Gene Roddenberry's Andromeda Recommended Episodes

[Crom]

Alright, I've finally finished season one and the first eleven episodes of season two, which I believe was the last of the original writer's work. Are there any other episodes I should make an effort to watch? I do love the show, but I don't think I can endure the latter day episodes, especially the season a friend described to me as, "sitting around in a bar and arguing."

[Stravo]

Alright, I've finally finished season one and the first eleven episodes of season two, which I believe was the last of the original writer's work. Are there any other episodes I should make an effort to watch? I do love the show, but I don't think I can endure the latter day episodes, especially the season a friend described to me as, "sitting around in a bar and arguing."

Seriously I think you're done. I LOVED the first season and first half of season 2 but after Wolf left the decline in quality and characters was so dramatic that I could not bear to watch it past season 2. Maybe other fans disagree with me on this but I can't think of any episodes that really come to mind as great past this point.

[Zixinus]

You could tell that someting gone wrong without knowing the behind the scenes stuff after Wolf left. Frankly, I think it has more to do with more than just one guy leaving, but afterwards it really does get awful: the drama is completely lacking, completely arbitrary, none of the characters mean much anymore, etc.

[PREDATOR490]

Watch the end of Season 2:

Option A: Pretend thats the end and never touch the following episodes

Option B: Follow through to the end of Season 3 (It is going downhill so dont expect much but it isnt at the bottom yet.)

Option C: Follow through all the way to the end of Season 4 ( You think its at bottom yet ?)

Option D: Follow through all the way to the end of season 5 ( Unless your a completionist or generally want to punish yourself, not recommended)

Take your pick really.

Season 3 - 4 are only really good if you want to see Lexa Doig some more, season 5 however removes that one source of decency.
(Granted it wasnt their fault, RL issues for the actor)

However, expect lots of "The Legendary Adventures of Dylan Hunt". The wanking gets so extreme it is unbearable to watch coupled with it being reduced to the most lame attributes possible.

[Crossroads Inc.]

Yeah by season three the show had basically devolved into "Lets see how AWESOME Dylan Hunt is!"
It is a shame to think changing this one cast member could have sent the show into a far more tolerable direction.

[Thanas]

Don't watch any more seasons in full. More detailed recommendation to follow.

[Thanas]

Alright, here is my list of good later Andromeda episodes (and by good I mean those that are still true to the characters):

Season 2:

Episode 17: "The Things We Cannot Change"
This one is good because it actually stays true to Dylan's character before it was so massively changed. It is definitely the best character story of Dylan there is - and Sorbo delivers a good performance. You can definitely see what anchors him and what is most important to him in the world here, especially at the scene when it comes to how much one can make him suspend his disbelief.

Episode 18: "The Fair Unknown"
Another good episode that also shows the beginning of the problems of Andromeda. Still, it poses a good questions - what if the Vedrans are not the good guys they are as they were portrayed? How much has Dylan been shaped by Propaganda?

Episode 19: "Belly of the Beast"
A good character story. The science is whacky, but if you like to know how characters will relate to certain death and how much they will sacrifice for each other, this one answers it.

Episode 20: "The Knight, Death, and the Devil"
Probably the best of the later Season 2. It deals with what happened to the Commonwealth AIs? How do you deal with those that survived the fall? Also, it shows the necessity for a military force.

The rest of season 2 is crap.


Season 3:

Episode 4: "The Lone and Level Sands"
What happens when an old Earth ship sent for exploration before the Commonwealth is found? Also deals with the question of AI/human relationships and brings the Dylan/Rommie storyarc to a highly satisfying conclusion that makes actually sense.

Episode 10: "The Unconquerable Man"
One of Trance's manipulations: What would have happened if not Dylan, but Gaheris Rhade had been in charge of the Andromeda?

Episode 16: "Point of the Spear"
The best space combat episode ever of Andromeda. That said, the underlying story is a bit silly, but it is the best space combat episode there is.

Episode 20: "Twilight of the Idols"
A good exploration of what guerilla Commonwealth organizations could do. Also has one priceless exchange between Dylan and Rommie. Spoiler

"That's my girl".
"I prefer warship"
"I prefer Girl"
*Rommie blasts a Guard*
"Okay...warship".

