Sci-Fi Friday Presents - Space : Above and Beyond ; The Angriest Angel

“A new kind of unbeatable Chig fighter emerges. Equipped with a new source of energy, it's the prototype of a deadly weapon that could change the course of the war. McQueen realizes he's the only pilot able to confront the new threat.”

 In one of the more landmark episodes of Space : Above and Beyond, The Angriest Angel stands at the front of the line. Now, while this episode strictly highlights Col. McQueen. It carries with it the equity built into the show up to this point. We have the alien menace, the 58^th we have grown to love and the secondary characters who are becoming more and more a part of the main cast. Yet doing so without taking over the main narrative. It feels exceedingly natural at this point and cashes in on the fact you bought into Col McQueen as a character. He's not just Col. T.C. McQueen, he's a man with so much passion and depth that's been waiting to emerge. The Angriest Angel had his breakout indeed!

I cannot stress enough how excellent James Morrison acted in this episode. You can look at Who Monitor's the Birds, and Rodney Rowland nailed it. You can look at The Angriest Angel, and James Morrison nailed it with a sledge hammer. His facials, presence and delivery just power this episode from beginning to end. His voice over at the beginning about destiny and place in the world, to the scene in the rec room with the 58^th being one of the guys. He doesn't stop there as he carries through to his impassioned speech to the pastor before the climatic battle.

James Morrison had a lot of weight on his shoulders with all of this going on. Yet he still worked development on his backstory with his ex-wife and being grounded from flight. James Morrison ran the marathon! His interactions with the squad were excellent, played off Tucker Smallwood as Commodore Ross is always a delight to see. There's a real deep chemistry with those two any time they share a scene. Now we'll turn to Lt. Winslow and the sad moment when was killed, yet it served the final motivation to fight Chiggie Von Richtofen without delay.

Speaking of which, the climatic battle still holds up today. Maybe it was the PS4 up-converting the battle but it looked like the graphics were a bit better as the series went along. They generally look better in the space scenes but the movements, the angles and the battle straight up were smooth and well done. The emotion of the scene against the backdrop of Winslow's funeral service, the music and everything came together flawlessly. This is one of, if not, the finest episodes of Space Above and Beyond.

In other highlight moments, the pastor saying “Amen” in response to Col. McQueen was downright hilarious and gave an extra push to the episode. I liked Lt. Kelly Winslow's overall within the series. She was really starting to work for me as a character and part of the 58^th. I felt like she could have gone further, but I understand why things went as they did. The details in Col. McQueen's body appearance were nice with the scar tissue showing just from under his shirt, serving as a call back to the pilot when his squad was demolished. The references Chig race watching the humans for a long, long time and mentions of Operation : Round Hammer feel like they piggy backing on this episode for what's to come.

What else is there to say? This is an amazing episode for an amazing series at this point in it's arc. It's pitch perfect, well executed and simply outstanding. That's 10 / 10 Hammerheads!

Quote of the episode: “Well, I don't think our maker wants to hear from me right now. Because he know I'm going to go out in this plane and I'm going to remove one of His creations from His universe. And when I get back, I'm going to drink a bottle of scotch as if it was Chiggy Von Richtofen's blood and celebrate his death.”

Sci-Fi Friday Presents - Space : Above and Beyond ; Level of Necessity

“After experiencing a vision of a soldiers death during a combat mission, Damphousse is investigated by a Psi Corps Colonel who is convinced she possesses psychic powers.”

We are back this week with one of the more interesting episodes of the second half of Space Above and Beyond. It's an episode that is a bit overdue featuring Lt. Vanessa Damphousse. It's a bit fantastical with some psychic tones, described as anomalous intuition.

Where do we even start with this episode? The fact the Lanei Chapman finally got her crack at carrying an episode. Overall, she did very well despite being balanced out by a psychic storyline. Her character took an interesting development. It could be argued the psychic stuff wasn't really needed, and to a point I agree. However, I see it as a way to give her character something to grow with. I appreciated her character and the drive to tackle confidence in her. This was much needed for her character that has long been a side character. This was a good time to step-up, we can just hope there is a follow through eventually.

The story-line is pretty straight-forward and meanders a bit in the middle of the episode before the crew gets back to Daedalus. The themes of loss, fear and responsibility play strong but don't hit as hard. This is likely from the use of psychic themes and devices. There are only so many different ways to visualize and feel empathy from. I feel like the episode would have been more poignant if focused more on Damphousse and her relationship with Vansen. There was already backstory between them and good character interplay. I won't take points off this because of the appearance of Richard Kind.

The show stopping moment for me was seeing Richard Kind as Col. Matt Burke. Richard put in a terrific performance, reminding me and anyone else that he has talent beyond incredible comedic timing. Richard plays a stern, tough investigator who seems to have strange motives in working with people who have special abilities. The concept of the Psi Corp is interesting, but not exactly unique to the world of science-fiction. The Psi Corps were given a good backstory and given a decent setup for future story-telling.

Other small, but great points of the episode come as well. The Chigs played the part of a slasher villain in this episode. It serves well to be seen only when needed; when a death happens. The design of the short sword is pretty sweet. The character Lubin is a stubbornly faults Damphousse for her fear and faults her for the death of his squad. The score is on point and well placed.

In the end, Level of Necessity is a good episode with an emphasis on Damphousse. Also, we start exploring a different facet of the world with psychic abilities and the Psi Corp. It's not without some real drawbacks, but the strengths of the episode carry the story forward in a unique way. If I were to say anything, it feels like we're catching our breath with this episode with a basis for future episodes. Only time will tell, if it circles back around. I'll give this a solid 7/10 Hammerheads.

Sci-Fi Friday Presents - Space : Above and Beyond ; Who Monitor's the Birds?

“Wounded and all alone in enemy territory, Hawkes struggles to stay alive as he recalls his past In-Vitro education and how he was scheduled for termination because he asked too many questions.”

