Salvation

I lowered my season one rating from 8 to 6 because of what I've seen so far with season two,. Initially, I really enjoyed the concept and found it interesting. The acting, although not great, is passable for a B-level summer show. However, season two is way too much soap opera. I thought the show deserved to be renewed for a second season, but right now I am learning towards closing it out.

The first season was borderline great despite a few cliches here and there but the second season tries to do way too much all at once. The result is a frustrating, uninteresting follow up to a promising first season. The constant flip flops, twists, and desperate character development left me wishing the asteroid would hit and put it all to an end.

I like the first 4 episodes, and am looking forward to watching the rest. Not an action packed sci fi show, but more a thinking person's sci fi. I hope it continues with the good characters, well written episodes, and interesting plot. The special effects are good, and not overdone. Some sci fi shows are just CGI mess-fests where they try to throw as much CGI stuff as possible. Not this show. Witty, clever, and thoughtful. Hope it lasts.

First, let's get an important aspect clarified: a lot of reviewers have been (excessively) critical of the scientific veracity behind this show. Yes, they are right, this is not a model of how humanity will divert a ELE capable asteroid.

What this is trying be be is an engaging piece of entertainment that is (1) not a cop drama, (2) not a medical drama, (3) not a who's sleeping with who drama. It has taken a media-popular scenario - asteroid heading toward Earth - and wrapped it in a well presented package with charismatic cast and good pacing. It is absolutely light in scientific accuracy, but - I'm not sure how to put this clearly - IT'S A TV SHOW!!!

There are some interesting characterisations and scripting so far has been tight with only a few 'off pace' moments. Yes, a lot of characters are heavy on stereotype, certainly more than we get in UK shows - but, again, this is an entertainment show. I watch it for my brain to go into neutral and coast along; if I want accuracy, I'll watch Discovery.

As with all good sci-fi - the real story is nothing to do with the tech - it's all about the people and how they react to a situation. The asteroid is simply a McGuffin that puts a shiny angle on the show...

I don't agree at all with all the critics of other reviewers: it's a very decent show, not as "sciency" as you would expect; there are lots of politics involved but the characters make sense, are pretty intelligent and the actors are quite convincing in carrying the tension and double-play of the multiple agencies and various protagonists.

It's well paced, interesting at every episode and not at all a frenzy of stupid mathy-jargon thrown at you like scorpion, which is utter bullsh*t for sure.

As I said, it's well written and seems to be going somewhere fast, which is kind of hard to find in a show nowadays so be content and stop complaining when something good comes your way! :D