Episode 21: "Day of Judgement, Day of Wrath"
This one is a huge maybe. Only recommended if you are a Michael Shanks fan and like to see his wife kicking the crap out of him.

The rest of season 3 is crap.


Season 4:

Episode 13: "The Warmth of an Invisible Light"
This would have been a very bad Season 2 episode. Deals with what would have happened had Dylan died. Not a good one, but interesting for some character moments.

Episode 17: "Abridging the Devil's Divide"
Interesting for one scene only, where it is shown how truly scary AI-avatars can be in armed conflicts and how valuable one is in combat.
Other than that, the story is mundane and not really that good.


Others also liked Episode 19, but I think it completely undermined the character of the Andromeda in all her incarnations. So my advice is to stay away from it.


DO NOT, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, WATCH SEASON 5.

Oh, and after you have watched the episodes above, read the original plan of Robert Hewitt Wolfe.


That said, in my opinion one can see that the writers were hanging on to RHW's work at the end of Season 2, however with the mass exodus thereafter only a few of the original writers were retained. As a consequence, the writers became more like whatever writer of the week wanted them to be. Same with the storylines. Only a few of the original writers showed up as guest writers and you can see it in the later seasons - their episodes are the few that are actually good.

[Thanas]

Season 3 - 4 are only really good if you want to see Lexa Doig some more, season 5 however removes that one source of decency.
(Granted it wasnt their fault, RL issues for the actor)

Seconded. That is the best recommendation there is for the general seasons. Oh, she returned after her pregnancy in the later episodes of S5, but these are crap anyway. Except for one or two seconds they never got her character right in S5.

[Crom]

Seriously I think you're done. I LOVED the first season and first half of season 2 but after Wolf left the decline in quality and characters was so dramatic that I could not bear to watch it past season 2. Maybe other fans disagree with me on this but I can't think of any episodes that really come to mind as great past this point.

I love the show too! The characters and the technology make for one the best sci-fi shows I have seen in a long time. Tyr Anasazi, costume issues aside, has got to be one of my all-time favorite characters.

[Crom]

Alright, here is my list of good later Andromeda episodes (and by good I mean those that are still true to the characters):

Thanks! That was exactly what I was looking for. I tried to watch the episode following episode 11, season 2, and was immediately turned off on it.

[PREDATOR490]

Seriously I think you're done. I LOVED the first season and first half of season 2 but after Wolf left the decline in quality and characters was so dramatic that I could not bear to watch it past season 2. Maybe other fans disagree with me on this but I can't think of any episodes that really come to mind as great past this point.

I love the show too! The characters and the technology make for one the best sci-fi shows I have seen in a long time. Tyr Anasazi, costume issues aside, has got to be one of my all-time favorite characters.

Spoiler

Meh, S5 was utter garbage from its inception and removed the very thing that made the show. I.E The goddamn ship.

It was cringe worthy when they have Lexa Doig's replacement try to deliver that line from season 1: "I'm a warship and I dont like running away from a fight"
Although when Lexa Doig comes back I found the fight between them somewhat amusing.

As for Trance... at first she was kinda cute and then we have the switch around, from then on it just sinks her entire character to the point I never understood what the hell she was trying to accomplish.

The ending of S5 is just hilarious how it uses Dylan to 'finish' the series by randomly saying he won or something. Incidentally, they never actually addressed where the fuck the PROPER Vedran went in S2. If S5 is meant to be their homeworld and the Vedrans evolved into humans... uhh where did they go ?

[Crom]

Spoiler

Meh, S5 was utter garbage from its inception and removed the very thing that made the show. I.E The goddamn ship.

It was cringe worthy when they have Lexa Doig's replacement try to deliver that line from season 1: "I'm a warship and I dont like running away from a fight"
Although when Lexa Doig comes back I found the fight between them somewhat amusing.

As for Trance... at first she was kinda cute and then we have the switch around, from then on it just sinks her entire character to the point I never understood what the hell she was trying to accomplish.

The ending of S5 is just hilarious how it uses Dylan to 'finish' the series by randomly saying he won or something. Incidentally, they never actually addressed where the fuck the PROPER Vedran went in S2. If S5 is meant to be their homeworld and the Vedrans evolved into humans... uhh where did they go ?

