I caught a random episode of this series about 2 years ago and instantly knew i had found an interesting little gem. Unfortunately at the time it was being aired at about 4 in the morning and so i missed most episodes, then the series (season 1 i believe) ended with no mention as to when it would reappear. I quickly forgot about it and heard nothing more of Andromeda until a few months ago.
I have never been a sci-fi fan. I never liked the star wars films, i viewed star trek as merely a 'space soap' based on the few episodes of each series i forced myself to endure (voyager being my favourite because of she sexy 7 of 9, but still barely worth my time). I also viewed a few random episodes of farscape, which is obviously a very structured series, as the story lines and constantly shifting character line-up and interaction left me confused and fairly unimpressed (at times it seemed more like muppets in space).
However, a friend of mine mentioned Andromeda to me and jogged my memory. He has the first 4 seasons on DVD and, remembering my drooling infatuation with the sumptuous Rommie, the sexy Becka and the fun and bouncy Trance (three-way anyone?), decided to borrow them off him.
Season 1 started off well (if a bit cheesily) with instantly likable characters, a simple premise, some good action scenes and improbable but escapist science. It continued to hold my interest as fun entertaining viewing. Watching the characters fleshing out, watching the bitter rivalry and mutual respect building between who i see as the two strongest characters (Dylan and Tyr), watching the unbelievably cute and mysterious trance bouncing around, watching Harper practically rebuild the ship twice over, and watching Becka in some extremely sexy outfits made the whole viewing experience a joy (oh, and there was some stuff about rebuilding civilisation in there too).
I thought the finale to the season was pretty impressive and couldn't wait to start on season 2.
I found season two to be just as entertaining. I was glad to see the back of Rev Bem, but somewhat disappointed with the new Trance and thought little of Rommies new haircut and arrogance. The storyline got a bit more convoluted but, in essence still followed on quite neatly right up until the finale.
The first episode of season three was where it all went a bit wrong. I thought the conclusion to the previous story was a bit rushed and gave little explanation as to what had actually happened to Tyr and Becka. For a start, Tyr seemed really quite disturbed when he reverted back to his normal self which, for a Niechzean seemed distinctly out of character, especially as Becka seemed largely unaffected by the trauma. Secondly, no-one seemed the least bit bothered that there was a kitten, a creature which had been extinct for thousands of years, on board the ship (i personally would have had it dissected, or at least scanned). And most importantly, what the hell happened to Tyrs bone-blades? I thought they would explain this a few episodes down the line, as has been the case previously, as some kind of genetic purification caused by the vortex, but Tyr remains every inch the niechzean, and an explanation is never given.
Also in season three i got the impression (from the episodes 'the unconquerable man' and 'the dark backwards') that every one was just a part of Trances little game and as such nothing that had gone before or since mattered in any way or was even real. This was a bit of a disappointment to me and, in my opinion, rendered the entire adventure from the first episode onwards obsolete. Then, to make matters worse, the best character in the show leaves in such an insubstantial and lacklustre way (we all saw it coming, but they could have given him a more dramatic exit) i'm wondering if i can be bothered to start watching the fourth season, especially since there was no cliff-hanger to retain my interest.
All in all the series is never less than entertaining and satiates any thirst for sci-fi i have in me but i doubt hard core fans will be impressed.
Watch it for the experience but don't take it too seriously or you may be disappointed.
I have never been a sci-fi fan. I never liked the star wars films, i viewed star trek as merely a 'space soap' based on the few episodes of each series i forced myself to endure (voyager being my favourite because of she sexy 7 of 9, but still barely worth my time). I also viewed a few random episodes of farscape, which is obviously a very structured series, as the story lines and constantly shifting character line-up and interaction left me confused and fairly unimpressed (at times it seemed more like muppets in space).
However, a friend of mine mentioned Andromeda to me and jogged my memory. He has the first 4 seasons on DVD and, remembering my drooling infatuation with the sumptuous Rommie, the sexy Becka and the fun and bouncy Trance (three-way anyone?), decided to borrow them off him.
Season 1 started off well (if a bit cheesily) with instantly likable characters, a simple premise, some good action scenes and improbable but escapist science. It continued to hold my interest as fun entertaining viewing. Watching the characters fleshing out, watching the bitter rivalry and mutual respect building between who i see as the two strongest characters (Dylan and Tyr), watching the unbelievably cute and mysterious trance bouncing around, watching Harper practically rebuild the ship twice over, and watching Becka in some extremely sexy outfits made the whole viewing experience a joy (oh, and there was some stuff about rebuilding civilisation in there too).
I thought the finale to the season was pretty impressive and couldn't wait to start on season 2.
I found season two to be just as entertaining. I was glad to see the back of Rev Bem, but somewhat disappointed with the new Trance and thought little of Rommies new haircut and arrogance. The storyline got a bit more convoluted but, in essence still followed on quite neatly right up until the finale.
The first episode of season three was where it all went a bit wrong. I thought the conclusion to the previous story was a bit rushed and gave little explanation as to what had actually happened to Tyr and Becka. For a start, Tyr seemed really quite disturbed when he reverted back to his normal self which, for a Niechzean seemed distinctly out of character, especially as Becka seemed largely unaffected by the trauma. Secondly, no-one seemed the least bit bothered that there was a kitten, a creature which had been extinct for thousands of years, on board the ship (i personally would have had it dissected, or at least scanned). And most importantly, what the hell happened to Tyrs bone-blades? I thought they would explain this a few episodes down the line, as has been the case previously, as some kind of genetic purification caused by the vortex, but Tyr remains every inch the niechzean, and an explanation is never given.
Also in season three i got the impression (from the episodes 'the unconquerable man' and 'the dark backwards') that every one was just a part of Trances little game and as such nothing that had gone before or since mattered in any way or was even real. This was a bit of a disappointment to me and, in my opinion, rendered the entire adventure from the first episode onwards obsolete. Then, to make matters worse, the best character in the show leaves in such an insubstantial and lacklustre way (we all saw it coming, but they could have given him a more dramatic exit) i'm wondering if i can be bothered to start watching the fourth season, especially since there was no cliff-hanger to retain my interest.
All in all the series is never less than entertaining and satiates any thirst for sci-fi i have in me but i doubt hard core fans will be impressed.
Watch it for the experience but don't take it too seriously or you may be disappointed.