Andromeda (TV Series) When Goes Around... (2004) User Reviews

Caught in a loop

[Tweekums · 8/10 · 30 August 2018]

As this episode opens a mysterious woman walks into Harper's bar; it is as if she knows everything that is about to happen, she certainly knows Harper and recognises Dylan even though neither seem to know her. After she leaves it is though time resets as she returns and the scene plays out again; this time she leaves with Dylan. She identifies herself as Celine and states that she was a scientist on Tarn Vedra before the fall of the Commonwealth. She discovered fellow scientists were doing something involving the Route of Ages and since trying to expose them she has relived that one day over and over again and is trying to find the code that will enable her to return to her own time and correct Seefra's orbit.

Stories involving time loops can be problematic; if each loop is too similar it is boring for the viewer; if they are very different one wonders why the problem causing the loop isn't ended sooner... this balances the two nicely. Celine is suitably mysterious when we first see her and even when we learn of the loop not everything is too obvious. The way Celine gets involved with Dylan is just one of the series' clichés that viewers will have got used to by now. Guest star Thea Gill really impresses as Celine making the character intriguing and likeable. Away from the main story Harper tries to introduce Doyle to the concept of humour; this is mildly amusing as his jokes are so poor! Overall a pretty good episode.

Seefra Renewed

[stephenrigdon · 8/10 · 22 January 2022]

Written during the period of the Afghanistan War(2005) the Seefra Series seems geared to the dry, exilic, casting about for purpose which imbued the culture of that era. It is actually much more pertinent, relevant to our experience, 'When Goes Around...' actually makes more sense now. The Andromeda Crew attempt to realign Seefra within the Vedran schemata synthesizing the Slipstream technology and the Route of Ages, to restore the environmental balance, and, the episode finishes, like 'V' The Movie, with a rain scene, a sign of renewal. Quite hopeful, but ahead of its time then. These Seefra episodes are now coming into their own in 2022. Hence the higher rating, as it is more relevant to our common cultural period.