Has there been any noteworthy attempts to fan rewrite the show from season 2 on? It seems like just a waste to let it degrade like that.

[Thanas]

I love the show too! The characters and the technology make for one the best sci-fi shows I have seen in a long time. Tyr Anasazi, costume issues aside, has got to be one of my all-time favorite characters.

Then do not ever watch any episode besides those I mentioned, because he will be reduced to a caricature of himself who eventually gives everything to the Spirit of the Abyss in order to gain ULTIMATE POWER. Oh, and in one episode he and Dylan hold a contest who kills the most enemies in hand-to-hand combat ontop a volcano.

Has there been any noteworthy attempts to fan rewrite the show from season 2 on? It seems like just a waste to let it degrade like that.

There is some great fanfic out there.

That said, the creator himself made the ultimate rewrite, declaring everything past the last episode he helmed non-canon. Basically, Trance just creating the weirdest future ever for her amusement as a thought exercise.

Spoiler

Meh, S5 was utter garbage from its inception and removed the very thing that made the show. I.E The goddamn ship.

It was cringe worthy when they have Lexa Doig's replacement try to deliver that line from season 1: "I'm a warship and I dont like running away from a fight"
Although when Lexa Doig comes back I found the fight between them somewhat amusing.

Yeah, amusing in the "we are idiots" thing. The whole story made no sense and also was completely out of sync of what avatars are shown to be capable of earlier. If Rommie comes for them, they would all be dead.

As for Trance... at first she was kinda cute and then we have the switch around, from then on it just sinks her entire character to the point I never understood what the hell she was trying to accomplish.

Indeed. She too changed to plot device of the week. Also, her new custome was just completely ridiculous. Trying to oversex Trance of all people.... UGH.

The ending of S5 is just hilarious how it uses Dylan to 'finish' the series by randomly saying he won or something.

Yeah...everything is in shambles...but he won. Yippie.

Oh, and randomly blowing up planets that never actually mattered in the DROMverse at all suddenly means a huge impact. Yeah, right.

Incidentally, they never actually addressed where the fuck the PROPER Vedran went in S2. If S5 is meant to be their homeworld and the Vedrans evolved into humans... uhh where did they go ?

I think you are misremembering something here... the Vedrans were always Vedrans, Dylan was just born on Tarn Vedra.

[Temujin]

I was going to add my specific recommendations, but I think Thanas covered in more completely then anyone else could.

That said you could still watch the rest of Season 2, aside from the last episode, as the Season 3 conclusion sucks. There are some good Season 3 episodes, "Point of the Spear" probably the best. And aside from the one Season 4 episode that Thanas pointed out (I actually forgot about that episode), stay away from all of Seasons 4 and 5; that is unless your into self punishment.

[Thanas]

I was going to add my specific recommendations, but I think Thanas covered in more completely then anyone else could.

That said you could still watch the rest of Season 2, aside from the last episode, as the Season 3 conclusion sucks.

Heck, the first part sucked as well. Suddenly, we rip off Predator.

Also, the other episodes of Season 2 I did not mention are pretty bad compared to the rest. If he did not like the twelfth episode, he'll not like them. Also, stay away from most of Season 3.

[Stofsk]

Didn't RHW have some weird shit in store for the show?

I like the premise of the show, although I've only seen the first handful of episodes.

[Thanas]

Didn't RHW have some weird shit in store for the show?

....you have to be a bit more specific than "weird".

[Stofsk]

I remember reading his outline years ago, but I only vaguely recall it. Not enough to give any details, I'm afraid. I just thought it was pretty... weird, especially from what I recall it had to do with Trance's character. Sorry I can't be more specific.

[Thanas]

Oh, that. Yeah, that might have turned out to be weird but I think depending on the execution, it might also have been pretty brilliant.

[PREDATOR490]

Spoiler

S5 had that old (Paragon ?) tell Dylan that the planet they were on was his home, right ?

Then he says something about how Dylans family member was buried in a special graveyard reserved for Vedrans, When Dylan asks about it he says Dylan is a decendant of Vedrans evolving into humans.

