I binged Beacon 23. Think of a lighthouse in space, home to lots of double dealings in the current and the past. I haven't read the book(s) but the series by itself is fine and perfectly watchable, and it more or less sticks the landing after two seasons.
Season 1
I was a bit worried around episode three or four or so (where it seemed they were changing the cast), but they nicely recovered, and it turned out it was all planned and quite interesting.
I haven't read the books that inspired the series, but - from the descriptions and synopsis on Goodreads - 'inspired' might be the right word, as the series seems to deviate quite a bit. Nevertheless it is good stuff.
There are a few things that bother the engineer in me, but nothing that my suspension of disbelief couldn't overcome. And even though it did give a bit of a 'written by committee' vibes it was interesting enough to watch, so give me another season please.
I'm worried though that the main protagonist hasn't survived season one. Did they have to write Lena Headey out of the series?
Season 2
Season 1 was a tad better, but season 2 is still good enough. The disappearance of Lena Headey at the start worried me. Did she drop out and did they simply replace her with a random Asian character? I couldn't find many details online, so I can't really say the whole 'lose your main character' was planned. If so, they they already knew the series would last just two seasons. I wonder and I have my doubts.
Season 2 has a few more twists and turns, with an interesting ending. The 'Sybarrans' and their cheap makeup shows the show is on a budget, and so did some of the special effects. Adding a pocket universe and some technobabble almost destroyed the whole thing for me.
In the end, two seasons of Beacon 23 were enough. It more or less sticks the landing, and although I'd have loved to see a bit more of Lena Headey's character it's fine. (Except for the CGI, that could have been done a bit better, if only by adding a few proper filters, argh.)
Lena Headey… of course I knew her from Game of Thrones and Dredd. But I’m still baffled I never recognized her from The Sarah Connor Chronicles as John Connor’s mom.
Wrap-up
Yes. The series is complete and wrapped up. No abrupt open endings that will haunt your nightmares.
The Verdict
Go and watch.
Dapper / Telltales #119 / FailTales #123
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