What is Science Fiction?

The movie Gravity recently came out in theatres. It’s been getting a lot of great reviews and garnering attention to space travel that hasn’t been seen since the movie Apollo 13. And yet there seems to be a point of contention about this particular film. Is Gravity a Science Fiction movie? And that of course has me asking the much bigger question; What is Science Fiction? And I have to admit when I really think about it, I’m not completely sure I have an easy answer

Now such a question shouldn’t be this hard to answer. Science fiction is fiction about science. There. That was easy. But hold on there. Does that mean any fictional story with a scientific element is science fiction? That seems wrong. That would mean that Dan Brown’s book Angels & Demons is a sci-fi movie because one of the major plot points revolves around anti-matter. But it’s not. Angels & Demons is clearly a mystery thriller. Or perhaps you could call it a religious drama. But Sci-Fi? Not really.

Okay, so it can’t just be a story that contains scientific elements. The bulk of the story must revolve around a scientific element in order for it to qualify the science part of Science Fiction. Okay, so any fictional story with a scientific element shall be classified as sci-fi. And again I say, hold on. The movie Fire in the Sky is classified as Science Fiction. Yet it is based on a true story. Which means it isn’t fiction. It is fact. (True some of the elements of being abducted by aliens might be made up, but these are the events as told by the person who it occurred to so technically they can be classified as fact). So now we run into another roadblock over what is sci-fi. True stories can’t be fiction. We would not classify Apollo 13 as a Science Fiction movie. That was a national event and while I am sure some of the cinematic elements might have been altered for the silver screen (it happens with every adaptation), the main story is true. So why is Apollo 13 less Science Fiction than Fire in the Sky?

Perhaps I am looking at the wrong area. Space is rather grey (actually it’s a black void) that causes a lot of confusion when it comes to identifying real Science and Science Fiction. Heck, it is a known fact most NASA guys were inspired to their careers from watching Star Trek. So Space is always going to be something that people will associate with Science Fiction whether it is real science or not. For the moment I am going to put a pin in it and say space with humans, real, space with aliens, fiction.

What about computers? Computers have long been a staple of science fiction. Robots, artificial intelligence, advanced technologies, Science Fiction has always been able to envision technology that is always just a little bit better than what we can create ourselves. So movies that have portrayals of computers can be labeled as Sci-Fi. Again I find this is not always the case. Even though computers have become such an everyday item for people, not so long ago they were not, and even today many times computers are used as deus ex machina type fixes for problems in any story. Need the secret agent to open a locked door? Oh well a hacker can do that no problem with just a few keystrokes according to most film logic. The movie Hackers is in fact an excellent example of the absurd things computers can be used for. But while none of these things seems possible in real life, Hackers is not Sci-Fi. At best it is a goofy crime film. And yet take some of the premises in Hackers and apply it to characters in a film like Eagle Eye and you have a film that can be classified as Sci-Fi. Even the film Real Genius (a classic comedy starring Val Kilmer in his younger years) is classified as Sci-Fi sometimes and it has much fewer outrageous computer elements as Hackers does.

What seems to really classify something as Sci-Fi is when it goes completely outside the realm of what science can currently do and prove. Some small scientific absurdity that, while believable in a fictitious film or story, does not fit in with the typical scientific narrative. Aliens are science fiction because even though many people believe in the concept of extraterrestrial life, it cannot be immediately proven. So we need to make stuff up about what life out there might be like. The best sci-fi though is the science fiction that honors what scientific belief states at the time of its creation. Michael Crichton, a doctor before he became an author, would always honor what science said was possible and then took it one step further. 

Young Justice: Rivals Conclusion

See Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3 here

EPILOGUE

INT. THE CAVE - HAPPY HARBOR - LATER

BATMAN stands before Robin, Zatanna and Superboy.

BATMAN
The police took Scarecrow into
custody. He has a cell waiting for him in Arkham.

Batman puts a hand on Zatanna’s shoulder.

BATMAN (CONT’D)
Your father would be proud of you

today.


Zatanna beams up at Batman, holding back tears in her eyes.

ZATANNA
Thank you, sir.

Zatanna wipes her eyes.


Batman turns his attention to Robin and Superboy.

BATMAN
As for you two.

Robin and Superboy look down at the ground in shame.

BATMAN (CONT’D)
Neither of you can be blamed for what
happened. You were manipulated by an outside force. It happens.

Batman’s eyes narrow.

BATMAN (CONT’D)
Don’t let it happen again.

Robin and Superboy stand up straight, heads held high.