Welcome back to Sci-Fi Fridays here at Suns & Shadows and our continuing coverage of Space : Above and Beyond. Of which begins the second half of it's first season review here. Who Monitor's the Birds is the official halfway point, which starts with a brand new narration by Rodney Rowland as Hawkes. It's very fitting for this episode because a lot of the world is shifting before our very eyes. Who Monitor's the Birds, is a true pivot point for the series and a radical departure from the normal story-telling you've seen so far.

This episode is a one person episode and relies on Rodney Rowland to carry it in a large degree and without much speaking. Yes, you heard this right... Space : Above and Beyond pulled off the movie Soldier (1998) long before it was a thought. The influences are strong, but not straight up. Rodney nails this performance through-out emoting, body presence and facial expressions everything beyond actually speaking more than a sentence or two through the whole episode. He's not only playing off aliens, he's playing off his early days and education. Not to mention a fantastical dance with a creepy girl haunting him or is she actually helping him. It sounds crazy but it works amazing. In one of the un-intentionally funny moments he puts on a Chig helmet and has to try and remove it.

This is a sight to see, witnessing a covert two-man operation gone wrong and survival. It's not nearly as bleak as it could have been. The pictures tell the story exceedingly well and drive the episode forward. As good as everyone else is in the series, this was a great episode to showcase Rodney's talents and chops for carrying the show by himself. This did not feel like, nor was it, a throwaway episode or a one-off for the sake of a one-off.

The story is constantly moving and evolving, including a vital moments for not only the Hawkes character but the series as well. We see The episode dives into key and deep themes about questioning everything, what makes a human being tick and surviving, etc.. The background for Hawkes goes into greater detail which is outstanding and unique to give a character at this point. It's compelling and intriguing to get this level of detail with In-Vtroes. We see the birth from the gestation tubes and into his education and later on recruitment for this mission. The writing is on point and stellar!

Overall, it truly feels like the show has learned from it's missteps and while trying something new brings an incredible story to life. Cooper Hawkes has taken a huge step forward in this series as a character, his new haircut, his relatability, his amazing growth in this episode alone. Hawkes is vital to this series! The pacing, directing, imagery and score are downright impeccable. This is a flawless episode. When I saw this the first time years ago, I was floored and it became one of my favorite episodes then. As I watched it again for this review, it's just as amazing and timeless as ever. This is the perfect example of what makes Space : Above and Beyond an incredible but vastly overlooked series. 10 / 10 Hammerheads.

Sci-Fi Friday Presents - Space : Above and Beyond ; The River of Stars

“When the Marines are stranded in enemy territory on Christmas Day, they receive a cryptic transmission which tells them how to “hitch a ride”back to safety on an incoming comet's orbit.”

Holiday episodes tend to be hit or miss with most series, almost like just a flip a coin and maybe it'll good. This was a different approach and I must say it's definitely a trip of an episode. The writing was excellent in this episode and didn't feel rushed or stupid at any point. Yes there is a moment where you question some logic with a Morse Code being broadcast from enemy territory with helping the 58th. I like to look at this as McQueen did, as if it's a gift on Christmas Day. It calls back to previous episodes hinting that the Chigs know humans way more than we realize. The 3 Chig fighters flew around the ship an then never came back, shortly after that the Morse Code starts up. The episode while largely serious plays into a lighter mood, almost like the show is taking a deep breath before the next episode. On an extra special note, the score was tremendous and the end credit music is replaced by a softer melody. As well, it accompanied the special holiday wishes as the end of the episode.

The entire cast are on point in this episode. Wang takes an appropriate lead in this episode and everyone else plays support. This was a nice touch to really build up his character and Joel De La Fuentes absolutely nails his performance. West, Damphousse, Hawkes and Vansen carry on perfectly which plays out very well throughout the episode. Vansen fills her role as the leader with confidence and authority. She's a great character to lead the squad. It was very nice at the end of the episode that the cast had a chance to show something more akin to lifted spirits. I have to say the running gag about the hooch being made out of aftershave was simply outstanding.

Commodore Ross and Col McQueen play a strong anchor in this episode. Ross holds back his emotions and shows an appropriate level of reluctance without seeming like a pushover. He still needs nudging and to be convinced of taking further action. There are many humanizing and touching moments in this episode. Of which include the amazing moments of McQueen playing a DJ and Ross playing guitar.

Overall, The River of Stars is an episode that is pitch perfect, how holiday episodes should be done and succeeds. It's still a science-fiction, military drama for a series but has such character and reliance on strong acting that makes it special. It's a hallmark episode without being cheesy in any regard. The River of Stars on its strengths across the board gets 10/10 Hammerheads.This will always be one of the best episodes to introduce a new viewer to.

Sci-Fi Friday Presents - Space : Above and Beyond ; Stay With the Dead

“West's plan to lure Chig soldiers into an ambush works, but after he's rescued, no one believes him when he insists that the rest of the 58th is still alive and needs to be rescued too.”

I like to kick off each review with the official synopsis from the DVD set, some times I make comments about them and some times I don't. This is going to be one of those times I think it's completely freaking idiotic and stupid. Not only does it have flaws, but it spoils the point of the episode. Now, none of us are naive enough to think the 58th were really dead in this episode but that's not the point. The point is to keep people guessing and see if the series may pull a two-parter or longer term story arc which we have seen before and will continue to see. It was not West's plan, it was Hawkes and Vansen who came up with the idea. It was West's idea to volunteer to be the bait.

The base of this episode is relatively simple, but it's the execution and the acting that drive this episode home. Yes, we get another West is the main character episode but this one is different. Morgan Weisser is absolutely stellar. It is without a doubt that Morgan jumped into this episode with every fiber of his being. You could feel for him and what his character. The lines were blurred and the investment in his character hit an all-time high. That's even if you didn't like him as a character. I think it's safe to say that if you're not buying him or the show at this point. Maybe you should stop watching, because this show is clearly not for you. In the most touching moment of the episode, West breaks down begging McQueen to listen to him. He even goes so far to confront his feelings about Kylen and whether she's still alive to prove everything. I was choked up at the end for this scene and when the 58th were reunited.

