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Show:		7.0
Picture:		8.0
Sound:		8.0
Extras:		7.0
Score:		7.0

Director(s):	Sturla Gunnarsson • Fred Gerber • Peter Howitt
Writer(s):	James D. Parriott, Sheri Elwood, Meredith Lavender
Starring:	Malik Yoba • Andrew Airlie • Paula Garces • Florentine Lahme • Karen LeBlanc • Eyal Podell • Laura Harris • Christina Cox
Genre:	Romance • Sci-Fi
Release Date:	January 19, 2010

List Price:	DVD - $36.49
Amazon:

Defying Gravity was apparently described to networks as a Grey’s Anatomy in space.” I assumed this meant that it would be a medical show set in space, but it seems that the Grey’s Anatomy reference is merely to allude to the drama (which is often of the romantic nature, despite the “Hormone Activated Libido Oppressors” the crew members wear). It lasted only one season (and a short one, at 13 episodes) and received poor ratings, which could just be due to a very small if at all existent overlap among doctor-show fans and space-show fans who, as I did, became confused by the GA thing. (This also means I’ll be putting off my pitch for ER Trek until the world is truly ready.)

The series, set about 40 years into the future, revolves around eight astronauts, four men and four women (even Steven), chosen to travel the Solar System for six years. Though short-lived, the series Defying Gravity had something of a whirlwind run. It aired n the U.S. from early August to mid-September of last year, and throughout its run appeared on three different channels: ABC, CTV, and the Canadian exclusive SPACE (the last four episodes appeared here and only here). In Canada its timeslot shifted mid-season, not always but often a sign of the beginning of the end for a show.

Why this show was so hard fought for I’m not sure. It’s not particularly witty or visually-striking, nor is it in any way groundbreaking. Its stars, though not necessarily untalented, don’t really seem the type to provide enough draw for an already somewhat lackluster show. Ron Livingston is the biggest name, playing Maddux Donner, and, appealing and pleasant though he may be, nothing about him screams “leading man in a TV show,” especially one so inorganic. (The only other cast members I recognized were Laura Harris, probably best-known for her role as Daisy Adair on Dead Like Me, and Christina Cox, who had a one-episode stint on Dexter.)

Perhaps more than lackluster, Defying Gravity is at times bizarre. Or rather, would have been, had it continued. As creator James Parriott once claimed, for example, ship pilot Nadia was to be revealed as a hermaphrodite, who was going to become the “male she could have been” as a result of the effects of the mysterious and suspicious “Beta” storage pod. Flashbacks are heavily used to help create back story, and there is a twist revealed in episode nine (i.e. what exactly Beta is and why they’re all really there). If you’re the type who really just wants the unexpected, and you can make it through the first eight episodes (in which nothing spectacular seems to happen) you might find the whole endeavor worthwhile.

DVD Bonus Features:

“Mission Accomplished: A Look at Defying Gravity,” is pretty standard behind-the-scenes fare. There’s also a photo slide show, and deleted scenes.