Andromeda

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At the end of the first episode, I decided that this show had some potential. In fact, it had a lot of potential.

First, we've got the Noble Cause: restore civilization to its former glory working in a universe far less friendly and happy than it once was.

The Noble Hero: High Guard Captain Dylan Hunt (aka Kevin Sorbo, aka Hercules which is alluded to in the first episode) whose one significant weakness is that he thinks that a Noble Cause can succeed just because it's his Noble Cause. And he's far too nice - he'd get walked on all of the time if he didn't have some muscles and brains to fall back on, not to mention a ship that can kick just about anyone's ass. Frozen in time for 300 years just outside of the event horizon of a black hole so that everything and everyone he's ever known is gone. Every hero needs a little tragedy in his background, right? And this provides us with the Noble Cause.

The Sidekicks: 

• The Rogue - Beka Valentine, a rough around the edges trader pilot trying to make a go of things in a hostile universe. The new first officer.
• The Geek - Seamus Harper, a know it all mechanical and engineering genius. The MacGyver of the future only making better toys. ("Trust in the Harper. The Harper is good.") Scotty for a new millenium.
• The Spiritual Dude - Rev Bem, a Wayist and a Magog, the most bloodthirsty aliens this side of the black hole. But he's seen the light and won't force it on you unless you ask.
• The Purple Babe - Trance Gemini. Purple skin, prehensile tail, mysterious past. What more could you ask for?
• The Muscle Man - Tyr Anasazi, a Nietzchean a genetically engineered human variant. And yes, they take their basic philosophies from him, referring to him as The Prophet. If we were drawing Star Trek parallels, I'd call him Worf, but I think that the Nietzcheans are more original than the Klingons and wish I'd thought of them first.
• The Sentient Ship - Andromeda Ascendant, more often referred to as Romy and a babe in her own right. Her "avatar" can function independently and she can cast a hologram of herself where needed. Throw in an image on the computer screen and she can actually have a three-way conversation with herself, which is done once or twice.

Conflict: well, basically the universe is out to get them. Friends are few and far between and there's no shortage of hostiles at any turn. Legions of bad guys and nasty aliens. The crew don't always get along, either.

Good special effects.

Lots of neat techno-toys.

A cool techno theme song written by a musical genius.

And the first season went pretty well. Cruised around trying to convince people that the reestablishing the Commonwealth would be a good idea, fought some bad guys, basically tried to make the universe a better place. Developed the characters a bit while things went on. A little story originality here and there - any is more than you expect from most television shows.

Second season was more of the same for the most part. Characters got a little deeper, bad guys got a little badder, made some friends and allies. But then, lo and behold!, they came up with enough signatures to start he Commonwealth up again. The bright and shining light of civilization returns to the universe.

What, already? In two measly seasons.

Now, in the third season, they're taking orders, being told where to go and what to do, blah, blah, blah. It's like watching crummier episodes of Star Trek which was not why I was watching this show. The Noble Cause is taken care of, the Hero is just another guy and the sidekicks are all one big happy family. Sure, there's still bad guys out there whose butts need kicking, but I can watch any number of shows to get that.

Is there going to be a fourth season? I don't know. Haven't watched more than half of the third. Too boring.

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Page last updated: 15 Apr 2003.