The 58th as a whole, did well in this episode but I liked how the center of the episode was West. There were definitely good character moments for everyone sans Damphousse. I liked Hawkes in this episode that despite the dark material he had some lighter moments. “We were only dead three days!” McQueen was a solid opposite of West to anchor the main plot. I'm not disappointed by the blending and secondary plot points with the characters. It all made sense and not out of place.

The main plot was good, nothing too outlandish or crazy for narrative. It was not as in-depth as it could have been. However, it took another sensitive topic and pushed it into focus. The Chigs are getting all nasty and un-relatable in the series. They are attacking Red Cross camps, making traps of the injured humans, etc... We are seeing the ratchet up of them as the enemies in this series. It's been a slow build but it's starting to pay-off. The pacing was excellent as was the development of what really went down, how the 58th switched uniforms for their own ambush. Nothing ever goes as planned and that's the beauty of this series.

Overall, Stay With the Dead is a simple, yet effective episode. It's emotional, it's raw and it's an incredible episode. The acting in Stay With the Dead is just stellar from Morgan Weisser. I'm giving this 9.5 / 10 Hammerheads.

Top 5 St Patrick's Day Movies

5) Michael Collins (1996)- A young Liam Neeson, Alan Rickman and Julia Roberts go strong in this tale of the IRA battling for independence from Britian. It's Alan F'n Rickman!!!

4) Maniac Cop (1988) - Bruce Campbell, Tom Atkins, Robert Z'Dar and more star in this cult classic slasher-horror movie about a cop back from the dead all around St Patrick's Day!

3) The Secret of Kells (2009) - For a more animated tale look no further than this charming, family flick! Discover this one on your own, it's worth it!

2) - Leprechaun (1993) - Warwick Davis and Jennifer Aniston star in this quirky horror-comedy movie about a pot of gold and a Leprechaun gone wild! Watch your lucky charms!

1) - The Boondock Saints (1999) - Sean Patrick Flannery and Norman Reedus headline this tremendous action packed thriller of a movie. The dialogue is soft at times, but the action is fast and intense. This is an incredible movie from 1999.

Sci-Fi Friday Presents - Space : Above and Beyond ; Choice or Chance

“When the 58th crash land on a moon deep in enemy territory and Shane, Damphousse and Wang are captured by Silicates. West discovers one of the other prisoners is Kylen.”

We come back hot in this second part episode of Choice or Chance. McQueen and Hawkes, escape from the wreck and patrols and provide some great character building between the two of them. I honestly could see a series just centered around them. Hawkes & McQueen has a nice ring to it! Especially with all the great moments between them, my personal favorite is when McQueen talks about his time in the AI war and then rips an arm off a dead Silicate. Hawkes responds simply with, “Cool.” His inflection is that of the audience and totally captures the spirit of them as a duo.

The rest of the 58th are pretty spread out with their own arcs going on and none of them feel thin. West finds Kylen and subsequently gets a jail break from her. However, West showing he's grown as a Marine and a person doesn't take long to start second guessing if this is really Kylen. Early on, he kisses her but then pauses to look at her but carries on. It could have been a bit more overt that he was catching on, but it drove the point home when needed. Vansen and Damphousse carried on like bad asses when needed and I appreciated them working together to subdue and escape from the Silicates. Last and certainly not least was Wang. This is a curious move, because it felt a bit forced for some reason. I don't mean that by way of the actor, but breaking him so quickly and taping the confession. While I see where the plot will eventually turn with this and yes Wang was injured in the crash, I just have a hard time suspending my disbelief with this one.

The episode is well paced and the stories do show growth with the characters and story. At least this episode did not drag out into a third episode, though some subplots could have used it. Ultimately, the Chig's using the prison more as a lab for experiments with the Silicates was a nice touch. It still felt like a prison right up to that point that Vansen and Damphousse figured out the game plan. The Chigs were attempting to see where the real issues were between the humans and how to best exploit them. I really like that the Chigs are not so one dimensional and that they are playing mind games with humanity.

The line of the episode was definitely McQueen. “Then once, they were doing stuff to me. I hard screaming. Sounded far off, down the hall. I remember thinkin', 'That poor bastard. What must he be goin' through?' Then, when I came to. I realized the screams had come from me.” This is the moment of the episode that felt the most real and humanizing.

Overall, I liked Choice or Chance but I don't feel it really put an exclamation point on a two part story. I contribute this to the forced subplot with Wang. Outside of that, the episode is good and enjoyable. Choice or Chance did follow through for the most part and did flow with Hostile Visit nicely. You won't feel like your time was wasted and great moments are to be had. Choice or Chance gets a solid 7.5 / 10 Hammerheads. I do see the writing improving and I think the weird influx of forced aspects will settle down.

Sci-Fi Friday Presents - Space : Above and Beyond ; Hostile Visit

“After the 58th capture an alien bomber, McQueen suggests that it would help raise troop moral if they use the vessel to attach the alien's home planet – a plan that goes horribly wrong.”

I have to say, this is one of the more interesting of episodes that contained a pretty basic plot but wrapped with a lot of development character and plot wise and mostly hits all the marks. Hostile Visit can be a give or take on name value alone, as it doesn't seem much went their way as planned. It's a Trojan horse story and once they got to Cerus, the alien home planet they took out a sentry satellite base but completely missed the target of the base or city in an interesting curve ball. However, it wasn't for whatever the target was. It seemed all by itself, in the middle of no where with a lack of surrounding cities. I mean this could have been a limitation on the CGI, but it's nothing a matte painting couldn't have fixed to a point. However, the fact is this basic plot drove the point home that not everything goes as planned and train the audience to expect the unexpected. I, honestly, forgot this was a two part episode and had lost track of time up to the end.

