"Space: Above and Beyond" (1995) TV series 1995-1996

Creators:

Glen Morgan
James Wong

Seasons:

1

Release Date:

24 September 1995 (USA)

Genre:

Sci-Fi

Plot:

Earth is embroiled in a desperate war against invaders and this series focuses on one squad of marines involved in it.

Plot Keywords:

Marine | Space Carrier | Fictional War | Cult TV | In Vitro

Awards:

Nominated for 2 Primetime Emmys. Another 3 wins & 1 nomination

Cast

Morgan Weisser	...	Lt. Nathan West (23 episodes, 1995-1996)
Kristen Cloke	...	Lt. Shane Vansen / ... (23 episodes, 1995-1996)
Rodney Rowland	...	Lt. Cooper Hawkes (23 episodes, 1995-1996)
Joel de la Fuente	...	Lt. Paul Wang (23 episodes, 1995-1996)
Lanei Chapman	...	Lt. Vanessa Damphousse (23 episodes, 1995-1996)
James Morrison	...	Lt. Col. T.C. McQueen / ... (23 episodes, 1995-1996)
Tucker Smallwood	...	Commodore Ross / ... (16 episodes, 1995-1996)

Also Known As:

Above and Beyond (USA) (working title)

Runtime:

60 min | 30 min (22 episodes)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

UK:PG

Filming Locations:

Australia

Company:

20th Century Fox Television

Trivia:

Full-scale models of the "Hammerhead" fighters used in the series were created in Australia at RAAF Base Williamtown. the following unverified: While they were being stored on board the freighter before shipping, crewmen from a Russian freighter were caught taking pictures of them after mistakenly thinking they were a new kind of advanced U.S. tactical fighter.

Quotes:

[first lines]
Lt. Col. Tyrus Cassius "TC" McQueen: [narration] We thought we were alone. We believed the universe was ours. Until one night in 2063, on a Earth colony 16 light-years away, they struck. Now we're at war. We fight when called, in space, on land, and at sea. To lose this war means more than defeat; to surrender is to never go home. All of us must rise to the call... above and beyond.

Righteously p***ed off!!

If I was allowed to, I'd spout off a string of curses at the people at Fox who cancelled this show. I loved this series! Except for the Babylon 5 TV-movies "In the Beginning..." and "A Call to Arms," there has been no other show that sparked my interest so much as S:AAB. I found every character deep and vivid and actually _realistic_, most especially Lt.-Col. T.C. McQueen, unlike Star Trek with its plastic, uber-idealistic characters (BTW, I used to like Star Trek, until I matured and entered junior high and realized how incredibly idiotic the show is; only First Contact is in any way redeeming to the Star Trek name). But all of the actors in S:AAB are extremely, _extremely_ talented. Now, the last time I saw them were in cameo appearances on the X-Files!!! I cannot express my outrage at such a waste of talent! And you have no idea how happy I was when I saw David Duchovny in a cameo role in a S:AAB episode!

S:AAB combined everything I love about sci-fi, military, and philosophy all in one. McQueen is the ideal Marine, yet he is discriminated against because of his origins. As a high school student hoping to become a Marine officer, I can tell you honestly right now that McQueen is who I hope to emulate: tough, yet compassionate to his subordinates, loyal to his cause, and unstoppably determined. If you want to know what I mean, watch the episode "Angriest Angel" to see James Morrison (actor who plays McQueen) - and the rest of the cast - at his best.

If I have any complaint about S:AAB, it is its lack of general accuracy. Aside from the very confusing chain of command, many things are being contradicted within the show. And with all the bases the 58th has to liberate, how come in the beginning they say that there was only one colony and one other being constructed? Do they mean civilian colonies, because the military seems to have a whole lot of colonies. And the addition of the "shadow company" of AeroTech just was uncalled for. Too "X-files"-sy. But I don't let these flaws affect my opinion of S:AAB. It is and always will be at least one of the best sci-fi shows ever.