SUPERBOY/ROBIN
Yes sir.

BATMAN
Shake hands.

Superboy and Robin shake hands.

ZATANNA
I better get to the infirmary and help
heal the rest of the team.

Superboy hangs his head in shame.

SUPERBOY
I need to go apologize to them.
Especially M’gann.

Batman nods for them to go. Zatanna and Superboy walk away together.

ROBIN
Hey Conner!

Superboy turns back towards Robin.

ROBIN (CONT’D)
No hard feelings.

Superboy smiles at Robin and continues to walk away. Batman and Robin are left alone.

BATMAN
You could have used it.

Robin turns to Batman. He un-clips a small metal container off of his belt and tosses it to Batman who catches it in mid- air.

ROBIN
I don’t want it.

Batman tosses the container back to Robin.

BATMAN
Someday you might need it. And Conner
will be the first to thank you if you do.

Batman reaches a hand out and lightly squeezes Robin’s shoulder. He turns away and walks into the teleporter where he vanishes.

COMPUTER (V.O.)
Recognize. Batman. Zero. Two.

Robin opens the container in his hand. A green glow lights up his face. He closes the container returns it to his belt.

FADE TO BLACK. 

Young Justice: Rivals Part 3

See part 1 and part 2

ACT II

INT. CAVE - HAPPY HARBOR - NIGHT

Robin and Superboy are on opposite sides of the room, restrained in chairs. Robin is restrained by multiple leather straps whereas Superboy’s restraints are steel. Both young heroes fight against their bonds.

SUPERBOY
Let me go! I need to defeat him!

Miss Martian and Kid Flash stand behind Superboy, waiting to grab him should he break free.

ROBIN
He needs to be stopped! Untie me!

Artemis and Zatanna stand behind Robin, similarly waiting to restrain him should he escape.

KID FLASH
This is crazy. We can’t just keep the
two of them tied up forever.


Aqualad stands in between them and addresses the group.

AQUALAD
Agreed. The two of you will explain
your actions to the rest of the team.

Both Robin and Superboy scream their responses at the same time.

ROBIN/SUPERBOY
He attacked me!/He got in my way!

Both Robin and Superboy fight against their bonds to get at each other. Their teammates fight to hold them down.

ROBIN
I’ve got a batarang with your name on
it, muscles!!

SUPERBOY
I’m going to flatten you to a pulp,

twerp!

ROBIN
Copy!

SUPERBOY

Wannabe!

AQUALAD
SILENCE!


Aqualad puts his head in his hand.

AQUALAD (CONT’D)
<deep breath> Their behavior is just
getting worse.

Aqualad turns to Zatanna.

AQUALAD (CONT’D) Zatanna, if I may ask for your
assistance.

Zatanna nods her head and stands by Aqualad. She prepares to cast a spell.

ZATANNA
(mystical)
Yobrepus dna Nibor peels!


Superboy and Robin fall into a deep sleep in their chairs.

ZATANNA (CONT’D)
That should last for a bit.

Artemis, Kid Flash and Miss Martian slowly back away from the two sleeping heroes.

AQUALAD
Now we must get to the root of their
aggression.


Aqualad looks to Miss Martian.

AQUALAD (CONT’D)
M’gann, I know you do not like to scan
people’s minds without their permission...

Miss Martian raises her hand, stopping Kaldur from asking further.

MISS MARTIAN
I can do a surface scan that would not
be too intrusive to either of them.

AQUALAD
Do it.

Miss Martian’s eyes glow as she holds her hands out towards Robin and Superboy.

MISS MARTIAN
All I can sense is rage. Endless waves
of rage. It’s strange. While asleep, their thoughts should be calming down but the rage does not seem to be subsiding. In fact, it appears to be getting stronger.

Miss Martian’s eyes return to normal.

MISS MARTIAN (CONT’D)
I’m sorry but that’s all I can get
without going deeper.

AQUALAD
It was enough. We now know that our
friends are not being themselves. Something is affecting them. Something that is not affecting the rest of us.

Kid Flash looks at Robin, who is stirring in his sleep.

KID FLASH
So they’re not just being violent
jerks?

AQUALAD
It would seem not.

Miss Martian hits her forehead with her hand.

MISS MARTIAN
Hello Megan! They were alone together
at the University. Something must have happened to them there. We should go investigate.

AQUALAD
No. If they awaken it will take all of
us to restrain them.

Zatanna steps forward.

ZATANNA
I can go alone. My magic should help
me find a cause quickly while the rest of you remain here.

