It's more fair to say that CB prototypes the "space western" - if most sci fi after Star Wars followed the royalty and their armadas, CB followed Han and Chewie as if they never got involved with the girl with honeybuns on her head. CB, in my opinion, also spends more capital on an elaborate world surrounding the characters. I think that's one reason it's lasted - the storyworld is pretty rich.
I agree wholeheartedly. I only lasted about ten episodes in my last time around, but I remember being pretty much unsympathetic towards any of the main characters. I did however very much enjoyed many of the extras, the various locales, the vehicle design, etc.CB, in my opinion, also spends more capital on an elaborate world surrounding the characters. I think that's one reason it's lasted - the storyworld is pretty rich.
In hindsight, this was my original line of thought. I only finished the series to finish it and return the borrowed DVD set. Ultimately, the characters themselves weren't outstanding, but all that surrounded them did. I found myself raving at my music geek of a brother of why he'll love each and every episode: describing the art, soundtrack for fight scenes, hell, even chase scenes. I remember being pretty much unsympathetic towards any of the main characters.