I remember purposely not watching this show when it first premiered. I had caught the odd episode of "Hercules: The Legendary Journeys" and although it was a fun show, it was very, very cheesy. I also knew that "Andromeda" was a syndicated series and those are usually cheesy as well. I figured I had too many cheesy shows in my TV watching schedule, so I avoided it like the plague. When I heard ADV Films was releasing the series to DVD I was interested in seeing what I had missed. I was wrong; the show isn't cheesy at all and after watching this DVD I found myself wanting Andromeda 1.2 to be released next Tuesday.
"Andromeda" was developed from various notes left by the late Gene Roddenberry and turned into a series by Robert Hewitt Wolfe. It tells the story of Dylan Hunt, Captain of the starship Andromeda Ascendant, one of the most powerful ships in the Systems Commonwealth. After a battle near a black hole, the Andromeda Ascendant is frozen in time for over 300 years. When the ship is towed from the black hole by a salvage ship, Dylan awakens to find the Commonwealth has fallen and has been replaced by chaos. Dylan and his new crew are determined to rebuild the Commonwealth while avoiding the Nietzcheans and other enemies.
The Episodes
Under the Night
The Andromeda is under attack! Lured into a brutal battle near a black hole, Commonwealth Captain Dylan Hunt orders his crew to abandon ship. The Andromeda becomes frozen in time at the event horizon; until a salvage mining ship tows it free... 300 years later. Dylan must come to terms with the loss of his crew, his way of life... and the strange invaders who now demand control of the glorious Andromeda!
An Affirming Flame
Martial arts Cyborgs and Nietzschean mercenaries are after Dylan. But their murderous employer, Gerentex, decides to destroy what he can't steal. As he pushes the Andromeda back into the black hole, Dylan and the abandoned crew of the salvage ship Eureka Maru must join forces to save themselves... and the Commonwealth.
To Loose The Fateful Lightning
When Dylan, Harper, and Beka board a battle worn guard station, they are confronted by a society of savage child warriors. Descendants of the Commonwealth, the children believe Dylan is their Messiah. Dylan unknowingly authorizes the genocide of an entire Magog-inhabited solar system. The day of lightning is NOW!
D Minus Zero
Tensions build. Outside... the wreckage of an unarmed High Guard medical ship draws Dylan and the crew of the Andromeda straight into a violent ambush. Inside... Dylan and Beka have a dramatic disagreement over command - his ship, her crew. Pursued by a mysterious enemy ship that won't give up, Dylan orders the Andromeda to hide in the dangerous radiation of a star until the inevitable showdown.
Double Helix
Dylan's hopes of rebuilding the Commonwealth place him on the receiving end of a treacherous Nietzschean assault. The enemy tries to entice fellow Nietzschean Tyr to help them destroy the ship. Awaiting Tyr if he complies is a wife to carry on his proud DNA - the double helix that is central to Nietzschean culture. But doing so will mean the end of the Andromeda and death to her crew.
Video
Although not as great as the video found on Farscape (another ADV Films product), it's still very nice. Colors are consistent and dark scenes aren't muddy. There's a bit of video noise found in the picture, and some scenes contain minor shimmering. Although the show airs in 1.33:1, it's composed for 1.78:1 and the 5 episodes on these discs are presented in anamorphic widescreen format. Allan Eastman and Kevin Sorbo comment about the widescreen version of the show on the commentary track accompanying the pilot episode.
Audio
I think every sci-fi release screams for a Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtrack, but all we get on here is a (very good) stereo surround track. The voices, sound effects and music are all clear, I just wish we could have enjoyed the benefits of a 5.1 track.
ADV Films included a massive amount of extras on these two discs. There are things in this set that I feel should be a part of ALL good TV releases.
Disc 1 Commentary on "Under The Night"
Kevin Sorbo (Captain Dylan Hunt) and Allan Eastman (Executive Producer) discuss the premiere episode in this light-hearted commentary track.
Character Profile: Dylan Hunt
A biography for Kevin Sorbo can be found stretched over 3 still screens while his character bio takes up 2. A single costume drawing is also found in this section, along with a Kevin Sorbo interview (8:28). This feature contained a lot more information than I was expecting.
Alternate Takes (2:27)
3 scenes left out of the episodes are shown here in anamorphic widescreen.
All Systems University 101 - Fighting Ships of the High Guard 15 screens
These 15 screens contain information on the various in the High Guard fleet.
Glossary of the High Guard A-D 4 screens
A dictionary of terms used in the series: A-D.
TV Teasers
4 TV teasers for the show. "Web" (0:22), "Ready to Launch" (0:33), "Vaporise" (0:32) and "Kill You" (0:32). "Ready to Launch" and "Vaporise" are shown in 1.33:1, but should have been shown in widescreen (the picture is stretched to fill the screen).
TV Promos
3 promos, one for each of the episodes on disc 1, that last 0:32 each. "To Loose The Fateful Lightning" should have been displayed in widescreen as the picture is stretched.
ADV Previews
Previews of 4 other ADV Films products: "Farscape Season 2" (1:01), "Kimera" (1:18), "Zone of the Enders" (1:53) and "Super Atragon" (2:07).
DVD Credits
Just a list of people that worked on this incredible set.
Disc 2 Behind the Scenes - The Andromeda Idea (3:02)
I remember seeing this on TV used as a promotional piece between two shows.
Character Profile: Andromeda
A biography for Lexa Doig can be found stretched over 2 still screens and another 2 screens for her character bio. Two screens of costume drawings are also found in this section, along with an interview (2:46).
Alternate Takes (3:42)
3 scenes left out of the episodes are shown here in anamorphic widescreen.
Bloopers (2:44)
"Did I show you my forcelance?"
Timeline of the Commonwealth: The Imperial Era 3 Screens
A history lesson on the Commonwealth.
Production Biography: Robert Hewitt Wolfe 2 screens
Information on Robert Hewitt Wolfe (Co-Executive Producer/Writer)
TV Promos
2 promos, one for each of the episodes on disc 2, that last 0:32 each.
ADV Previews
Previews of 4 other ADV Films products: "Farscape" (1:01), "Dai-Guard" (1:16), "Martian Successor Nadesico" (1:32) and "The Devil Lady" (1:01).
Summary
While I may have been wrong in thinking "Andromeda" was going to be another cheesy syndicated Sci-Fi show, I know I'm right when I recommend you pick up this set. These first 5 episodes set up what looks to be a great series, and ADV Films has lovingly produced a great set. Packed with interesting extras and anamorphic video, you won't be disappointed if you pick this one up. Looks like I'll have to wait until October when "Andromeda 1.2" should be released. I can't wait!