ARTEMIS
I agree with Z. If those two break
free you’re going to need the fighters here to put a stop to them.
(looks to Zatanna)
No offense.

ZATANNA
None taken.

KID FLASH
Um, wasn’t Zatanna the one who put
them to sleep? She should stay and I should go.

Artemis looks at Wally.

ARTEMIS
Do have any idea what to look for?

Kid Flash opens his mouth to say something in response to Artemis but closes it and looks away from her, crossing his arms.

ZATANNA
I have my spells and Robin has been
teaching me detective work. I’ll get to the bottom of this.

Aqualad nods in approval at Zatanna.

AQUALAD
Hurry back. Our efforts may not be
enough to restrain them if they awaken. You will need to cast another spell on them.

Zatanna casts a spell.

ZATANNA (mystical)
Ekat em ot Mahtog Ytisrevinu!

Zatanna disappears in a puff of smoke.

CUT TO:

EXT. QUAD - GOTHAM UNIVERSITY - NIGHT

Zatanna appears in the center of campus in a puff of smoke. She looks around to realize she is completely in the open.

ZATANNA
Smooth Z. Real smooth. Very stealthy.

Zatanna looks up at the building she has appeared in front of. A large sign says “CHEMISTRY BUILDING”. Zatanna’s eyes narrow at the sight of the sign and she enters the building.

INT. CAVE - HAPPY HARBOR - NIGHT

Superboy and Robin are still asleep, but they are stirring and struggling against their bonds.

SUPERBOY/ROBIN
<whimpers and panting>

Aqualad looks at his two struggling teammates.

AQUALAD
They will awaken soon. We must contain
their rage.

KID FLASH
How do you contain a half-kryptonian?
And none of us have beaten Robin in hand to hand.

Superboy’s eyes bolt open. He flexes his muscles and the steel restraints snap and bend. He pushes the metal off his body and frees himself.

SUPERBOY
<grunts in anger!>

Miss Martian places herself in between Superboy and the Others. She reaches a hand out her eyes glow.

MISS MARTIAN (V.O.)
(telepathically)
Conner! I know you don’t want to hurt anyone. Please, resist the rage building inside of you.

Superboy stops his rampage towards the group. He grips the side of his head as if in pain.

SUPERBOY
<Groans of pain>

MISS MARTIAN (V.O.)
(telepathically)
That’s right. Resist it.

Superboy looks up at Miss Martian, struggling telepathic prompting. He SCREAMS with rage at Megan.
The PSYCHIC BACKLASH causes a wave of pain to Miss Martian. She stumbles on her feet.

Miss Martian opens her eyes to see Superboy zooming towards her. His fist connects with her jar with a CRASH.

MISS MARTIAN

Ugh!

Miss Martian sales through the air from the punch. She falls to the ground unconscious.
Aqualad looks at Miss Martian and then at Superboy.

AQUALAD
WALLY! HOLD HIM!

KID FLASH
On it!


Kid Flash runs to try and hold Superboy in place.
Superboy grabs him and twirls him in the air before tossing him across the room.

Kid Flash flies through the air before he hits the wall hard.

KID FLASH (CONT’D)
<Groan of pain>

Artemis sees Kid Flash hit the wall and stop moving.

ARTEMIS

WALLY!

Artemis looks at Superboy, her face in an expression of fury. She pulls back on her bow to let loose a barrage of arrows at Superboy.
Superboy rushes at her as the arrows SHATTER harmlessly against his chest. He grabs the bow from Artemis’s hand and SNAPS it in half. He grabs Artemis by the collar of her costume.

ARTEMIS (CONT’D)
<Gulps>


Superboy holds up Artemis. He pulls back his fist to hit her. Artemis looks at Superboy in terror.

ARTEMIS (CONT’D)
Please, Conner, don’t.

One of Aqualad’s water whips wraps around Superboy’s fist and keeps him from hitting Artemis.
Superboy turns his head to the source of the whip.

AQUALAD
I do not wish to fight you my friend.

Aqualad pulls out both of his water swords. He brandishes them at Superboy.

AQUALAD (CONT’D)
But I will if I must.

Superboy lets go of Artemis. He CRACKS his knuckles and smirks towards Aqualad.

SUPERBOY
First I crush the fish.
(looks at Robin)
Then I crush the bird!

Superboy charges towards Aqualad.
Aqualad jumps out of the way as Superboy punches the ground where he stood, cracking the floor of the cave.

AQUALAD
<Groan of pain>

Artemis shakes her head to regain her senses. She looks towards the fight between Aqualad and Superboy.

