Not just another Sci-Fi show
Fifty years ago man landed on the moon for the first time, the space race that leads to that one unimaginable moment launched a surge in science fiction content. Entertainment was filled with space exploration and with the current filming and visual fx techniques we are constantly getting more and more sophisticated shows and films. Another Life is Netflix’s next science fiction show and it does a fantastic job of showing the emotions and relationships that everyone involved in a space program has.
Another Life is set on Earth in the future as an alien artifact arrives on the planet laying dormant. As the alien artifact remains unresponsive, a crew is put together to be sent to its point of origin to find out why it has come to their home. The crew is led by an experienced astronaut Niko Breckenridge (Katee Sackhoff, Battlestar Galactica) leads the ship The Salvre on their mission whilst she leaves behind her husband (Justin Chatwin), who is analysing the artifact, and her daughter on Earth.
From the first four episodes that I was allowed to watch, I found the show to have more of a Firefly/Stargate feel to it. There was the overarching mystery to be solved but a lot of the focus was on how the crew and civilians melded together in this foreign time. Onboard The Salvre especially, the crew is faced with issues and complications which gives the show an opportunity to show off the acting capabilities of the overall cast instead of just the strong leads.
The situations, however, can feel a tad forced as one episode, in particular, managed to fit in maybe too many twists into its forty-minute run time. It’s clear that the show wasn’t trying to waste its time, this is both a good and bad thing. On one hand, the show is heading for quicker reveals which makes watching the show easier and not having to wait all season for just one little reveal at a time, helps you stay invested in the show. On the other hand, however, you get a lot thrown at you at once, and at one point in a very Alien-like episode..maybe too much thrown at you.
What is easily the show’s best aspect is it’s intertwining character relationships. The crew of The Salvre have enough emotional baggage to get under each other’s skins whilst also representing what it could feel like to be so far away from home. On Earth, the characters are examples of what those left behind have to go through when their loved ones are in space. Niko’s daughter and Niko’s connection to her is key to the show as time and space are constantly keeping them apart and the show uses that situation well.
Another Life is another sci-fi show and the visual fx are key for sci-fi shows. Star Trek: Discovery is leading in sci-fi visual fx on TV whilst other shows might not have the budget for it. Another Life is predominately based on a ship which removes the need for high-end visual fx. This works in its favour as it’s not restricted by what they can do visually. It also allows the show to feel different from its competitors. Up against shows like Discovery and The Expanse, Another Life is able to feel the same quality sci-fi with less space heavy imagery.
Sci-Fi TV shows are no longer few and far between, they are now a constant staple in our modern TV/streaming line-up. Whether they are successful is another question entirely. Another Life has a great chance at being one of the successful shows if it doesn’t attempt to strain itself too hard or become too ridiculous. Half of the season in and the show has the right mix of crazy and emotional moments to keep you on board. I remain intrigued as to what the show can do differently from what it has to play around with. Another Life has a lot of potential but it has to remain on the right course or it could be just another sci-fi show.