Space: Above and Beyond

This was a fantastic little sci-fi series. It pioneered the use of CGI on TV shows. It had some great acting from all the leads and relied heavily on parallels with WW2. Created by James Wong and Glen Morgan (of X-Files fame) it draws parallels with the X-Files in terms of lighting and story. The idea of the entire war between Humans and Chigs being an entire corporate plot is classic X-Files. The story-lines are compelling and the graphics are great. It's great for WW2 enthusiasts as a lot of military history is used in the story. It's great for Sci-fi enthusiasts as the sets and story are great. It's just great period! I only wish another season had been commissioned because this is great viewing. Here's hoping a DVD release will soon be forthcoming.

I've seen a lot of comments from people who hate this show, which is surprising. I can understand that it's not for everyone but I can't imagine thinking that someone would dislike it this much. To each his own.

In my opinion, this series was one of the best ever. It explored deeper themes than most shows would dare. It gave a more realistic view of war and the future of Earth than any other scifi or war show I have ever seen. Also, Glen Morgan and James Wong's appreciation of poetry really shows in this series.

If I had to describe "Space: Above and Beyond" in one word: Deep.

You may not believe me, or you may just think that I only say this because I am such a big fan. That's fine. But I truly believe that this show was good while it was on, and had the potential to be something great. Check it out if you can.

This was a show that, while sometimes rough around the edges, had a damn good heart at its core. Space: A+B was not Star Trek, where the phasers are set to stun. Nope, it was World War 2, but in space, and the enemy was nastier than any Nazi could ever hope to be.

The weakest part of the show was definitely the ground combat sequences. The actors carried around those HUGE assault rifles, but I always got the feeling those weapons were about as lethal as a bunch of souped-up BB guns.

Everything else about the show rocked, however. Who can forget Chiggy-Von-Richtoven from the episode "Angriest Angle?" Or Col. McQueen's monologue at the end of that episode? This was a serious show about a serious war. Good stuff.

"Abandon all hope MY ASS!"

Space Above and Beyond was a great show I'll admit I didn't watch in when it was first on mainly because it kept getting moved around for football and the super bowl and stuff. Unlike shows like star trek this show was completely about war so practically every episode had flashy effects, big explosions, and enough action that is lacking in practically every TV show now. The view of the future was very different from what we've been fed. Humans don't fight with lasers in this, the ships aren't always well lit, and we aren't politically correct towards the enemy. Now I can only watch repeats on Space and always think once and a while `Why did Fox cancel this show.'

Space Above and Beyond was and still is in my opinion one of the best war dramas ever made for TV. Really when you watch the show, you cant help but feel that this is a World War 2 show in space.

There is Racial discrimination (Tanks/Natural Borns, AI/Humans, Chigs/Humans) suffering and loss. Political coups and entanglements. Shadowy Corporations, Religion and its implications to a soldier and of course battles.

I think the main thing that brings SAaB down, is that many people feel that it should be compared to other Sci-Fi shows. I do not, and will never consider this a "Sci-Fi" show. Its a War Drama. I don't have to sit through a lecture on the Jefferys Tubes or why I cant exceed Warp 8. I know that these young soldiers need to do their best, and I am here to experience this. How their ships and guns work is a granted, a thing outside of notice. Do you have to learn how an M-16 works before watching Platoon? No. Its the Same with SAaB.

The acting I have to admit is kinda bad in the first 2 episodes. But the Actors AND writers both find their stride by 3 and it just continues to get better from there.

Of course the show was canceled and you can readily see this by the fact that around eps. 14-16 it goes from showing the war as being a long drawn out affair to we need to finish this in the next 10-8 episodes. Story lines are obviously cut out or shortened up. The reason the Aliens are fighting us, for example goes from what I'm sure was going to be a Season 4 or 5 reveal hits us around episode 20, and only gets a 4 line delivery.

For all that, I highly recommend this show, and ask all of you to please Mail FOX and ask them to release these treasures on DVD.