ps. Fix the categories. This is NOT science fiction. And Andromeda isn't Fantasy. Stop conflating the two. Is LOTR science fiction? No? Then neither is this.
I loved this show for its wonderfully realized cinematic fantasy aesthetic photography and special effects (thanks Peter Jackson for spotlighting NZ's talent), great set design, and extremely attractive cast (main and guests), and for its campy melodrama. The choreography, photography, editing, and, importantly, tone for the action scenes were actually very good, and the characters were vibrant and compelling, in an indulgent fan-fiction-y way-- and I mean that in a good way. It was enough to engage, but not demand that you take it too seriously. Pure fantasy escapism.
The sometimes asymmetrically shaky acting from the two leads only made the melodrama more amusing to watch, but there were some genuinely good performances and compelling character arcs, too (my favs: Tabrett Bethell as Cara, the Mordsith; and Craig Parker as Darken Rahl was deliciously evil). Parker played the evil antagonist completely straight, with a subtly sexual intensity that, to me, stands out as fairly unique among TV villains, and made for a much more compelling tet-a-tet with the other Craig and the band of overly earnest, ethically nebulous do-gooders.
I remember there being some questionable narrative choices in the second season, but I remember the show fondly and wish there had been more. I've just found it on ABC's site and am starting a much anticipated re-watch.
Review by LNeroBlockedParent2022-08-30T22:37:19Z— updated 2022-09-04T02:42:09Z
ps. Fix the categories. This is NOT science fiction. And Andromeda isn't Fantasy. Stop conflating the two. Is LOTR science fiction? No? Then neither is this.
I loved this show for its wonderfully realized cinematic fantasy aesthetic photography and special effects (thanks Peter Jackson for spotlighting NZ's talent), great set design, and extremely attractive cast (main and guests), and for its campy melodrama. The choreography, photography, editing, and, importantly, tone for the action scenes were actually very good, and the characters were vibrant and compelling, in an indulgent fan-fiction-y way-- and I mean that in a good way. It was enough to engage, but not demand that you take it too seriously. Pure fantasy escapism.
The sometimes asymmetrically shaky acting from the two leads only made the melodrama more amusing to watch, but there were some genuinely good performances and compelling character arcs, too (my favs: Tabrett Bethell as Cara, the Mordsith; and Craig Parker as Darken Rahl was deliciously evil). Parker played the evil antagonist completely straight, with a subtly sexual intensity that, to me, stands out as fairly unique among TV villains, and made for a much more compelling tet-a-tet with the other Craig and the band of overly earnest, ethically nebulous do-gooders.
I remember there being some questionable narrative choices in the second season, but I remember the show fondly and wish there had been more. I've just found it on ABC's site and am starting a much anticipated re-watch.