To Be or Not to Be (12 Sep. 1993)
"SeaQuest DSV" To Be or Not to Be (original title)

Captain Nathan Bridger is hauled out of retirement to command the new submarine SeaQuest, under the authority of the United Earth/Oceans Organization. His ship goes up against pirate forces... See full summary »

Director:

Irvin Kershner

Writers:

Rockne S. O'Bannon (creator), Rockne S. O'Bannon (teleplay),

Stars:

Roy Scheider, Stephanie Beacham, Stacy Haiduk

Cast

Episode complete credited cast:
Roy Scheider	...	Captain Nathan Bridger
Stephanie Beacham	...	Dr. Kristin Westphalen
Stacy Haiduk	...	Lt. Cmdr. Katherine Hitchcock
Don Franklin	...	Commander Jonathan Ford
Jonathan Brandis	...	Lucas Wolenczak
John D'Aquino	...	Lt. Benjamin Krieg
Royce D. Applegate	...	Chief Manilow Crocker
Ted Raimi	...	Lt. j.g. Timothy O'Neill
Marco Sanchez	...	Sensor Chief Miguel Ortiz
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Clark Heathcliffe Brolly	...	Renegade Sensor Chief
Scott Coffey	...	Bobby
Eric DaRe	...	Maxwell
Mark Fauser	...	Weapons Officer Phillips
Shelley Hack	...	Capt. Marilyn Stark
Richard Herd	...	Admiral Noyce

Storyline

Captain Nathan Bridger is hauled out of retirement to command the new submarine SeaQuest, under the authority of the United Earth/Oceans Organization. His ship goes up against pirate forces commanded by Marilyn Stark, a former SeaQuest captain who tried to instigate a war.

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Plot Keywords:

submarine | 2010s

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Genres:

Action | Family | Adventure | Sci-Fi

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Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

12 September 1993 (USA)

Filming Locations:

Stage 28, Universal Studios - 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Amblin Entertainment, Universal TV

Technical Specs

Runtime:

90 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Did You Know?

Quotes

Dr. Kristin Westphalen: You're going to fire him out of a torpedo tube?
Capt. Nathan Bridger: Noooo, he's going to *swim* out of a torpedo tube.
Dr. Kristin Westphalen: [pause] I still don't like it.

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Connections

Followed by SeaQuest 2032 (1993)

User Reviews

This could a been a contender

SeaQuest DSV had all the signs of becoming a science fiction classic. Stephen Spielberg on board as a producer,Rockne O'Bannion who also created the magnificent Farscape was the show's creator. A wonderful cast headed by Roy Scheider,lavish production values,but ultimately the show floundered.The first season was the best even as the show was trying,like all series in their freshman year,to find their way.I find that the most exciting time period in a series.They are still experimenting with the premise & relationships & haven't fallen into the formulaic rut that can take over many sf shows.Somehow this series never seemed to come together for me.You could see the fallout;Roy Scheider wanted out,there was a revolving door for the cast,& they even had the sub abducted to another planet & then later brought back but in the future.All were desperate attempts to remold the show & all of them were atrocious.Some people postulate that the premise of exploring the oceans of the earth simply cannot compare to spaceships exploring the universe.Ironic that both SQ & Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea fell to the same fate after a pretty good first season.It will be unfortunate if nobody attempts another sf show dealing with the seas,as so few series have ever been made.But it may well be a long time before we ever see another stab at this concept.