What really helped this episode was the key character and story developments. I loved seeing Wang get an opportunity to really grow in his role within the 58th and the overall story. He is quite the Joker, especially with his spot on impersonation of McQueen. It made me wonder if the actors had been goofing off in between takes and someone said, “Let's use that in an episode!” It was downright hilarious and of course covering his butt with McQueen was perfect as well. Wang was able to further his love of Chicago and also develop a love interest. This was an interesting step to take since romance went off the table with West in the first handful of episode with Kylen. McQueen and Ross continue to develop their on screen acting chops giving both much needed exposition for their individual characters and between each other. Honestly, what's not to like about the 58th ? They are a well oiled unit evidenced by the shenanigans they put the tech's through to assist McQueen with his plans. Hawkes and Wang were the duo to watch in that scene.

The overall plot was nicely furthered with the Aero-Tech shady business and with the Chigs in the war effort. I mean with this character Sewell and Aero-Tech, we have a reminder that corporate interests are very much at play here. Even though Sewell swiped the data, the 58th and other Saratoga officers were able to make up for it. It's appropriate that the 58th are very much aware of his duplicitous nature and question his integrity. I look forward to seeing karma get him. However at the end of the episode, he's the one who advises Ross to go after the 58th. He clearly knows something and has plans; Ross is keenly aware of the questionable nature but proceeds anyways. We are still in the dark about the Chigs but the small hints keep on coming. This comes mostly from observations the 58th make while studying the bomber. The ship designs, exterior and interior are fascinating and detailed but the CGI doesn't do it justice.

Overall, Hostile Visit is a very solid episode. It was an interesting choice to play a two-parter, so full judgment will wait until Choice or Chance plays out. In the future, two-parters will be reviewed together and we may bump to reviewing two episodes at a crack. The premise was basic, but the characters and sprinkle of plot development made this a promising start to a bigger story. I'm going to give this 8 / 10 Hammerheads.

Sci-Fi Friday Presents - Space : Above and Beyond ; The Enemy

“The members of the 58th turn on each other after they land on the planet Tartarus and encounter a Chig mind-altering weapon that wreaks havoc on the area of the brain that controls fear.”

In this next episode, titled “The Enemy” the 58th faces off against the greatest enemy to date. The enemy within themselves. I found one quote in particular in this episode very succinct in how it covered the premise. “Here the light is an enemy, an ally with the darkness. There's no place to run. There's no escape.” A bit on the dark side, but also served to convey the greatest enemy is the one within. This was a heavy episode.

The nicest part about the narrative structure of this episode is how to told different stories from the 58th, without contradicting itself. Despite getting a bit goofy at times, this episode does go a bit sideways at times, we do get different perspectives played in one singular story. This was good, but also contributed to some pacing issues. The metaphors were strong and well executed, the reference to the planet being called Tartarus, the electronic nerve gas and all the subtlety within each characters fears. None of the fears themselves over powered one persons in particular, giving weight to each character and a pivot point for development. This also showed a reliance on the cast to carry the episode with minimum guest appearances. We've blown past the introduction phase of this season and we're rolling right along. I didn't hate the writing of this episode, but it felt off at times.

The stand out character of this episode, at least to me was Lt. Wang. He's been steadily becoming more and more a unique and fun character in the group. He's story in particular about the roaches and why he hates them really brought a quality to his character that's been missing. Wang was the glue of this episode, while Damphousse played the opposite of being the agitator. The rest of the 58th each had their moments but were quickly followed by the paranoia and fear running through them. The cast really hit a home run playing off of each other with their intensity and emotion. It was almost enough to make McQueen and Ross, feel like the background characters to the story. My one complaint is that Damphousse's fear about blood wasn't addressed at all and was glossed over. Now, everyone in some way had a chance to explain their fear except for her.

Conspicuous bu their absence the Chigs ultimately did not appear but their presence was certainly felt. It was a great touch to see that the 58th is picking up another detail in the Chigs. As that the Chigs have to understand the concept of fear and understand human physiology to construct a weapon like this. The mystery grows deeper from their interaction with the enemy. As I watched this episode, I must confess I felt like this was more like what Starship Troopers should have been like. Granted I like that movie, but this has the right tone and chemistry going for it. I don't think it was a jab, but the bug hating was pretty funny!

Overall, The Enemy is an interesting episode. Aside from pacing issue, getting goofy at times and glaring over subplots this is a solid episode. Now despite feeling like this episode took a step back, it did give great play to the group dynamic. It feels like a calm moment before the storm. I'm going to give this 7 / 10 Hammerheads.

Sci-Fi Friday Presents : Space : Above and Beyond ; Eyes

“In an effort to get West to help with an assassination plot, the young marine is told that high-ranking Earth officials knew about the aliens before the colonists were sent to Vesta Colony.”

Welcome back to Sci-Fi Fridays here at Suns and Shadows. We hope you are enjoying the weekly re-watch and review of the cult classic Space : Above and Beyond. Man alive, who ever wrote these official synopsis clearly were not fans of the series because it spoils plot points for those who have not seen the episode. These are served to offer a taste of the episode, not show off the big plot point. Anywho, this weeks episode brought a different flavor to the series with various Earth centered subplots.

The plot of this episode of an assassination attempt and the fallout of the election of a new official. We've seen this in many forms through the years but Space : Above and Beyond I think pulled this off a bit better. The world building and character development thus far allowed for some interesting diversions while keeping it fresh. It was great to see a plot like this actually have real depth and serve the larger narrative of the series. The episode touched on some sensitive topics especially in politics. I do like how it was handled and written. Now, there's almost too much to go over for this plot without getting incredibly long winded, let alone spoiler-ific. However, I liked how it all played out and who was behind everything. It was calculated, methodical and ultimately failed... yet somehow, ultimately succeeded. The loyalty tests for In Vitro's and subjecting Hawkes and McQueen to them reminded the audience of the divisions of the classes and ongoing discrimination.