ARTEMIS
(whisper)
Kaldur.

Artemis runs towards the fight. A pair of bolas wrap around her legs and arms, completely immobilizing her, and she falls to the ground when.
Artemis looks up to see Robin escaped from his bonds and standing over her.

ARTEMIS (CONT’D)
Robin?


Robin walks past Artemis, not acknowledging her.
Aqualad is using his water swords to deflect Superboy’s blows, swinging and turning to avoid the half-kryptonian’s powerful punches.
An explosive batarang lands in the ground between Superboy and Aqualad, BEEPING twice before EXPLODING.
The explosion violently throws Aqualad across the room where he hits the far wall of the cave and passes out on the ground.

A completely unharmed Superboy turns towards Robin, who is holding several batarangs and standing in a fighting position.

ROBIN
This fight is between you and me.

At the same time, Superboy lunges forward and Robin throws his batarangs.

INT. HALL - CHEMISTRY BUILDING - GOTHAM UNIVERSITY - NIGHT

A typical academic building with long halls that have the doors to classrooms and labs along it. Zatanna walks down the hall, not sure what she is looking for.

ZATANNA

Hello?

One of the lab doors swings open and Dr. Crane steps out into the hall. He is wiping his hands with a washcloth.

DOCTOR CRANE
Can I help you young lady?

ZATANNA
My teammates were here earlier today
fighting Clayface and now they’re going insane. We believe they must have been exposed to something here.

Doctor Crane looks concerned at this revelation.

DOCTOR CRANE
Oh my. I think I know what is wrong.
Please, follow me.


The Doctor goes into his lab and Zatanna follows.

INT. LAB - CHEMISTRY BUILDING - GOTHAM UNIVERSITY - CONTINUOUS

Zatanna enters the lab. The lights are off. There are many chemicals of multiple colors in test tubes, beakers and vials, some being heated by Bunsen burners.

ZATANNA
We need to hurry. I’m sure their
condition has worsened since I’ve been gone.

The door to the lab SLAMS shut behind Zatanna. She quickly turns to see Doctor Crane menacingly staring at her, one hand on the door and the other behind his back.

DOCTOR CRANE
Oh I’m sure it has. After all, that’s
what I intended.

Zatanna stares at the doctor, confused.

ZATANNA
You intended?

Doctor Crane takes his hand out from behind his back. A ragged burlap glove is on his hand and it sprays a yellow gas from the wrist out at Zatanna.
Zatanna GASPS and COUGHS, covering her face with her hands. She stumbles to the ground.

ZATANNA (CONT’D)
(through coughs)
What did you do?

Doctor Crane walks around Zatanna, watching her convulse and spasm on the floor of the lab.

DOCTOR CRANE
I knew Clayface’s rampage would bring
out some super-do-gooder types. It was easy to convince that pile of mud to go on a bit of a tear. I had hoped for the senior Justice League, or even just the Bat, but when your young friends showed up instead I couldn’t resist the opportunity to test my new compound. A chemical that will cause anyone infected with it to fight to the death.

Doctor Crane crouches down near Zatanna’s face.

DOCTOR CRANE (CONT’D)
From what you’ve said it seems to be
working perfectly. The envy and hatred your teammates are feeling towards each other should have them tearing each other apart. It was simple really. Hatred just comes from a fear you keep deep down inside.

Zatanna looks up at Doctor Crane. Her perception is warped and she hallucinates Doctor Crane as THE SCARECROW.

DOCTOR CRANE (CONT’D)
(distorted)
And the Scarecrow is the master of fear.

INT. CAVE - HAPPY HARBOR - NIGHT

The cave is thoroughly trashed. Computers are smashed, the walls and floors are cracked and damaged.
Robin and Superboy are showing obvious signs of fatigue from their fight. Both their uniforms are torn. They face off between each other, catching their breaths.

ROBIN
Face it. My fighting skill counters
your strength. I was trained by Batman. I was RAISED by Batman. I’m never going to quit. You weren’t raised by anyone. You’re just a clone.

A surge of anger and adrenaline has Superboy furiously attacking Robin.

SUPERBOY
<Screams of rage!>

Robin dodges out of the way but Superboy is moving with such fury that he clips Robin in the shoulder.
Robin stumbles backwards, gripping his shoulder in pain.

ROBIN
<whimper of pain>

Robin runs away from Superboy.


INT. LAB - CHEMISTRY BUILDING - GOTHAM UNIVERSITY - NIGHT

Doctor Crane has donned his SCARECROW costume. He smiles as he watches Zatanna WRITHE on the ground.

