Space: Above and Beyond: A Forgotten Gem of Military Science Fiction
A Hidden Treasure of 1990s Military Sci-Fi
Space: Above and Beyond (known in France as *Space 2063*) is a series that truly deserves to be rediscovered. Created in 1995 by Glen Morgan and James Wong, it unfortunately only lasted one season due to poor commercial success at the time. Yet it is full of exciting ingredients that set it apart in the landscape of 1990s television science fiction.
At the heart of the series, we follow the 58th Squadron, the “Wildcards” — a disparate but deeply united unit made up of very different recruits: “natural” humans, “In-Vitro” soldiers (lab-created and victims of discrimination), and pilots with troubled pasts. This human diversity lies at the center of internal political and social tensions, particularly around the status of the In-Vitro, who are often treated as second-class citizens. The series addresses themes of prejudice, identity, and discrimination with a certain finesse for its era.
The Squadron and the War
But *Space: Above and Beyond* truly shines through its interstellar war against the Chigs — a mysterious, ruthless, and technologically superior alien enemy. Far from optimistic space operas, the series offers a darker, more realistic, and military tone. It clearly echoes *Starship Troopers* (Robert A. Heinlein’s novel), with the idea of young soldiers thrown into a brutal and existential conflict — but without the gratuitous violence or satirical tone of Paul Verhoeven’s film. Here, war is dirty, unjust, and the losses carry real weight.
Verdict
Despite a modest budget and special effects that feel dated today, the series manages to create an immersive atmosphere and raise real questions about the human cost of war, loyalty, and sacrifice.
*Space: Above and Beyond* is an unjustly forgotten series — both ambitious and moving. If you enjoy serious military science fiction with likable characters and genuine depth, it remains a little gem of the 1990s that deserved a continuation. It’s a shame it never got the chance to fully develop its potential.