Hear this CFB: Since it’s a slow Sunday, I figured I’d make a gratuitous post. How many of you remember a brief TV series called, Space: Above and Beyond?
Space: Above and Beyond is a short-lived mid-1990s American science fiction television show on the FOX Network, created and written by Glen Morgan and James Wong. Originally planned for five seasons, it ran only for the single 1995–1996 season. It was nominated for two Emmy Awards and one Saturn Award. It was ranked “50” in IGN’s top 50 Sci-Fi TV Shows, described as “yet another sci-fi show that went before its time”.
Set in the years 2063–2064, the show focuses on the “Wildcards”, members of the United States Marine Corps Space Aviator Cavalry, 58th Squadron. They are stationed on the space carrier USS Saratoga, and act as infantry and pilots of SA-43 Endo/Exo-Atmospheric Attack Jet (“Hammerhead”) fighters.
I would describe the series as more wartime stories rather than sci-fi. It just happened to take place in the year 2063.
Although I don’t think it had either a conservative or liberal political message, I do see elements that would appeal to those in both camps. And I also saw the series as pro-military; or at least captured a pro-military respect.
U.S. Marines oorahing in outer space and defending the entire frakkin’ planet? What’s not to love?
I only got hooked on S:AaB midway through its run on FOX (famous for axing promising series’ prematurely). I think I caught the episode “Never No More”, followed by its second part (and possibly the best in the short-run series), “Angriest Angel”. That one sold me as a fan, and I tuned into every single episode afterward. Then the series got canceled, just as it began hitting its stride. That same summer, “Independence Day” came out. I thought if it had hung in there when that movie opened, it could have found renewed vigor from an audience seeking to embrace an aliens vs. humanity theme. And had the series lasted into September of 2001, I think it would have once again been reinvigorated with new energy and purpose related to current events; perhaps spin-offs. In 2005, I wrote:
Its short life was undeserved. Damn FOX for ruining yet another potential series. X-Files, I seem to remember, took a couple of years to really take off. SAaB had great potential, and only got better as the season wore on, and it was finding its niche. I could definitely see James Morrison becoming a huge star, thanks to his character, Col. TC McQueen.
Following the story of the 58th, a squadron of Marine aviators, the potential for SAaB to have had several spin-off series had my head spinning. I dreamt of a story maybe focusing on a battalion of Gurkhas…still armed with their traditional kukris….anything that delved into military history and traditions. I felt the series, which were wartime dramas that happened to be set in the future, were well-done, in the vein of Red Badge of Courage; but also in the best spirit of honoring military service and sacrifice. If it didn’t follow to the letter, military protocol and operational procedures, by taking liberties on account of dramatic effect, or excusable due to its being set 68 years into the future, it certainly had the spirit and feel of a show that appreciated military tradition and history. And given the current political climate, and the lack of pro-military, patriotic movies from Hollywood, I think this series could definitely have kept an audience…I think there is a market out there for a more conservative voice. And what better than to have a series that chooses to honor our fighting men and women, rather than treat them as psychotic killers, damaged goods, and victims?
The Hammerheads were gorgeous!
By today’s standards, parts may seem a bit cheesy; but back then, I thought it had some grit and substance. Certainly not all eps were winners, but I thought it was getting better and better. Sugar Dirt is another favorite. I do have several.
Some complain about the over-bombastic music, but I loved it! Shirley Walker‘s best work, in my biased opinion. And the use of Johnny Cash, Patsy Cline, Beethoven’s Eroica in individual episodes were well-chosen.
Another viewer‘s impressions:
When S:AB debuted, I watched the pilot with mixed emotions. Much of the story felt sampled from Full Metal Jacket, even using R. Lee Ermey in the role of drill instructor. The emotional hook of the show was a romance between immature colonists that I found difficult to connect with… But those Hammerhead spaceships sure looked awesome, and the way they maneuvered, spinning around in zero-g was something I hadn’t seen before. The attractive cast seemed committed to what they were doing. And, back in ’95, you were as likely to reel in a coelacanth while fishing off the Santa Monica Pier as find a science fiction show on television. So WTF, I kept watching.
I was rewarded with twenty-four compelling episodes about relatable, almost ordinary characters overcoming extraordinary challenges through teamwork and sacrifice. I watched a TV show find itself. Discovering what it was good at. Finding a way to balance action packed episodic narrative with serialized arcs long before Alias, 24, and Lost.
