"Jupiter Moon" (1990) TV series 1990-1991

Directors:

David Andrews
David Dunn

Writers:

Ben Aaronovitch (writer)
Jonathan Myerson (writer)

Seasons:

1

Genre:

Sci-Fi

Plot:

Ilea is an old space craft cruising around the Jupiter system, and functioning as a university. This is the story of its crew and students.

Plot Keywords:

University | Space

Cast

Anna Pernicci	...	Anna Begani (88 episodes, 1990-1996)
Charlotte Martin	...	Petra (53 episodes, 1990-1996)
Phil Willmott	...	Finbow Lewis (49 episodes, 1990-1996)
Anna Chancellor	...	Mercedes Page (47 episodes, 1990-1996)
Daniel Beales	...	Daniel Wetherby (46 episodes, 1990-1996)
Suzy Cooper	...	Melody Shaw (45 episodes, 1990-1996)
Nicola Wright	...	Victoria Frobisher (44 episodes, 1990)
Richard Derrington	...	Professor Brelan (40 episodes, 1990-1996)
Karen Murden	...	Sara Robbins (37 episodes, 1990-1996)

Runtime:

UK:30 min (115 episodes)

Country:

UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Quotes:

Mercedes Page: Alright if I go and have a look at this new bloke you've found?
Finbow Lewis: Why? What do you want him for?
Mercedes Page: What do you *think* I want a man for, sweetheart?
Finbow Lewis: He's still unconcious!
Mercedes Page: Oh - well that wouldn't be any good, would it? Perhaps I'll wait for an hour or so!

The ongoing adventures of a university of space orbiting Callisto in the Jupiter system.

In 1990, British Satellite Broadcasting (BSB) launched a soap opera for their Galaxy Channel, appropriately set 60 years in the future aboard an old spaceship orbiting the Jupiter moon Callisto -- and housing Columbus College, a university of space.

Episodes were shown three days a week, with a full compilation of those episodes broadcast on the following Sunday. 150 episodes were made in total, with 108 shown before the infamous 'merger' of BSB with Sky.

I found it very effective as a soap opera. The mixture of the usual teenage angst and adult drama with the challenges of living and working in space worked together quite well. The acting in some of the earlier episodes was a bit shaky, but got better as characters were removed/added and the younger cast members became more experienced. (hence the '9' rather than 10) The model work was excellent for the period and most of the filming was realistic. There shouldn't have been gravity in the ship's hub, otherwise it did have a authentic feel.

My favourite characters were Anna Chancellor as Mercedes Page and Richard Derrington as Professor Brelan. Many of the younger cast were very good as well.

I won't comment on costuming, as who will know what fashions will appear in 2050? The vertical stripes on the men's pants worked well enough though!!! One major point in Jupiter Moon's favour is that, except for using 'Ecus' as money instead of Euros and the clunky 'autosecs' used for personal communication, this series has aged really well. I think the location helps. The science holds up as well. You might even learn a few things from this show, though that certainly wasn't the purpose.

Those who like 'daytime dramas' will find this a unique experience and very enjoyable. If you are collecting the DVDs from Britain, which have stalled at episode 60, take note that the rights to Region 1 NTSC have been acquired and there may be a North American DVD release in the not too distant future.