Pluses and minuses

budikavlan

What Andromeda does well:

1. The cast is, on the whole, quite good.  Kevin Sorbo is the solid core (typical) central character one expects in this type of story, but the other characters are generally original and well-played.  I especially like Harper and Beka, who manage to be fresh and compelling without being so iconoclastic as to distract the viewer from the plot.  I also like that Rommie is not only an AI "learning to be human" but is also The Ship.

2. Backstory and plot are as interesting as any sci-fi franchise on television.  The tale of Dylan's having been "stuck in a singularity" for 300 years, while scientifically suspect, makes a good yarn.

3. Effects and art direction are up to the best modern syndie TV can offer: benefitting from the advances in computer tech while likewise suffering from the vague sense of unreality it creates.

Where Andromeda falls short:

1. As the biggest "power that be," Sorbo has a slight tendency to overstress his character's importance.  Dylan is, of course, the most important character, but as a fairly stereotyped "strong, silent captain," he's far from the most interesting character.  The other characters should not only be allowed to carry some episodes, they should also be allowed to "be the hero" in more stories, even when Dylan is also featured.  No captain, no matter how heroic, is always right.

2. Individual episodes are hit-and-miss.  Not only are occasional episodes not much fun to watch, they don't even have much to do with the ongoing story.  While I recognize that we can't get a barnburner every week, we do need *some* reason to tune in, whether it's humor or romance or whatever.

3. Not every unique touch has played out:  Rev Bem was interesting in conception but not really in execution.  I don't fault Brent Stait; I just think a Magog monk was compelling for about a week tops.  I don't really mind that he was written out (for whatever reason).  Another character who has failed to reach critical mass:  Tyr.  KHC is a good actor and undeniably an impressive physical specimen, but as the seasons have gone by, Tyr has never really developed much beyond a surly, untrustworthy bore.  I think the problem lies largely with the concept of Nietzscheans in general; to make him more interesting, they would necessarily undermine the underpinnings of the character--it's a catch-22.  I'm also underwhelmed by the "new Trance." The character as originally played was enigmatic and sweet; now she's just confusing.

4. Season 3 already misses the "rebuilding the Commonwealth" story thread. While the stories this year have been interesting, the show lacks dramatic impetus.  Now that they're not concentrating on preparing for the Magog invasion or on strengthening the Commonwealth, they seem to be floundering around a bit.  The plot lacks direction.

All told, I like Andromeda as much as anything on right now.  But I can't help but feel it's not living up to potential.  I'm afraid they may be trying to please a focus group rather than trying to make compelling television.

score /10

budikavlan 1 December 2002

Reprint: https://www.imdb.com/review/rw0679571/