Adventure, exotic worlds and speculative technology: the space opera. Alien races and anomalous
phenomena are common to the lore. The setting is usually the future but can
just as easily be the past or present. There may be magic but such is typically
tweaked and renamed. Regardless of its diverse particulars, the space opera is what it is and we
recognize it immediately.
The fine line between science
fiction and fantasy is the
subjective notion of plausibility. The space
opera is expected to be science
fiction or fantasy in the guise
thereof. Strange or advanced technology is a must. Should utter weirdness be
the technology it must be explained “scientifically” even if such an explanation
is sheer nonsense. The space opera
must somehow be “futuristic” regardless of setting.
We are stirred by strangeness and thrilled by adventure.
Like heroic fantasy, the space opera
is all about being weird and adventurous. Realism and intensity make a story
gritty and the space opera is no
exception. Still, it is the unusual reality of the genre that gives it its distinct
appeal.
The space opera
is the epitome of all fiction. Science fiction, fantasy, adventure, horror,
mystery, romance and war are all commonly associated with this one of every
genre.
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