"Who says four legs is better than two"

Maybe it was trying to say something else but thats the impression I got from those scenes. Yet another piece of wankery about Dylan, not only is he a super human, he is a decendant from the awesome Vedrans who evolved into humans because we are better.

[Temujin]

I was going to add my specific recommendations, but I think Thanas covered in more completely then anyone else could.

That said you could still watch the rest of Season 2, aside from the last episode, as the Season 3 conclusion sucks.

Heck, the first part sucked as well. Suddenly, we rip off Predator.

Also, the other episodes of Season 2 I did not mention are pretty bad compared to the rest. If he did not like the twelfth episode, he'll not like them. Also, stay away from most of Season 3.

Yeah, it wasn't great, but at least it made sense. I still don't quite know what the fuck was going on in the Season 3 conclusion. That was a serious drop in quality.

As for the rest of Season 2, its been a while since I've seen the episodes, and in comparison to everything that came after, it certainly doesn't seem so bad in retrospect. Watching the rest certainly wouldn't hurt him, not like subjecting himself to all of Season 5.

I remember reading his outline years ago, but I only vaguely recall it. Not enough to give any details, I'm afraid. I just thought it was pretty... weird, especially from what I recall it had to do with Trance's character. Sorry I can't be more specific.

I read that too. It seemed weird in print, but as Thanas pointed out, it could have been executed well. RHW had a knack for doing that.

[Thanas]

Spoiler

S5 had that old (Paragon ?) tell Dylan that the planet they were on was his home, right ?

Then he says something about how Dylans family member was buried in a special graveyard reserved for Vedrans, When Dylan asks about it he says Dylan is a decendant of Vedrans evolving into humans.

"Who says four legs is better than two"

Maybe it was trying to say something else but thats the impression I got from those scenes. Yet another piece of wankery about Dylan, not only is he a super human, he is a decendant from the awesome Vedrans who evolved into humans because we are better.

Spoiler

Holy christ, this is even more retarded than I remember. Either it didn't happen this way or I have succesfully managed to block it out - the latter being more likely.

But come to think of it, this is exactly what that retard Bob Engels and his merry band of idiots would come up with. After all, they also established that Dylan is the bestest fighter in the whole universe and can even defeat enemies against who Avatars failed.

[Thanas]

Yeah, it wasn't great, but at least it made sense.

Not really. Spoiler

You have guys who can shift through walls, can make themselves invisible, yet are still undetected despite being visible for a few seconds (as if that would be possible on a ship that monitors everything, even air pressure and which Harper had to blind in order to secretly construct a handheld device). Then, instead of doing the smart thing and planting a bomb or taking Dylan out via a shot or knife in the back, they start killing off unnecessary characters in a pattern that makes no sense. Also, they are retarded enough to engage in hand-to-hand combat. Oh, and their capabilites fluctuate wildly.

I still don't quite know what the fuck was going on in the Season 3 conclusion. That was a serious drop in quality.

New headwriter (Bob Engels) who clearly didn't have a clue what the characters were about. He had a different vision for the show and wanted to execute it - and got the power to do so - the end result are completely disjointed story arcs.

As for the rest of Season 2, its been a while since I've seen the episodes, and in comparison to everything that came after, it certainly doesn't seem so bad in retrospect.

"In Heaven now are three". Enough said. That one was S5 quality.

Watching the rest certainly wouldn't hurt him, not like subjecting himself to all of Season 5.

In heaven now are three.

[Temujin]

In heaven now are three.

OK, I looked it up and I concede!

God that sucked. I thought that was a Season 3 episode. The only good part was this little exchange:

Trance: She can't tell you.
Beka: Why? Why can't I tell him?
Trance: Because if you tell him, Tyr will die.
Tyr: Then, by all means, leave me in suspense.

[Thanas]

God that sucked.

Yeah. I still remember the big fandom implosion that followed it, with a lot of guys just throwing in the towels. It resulted in a 300 page megathread on the fanforum.

I thought that was a Season 3 episode.

No noooo. The "suckfest of the season" part over there is already filled quite adequately with Delenda Est, the episode I recommend to people who want to know why Andromeda declined in quality. I call it the special twofer - first quite possibly the best Andromeda episode ever - Angel Dark, Demon Bright - then Delenda Est.