I'm saying it again, Tyrus Cassius McQueen is a great character and really excelled in this episode with his honor and character work. James Morrison continues to impress, but he didn't quite steal the show in this one. I'm giving that to Commodore Ross, who is taking a larger role steadily as we progress. Tucker Smallwood showed such authority and presence in his character work that he nearly stole the episode on his few scenes. West and Hawkes most definitely get special props for how their stories tied into the overall narrative. I liked how the episode ended when he said he'd rather have the truth or the medal and the new Secretary General kept the medal, said nothing and walked away. This is very telling and well directed, leading much to be speculated about with what's really going on in this war.

The remaining cast all played well, with some times they were obvious with their intentions and some were not. In general, the character work is really coming together on this series. Ambassador Heydon is the most complicated and interesting of the bunch to the say the least. The main cast play effectively and the stories can float freely now, without being hampered by unnecessary plot points. At first, it was not clear who would take center of this episode and it basically grew from the events organically. I'm looking forward to seeing the Wild Cards continue to grow and go from here!

Overall, Eyes is a very effective yet sensitive episode. One that plays with multiple subplots while tying into our squadron. The more things change, the more they stay the same. The episode did not treat the audience like a bunch of idiots and the red herrings served well to keep it exciting through out. What I felt was missing was the Silicate subplot that basically went nowhere. I was very happy with this episode and as Rowdy Roddy Piper once said, “Just when you think you have all the answers, I change the questions!” That's how this episode played out; things are getting very interesting. I give this episode 9 / 10 Hammerheards.

Sci-Fi Friday Presents Space : Above and Beyond ; Ray Butts

“The members of the 58th are suspicious after a tough war veteran, who arrived on the Saratoga with orders to take them on a classified mission, changes the mission's objective once they're behind enemy lines.”

I bid you all welcome, to the first uniquely named but excellent episode of Space : Above and Beyond. Ray Butts! What else can you say? Any fan of this series knows this episode and the stamp it put on the series. That kind of stamp that says, buckle up and enjoy the ride cause we're driving this show forward!

Lieutenant Colonel Raymond Thomas Butts, played by Steve Rankin, kicks off the episode in style. A lonely Hammerhead docks on the Saratoga after overriding security and safety protocols. When the security team open the cockpit they find an unknown pilot knocked out. What's funny is that someone mistakenly thinks he's dead and ultimately a huge brawl spills out. One of the lines of this episode, and mind you this is a highly quotable episode, is from McQueen. “Kind of a bummer, getting your butt kicked by a dead guy!” All while making facials bemused of the situation. Butts comes across harsh and rough early on, but as the episode develops his character gets fleshed out in regards to motivation, story and ultimately who Lt. Colonel Ray Butts really is. Butts has a profound effect on the team in just about every way. Steve Rankin played this role just perfectly. This character never set out to be a hero of the episode or even a “good” guy. His character exemplified a man who has been through so much in his entire career and life. Yet, somewhere in there is a man of honor and respect who sees what he became and to make peace with that.

The 58th stand tall as the secondary cast to Ray Butts. This is perfectly fine as we don't need one individual to stand out in this episode. The group has finally connected and it was Butts who cemented that. When Butts initiated a brawl with Wang and the 58th it stood to became a definite highlight of the episode. It's especially notable in regards to Wang who showed a set of balls after being dressed down by Butts. In one of the more unintentional, largest laughs of this episode is when West accidentally punches Hawkes in the middle of the brawl. The cast played off Steve Rankin exceedingly well, he brought a dose of reality and harshness. At the same time it also brought awareness and unity to the team. My favorite scenes are actually with McQueen and Butts as being two sides of the same coin. The two of them have exemplary records and history with the Marines, each have grown into similar but very different characters. James Morrison and Steve Rankin could have done so much more. At the same time, they did just enough to allow each and every scene to breathe between them. It's pitch perfect! This, to me is Space : Above and Beyond at it's finest.

The acting is settled, the writing is tight and the group dynamic is stellar. The character aspect of Space : Above and Beyond is truly a sight to see. It is the bread and butter of this show. It's no wonder how series, years later, took that concept further. The score and music selection are somber and epic. Johnny Cash brought a nice brevity of emotion to round out the episode.

Other fun notes for this episode come in the form of the Wild Cards helmets. These look so cool, the detail work on full display and then seeing the nicknames the characters have. King West, Joker Wang, etc... The battle towards the end and the black hole effects, while dated, are interesting, fun and a damn to cool to watch! If only they had the graphics of today! It was fitting that the Chig's played a role in this episode. This is especially useful as they keep moving through the background of the last few episodes. It's not like we need a reminder, but it shows the focus and determination to make every episode important. We are definitely building to something big coming up. I, for one, cannot wait to see how this develops on my re-watch.

Overall, Ray Butts is the first episode where everything feels like it's hitting on all cylinders and delivers in spades. The character arc of Lt. Col. Ray Butts is nothing short of outstanding for that exclamation point on the Wild Cards. Ray Butts is an utterly fantastic episode, even the rough CGI couldn't take points off for this one! My one complaint would be this would have served well as a two part episode. I'm sending 10/10 pancakes into space! “Easy as eating pancakes!”

Sci-Fi Friday Presents - Space : Above and Beyond ; Mutiny

“Cooper and McQueen, both In Vitroes, face a difficult decision when the captain of a space cargo hauler decides to sacrifice his In Vitro cargo in order to save his ship after it comes under attack.”

Welcome back to Space : Above and Beyond where this episode effectively shifts gears to the group dynamic and less on singular character-centric episodes. This allows a little more freedom for the actors to grow together. I have to say, James Morrison absolutely stole the show in this episode. While everyone played their roles very well, no one else stood out performance wise more than James Morrison. The ability to use his eyes and facials to express emotion while still being an effective leader let's you read more into his character. There is a such a degree of subtlety to him that when he shares a scene everyone comes up to his level.

