" Under the Night " - Episode #101 (slight spoilers below) (Click here for synopsis)

Written By: Robert Hewitt Wolfe     Directed By: Allan Kroeker

The first episode of any series has a many tasks to complete if the series is to be launched on a good footing. These include introducing the continuing characters, establishing the premise of the show and sparking the interest of the audience. All of this ideally should be done via dialogue and action, without heavy exposition.

The first episode of a science fiction (SF) series has a lot more work than most. The premise and background of a typical police drama, medical drama, or situation comedy is generally very familiar to the audience from their own experience or from similar shows. A SF show has to establish a generally unfamiliar setting (in time or space), fictional (but believable) science basis and characters that may include extraterrestrials!

Doing all of the above in a pilot episode is close to impossible. In reviewing a show I tend to look for the qualities of consistency, believability and how enjoyable/ generally well done the production is. Naturally, it is hard to judge a show or its cast by one episode, but "Under the Night" seems a good start.

While it is too early to tell for sure the premise of the show seems to make sense and open the door to many interesting plot lines in future episodes. The rebellion of the Nietzscheans fits their character as established by the first officer and their success is believable enough for now given the limited information we have. The science employed is not very clearly defined, but there are no glaring inconsistencies to distract from the story (though I am unsure about the feasibility of a rescue from a singularity's event horizon!).

The character with the most development was Dylan Hunt, which as the Captain of Andromeda (and sole survivor) is fitting. His interactions with his traitorous first officer as well as his response to the downfall of the Commonwealth help to sketch him as a man of passion, action and commitment. If anything was weak about the performance perhaps it was a lack of believability in the extent of the impact on him upon finding that everything he ever knew was gone for hundreds of years.

Others who seemed played well were the salvage crew captain and Rev Bem. Gerentex seemed more annoying than dangerous, but I am not sure how on going a character he will be.

The plot of the episode at this point was fairly predictable once the premise of the 'lost' ship was established. However, this was played out well and with believability. The humor of referring to Sorbo's character as like "a Greek God" actually helped make him easier to accept as other than his other well-known character.

There is not enough information yet to really evaluate consistency. The rating for the episode is given below. For information on how my rating system works, click on this link.

Reviewed 10/10/00 by Larry Kramer Updated on 06/08/01.

© 2001 Larry Kramer (See Copyright Disclaimer)