It is with deep regret that I see yet another brilliant SciFi series that was brutally axed by the powers that be, because it did not make the ratings. For more than forty years producers and studios have been making the same mistake. A decent SciFi series take a while to get going, and be appreciated. Let's face it, "Star Trek" was a flop the first time round, and was axed because it did not make the numbers, fortunately, it was given a second chance and a new life. "SeaQuest DSV" has not been so lucky, and along with "Crusade", "Space - Above & Beyond", "FarScape" and "Earth Star Voyager", lays broken and incomplete. The producers, directors and studios need to realise that SciFi is intellectual and projective, and will almost never be appreciated by the ratings majority, and these programmes need to treated as an investment in the future of entertainment. They need to be allowed to run and complete, and grow at their own pace. Oh yes, the only reason that I gave SeaQuest a rating of 9, rather than a perfect 10, was because of the discontinuity in the episodes. Particularly the sudden reappearance of Luetenent Brody, who was previously killed in action.
Reviews
2 Reviews
Space: Above and Beyond
(1995–1996)
Why Has Another Great Show Died
15 April 2008
It seems to be that if a show has gadgets, lots of flashy lights and at least one taking computer, it is set to be a hit. Think of Blake's Seven, Star Trek, more Star Trek. If a show has a deadly enemy, structural technology and computers that are programmed rather than told, it is doomed. Here think of Babylon Crusade, and Space, Above & Beyond.
Dr Who & Star Trek were axed, once, a long time ago, but they were brought back by popular demand a private investment, so put the money up and anything is possible. I think that Farscape survived and grew because the ship was organic, a living conscious entity. This was unique and imaginative.
Stargate survived because... What can I say. Stargate has established its own genre, as well as securing its place in TV history.
When Space, Above & Beyond was first broadcast, I only got to see the first episode. I think it was work that I missed the rest of it. But those first forty-five minutes hit hard. I never forgot those few precious scenes.
A few weeks ago I was introduced to Babylon 5's spin off series, Crusade. Much more engaging and enjoyable than Babylon 5, yet cut off at thirteen episodes. Not only was the story not finished, it was not even ended. It just ran out of time. A great opportunity of storytelling thrown away.
Yet this gave me the push I needed to start trying to find out what happened to Space, Above & Beyond. I found out of course, axed at part twenty four. The characters were amongst the best of any in a space series. The interaction of the members of the team was tightening, as they became a family. The relationship between Commodor Ross and TC MacQueen was fascinating, being a distant fondness of family, with a close respect and understanding of command.
This series could have run for years, incorporating true life politics and experiences was wars around the world into the matrix of its story structure, but this was not to be. When you consider the cost of the costumes and the principal sets, the models and the props, and the concept art and sculpting for the aliens, how can they justify cancelling after so short a time, and then have the gall to claim that the show was not a financial success. The drawings, designs, tech specs and models for the tow dozen or so different types of space craft used, Terran and alien, fighters, bombers, transports, shuttles, escorts and capital ships, there is thousands of hours of work, for an eighteen hour program.
I will never understand the mindset of entertainment executives, or whatever they like to call themselves nowadays, and I do not know if this series will ever be available on DVD. For those who know where to look, the series is available to watch again.
It is their mistake. It is our loss.
Dr Who & Star Trek were axed, once, a long time ago, but they were brought back by popular demand a private investment, so put the money up and anything is possible. I think that Farscape survived and grew because the ship was organic, a living conscious entity. This was unique and imaginative.
Stargate survived because... What can I say. Stargate has established its own genre, as well as securing its place in TV history.
When Space, Above & Beyond was first broadcast, I only got to see the first episode. I think it was work that I missed the rest of it. But those first forty-five minutes hit hard. I never forgot those few precious scenes.
A few weeks ago I was introduced to Babylon 5's spin off series, Crusade. Much more engaging and enjoyable than Babylon 5, yet cut off at thirteen episodes. Not only was the story not finished, it was not even ended. It just ran out of time. A great opportunity of storytelling thrown away.
Yet this gave me the push I needed to start trying to find out what happened to Space, Above & Beyond. I found out of course, axed at part twenty four. The characters were amongst the best of any in a space series. The interaction of the members of the team was tightening, as they became a family. The relationship between Commodor Ross and TC MacQueen was fascinating, being a distant fondness of family, with a close respect and understanding of command.
This series could have run for years, incorporating true life politics and experiences was wars around the world into the matrix of its story structure, but this was not to be. When you consider the cost of the costumes and the principal sets, the models and the props, and the concept art and sculpting for the aliens, how can they justify cancelling after so short a time, and then have the gall to claim that the show was not a financial success. The drawings, designs, tech specs and models for the tow dozen or so different types of space craft used, Terran and alien, fighters, bombers, transports, shuttles, escorts and capital ships, there is thousands of hours of work, for an eighteen hour program.
I will never understand the mindset of entertainment executives, or whatever they like to call themselves nowadays, and I do not know if this series will ever be available on DVD. For those who know where to look, the series is available to watch again.
It is their mistake. It is our loss.
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