My patented Delenda Est rant coming on:
Spoiler

I only ever watched seasons 1 & 2, seems I was blessed by that in missing the rest.

You were. Remember the season 2 travesty that had Trance, Beka and Dylan search for an artifect? Complete with a rip off of Indiana Jones?

That would have been a "good" episode for Seasons 3/4/5. Seriously, out of the whole mess 66 episodes I can only recommend six, and of those only two are of the quality of a decent S1 episode.

The one with the killer giant shuriken? I laughed my arse off through the whole thing, regarded that as the lowest point of season 2.
How the hell do you get lower than that without having a lobotomy?

Trust me, you do not want to know.

You do not fear the loss of brain cells? Okay. S3 - Delenda est. From the lousy latin title which makes no sense (exactly what is destroyed?), here goes the general plot:

Predator ripoffs manage to attack the Andromeda. For some reason Rommie of all people decides to ignore orders (you always know that an episode is idiotic if the writers have Rommie act like an idiot) and in a fit of teenage rage decides to wreck havoc on the intruders single-handedly. Because she wants to show her INDEPENDENCE. Cue hand-to-hand combat. Because, you know, she apparently does not know how to use a weapon or has no access to the armory. Then, the writers suddenly forget that Rommie has shown superior skills in hand-to-hand combat, because all it takes are four aliens holding her down to overpower her. This is a robot that can manipulate gravity to the point of turning enemies onboard her into pulp, can punch through steel, can single-handedly lift hundreds of pounds and discharge electrical impulses at will and here - she suddenly goes limp.

Gosh, I never thought an infiltrator android might not have been shielded against electrical impulses, when she herself can discharge them at will.

The alien guys then carry her off via a wormhole (I kid you not) and bring her to this planet. Which is in need of a power source. So they plug Rommie in it. Yeah, that's right, her batteries or mini reactor are enough to suddenly power up an interdimensional wormhole generating planet...makes you wonder how those guys created the wormhole in the first place if they lacked a power source.

(Also, coincidentally, it was established two seasons before that Rommie can only power herself independently for a few decades. I guess that is enough for the wormhole aliens. Furthermore, in a Season 4 episode Rommie suddenly loses all power. Guess how much sense it makes to use her to power a wormhole that serves as a conduit between universes?)

Anyway, Dylan and Tyr manage to infiltrate the planet (their methods: blasting everything in sight, yeah I can see how that totalky might NOT AWAKEN THE WHOLE GARRISON), whereas the INTERDIMENSIONALLY TRAVELLING ALIENS forget how to use their guns. Everything is done herc style in hand-to-hand. (Despite Dylan never being that competent before compared to Rommie and having a history of getting his ass kicked, by, among other things, a woman half his weight). Yeah, your killer robot is taken down by four of them, but HERC SMASHS the entire garrison...which apparently consists of ~20 guys. Yes, a planetsized base with which you launch a full invasion is filled with 20 guys. Hooray for efficiency.

Anyway, they rescue Rommie, who can apparently construct a bomb with what they carry on their back (despite never showing that capability before, not even when it might have saved their asses). And then forgets to add a timer. Yes, the infiltrator/warship with decades of combat experience forgets that it might be a good idea to add a timer so that they can escape. I kid you not, the dialogue goes like "Rommie, set the timer to four minutes." *Blank Stare* "Oh, you wanted a timer?".

(Apparently you, Killer Android and warship with decades of combat experience, regularly blow yourself up.)

Anyway, they escape fighting their way over a gangway ON TOP OF A LAVA PIT. Yes, the aliens constructed their reactor atop of lava. Hey. Guess what makes as much sense as using the self-contained reactor of an infiltrator? NOT USING THERMAL ENERGY TO POWER THE FREAKING THING. BUT I GUESS YOU HAD TO INFILTRATE A HEAVY WARSHIP IN ORDER TO PICK SOMETHING UP THAT IS AS COMMON AS A MODERN-DAY CAR ENGINE BECAUSE YOU CAN DO THAT AND INVADE UNIVERSES, BUT NOT USE THERMAL ENERGY, RIGHT?

The bomb goes off and the merry band of idiots rides away. Cue music.



Yes,that was what Sorbo wanted.