Space: Above and Beyond
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- Ended
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Season 1:
Ended on June 02, 1996 -
Watched: 0%
0 of 24 Episodes
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Why Watch
"A gritty military epic that traded technobabble for boots-on-the-ground realism, leaving fans forever wondering about the war's final outcome."
AI Critic Analysis
Series Deep Dive:
Premiering in 1995, Space: Above and Beyond remains a landmark of military science fiction. Created by Glen Morgan and James Wong, the series moved away from the optimistic exploration of its contemporaries, opting for a gritty, grounded depiction of interstellar conflict. Following the 'Wildcards' of the 58th Squadron, it explored the psychological toll of war against the mysterious Chigs. Despite its single-season run on FOX, its legacy is defined by high production values and a mature approach to themes of artificial intelligence and loyalty. The show pioneered the use of digital effects to create complex dogfights, setting a technical standard for future space dramas. It stands as a sophisticated precursor to the modern era of serialized, dark genre storytelling that would later dominate the airwaves.
Season: 1
| Watched? | # | Air Date | Episode Name |
|---|---|---|---|
| E1 | Sep 24, 1995 | Pilot (1) | |
| E2 | Sep 24, 1995 | Pilot (2) | |
| E3 | Oct 01, 1995 | The Farthest Man from Home | |
| E4 | Oct 08, 1995 | The Dark Side of the Sun | |
| E5 | Oct 15, 1995 | Mutiny | |
| E6 | Oct 22, 1995 | Ray Butts | |
| E7 | Nov 05, 1995 | Eyes | |
| E8 | Nov 12, 1995 | The Enemy | |
| E9 | Nov 19, 1995 | Hostile Visit (1) | |
| E10 | Nov 26, 1995 | Choice or Chance (2) | |
| E11 | Dec 03, 1995 | Stay with the Dead | |
| E12 | Dec 17, 1995 | The River of Stars | |
| E13 | Jan 07, 1996 | Who Monitors the Birds? | |
| E14 | Jan 14, 1996 | Level of Necessity | |
| E15 | Feb 04, 1996 | Never No More | |
| E16 | Feb 11, 1996 | The Angriest Angel | |
| E17 | Feb 18, 1996 | Toy Soldiers | |
| E18 | Mar 03, 1996 | Dear Earth | |
| E19 | Mar 24, 1996 | Pearly | |
| E20 | Apr 12, 1996 | R&R | |
| E21 | Apr 19, 1996 | Stardust | |
| E22 | Apr 20, 1996 | Sugar Dirt | |
| E23 | May 26, 1996 | And if They Lay Us Down to Rest... (1) | |
| E24 | Jun 02, 1996 | ...Tell Our Moms We Done Our Best (2) |
Series Legacy & Historical Archive
Franchise Status: The series remains a standalone cult classic with no active revivals, though its influence persists in modern military science fiction.
Space: Above and Beyond remains a definitive pillar of military science fiction television, having concluded its influential run on FOX. The series carved out a unique legacy by blending gritty infantry combat with profound philosophical inquiries into artificial intelligence and human nature. Its portrayal of the Wildcards, a squadron of young recruits thrust into an interstellar war against the Chig menace, introduced a level of tactical realism and emotional weight that was largely unprecedented for mid-nineties broadcast television.
Today the show is celebrated as a rewatch staple because of its sophisticated world-building and its refusal to rely on easy moral victories. By focusing on the psychological toll of service and the complexities of the Silicates and In-Vitros, the narrative transcends its era to remain relevant to contemporary audiences. The show established a visual and thematic blueprint for later successes like the reimagined Battlestar Galactica, ensuring its status as a foundational text in the evolution of the genre.
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Technical Details
- Network: FOX
- Seasons: 1
- Years: 1995 - 1996
- Genre: Action, Adventure, Drama, Mystery, Science Fiction, Thriller
- Rating: TV-PG