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.