Percy, played by Tanya Allan, was the only lead human character who came back for season two. If you’ve read my season one blog, you’ll know I wasn’t a fan of Percy, who constantly acts childish, doing stupid things all the time and although it did get better in season two, she still does some stupid things. She is one of my least favorite characters because of that. Rudolpho was a recurring character in season one, he became a lead character in season two. I liked his character, he had humor, he usually was the comic relief. Marcus, played by Paul Fox, he was a mate of Travis, came together onboard of the Tulip. At first I thought Paul Fox was also not that strong as a character but I think as the season progressed, he also progressed as an actor. The last one, Caravaggio, played by Murray Melvin in the first season and originally he did not return for the second season. In season two, originally, this character was played by Graham Harley, apparently only for 5 episodes, but in the Redux version, Murray Melvin returns for season two and this also was a big plus, since he was one of the strongest characters in the first season. For some reason, back in the day, contrary to the wishes of the series creators, the investors in the second season blocked the return of Paré and replaced Melvin.

Story-arc or Episodic:

Well, looking back at season one, it was heavy story-arced, perhaps not every episode but most of the episodes where about finding Travis, Dante’s son, about Luc who was secretly in contact with the Orchard, the Orchard in general. In season two this shifted dramatically! Season two shifted mostly to episodic, especially in the beginning, it was mostly where an episode had a beginning, a middle and an ending. Further into the season, the story-arc returned, the Orchard, the Divinity cluster returned but I think, it is about 6 episodes out of 22. Perhaps one more or one less, I am not entirely sure. For me, it did not hurt the show, perhaps with repeat viewings in the future it might, but because season two was my first watch ever, I did not mind it, also because it was not totally lost, the creators did bring it back now and again. Of course, the arc of searching for Dante was there the whole season, but in many episodes there was no mention of Dante.

Difference Seasons One and Two:

Yes, I already did touch upon this in the beginning of this blog but I want to go a little more in detail about this. To be really honest, season one was tough to watch, I mean, really tough with a few exceptions. What is most important about a show is that you have characters you can identify with, who bring something extra to the part and to be honest, I wasn’t a fan of all three lead characters, Dante, Percy and Luc. These characters just weren’t that strong, weren’t very likable or engaging. Only Caravaggio was an interesting character to me, even though was only an AI. So when you have a weak story and the characters aren’t interesting enough, it gets hard to enjoy it. In season two, this was very different because the new captain Travis, Callie and even Rudolpho where stronger characters, likable, engaging as I said earlier, they gave the show the much needed credibility, at least that is how I see it.

The other point was the acting in general, my god in the first season it was sometimes really awful to watch, as if these people sometimes were picked off from the street or something. In season two this is much better, not to say that the acting was good all the time but a noticeable difference with the first season. The stories where definitely more engaging in season two, of course in part because of the characters. When a story was weak in season two, at least you had the characters who lifted up the viewing pleasure a bit. This rarely was the case for me in season one.

The budget also seem to have been improved for season two. Don’t get me wrong, season two is still a low-budget show, at least that is how it looks to me, but way better than season one. Adding Caravaggio to season two with the Redux update was perhaps the best change they made. Of course, updating the CGI was also very welcome, even though it was not always fantastic but still a very welcome upgrade.

Lastly I also want to mention that I thought the picture quality of season two on Blu-ray, was a massive improvement. Where I was annoyed in season one more than once about the PQ, I don’t think I felt that about season two.

Episodes:

In total I graded four episodes an 8/10: “Chasing Janus” (204) where Callie gets shot (for the first time) and it is expected that she has a blank clone body. But her father isn’t doing that well financially. I thought this was an strong episode so early on in the season. “Pandora’s Box” (212), where the Orchard storyline is (heavily) touched upon for the first time this season. “The Prisoner” (214), The Orchard is back as is also the Divinity Cluster storyline. Apparently those who have 2 genes in the human genome activated, can travel through hyperspace, with 4 you are even more powerful, a new form of humankind. Percy tells Travis what Dante told her. “Hyperspace I” (221) is also a strong episode, in my opinion stronger than part II, the series finale. Again, the Orchard storyline returns, Travis finally drops his guard regarding Callie and he is in real panic mode when she gets shot again! Can he perhaps save her? In the final episode an older Dante returns as well as an older Percy. This done after the fact, with the Redux project from 2017.

The largest bulk of episode is solid, a 7/10 and a 7.5/10 and only five episodes go below the 7/10 mark, but none below a 6/10. Perhaps I was too generous here and there but on the whole, I think it’s just. I will add the word document with the episode ratings with description and comments for the ones who are interested in this. Just be aware, it is a draft document, sometimes also can be confusing because of grammar errors and some sloppiness. 

Final Word:

Overall a bit of a weird SCI-FI show, I thought most of season one was hard to get through. With season two however, I did not have that feeling at all. It does not mean that I think season two is a masterpiece, certainly not, but I found it far more enjoyable and engaging than season one, with a much more likably cast. When you ask me, do you recommend this to everyone? I have to say no! If you’ve read both blogs and you still are curious, yes, by all means, check it out. Or if you don’t mind low-budget SCI-FI shows, don’t expect wonders, than yes, by all means. But if you expect big production values, fantastic acting, high level of CGI, like the reimagined Battlestar Galactica, then no, please just skip it, forget it exists.