SeaQuest DSV

seaQuest DSV was an American science fiction television series originally aired on NBC between 1993 and 1996. In its final season, it was renamed seaQuest 2032.

Related Topics:
Science fiction television - NBC

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Set in "The Near Future", seaQuest mixed high drama with realistic scientific fact. It starred Roy Scheider (best known for his role as Police Chief Brody in Jaws) as Nathan Bridger, captain of the eponymous high-tech submarine seaQuest DSV 4600.

Related Topics:
Roy Scheider - Jaws - Eponym - Submarine

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The series had a troubled beginning. Without the interest of Steven Spielberg, who acted as an executive producer, it might never have made it to the screen at all. Filming of the first season was marked by producer disputes, changes at the helm (on- and off-screen), and even an earthquake.

Related Topics:
Steven Spielberg - Executive producer - Earthquake

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

On its debut, it was slated by the critics, who dubbed it "Voyage to the Bottom of the Ratings" (in reference to a similar 1960s TV series, Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea), and criticised everything from the characterisation of the show's female characters to Darwin, the show's dolphin. Fans, however, loved it, and "Questies" tuned in to NBC every week to watch the show develop.

Related Topics:
Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea - Dolphin

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

In the first season finale, the seaQuest was sacrificed by Bridger to prevent an ecological disaster, and for a short time it was not known if the show would be renewed for another season. When it was decided the show would return, NBC and Universal used this opportunity to tinker with the show's format. Both Royce D. Applegate and John D'Aquino were fired by NBC as the network wanted a younger cast for the show's second year. Stacy Haiduk, who was not happy with her character's development, informed producers she did not wish to return if the show went on to a second season. Stephanie Beacham, who as Dr. Kristin Westphalen was one of the first season's strongest characters, had been asked back for the second year, contrary to popular rumour; however, she quit when it was decided the show would move production from Los Angeles to Florida. (The move also changed the shows location from Pearl Harbor, to New Cape Quest) Beacham also credits poor writing and continued fighting between the network and the show's producers as major reasons why she did not return. The series had suffered in the ratings, pitted as it was against '.

Related Topics:
Ecological disaster - Universal - Royce D. Applegate - Stephanie Beacham - New Cape Quest

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The studio also wanted more sci-fi oriented episodes, which first emerged towards the end of season one, when seaQuest encountered a million-year-old alien ship buried in the ocean floor. The marine trivia presentations by oceanographer Bob Ballard during the credits were now presented by the principal cast of the show. If they wanted more fans, they almost got their wish. Newer fans emerged, but many of the fans of the first season were unhappy at the show's change from "sci-fact" to "sci-fi" and abandoned the show.

Related Topics:
Sci-fi - Bob Ballard

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

By the end of season two, seaQuest DSV was again suffering, partly due to a decrease in the quality of the writing. The season's heavily sci-fi climax, "Splashdown", saw the crew inexplicably transported to another planet, where they all died. Or so it seemed. The threat of cancellation loomed large. Universal took one last gamble with the series, and gave it one more chance.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Another revamp resulted in the third season, the series now called seaQuest 2032. Once again, several cast changes took place. Roy Scheider had been vocal in his anger of the show's new direction and wanted out. However, Scheider had a contract with the network so it was decided that Bridger would make several appearances throughout the season. Rosalind Allen was fired as her character, Dr. Wendy Smith, proved to be very unpopular amongst fans. Marco Sanchez was also fired after NBC decided it wanted the principal cast number dropped from 10 to 8. Edward Kerr was fired for the same reason as Sanchez, however, he was asked to play his character for the first 5 episodes so they could kill him off for dramatic effect. The marina trivia presentations at the end of the show were cut. The seaQuest reappeared, its crew intact, ten years after their abduction at the end of season two. Captain Bridger stepped down to raise his grandson (although Scheider appeared in two further episodes of the season), and Michael Ironside entered the fray as the more militaristic Oliver Hudson, as the UEO faced the threat of the Macronesian Alliance. Much darker than the previous series, many felt that seaQuest had finally found its feet, successfully blending science, drama, and fantasy. However, Universal and NBC didn't see it that way, and after only 13 episodes, the series was cancelled.

Related Topics:
Roy Scheider - Rosalind Allen - Marco Sanchez - Edward Kerr - Michael Ironside

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The show's first season theme song was nominated for an Emmy Award, and in 2000 was named the 48th best theme song of all time by TV Guide.

Related Topics:
Emmy Award - 2000 - TV Guide

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~