Beacon 23

I don't get the bad reviews. This show has a great story that unfolds a bit more every episode. The acting is very well done and the two leads are excellent. The dialogue is sometimes simplistic in that it's there to move the story, not hit you in the feels or expand your mind but it's there to give you information so that things that have or will happen make some sort of sense. Don't get me wrong, there is plenty of great dialogue, it's just used where it's needed, not to add flourishes to something that doesn't require it.

The script that everyone is dunking on manages to make you feel the vast space of the universe they're building. From the disparate types of people, languages and motivations to the thoroughly believable advanced tech.

Visually, they've done a great job. When appropriate, the CGI is well done and not overly flashy. Just solid and believable. Overall production design, sets and wardrobe are all great as well. Nothing about the show feels cheap or skimped over.

I feel like people are just mad because the writers aren't handing you scenes that show whether a person is good or bad. There's a lot of ambiguity going on but the show manages, if you give it a chance, to answer many of the questions that arise. That said, I also feel like the show has a lot more to say about a lot of things. Things like where AI is leading us and how we might interact with it. Whether some knowledge or "progress" is too expensive or dangerous. If humanity forcibly evolves itself are they still human? And of course, what's going on with the weird rocks?

They've obviously left room for more answers in a (thankfully) renewed second season and I look forward to more thought provoking, enjoyable and sometimes beautiful episodes.

If you're looking for non-stop action or nail biting suspense, this ain't it. If you're looking for good, solid, moderately hard sci-fi with some decent but infrequent action sequences and a bit of philosophy thrown in, this might just work for you.

I'm writing this review after having watched the entire first season, and just finished watching the 6th out of 8 episodes in the second season. The only thing I can say is: the show Writers must really HATE the viewers. And, I'm surprised anyone would put his name on the script: I believe the Writers' Guild uses "Alan B. Smithee" for writing credits that the writer wants to disavow. "Smithee" name should be all over S2 scripts.

There is no other explanation for a show so full of half-starts, unresolved episodes, and unfulfilled promises. It's like an anthology series with episodes that don't give the viewer an ending for each episode.

I understand that the writers, in online interviews, have asked the viewers to "hold on" and wait for the payoff--but, with just two episodes left in S2, I can't imagine any satisfying way to tie together the various threads that have been floated throughout this season.

I began watching this series based on the pedigree of Hugh Howey, who provided the source material--and who wrote the very excellent books the "Silo" series is based on.

But "Beacon 23" is no "Silo." I have to agree with other reviews that point out that Stephan James is not the Leading Man this series needs. In fact, I'm not sure if anyone could rise above and save such poor plotting and writing.

That said, there are some flashes of interesting performances--like Ellen Wong in the recent two-parter; but I have no idea if we'll see her character, "Iris" again. Which is emblematic of the show itself: it's like the actors/characters are running away from an unfulfilling experience. The disappearance of Lena Headey in S2 is also a slap in the face, since many viewers (me included) decided to watch "Beacon 23" because we expected to see her always watchable acting; and see what new character she would bring to life. But, it appears Ms. Headey has taken the money, and run.

I'll hang-on for the final two episodes, but it's very doubtful that I'll return for more punishment in the future. Assuming MGM+ decides the series gets a third time at bat.

UPDATE: I have now watched the final two episodes, and as I expected they are terrible. Unsatisfying on both an intellectual and emotional level.

The individual character storylines mostly went unresolved, and the overall thematic narrative, of the artifact, is just as mysterious as in the first episode of the first season.

Why did we spend 16 episodes watching this mess? I don't know...but I will NOT be watching any more; assuming someone is foolish enough to greenlight a third season of...The Worst Sci-Fi Series in the past 50 years!

As an ardent admirer of Lena Headey's work, I embarked on the journey of watching this new show with a heart full of anticipation and high expectations. Lena's previous performances had set a benchmark, and I was eager to see her magic unfold once again on the screen. However, after dedicating my time to three full episodes, I find myself in a state of confusion and disappointment.

The plot seems to be wandering aimlessly, with no clear direction or purpose. It's like being lost in a maze with no exit in sight. The storyline, which should ideally be a roadmap guiding the viewers, appears to be a tangled web with no discernible path. I am left questioning the ultimate goal of the narrative and the message it intends to convey.

The crux of the problem, I believe, lies in the emotional disconnect I am experiencing with the storyline. A truly engaging narrative has the power to draw in its audience, making them feel a part of the unfolding drama. It should be able to evoke a spectrum of emotions, from joy and excitement to suspense and intrigue. This emotional investment acts as the glue that binds the viewers to the characters and their journey.

Unfortunately, this show seems to lack that vital hook. The storyline fails to captivate, leaving me as a viewer feeling detached and uninterested. The narrative lacks the compelling factor that makes one eagerly await the next episode. It's like reading a book where the characters fail to come alive, and the plot fails to stir any emotion.

In conclusion, while I started watching the show as a fan of Lena Headey, the lack of a captivating narrative and emotional engagement has left me quite disappointed. I hope the forthcoming episodes bring about a positive change and manage to reignite the spark that seems to be missing currently.

Never witnessed such horrible pacing. Visceral anger rages in me because on one hand the story appears intriguing, but the nonsense just stupefies me. Plot holes the size of Texas, sheer incontinuity, half of what one sees leads literally nowhere. Good acting, great production values, great aesthetics, slightly above brain dead scripting. What a combination. I want to like it I really do. At this point I am no longer convinced there is any story at all, just spectacle, psuedo-depth, and great cgi. Heres a thought script writers: try thinking just one thought coherently from beginning to end, just one. Bombarding the audience with a litany of half-thought thoughts is akin to mental torture, do you really have such disdain for your own ideas? Or rather the audience?

In the 23rd century, humanity has colonized the galaxy. Beacons are space lighthouses warning the presence of dangerous dark matter. Beacon 23 is malfunctioning and a passing spaceship is destroyed. Aster Calyx (Lena Headey) is the sole surivor and Harmony (Natasha Mumba) is her personal AI. She finds a lone lighthouse keeper, but he's actually military soldier Halan (Stephan James) with lots of issues. Nobody is who they claim to be.

It's a lighthouse in space. That's the concept. It has the spooky atmosphere of an old horror with a lot of techno babble. The characters get a bit too mysterious and too complicated. The show keeps piling on layers upon layers. It's a big problem when the show loses its biggest name going into the second season. Lena Headey can put an entire show on her shoulders. Without her, the seams start to fall apart. All the convoluted history and politics become too much to overcome. The show ends after two seasons.