Forgotten Television: SeaQuest DSV

SeaQuest DSV (Deep-Submergence Vehicle) is a giant submarine that patrols the oceans as part of the UEO (United Earths Oceans) organization.  The UEO was formed in response to tensions between nations and undersea confederations which fight over the abundance of natural resources available in the ocean.  SeaQuest was designed by retired naval captain Nathan Bridger (Roy Scheider) who retired before the SeaQuest was built into solitude after the death of his wife.  After an incident where the current captain, Marilyn Stark (Shelley Hack), is relieved of duty, the UEO attempts to lure Bridger out of retirement and into the captain chair.  He is reluctant to return to active duty, but when a renegade submarine piloted by the aforementioned Stark bent on revenge by destroying the SeaQuest, he takes command to save the day. Thus, the adventures begin with a crew comprised of Lucas Wolenczak (Jonathan Brandis) as a teenage computer genius; Dr. Kristin Wesphalen (Stephanie Beacham The Colbys) as the medical officer and head of the sub’s science department; along with various crew members played by Don Franklin, Stacy Haiduk, Royce Applegate, Ted Raimi and Frank Welker as the voice of Darwin, a talking dolphin.

SeaQuest DSV aired from 1993 to 1996 on NBC but took place in what was then the near future with season one beginning in 2018.  This series is somewhat unique as each season saw radical changes to the cast and storylines in hopes of finding its footing and a fan base.  With ratings slipping, the show teetered on cancellation at the end of the first season.  The first season was marred by conflicts between the producers and the studio and the cast, as well as production staff changes and an actual earthquake. NBC decided to renew, but moved the production from Los Angeles to Orlando and revamped the crew.  The studio released several older cast members as they wanted a younger crew and several cast members refused to relocate to Orlando.  The show also focused more on the science fiction aspects and moved away from the more realistic storylines, this upset leading man Roy Scheider who was vocal about his dislike of the new direction, believing the stories to be childish. Once again, ratings suffered and the show was slated to be cancelled, but when the show that was going to take its place fell through, they renewed for a third season.  Roy Scheider asked to be released from his contract and was partially granted his exit, as long as he appeared in a few episodes of Season 3.  Michael Ironside (V The Final Battle) takes over as Captain Oliver Hudson, a more militaristic commander and the plot lines switch from the science fiction format to a more political thriller show. The storyline from the season two finale allowed a time jump as well and the year is now 2032, about ten years after season two takes place.  The darker themes of the third season were met with mostly positive reactions, the shows numbers still declined, and the series was finally cancelled with episode 13 being the last one to air.

I did not watch this show when it originally aired as I was, oddly enough, in the Navy at the time and mostly out of the country.  I do remember catching snippets of episodes here and there and finding them intriguing, but not interesting enough for me to actively go looking for the show to give it a watch.  In viewing the pilot episode in preparation for this article I did find the show entertaining, but again there is just something missing.  First, there wasn’t a character that I absolutely loved.  There wasn’t one person that I felt I needed to watch or that I truly connected with, which left me a bit detached.  The production value on the show was pretty good and the actors weren’t bad, but I didn’t find the writing to be compelling at all and the dialogue to me felt forced.  Overall, it was not a bad show, it just never really found its place or its audience and no wonder, with the production continually marred by disputes between the producers, the studio and the actors.