Strongest episode yet, though still hope to see quite a lot more improvement with this.
10
"Perfect"
I actually think this episode has stood out against the other episodes, and is beginning to show what potential they show may or may not have. The first couple episodes came off as a little weak to me, and this one was really more interesting. More characters are now getting involved with the script, and are beginning to actually show more of their personality. The change is very subtle admittedly, and who knows whether this trend will continue as the series progresses. If it continues to progress at the rate it is now, it may pull itself out of the ditch it's dug itself into publicizing itself as "Grey's Anatomy in Space" (and what other's are calling even more ridiculously "Sex in Space").
The show still has some major weak points. The whole thing with the mysterious "beta" is a bit tiresome and tacky, and I hope that when they actually begin to reveal what in the world beta is, that situations with it become less awkward (less people whispering to each other "It's what beta wants!!"). However, out of all of them, this one probably was the most scientific and least soapy of the episodes shown so far, which I think is one of the episodes strong points.
Many Soap Operas these days end up in the dustbin after one season, mainly because they don't really show much prowess in script. If done correctly though, this could maybe survive. I actually particularly like what they did with Wass and Paula, and from a soap opera standpoint, I think whatever happens between those two in the future will be good for the show, much better at least than the floppy Donner-Zoe thing. I think that if this show really wants to stay on the air, they need to get a better flow going between characters, especially between Donner and Zoe, which seems to be the central relationship of the show. Things are just awkward right now for most of them, which no one really wants to see. Especially with the whole Baby thing, which I was most pleased NOT to have been brought up in this episode.
Probably the most interesting part of the episode was really introducing Evram for the first time, with the PMS flashback scene. Of course he has appeared in previous episodes, but only briefly, and ultimately all we knew about him was that he was married to Claire from control or whoever, and that he had alcohol problems.
Also Flashbacks are acceptable at times, but this may remain a problem of the show, as we are basically watching two different timelines simultaneously developing, and going back and forth throughout the show. Obviously the more present timeline is the more interesting, and should in the future, get more focus. Hopefully now that we are better introduced to the characters, that the flashbacks will become less numerous.
Ultimately:
Strong Points:
-Stronger Character Development, particularly with Wass, Paula, and Evram
-More Focused and Better Written Script, namely bringing AJ back into the mix, if only temporarly.
-Stronger Sci-Fi Elements, namely we learn more about the science behind the inner workings of the ship.
Weak Points:
-Soap Opera Elements, though improving slightly, still need a lot of work if this show wants to stay on the air.
-Flashbacks interrupt the flow of the show a bit, hopefully the show relies less on them in the future
-Certain Plot Elements, that are supposed to add an element of mystery to the show, namely "Beta," need to be develop a little bit faster to keep them from getting tiresome. (If this show wants to stay on the air, it actually has to be going somewhere.)moreless