The best example is West, whom they have not shared much time with as of yet. As he still has Kylen on his mind, West is still not as focused as he should be. It took McQueen to step in and take the pendant away and remind him of his duty and place. This was a much needed development before West fell into a potential rut and turned into a pivotal character moment. It was definitely interesting to see West acknowledge his selfishness, get focused and understand where he is now.

I don't want to stray too far from the main plot with Hawkes and McQueen. The dynamic between the two is captivating to saw the least. Hawkes is still very much young and full of ideas, feelings, etc... The intangible desire for family and learning your place in the world, whilst McQueen has lived through all of this and comes with a different perspective. Rodney Rowland played his role to a “T” in their scenes, looking for wisdom. Yet often hearing things he didn't want to hear but had to hear. It's a strong dynamic, akin to father-son, between the two but it's not all roses. The confrontation about the killing of the In-Vitro cargo put McQueen on his heels. It forced McQueen to really think about what's going on. It's not that he wanted to singular with his experience, but he needed to be confronted with “How can you kill your own people?” before the plot could move. In my opinion, the most dynamic scene came at the end of the episode when McQueen acknowledged their differences. Especially in regards to how he never looked for his family. “It's not because of what I might find. It's because of what I might feel.” It's refreshing to see dialogue and character development like this allowed his character to open up for a brief moment. Many television series around this era lacked this level of touching character moments.

The rest of the cast did fairly well as they mostly took to playing within their own subplots. Damphousse, Wang were definitely more involved and are growing as characters with our group. This was the point in the series I was looking for. The point when all the characters and stories really start to come together and focus on the 58th as a whole rather than one character. You could argue that still exists in this episode, but I felt that dynamic shift to include the group and it was much needed. I found the Wang and Vansen conversations about internet dating to be pretty hilarious. Lastly, it was great to see more for Damphousse to be more active and standout with her intelligence and background coming together.

The only downside to this episode, was the supporting cast who made up the freighter crew were a bit paint by numbers. They still played well to the mutiny in order to avoid the killing of the In-Vitro's in cargo. The actors did their parts, but the characters just were not defined well enough, nor relatable enough to make this more impactful. It was a weekly tv series, so I get it that not everyone can have a standout character to relate to. I highly enjoyed how the episode played with the idea of the ship being an attack before confirming it really was an atttack. It made great use of West, McQueen and reminded the audience that the Chigs are still hanging over the series. The concept and core plot was tight though delivering a compelling episode with a good message.

Overall, while Mutiny was not part of the overall story arc it did further characters and the world building of the In Vitroes. Technically this is a filler episode, but it acts like it's not. It's not vital to a watch through for the main points of Space: Above and Beyond. I would still advise to watch this episode. There's a great energy and dynamic to this episode. Yes, it falls a little flat at times with the crew of the freighter, but it makes up for it in spades. Especially when you're talking a great cameo in Tony Amendola, of Stargate SG-1 fame, who played the role of Captain Lewelyn. Now that was simply awesome for the sci-fi geek in me! Especially when I see him and say, Master Bra'tac?1? I'm dropping that alien attack ship with 8/10 Hammerheads.

Not to mention, but stay tuned for next weeks review. It's a personal favorite of many, Ray Butts!

Sci-Fi Friday Presents - Space : Above and Beyond ; The Dark Side of the Sun

“Shane is chosen to lead a mission against a group of Silicates, artificial intelligence rebels who not only killed her parents years ago, but determined to destroy all human life.”

The official premise listed above is not entirely accurate of this episode but is the synopsis on the DVD set. The premise is more like this. The 58th squadron are assigned to what appears to be a routine sentry posting at the Icarus mining colony on Bunuel. However, little do they know that Silicates, artificially intelligent beings, have taken over the facility. Vansen is confronted by her demons of the past and the looming cloud of despair hanging over her present and future.

This episode centers on Shane Vansen, played very effectively by Kristen Cloke. Kristen covers the depth of emotions so well it's hard to see where the character begins and ends. Her subtely and body language really bring out her talent. At times, the emotion feels a bit forced but the evolution of Vansen through this episode is incredible. Vansen goes from questioning her ability to come back alive, leading the 58th to breaking down when confronted with her tragic history. Then when she gets answers, you can feel the surge of her rage and intensity. Her whole presence and body language shifts as her switch was flipped. Kristen here had a much more impactful episode than West did in the previous one. The ending of the episode with Vansen, still haunted by the Silicates is incredible and shows they will forever stay with her. As Kristen carries on in upcoming episodes, she'll get even more comfortable in this character.

It was fantastic to see that West played a pivotal role in this episode with Vansen. His remarks, were timely and appropriate after what he recently went through. The line “We've got another family to keep alive.” was so apt and well-delivered. His intelligence and mind for strategy on display in this episode. He's developing into his character nicely; the whole cast is actually!

Speaking of which, Wang and Damphousse received much needed development with the group. Especially in interacting with Hawkes who played the role of us, the audience, getting key information about the Silicates history. We are far removed from the lingering background characters from the Pilot and second episode. Wang picked up quite a bit with his love of football and Elvis impersonation stories. As well, Damphousse was able to show her intelligence and knowledge with the group. Damphousse definitely needs a bit more attention and interaction; the chemistry with the group is dynamic and fun. All these character defining moments are best when they are intimate before and after the important scenes. This is the core of what makes these episode and series so much fun to watch. The influence of this series is pretty obvious to most familiar with Stargate SG-1, Battlestar Galactica.

The visuals continue to show their age, but at this point I'm accepting them for their intent and not quality. I liked the setting in a mining facility, the drop ship and some time on the Saratoga. The subtle reference to the USS Colin Powell may be dated, but for those of us at the age to remember him this is a fun touch. I have to admit, the light up football being thrown into the expanse of space was hilarious! Otherwise, the visuals in Vansen's dreams of floating into the sun furthered the theme of the episode. The one of Icarus flying close to the sun. It's appropriate the episode carried that theme through the Vansen character so very well. The score and musical aspects tie the bow around this episode beautifully. I absolutely love the score to this episode and this series.

