheat and a liar, and when I'm not kissing babies I'm stealing their lollipops"), competent acting and a thinking viewer. We've seen some excellent attempts from the industry to move in this direction, but the audiences are not quite there yet. But the days of watching flashy entertainment are numbered.