Last Days of the Space Age

It seems that writers these days have so little imagination that they can't fathom a time and place with different people and values to those of 2024. Putting in a retro setting and costumes does not make this set in 1979. The people, relationships and what they say are straight out of 2024. You would never see these people in 1979 behaving and talking like they are.

I am so tired of TV shows being infused with values and agendas from today. What would have been very interesting is to show us what was of concern to people living 45 years ago. Now that would be interesting to see for a modern audience.

I found myself looking for something a little different to watch and decided to pick up The Last Days of the Space Age on Disney+

With no teasers or trailers, I think I was expecting something along the lines of a grounded SciFi drama.

What I got was an evolving period piece that captured a full gamut of transitions that were happening in the world, which seemed to be at breakneck speed and yet somehow this story works it into a slow burning crescendo so you can let it all sink in. Overall it gives the breathe of characters enough room to care and learn about their interwoven story arcs

It's not stellar, but it is a refreshing change of perspective.

The reviews are not doing the series justice. Recall (mentioned by this reviewer and others) that our current obsession with feeding the "maw" of streaming media has resulted in a great deal of product which should have been done as film ending up crammed into a series format. Yes, there are flaws and weak spots. But taken as a whole, top to bottom, tip to tail, this series is an excellent, bittersweet, coming of age story for people, and possibly a country as well. The ending in particular is spectacular, the actors are brilliant, and there are scenes you will never forget. ((Designated "IMDb Top Reviewer." Please check out my list "167+ Nearly-Perfect Movies (with the occasional Anime or TV miniseries) you can/should see again and again (1932 to the present))

At a time when we're all fed superhero's, adaptations and existing IP over and over again, it's so great to watch something new, human, fresh and real. And the fact that this extraordinary series of events all happened in Perth at this time is so quirky and unlikely - a great premise upon which to base this drama.

The cast are amazing - I've never been too fussed about Radha Mitchell or Jesse Spencer before, but their performances are so convincing, as are those from the rest of a really strong ensemble cast. Especially Deb Mailman who is as good as ever.

I wasn't in Perth in '79 so can't comment on how realistic this rendition of it actually is. But I'm digging the 70s vibes generally, and the humanity and warmth in this show. The music is excellent too. They've really done their research and used some banging tracks.

The families they've portrayed are grappling with so many issues relevant today. It's very lovingly and sensitively portrayed.

The second half of the series really ramps up - worth watching.

This is not historically accurate, so go into knowing that.

What is true about Perth in 1979 - Miss Universe contest was held, there was industrial action, and Skylab did come crashing back to Earth.

Also in the show there is (sort of) another incident that happened in 1979, but this other incident happened in Sydney.

Writers have bought this Sydney incident, massaged it a lot, and put it into the Miss Universe plotline.

Performances are all great. Not really sure why Iain Glen is in this (to flog it to the UK I suppose??), but does a good job. Radha Mitchell can only do so much with the writing she is given. For the most part, handles things, but she is on a hiding to nothing.

Deborah Mailman and Jesse Spencer have the more meatier roles, and both go on a bit of a journey.

The younger actors all do well.

Unfortunately the writing lets it down. This is besides the widely historical inaccurate story, which I can deal with. It is fiction, for the most part, after all.

White hat/black hat syndrome. "Bad" guys are just cut out cardboard characters. Poor Sam Delich must be wondering if he is being type cast, as I recently saw him in "Territory" in a similar role. Least he had more to do that series than this.