Overall, The Dark Side of the Sun is a step-up from the previous episode. We're hitting the main characters stories right away; I don't mind as it allows deeper stories to unfold and the characters to grow on us. Special shout out to guest star Kimberly Patton for doing a decent job as the de facto leader of the Silicates. I'll give this 9 /10 Hammerheads.

Sci-Fi Friday Presents - Space : Above and Beyond ; The Farthest Man From Home

“When the USS Saratoga passes close to the planet where the earth colonists were attacked. West goes AWOL and flies down to the planet in hopes that his girlfriend, Kylen, somehow survived.”

Let us get right into it with this episode. It's very curious to see the series jump right into a Nathan-centric episode, specifically with Tellus and Kylen. You can look at it any number of ways, but the writers must have felt the need to address the Nathan West character right away. The elephant in the room so-to-speak with his character still haunted by the loss of Kylen enough to go AWOL for her. We were going to see this at some point in the show as it's cliché with this sort of character arc. At least, if felt like it was brought up swiftly and left open enough for further development.

Morgan really had a chance to emote through facials and body language for a section of the episode. I started to appreciate his character more at this point than earlier on. Not to mention it's great to see we don't need a monologue or a ton of talking to further the scenes. At the very least, West was actually able to locate and help the rescue of two survivors. This is an appropriate, if easy way out of punishing West and the 58th at the end of the episode. We haven't found Kylen yet, but there's still hope despite her obvious alien confinement.

Another aspect of this episode I really appreciated was the interplay between Hawkes, Vansen and West. There's still friction between everyone but it's great to see a slow and steady build of their relationships. This is accentuated furthered that it had only been a few weeks since the Tellus colony attack and their accelerated training. Thankfully, we're not fast forwarding time in order to tell a story in the quickest way possible. Though at times the pacing of the episode does feel a bit off and tends to hit a little flat. It doesn't become boring, but there are some moments that linger a bit too much.

There was a great moment when West finds Hawkes after being shot down. West just starts popping off about regulations. Hawkes just looks at him dumbfounded and says, “Yeah, you're one for following regulations.” Now, I will take points off for the cliché of “I can find Kylen or I can help that fighter that was just shot down.” It's a bit cliché, but these older series still had to paint within the lines to some degree.

There are smaller character moments that were definitely nice to see. For example, the scene at the beginning of the episode, where the 58th were in the lounge each doing different things. West was watching the History Network (History Channel), Wang was going on about the Chicago Bears, Hawkes was doing a shooting VR sim/ game, Damphousse and Vansen chit chatted, etc... It's the little characters touches that really flesh out this episode. The group still has tension to a degree, but they are starting to find some common ground together. Something of which many people can relate to when starting a new job with a ton of new coworkers. I'm looking forward to the group dynamic growing even more.

We are introduced to two new characters here. One being Commodore Ross played by Tucker Smallwood with an incredible presence. I'll try not to jump the gun, but from the moment we meet him he's played perfectly and with much wisdom. It's clear he's in charge and exudes that aura of authority throughout. We are also introduced to Howard Sewell from Aero-Tech, the corporation that is a bit shady at this point. He is played by Michael Mantell, who plays it pretty straight and mysterious. I like the subtlety in his delivery, clearly there is more going on with this guy. He's not a favorite character of mine, but maybe we shouldn't like his character or should we? This possibly plays a role later on when the 58th is basically told, this entire mission didn't happen. If you say otherwise then you'll be subject to severe punishment. Someone higher up was pulling strings and authority over Commodore Ross. Wang's response was so funny, “What the hell?” was delivered so spot on with the audience I couldn't help but laugh. Special shout out to the special guest star French Stewart. He played the traumatized Farthest Man From Home, which drove the story points forward in this episode. I barely recognized him. I only remember him from the Stargate movie in a role similar to this. It's great to see French Stewart before his time 3rd Rock From the Sun, when he could do more than silly comedy.

Last, but certainly not least, the aliens get a little more development. They are nicknamed “Chigs” as their appearance resembles a Chigoe Flea. In a display of restraint, we see partial remains of a deceased Chig in a sacred burial site. There are some new Chig ships and technology. I like the designs despite the dated CGI. There are times, it's tolerable and other times that are cringe worthy. We still trudge on with show and grow our questions of the Chig race. What kind of civilization are they? What do they really look like? Why are they keeping prisoners now? Why were we told they kill everyone? What's really going on here? They writers are very methodical in the reveal and motivation of this alien race and series overall. It's the details in the writing that tease us, leaving us wanting to know more.

Overall, The Farthest Man From Home is a solid followup that packed a bit of a punch. At times the pacing felt a bit off, the CGI continues to be hard to watch and we are still missing out on side characters like Damphousse and Wang. However, the story and characters still drive the series forward and a desire for more. I'll give this 7 /10 Hammerheads.

Do be sure to check out the fan group : Space: Above and Beyond / 2063

EDITORIAL - STAR TREK : PICARD

 There has been a lot of discussion so far in regards to Star Trek : Picard. It is akin to another scifi franchise that had a very similar shift. Especially in regards to previous series beforehand. Star Trek : Picard is different in tone, style and atmosphere. However, it still carries forward from it's previous incarnations and trying to be something new. Yes, Starfleet is much different but we're touching the surface of everything that's happened. All empires eventually fall, nothing is forever in the Star Trek universe. Romulans are decimated, we know nothing of the other power struggle at large and we are getting a much more intimate series based on the prime character of Cpt. Jean-Luc Picard.

That said, it's very much like Stargate Universe to Stargate SG-1. Everyone felt that Stargate Universe ventured too far in one direction. Style, writing, direction and pretty much everything. I disagree with the sentiment that fans were burned out. The fans were heartbroken at the loss of SG-1 and Stargate : Atlantis not getting a true finale. Now, despite all that, the fans started to come back around during the much improved second season. It was becoming it's own series and carrying a new identity. There were cameos to SG-1 cast.

