Why Katee Sackhoff’s ‘Another Life’ Flopped While ‘Battlestar Galactica’ Soared

by

Katee Sackhoff gained the title of queen in the realm of science fiction through her portrayal of Lieutenant Kara “Starbuck” Thrace in Battlestar Galactica from 2004 to 2009. In a reversed role compared to the original 1978 series, she is known for her military background and no-nonsense demeanor. Often regarded as the most skilled space pilot on the show, Sackhoff’s Starbuck soon became an emblem of feminism for fans and left a lasting impression in the pantheon of science fiction heroines.

Fans were thrilled when Katee Sackhoff, known for her role in Battlestar Galactica, joined the sci-fi genre again with Netflix’s Another Life in 2019. Yet, despite her exceptional acting skills, this series was critically panned due to a weak storyline, dislikeable characters, poor writing, lack of scientific accuracy, and an overall disappointing outcome. Even the generous Rotten Tomatoes score of 6% may not accurately reflect its quality.

A Half-Baked Story and One-Dimensional Characters

In “Another Life”, Katee Sackhoff assumes the main role as astronaut Niko Breckinridge, captain of the spacecraft Salvare. Following an extraterrestrial spaceship’s crash on Earth, Niko is assigned to head a group on an expedition to uncover its source and possibly interact with the alien species that sent it. Her character appears to be deeply troubled, seemingly still grappling with sorrow from the collapse of a prior mission that led to the demise of her team (and presumably her former partner).

Whilst Niko is off in space overseeing a crew of twenty-something individuals who appear more preoccupied with their personal relationships than fulfilling the crucial mission that could redefine humanity’s history, she departs her daughter Jada and husband Erik Wallace (portrayed by Justin Chatwin) on Earth. Erik is a scientist working for the American Interstellar Command, and his efforts to examine and communicate with the mysterious alien artifact are often hindered by an enthusiastic media personality portrayed by Selma Blair.

In the sci-fi series Another Life, Niko’s complicated background and family dynamics could have been utilized to delve into her motivations and create a rich character. However, the storyline of the failed mission is hastily resolved within the first few episodes, leaving little screen time for Niko’s family ties. Similarly, the supporting cast is not given enough depth, often being portrayed as stereotypical Gen Z figures who lack memorable personalities and are rarely shown to survive long enough for viewers to recall their names. The unlikeable nature of the spaceship’s crew is a significant factor that turned off audiences, making it hard for many to endure more than a few episodes due to their obnoxious behavior and grating personalities. Many viewers found the show reminiscent of “The Real World” in space.

‘Another Life’ Is Insulting to the Sci-Fi Genre

In the science fiction genre, a certain level of disbelief is usually expected from the audience. However, the series Another Life pushes this requirement to its limits. With unexpected appearances of oxygen-rich rogue planets, the sudden emergence of a boron-based virus requiring gamma rays for destruction, and a strange creature attacking the crew, it seems like the show is inviting skepticism. Additionally, it eliminates restrictive uniforms, rigid officer hierarchies, common sense, and even safety measures such as seat belts.

In the show “Another Life,” some overused sci-fi elements, such as faster-than-light travel and crew hibernation pods, appear to be mere imitations of other genre classics rather than fresh ideas. To put it bluntly, they don’t seem original or well-executed. Critics and viewers alike have pointed out that the special effects in “Another Life” are not as impressive as those in other Netflix series like “Stranger Things” and “Black Mirror.” The alien creature in the show is often compared unfavorably to John Carpenter’s “The Thing,” while its story is seen as a watered-down version of the 2016 Amy Adams film “Arrival” or a less sophisticated take on “The Expanse.

Essentially, it would be more beneficial for you to spend your viewing time on any of the options provided instead of dedicating valuable hours to watching Another Life. Alternatively, consider tuning into Battlestar Galactica to witness Katee Sackhoff in her space-exploring, action-packed prime.

Read More

2025-04-27 17:35