"SeaQuest DSV" (1993) TV series 1993-1996

Creator:

Rockne S. O'Bannon

Seasons:

1 | 2 | 3

Release Date:

12 September 1993 (USA)

Genre:

Action | Family | Adventure | Sci-Fi

Tagline:

Beneath the surface lies the future.

Plot:

By the mid-21st Century, humankind has colonized the oceans and formed the UEO--the United Earth Oceans--as a military organization to police it...

Plot Keywords:

Dolphin | Submarine | Sea | U Boat | Futuristic

Awards:

Won 2 Primetime Emmys. Another 1 win & 5 nominations

Cast

Jonathan Brandis	...	Lucas Wolenczak / ... (57 episodes, 1993-1996)
Don Franklin	...	Commander Jonathan Ford (57 episodes, 1993-1996)
Ted Raimi	...	Lt. j.g. Timothy O'Neill (57 episodes, 1993-1996)
Roy Scheider	...	Captain Nathan Bridger (47 episodes, 1993-1995)
Marco Sanchez	...	Sensor Chief Miguel Ortiz (44 episodes, 1993-1995)
Peter DeLuise	...	Dagwood / ... (35 episodes, 1994-1996)
Michael DeLuise	...	Tony Piccolo / ... (34 episodes, 1994-1996)
Kathy Evison	...	Helmswoman Lonnie Henderson / ... (34 episodes, 1994-1996)
Edward Kerr	...	Lt. James Brody (28 episodes, 1994-1996)
Frank Welker	...	Special Vocal Effects (28 episodes, 1993-1995)
John D'Aquino	...	Lt. Benjamin Krieg / ... (24 episodes, 1993-1995)
Stacy Haiduk	...	Lt. Cmdr. Katherine Hitchcock (23 episodes, 1993-1994)
Royce D. Applegate	...	Chief Manilow Crocker (23 episodes, 1993-1994)
Stephanie Beacham	...	Dr. Kristin Westphalen (23 episodes, 1993-1994)

Also Known As:

SeaQuest 2032 (USA) (new title)

Runtime:

60 min (59 episodes)

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Australia:PG

Filming Locations:

Epcot Center, Walt Disney World, Lake Buena Vista, Florida, USA

Company:

Amblin Entertainment

Trivia:

The external CGI shots of the submarine were created and edited on Commodore Amiga computers with Lightwave 3D and Video Toaster softwares.

Goofs:

Factual errors: Lucas Wolenczak is a magna cum laude graduate of Stanford University. Stanford University doesn't award cum laude, magna cum laude, or summa cum laude distinctions. Even if they did, Lucas would most likely have been a summa cum laude since his GPA record was never broken.

Quotes:

Lucas: It is the smartest way to lie - just tell the truth, except for the parts that really matter.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Saved by the Bell: The College Years: A Thanksgiving Story (#1.10)" (1993)

Soundtrack:

To Be Or Not To Be

SeaQuest has its issues, but shouldn't be dismissed.

At it's heart SeaQuest wasn't a bad show. I think done today it would greatly benefit from the fact that computer graphics have become so commonplace and affordable. An issue that was one of the major problems at the heart of SeaQuest. At 1 Million an episode (Unheard of at the time)there was obvious cuts that showed up on screen. The perfect example it in an episode where the SeaQuest has a giant bioillumenesant squid invading through the moon pool. The interior scenes have a number of old tricks that were obvious lifted from 1950's monster flicks. "Don't go in that room captain! It's in there!" and a clear rubber tentacle with blink lights, that is without a doubt silly looking and a budget crunched effect. Very Lost in Space-ish.

The next issue at hand is story. While not being awful in the first season the plots are often centered around you taking away an ocean lesson, which would later be echoed by Dr. Robert Ballard of Titanic fame. More often the not what was meant to be fun, comes off as silly, and what should be threatening or action packed is not. The menacing ball pit from Brothers and Sisters comes to mind. Even with these issues SeaQuest doesn't show any weaknesses that any other first season Sci Fi show hasn't had. It's struggling to find an identity, and establish itself. The first seasons of Star Trek:The Next Generation, and Deep Space 9 have the same sort of growing pains as well, but turned out fine once they had found it's voice.

The third issue which doesn't really show on screen is Roy Scheider himself. Roy clearly hated the show, and put the bad mouth on it as often as he could. In interviews both in print and on TV. In reflection the cut corner effects, and silly plot devices may have had something to do with Scheider's complaints, but face it when the star of a show torpedo's it how much longer is it likely to survive? Season 2 of SeaQuest saw a change in were it was filmed, which helped, and unfortunately a change in cast as well. Most of the principal cast stayed on, but the loss of Stacy Hiduk (spelled wrong I know) stunk. However we did get several new cast members that balance out the losses.

The effects didn't really get any better, but I think the crew got better at making the show, and it's effects budget run and look better.

The stories were starting to shape up a bit as well, but unfortunately not well enough.

Budget, coupled with sinking ratings, and the star bad mouthing the show made the changes that were coming for season 3 unavoidable.

Season 3 changes the format of the show considerably. It takes place years later, and Roy is replace by a man who has been in seemingly every bad movie ever Michael Ironside. While the show is dead in the water at this point. The stories started to get better, and were actually beginning to become something that might work.

Only problem is it was way too late. Ratings were in the toilet, the show was pre-empted for everything. It no longer had a standard day, or time slot. The cast had yet again another round of changes made for season three, and most of what the audience was familiar with had changed so much it no longer held interest to the fans that could find the show.

I gotta be honest. I loved SeaQuest, and as I watch season 1 on DVD I still do. I really wish SciFi channel would resurrect it like it did with Battlestar Galactica.

I recommend it with a sense of not overanylizing the show. If you do that I guarantee you won't like it, but given half a chance I think you'll find a buried treasure of sorts.

Did I use enough bad sea related jokes in this review?