Created by
Doctor Who producer Barry Letts and script editor Terrance Dick during the break in production between series 10 and 11.
Moonbase 3 was intended as a more realistic strand of TV science fiction and dealt with the day to day problems faced by people living on the moon in futuristic 2003.
I've only watched 2 episodes so far and would agree with the general consensus that its so busy being realistic and taking its self seriously that at times it almost forgets to illustrate the wonders of living in space. That said there's something about BBC TV and especially BBC sci-fi from this era that I find enormously charming.
If anything unusual happens in the sixth and final episode, such as the cybermen knocking on the airlock doors or the entire base turning out to be a testing ground for another Kraal invasion, then I'll come back and blog some more. Otherwise I'll just mention that I quite like the space suits and that I am a little surprised that I've only found a couple of cameo appearance by them in other BBC productions.
Steve
After watching MB3 recently I recon it's not as bad as it's reputation although it is quite bad in places. Episode 3 - Achilles heel, is probably my least favourite it reuses the plot element from episode 1 of a nutty astronaut, probably to expand Fiona Gaunt's part. Ep 4 - Outsiders, is where it starts to pick up, if you can ignore the irritating plot hole. It explores themes that don't get a lot of airing in today's mainstream drama so it's a nice nostalgia trip.
ReplyDeleteThey change pace in terms of action with Ep 5 - Castor and Pollux, although 'action' is relative term when considering MB3 but it' another good episode and marks a change of mood. The finale, View of a dead planet, is good despite the grim title and plot synopsis. Again it explores subjects and attitudes with more candour than is often seen in contemporary drama.
The main problem with the show is that they dug themselves into a bit of hole with the -realism- thing and some scripts are far too soapy. Sometimes I thought I watching The Brothers or Emergency Ward 10. The iffy acting didn't help either, one of the leads is a total plank. Despite MB3's rather dull start, where I literally found it hard to stay awake, my interest picked up at the end and I was hungry for more. It's a real shame that they didn't perceiver with this one, I can forgive the show it's flaws considering the constraints it was made under and it's rather novel concept which must have made finding their feet difficult.
A nice review of the series there, thank you. I will, quite possibly in the next couple of weeks, get around to watching the rest of the episodes. While it has its faults I certainly think it should be better remembered than it is. Like all good sci-fi it tells you far more about the time it was made than the time it's set in and that alone makes it worth a watch.
Deleteone episode left to go and it is picking up. DeadSpiderEye's review is looking about spot on.
ReplyDeleteWatched the last episode and its one of the best. After watching I wish they had made another series, having established what works and what doesn't, it would have gone on to better things and maybe a bit of recasting here and there. deserves a repeat run on the box
ReplyDeleteI've seen the first episode, and only the first episode. Let's see...
ReplyDelete1) They got James Burke as technical advisor and it shows, as dialog establishes the Moonbase 3 flight computers use an interface similar to the Lunar Module. A nice touch.
2) You'd think an international crew would wear flags on their clothes, they way they do now. The taxpayers want to know who's paying for what. Granted the extra is from Wales but slap a Spanish flag on his shoulder and you get a more international feel.
3) Not sure if I buy that the German on the Consul of Three wants to shut the project down, but points for establishing the threat.
4) The leaving commander's bitterness was very nicely handled, and I liked that a lot.
5) The new commander has NO space experience?! Not buying it. He doesn't need to be a test pilot with 20 years of experience, or have been to space. Given the very first episode establishes he's old friends with the commander of the American base, give him some time working with NASA on the ground.
6) Not buying the crazy astronaut, or the controllers during the flight emergency.
Look, it's hard to make a scene with people pushing buttons at their desks exciting, but if you can't, don't even try making a series like this.
Overall, I'd say it's a real shame it had such a rocky start. I'd love to see them pull off a show like this.
I think I'm about ready to go back in and view again. The look of 70's BBC TV is wired into my DNA, faults and all, I find it strangely comforting.
DeleteForgot to say thanks for the thoughts, John. I do enjoy reading other peoples takes on a TV show or film. Keep them coming
ReplyDeleteThanks!
DeleteI should also probably mention "Rocket Girls", which is a surprisingly realistic take on a commercial space concern set in the 1990s. The company in question uses the unpressurized, skintight suits that occasionally come up in near-future SF.
http://media.photobucket.com/user/emoZakuro_staR/media/yukari-and-miura.jpg.html?filters[term]=rocket%20girls%20yukari%20and%20miura%20astronaut&filters[primary]=images&filters[secondary]=videos&sort=1&o=0
https://animewriter.wordpress.com/2007/06/07/rocket-girls-6-rescue-mission/
Note that the hoses from the backpack plug directly into the rigid helmets, which is exactly what you'd expect.
Will blog Rocket Girls in the new year. Thanks
DeleteNot at all. If I can help out with screen captures, let me know.
Delete