Andromeda
"An Affirming Flame"

Airdate: October 15, 2000

Somebody get this guy a tube of Neosporin quick!

When their employer sets loose a band of mercenaries -- led by the disgraced Nietzschean, Tyr Anasazi -- upon Captain Hunt, the crew of the Eureka Maru start to think that they're working for the wrong side. Of course, only the big sucking hole of stupid, Trance Gemini, is idiotic enough to blurt out her true feelings and gets promptly snuffed. While all feel the need to avenge their shipmate, Harper, with hatred burning in his dark heart (Okay, so it came off more like dim rather than dark), really gets gung-ho on the idea, only to be warned off from the "dark path" he is about to travel by his Way-ian friend, Rev Bem.

In truth, the crew doesn't really provide any help until Hunt outwits, outfights and outguns all of the mercs. All he really needs them for is to stand by the Andromeda's bridge stations so that he can nuke the black hole they are being sucked into, thereby allowing them to escape. And in the end, the charismatic Captain Hunt talks them into following him on the adventure of a lifetime, to restore the Commonwealth.

Steals/References/Homages/Tributes

- Rev Bem delivers a line that is simply a rewording of the chorus of The Rolling Stones' tune "You Can't Always Get What You Want".
- All the Way-ian mumbo jumbo was just recycled Star Wars Force-speak.
- The lone female merc (and an android at that), during her fight with Hunt, performs a cartwheel reminiscent of Pris (Daryl Hannah) from Blade Runner
- Harper jacks into Andromeda's brain that features Tron-like landscapes.

The big sucking hole of stupid.

And I didn't even mention the Batman-like armor that Hunt dons before taking on the mercenaries. All it was missing was the nipples. Seriously.

About the only bit of this second part to the Andromeda pilot that was original was the miraculous resurrection of the big sucking hole of stupid chick. Normally, characters as naive/dumb as she stay dead and those left behind use their deaths as reasons to fight on, but this, unfortunately, is where Andromeda decided to break the sci-fi show rules. Dammit.

Other than the big sucking hole of stupid chick not biting the dust, though, "An Affirming Flame" was sort of... well, blah. The entire plot was a connect-the-dots affair with a bit of fighting thrown in to spice it up. We got more background on our resident aliens, Captain Hunt once again proves that he's no armchair quarterback sending his first mate out to do his dirty work, the really bad guys are vanquished, and the nearly good guys become full-fledged good guys with their acceptance of Hunt's quest. Like I said, blah.

In the final analysis, this episode wasn't particularly good, but it also didn't stink up the joint either. I suppose that's the most you can ask from any series pilot, eh?

Well, I might have asked for big sucking hole of stupid chick to stay dead, but they invested money in official photographs for her so I'll probably be denied that joy for at least a full season.

Dammit.

-- Linda M. Najera

Andromeda is syndicated. Check your local listings for show times.

We welcome your comments on The 11th Hour and this review. Please send letters to: letters@the11thhour.com

Next Review >