S:AB was also one of the first shows to treat high quality visual effects as just another narrative tool, not something to be lingered on ’til the pixelated jaggies shatters one’s suspension of disbelief (Firefly, BSG, and District 9 have since iterated on this conceit).
If you missed this series, the two episodes to check out would be the ones I made mention, that drew me in- so much so that in 2013, the series is still on my mind and the ache of what could have been a great series run.
If you have an hour-and-a-half time to spare, love military sci-fi, and looking for escapist entertainment, check out the following two eps (if you have only 45 minutes worth of time, just skip to the 2nd ep, “Angriest Angel“). Fans of James Morrison’s work in 24 will love his role here as Col T.C. McQueen. A warrior-scholar archetype that should have catapulted James Morrison into stardom:
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x_c-7c0z0Os[/youtube]
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yVSQyBtf9O0[/youtube]

A former fetus, the “wordsmith from nantucket” was born in Phoenix, Arizona in 1968. Adopted at birth, wordsmith grew up a military brat. He achieved his B.A. in English from the University of California, Los Angeles (graduating in the top 97% of his class), where he also competed rings for the UCLA mens gymnastics team. The events of 9/11 woke him from his political slumber and malaise. Currently a personal trainer and gymnastics coach.
The wordsmith has never been to Nantucket.
It was filmed here in Australia – I met a guy who was in an episode, and he was chuffed that I knew about it. It always reminded me of “Combat!” – the old Vic Morrow series from the 60s, and I reckon that was completely intentional.
Thought it was under-rated at the time. You could tell it was made to a much smaller budget than other TV Sci-Fi, but it had something.
Wordsmith
thank you for that SPECIALTY POST.
sad for having miss those, I DID SAW INDEPENDENCE JULY3
AND I enjoyed it, HARRISON FORD WAS BRILLIANT ALSO,
ONE OF US QUESTION THE EXIT BUT IT AS WELL ORCHESTRATED JUST THE SAME,
ALL MY FAVORITE MOVIES ARE OF THAT THEME,
ALSO,
BYE
I missed the series, unfortunately, but it sounds like it was a hoot. The main ingredients, that I claim are missing from modern TV and cinema, are there: imagination and creativity. I am sorry I missed out on the series.
Yesterday, I worked for the mother of a Marine F-18 pilot, a graduate of Annapolis. She told me all about her son, the training and little things, like his first night landing on a carrier. I had one of the most memorable days of my career.
After working on eight head of horses, I told her she should be proud of her son, and that I was proud to know the mother of a Marine aviator, and to tell him thanks for me.
She got a little misty eyed, and said most Californians say they hate the military and everything connected with it, when she mentions her son.
“Not me,” I said, “I know where we would be without these young guys.”
Semper Fi
those who hate the MILITARY, DON’T REALIZE WHAT THEY ARE TELLING OF THEMSELVES,
THAT IS THEY ARE COWARD AND CAN’T STAND TO SEE BRAVE DOING WHAT THEY ARE SUPPOSE TO DO, IT’S TOO MUCH IN THEIR FACE TO BEAR,
THAT’S WHY SOME MEDIAS DON’T TALK ABOUT IT ALSO THEY CARRY THE SAME ENVIOUS SHAME OF BEING COWARD,
Anybody remember “Serenity” and “Firefly”?
Another sci-fi series that was ended way too early.
No military (except in the opening), just a fun story and good actors.
And Dark Skies was another. That’s the problem with TV executives, they are clueless about “Sci-Fi” audiences. The cancel good shows with interesting characters, yet run mindless garbage such as “reality programming” for years.
I SHOULD CORRECT THAT HARRISON FORD WAS IN THE MOVIE AIRFORCE ONE NOT IN INDEPENDENCE WHICH WAS THAT BRILLIANT OTHER ACTOR,
WILL SMITH
@ilovebeeswarzone: #8
Agreed, Bees. Will Smith is an excellent actor, skillful and versatile. Kind of reminds me of a young Sidney Portier (I had to look at my DVD collection to make certain I spelled his name right!).
“My name is SIR!”
Good times…
Petercat
did you ever see the OUTER LIMIT MANY SEGMENTS.?
THEY ARE BACK ON TV CHANNEL,
history is the week for all which is out of the ordinary,
quite interesting, even scary when they touch the future,
my thoughts was the same as to bring too many humans in this AMERICA,
will have us regret it later not so far, when the need start to be scarce,