Last and certainly not least, let's not forget that most early seasons of Star Trek series are rough around the edges with their differences, stories and characters. Somewhere around 2-3 seasons they always come back around and deliver quality engaging television. Let's see how this first season goes before we consign it to oblivion for not being Star Trek enough. Hell, if Picard is what it takes to get ship/station based series again, since Star Trek : Discovery is not delivering, then maybe it's a chance worth taking.

Sci-Fi Friday Presents - Space : Above and Beyond ; Pilot

It is the year 2063, humans have begun colonization across the stars. That is until suddenly the Vesta colony is attacked by an alien race and left in shambles. Life on Earth is not ideal, a plethora of problems still exist from politics to prejudice against In-Vitro's; human's that are genetically engineered in gestation pods. A second colony ship launches to Tellus, the sight of the second colony. As the ship arrives they are ambushed and destroyed by the same alien menace. The 58th Squadron are called to active duty after accelerated training, each member with a vested interest in the ongoing war that is tearing their world apart. This is... Space : Above and Beyond.

The main focus in this first episode is predominantly three characters. The first character is 1st Lt. Nathan West, Morgan Weisser brings an emotional core and depth to the first episode as his character is forced apart from his girlfriend. His only option to reunite with her is to enlist in the US Marine Corp and hope to be positioned close to her. His character feels a tad annoying at this point, but there's room for growth. The second character Capt. Shane Vansen, Kristen Cloke takes the mantle as a strong, intelligent female lead with a natural ability to lead. Kristen brings a real levity and charisma to this role whilst holding back the scars of her past. Vansen has potentially the most interesting backstory leaving us to wonder what her whole story is and where she is going. The third character is Rodney Rowland as 1st Lt .Cooper Hawkes, an In-Vitro. Hawkes, has the wildest story of them all. He was thrown in the US Marine Corp as punishment for beating the crap out of a gang of In-Vitro racists that were trying to kill him. Rodney, plays the rogue exceedingly well. He brings to life the cool, snarky bad boy who feels lost and closed off. Hawkes brings as much emotional depth and journey to this series as anyone. As well, his developing relationship and character arc with Lt. Colonel TC McQueen. This is a clever dynamic, that adds to chemistry they all share. This is especially important as McQueen is played by the always fascinatingly believable James Morrison. 

Joel De La Fuente plays 1st Lt. Paul Wang and Lanei Chapman plays 1st Lt. Vanessa Damphousse. Despite the late introductions, Wang and Damphousse do fit in well with the group dynamic without feeling forced. Special love and shout out for a guest starring roll for R. Lee Ermey as the drill instructor. The pilot plays to each actors strengths while holding back so that the character arcs can breathe and develop. It's great to have a relatively unknown cast to invest in so there are no preconceptions or expectations, giving Space: Above and Beyond the best chance to win an audience over.

I'm very pleased the pilot episode was told within an 90 minute time-frame. If this show came out today, it'd be stripped down to at most an hour. While at times the pilot drags for a moment here and there, it never lasts long and more than anything allows scenes to breathe. Too many series these days cram too much into a first episode and it can feel a bit daunting for a new fan to invest in the story right away. The episode is built like a movie with a solid 3 acts, keep it simple and effective. Once the story is established, the last third of the episode gets in gear and moves forward.

 The aliens are kept mysterious which is a bit cliche; they are clearly advanced, strong and very intelligent. The aliens attack swiftly and methodically, increasing their menace and question their motives. At least, we're not hit over the head with this device to set a confident tone going forward. The decision to destroy the 127th Squadron, the Angry Angels in the first military conflict was bold but necessary. The story felt a bit like a chess-game just getting started with every move being planned several moves ahead. I really how the humans are not treated as completely inept or stupid, we're not getting stomped on. The decision to destroy the 127th Squadron, the Angry Angels in the first military conflict was bold but necessary. The end of the episode showed human intelligence and the ability to adapt to the ever changing mission and battle. There is a glimmer of hope that we can indeed fight back, not all is lost and more is yet to come.

What really stands out are the sprinkle of details with the history of Earth, Silicates, In-Vitro's and the characters themselves. The mentions of the Silicates in the A.I. Wars as well as the history and use of In-Vitro's during the past and their place in the present. It's great to see these details properly paced out and sprinkled in during this first episode. It's pretty clear Space : Above and Beyond is a precursor the rebooted Battlestar Galactica in tone and structure. Yes, Battlestar Galactica went it's own direction but the core of military science-fiction genre was influenced by this series. Space : Above and Beyond was easily ahead of it's time and didn't rely on tongue in cheek or bland story-telling.

The visual f/x are definitely dated, I watched the DVD on a PS4 which up-converts the picture quality for the HDTV. Unfortunately, in doing so, the CGI showed its age. However, after half-way through the first episode you get used to it. It's important to note that Space Above and Beyond was made in 1995. At that time these special f/x were extremely gorgeous; especially on a television budget. The ship designs and space battles were just so frantic and awesome. I still enjoy them to this day but it is a product of its time. This is a series that would do well to get an upgrade. The practical f/x are outstanding to say the least. We love the practical effects and set designs tremendously, the devil is in the details.

 The score, by Shirley Walker, is the hidden gem of this episode and remains a standout aspect of the series. Shirley Walker received an Emmy nomination for her work on later episode, “The River of Stars.” So when you check out this pilot episode keep your ears open for the musical wonders. 

Without a doubt, Space : Above and Beyond, the pilot delivered a great launch to the series. It'll be very enjoyable to see how everything develops and carries forward from here. This review is a bit long, but with each episode coming up, we'll be more focused on the story and characters. We rate the pilot at 9 / 10 Hammerheads.

 Also, if you like this show do check out the wonderful fan group on Facebook: Space: Above and Beyond / 2063 !