Space: Above and Beyond
Set in the years 2063–2064, the show focuses on the "Wildcards", members of the United States Marine Corps Space Aviator Cavalry, 58th Squadron. They are stationed on the space carrier USS Saratoga, and act as infantry and pilots of SA-43 Endo/Exo-Atmospheric Attack Jet fighters.
flavo43 reviewed
November 23, 2025•
Space: Above and Beyond started off like many ’90s military sci-fi shows—ambitious but wildly unrealistic, much like early JAG or SeaQuest. But as the season progressed, the show began to find its footing, and by the midpoint it delivered some genuinely compelling, grounded storytelling. The premise itself was strong, and what I particularly appreciated was that the threats weren’t limited to just one alien enemy. Humanity also faced dangers of its own making: artificial intelligences born from arrogance, and colonization driven by greed despite knowing alien life was out there.
The sci-fi world-building was exceptional, with space combat, technology, and political tensions portrayed with surprising nuance. Some characters started off as stock archetypes—clearly a result of early lazy writing—but later episodes pushed them into deeper, more emotionally resonant territory, exposing them to the true horrors and moral complexity of war.
If the series had been allowed to continue, it could have become a major hit. Sadly, ’90s sci-fi TV faced hurdles that great ideas couldn’t always overcome.