The first three episodes are presently up on iTunes as free downloads. I suppose I should preface this by stating I would give my one good eye to go into space, and I have an affinity for even schlocky space-based drama (anyone remember “The Cape” starring Corbin Bernsen? I really liked that series). I also share in the oxymoronic depressing optimism of the character of Isaac Jaffe in “SportsNight” who, after speaking cheerily about mankind’s eventual journey to Mars, lamented that he (and I) won’t be alive to see it.
I’m also a fan of Ron Livingston from “Office Space,” and I find his general demeanor to be very relatable. Then there is James Parriott, whose series “Forever Knight” was right up my alley (his other series, “The Misfits of Science,” less so). Add to all of the above a collection of attractive women who don’t seem to have a problem shedding clothing, and we officially have the makings of a decent television series.
At this point, I want to kick whomever decided to burn off the concept during the summer. I freely admit the show lacks the edge of “Rescue Me” and the tight production values of “Deadwood,” but it is somebody going out on a limb to breath new life into an old formula. Whatever “the beta” turns out to be (my guess is Yoda in drag), “Defying Gravity” ironically won’t take viewers anywhere they haven’t already been. But, at least for me, the time is right for a series about dreams and hope and wonder.
Futuristic space ship or nose hair trimmer? You make the call.
Don’t misunderstand me. I could as easily list the things the show is doing poorly. There are gaping plotholes, horrific moments of overacting, a propensity to turn the show into “Days of Our Lives in Space,” and the inescapable fact that the space ship looks like an electric nose hair trimmer. However, sometimes you have to surrender to the silliness and just enjoy the weightless ride.
Someone wants to produce a positive series about an exciting future of space travel. I’m going to give it the benefit of the doubt. I just hope everybody on the Antares remembers the memo about cover sheets for their TPS reports.
on Dec 21st, 2009 at 10:05 pm
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on Dec 30th, 2009 at 6:50 pm
[...] “Defying Gravity“ I wrote about this show already. Suffice it to say, this was a fun summer series that just didn’t attract a big [...]