Introduction

Captain Dylan Hunt and the crew of the Andromeda Ascendant set out on a mission to rebuild the Systems Commonwealth 300 years after its fall.

The series combines elements of hard science fiction and drama, while dealing with social and political issues such as drug abuse, death, bribery, and intergalactic politics.

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Outline

Season two begins with the crew of Andromeda in a seemingly hopeless situation. Dylan and Trance are revived by Beka, and Dylan goes to the Magog World ship with Rommie (the android avatar of Andromeda’s AI) to recover Tyr, Harper and Rev. Harper is infested with Magog eggs, and Rev’s loyalty is strained when he encounters the being the Magog call the Spirit of the Abyss. They believe it to be their creator and god. Although Dylan and Rommie rescue Tyr and Harper, Andromeda is badly damaged, Rev has a spiritual crisis, and there seems to be no possible way to extract the Magog larvae from Harper. A powerful drug will keep them dormant for a time, but it only delays the inevitable.

The season shows the crew reacting to the sudden necessity of the New Commonwealth after the discovery of the Worldship (which will arrive at the Known Worlds in a few years), as they continue to make sure the dream comes true. Many worlds became more willing to sign the charter after learning of the Worldship. Dylan becomes more ruthless in his actions as well.

The episode “Ouroboros” (S02E12) in the middle of this season became a major turning point for the whole series. “Ouroboros” was the last episode written solely by Robert Hewitt Wolfe, the show’s original developer and head writer, though he returned a few episodes later to finish the writing job on “Dance of the Mayflies”. The producers allegedly felt that the series was becoming too intellectual and complicated (see departure from the show). One immediately visible change was Trance’s transformation. She exchanged places with her own future version; New Trance had a different (golden-skinned) appearance and much more serious personality.

Behind the scenes, Brent Stait (Rev Bem) also left Andromeda in “Ouroboros” due to exhaustion. He clarified in an interview “I was chemically burned once but that was not due to allergy. The suit was combination of Yak hair and synthetic, I believe, and it was very very hot. The Latex was thick, covered my head and neck completely and the days on set were very long… I just woke up one morning and that was it. I couldn’t put that suit on again. I was physically spent.” He reprises his role twice later, in seasons three and four. Ethlie Ann Vare, another writer, rounds out the list of people who departed the show in this season.

In the second half of season two, restoration of the Systems Commonwealth becomes a much less significant theme. The show mostly concentrated on Star Trek-style standalone adventures. However, by the end of the season, the new Commonwealth had gained a new powerful war fleet and a total of fifty worlds. This period also saw Kevin Sorbo reunited with his Hercules co-star Michael Hurst for one episode.

Andromeda’s Nietzschean crewman, Tyr Anasazi, is revealed to have a son, Tamerlane Anasazi, who is a genetic reincarnation of Drago Museveni, Founder and Progenitor of the entire Nietzschean Race. Since all the Nietzschean Prides believe that Drago Museveni’s genetic reincarnation will necessarily be a great leader, the Nietzschean Messiah, Tyr Anasazi gets a unique opportunity to unite all the Nietzschean Prides. He does not use it yet, biding his time.

In the season finale, the Systems Commonwealth is finally reinstated. A ceremony is held on board of the Andromeda, but interrupted by the attack of unknown extra-dimensional aliens.

Andromeda Series

You can find a full index and overview of Andromeda here.

• Episode 01: The Widening Gyre.
• Episode 02: Exit Strategies.
• Episode 03: A Heart for Falsehood Framed.
• Episode 04: Pitiless as the Sun.
• Episode 05: Last Call at the Broken Hammer.
• Episode 06: All Too Human.
• Episode 07: Una Salus Victus.
• Episode 08: Home Fires.
• Episode 09: Into the Labyrinth.
• Episode 10: The Prince.
• Episode 11: Bunker Hill.
• Episode 12: Ouroboros.
• Episode 13: Lava and Rockets.
• Episode 14: Be All My Sins Remembered.
• Episode 15: Dance of the Mayflies.
• Episode 16: In Heaven Now Are Three.
• Episode 17: The Things We Cannot Change.
• Episode 18: The Fair Unknown.
• Episode 19: Belly of the Beast.
• Episode 20: The Knight, Death, and the Devil.
• Episode 21: Immaculate Perception.
• Episode 22: Tunnel at the End of the Light.

Production & Filming Details

• Release Date: 01 October 2001 to 18 May 2002.
• Running Time: 43 minutes.
• Rating: 15.
• Country: US.
• Language: English.

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