ZATANNA
<Cries and whimpers of pain and
sorrow>

DOCTOR CRANE/SCARECROW
Alas my dear, you didn’t get the same chemical as your friends. That’s just my nonspecific fear toxin infecting you.

Scarecrow moves closer to Zatanna.

DOCTOR CRANE/SCARECROW
(CONT’D)
You can feel the fear coursing through

your body. The terror is building, finding your

most horrible fear and enhancing it. I can only imagine the sort of nightmares a sorceress would have. What keeps a witch like you awake at night?

DISSOLVE TO:

INT. NIGHTMARE SPACE - NIGHT

A swirling black space. Zatanna walks around, her arms reaching outward for something to grab on to.

ZATANNA
Hello? Is anyone there? Somebody help
me!

In the distance Zatanna sees her father, ZATARRA. She runs towards him.

ZATANNA (CONT’D)
Daddy! Oh thank god you’re here! I was
so scared.


Zatanna wraps her arms around her father.
Zatarra embraces his daughter, stroking her hair in reassurance.

ZATARRA
It’s alright child. I am here.

Zatarra’s form morphs in Zatanna’s arms.
Zatanna looks up. Her father has changed into DOCTOR FATE.

DOCTOR FATE
I will always be here.

Zatanna backs away in terror.

ZATANNA
No. NO!

Doctor Fate changes and distorts. He grows in size. Spikes form from his armor. A mouth forms in his helmet made of jagged sharp teeth. His cape becomes ragged and ripped. The monstrous image of Fate advances on Zatanna.

DOCTOR FATE
(distorted)
We can be together forever!

A giant clawed hand grabs Zatanna and pulls her towards Doctor Fate’s mouth.

ZATANNA
No! Stop! Let me go!

Zatanna struggles to free herself from Doctor Fate’s grasp.

ZATANNA (CONT’D)
This isn’t real! This isn’t real!

INT. LAB - CHEMISTRY BUILDING - GOTHAM UNIVERSITY - NIGHT

The Scarecrow has his back turned to Zatanna. He is mixing together various chemicals.

ZATANNA
(mystical)
SIHT T’NSI LEAR!

A burst of magic light comes off of Zatanna’s body. Scarecrow shields his eyes from the blast.

ZATANNA (O.S.) (CONT’D)
(mystical)
Tenibac tuokconk worceracS!

The Scarecrow uncovers his eyes only to see a file cabinet fly across the room towards him. He dives out of the way just in time to avoid being hit by the cabinet.

SCARECROW
How?

Zatanna stands in front of Doctor Crane, who is staring up at her.

ZATANNA
You’ve never fought a “sorceress”,
have you? We don’t scare easy. Scarecrow’s eyes widen in terror.


Zatanna waves her hand over the Scarecrow.

ZATANNA (CONT’D)
(mystical)
Dnib worceracS!

Magic ropes entangle the Scarecrows arms and legs. Zatanna walks up to Scarecrow and removes his mask.

ZATANNA (CONT’D)
Tell me how to help my friends!

DOCTOR CRANE/SCARECROW
Never! If they don’t destroy each
other, the fear will!


Zatanna leans in close to Scarecrow’s face.

ZATANNA
You like fear, Doctor? Let me teach
YOU something about fear.

Zatanna’s eyes glow with magic. The ropes become snakes, HISSING as they bind Doctor Crane.

DOCTOR CRANE/SCARECROW
<whimpers in fear>

Zatanna’s eyes glow even brighter.

INT. CAVE - HAPPY HARBOR - NIGHT

Continuation of Teaser scene. Superboy is standing over Robin, ready to give a killing blow.
Zatanna appears in the cave in a PUFF OF SMOKE.

ZATANNA
STOP!


Superboy turns to see Zatanna.

ZATANNA (CONT’D)
(mystical)
Retsinimda eruc!

A blue vial flies out of Zatanna’s hand and smashes against Superboy’s face. A blue gas surrounds Superboy’s head and he BREATHES it in deeply.

Instantly Superboy’s rage subsides and he backs away from Robin, a look of disgust on his face.

SUPERBOY
What have I done?

Zatanna rushes to the unconscious Robin. She kneels over him and places a hand on his chest.

ZATANNA (mystical)
Leah niboR!

A glowing light shines through Robin’s body. Robin stirs, weak but whole.

SUPERBOY
Robin?

ROBIN
(weak)
I don’t even like cookies.

Zatanna smiles. She hugs Robin.

END ACT II

To be concluded...