‘Ili and I have been watching Gerry Anderson’s Space Precinct on Netflix Watch Instantly the past few days.1 We’re two episodes in and I’m not 100% sure how to describe it. Wikipedia:
American broadcasters were uncertain what to make of this series that looked on the surface to be aimed at children, yet actually featured adult-oriented storylines and was usually played straight despite the bizarre storylines and make-up.
Maybe comparing it to other shows will be instructive: The makeup and creature FX remind me a lot of Farscape. The photography and costumes are reminiscent of Babylon 5. It has the scifi sensibilities of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine.
That doesn’t quite capture it somehow, though. Perhaps I already nailed it on Twitter:
Watching “Space Precinct” with ¥CHz. I really don’t know how to describe this show but “every cop show trope, but in space” is a good start.
But I still don’t think that’s the whole story. Perhaps, in the end, the best summary is that I’m looking forward to episode 3.
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The first episode was directed by infamous James Bond director John Glen. (Seriously this dude directed some of the worst Bond movies, all in a row). When I saw his name come up on the titles, I quite literally said “Oh nooooo” out loud. Thankfully, my worst fears were not confirmed. ↩