If the Wheel Be Fixed

Andromeda Episode Review

In which things don't quite add up.

What Happened

Andromeda goes through an awful lot to find the missing Beka and Tyr, only to have them wander onto the bridge. It becomes fairly obvious that they are under some kind of alien influence, and Dylan and Harper eventually decide that it must be coming from the inter-dimensional tunnel that they haven't quite managed close yet. While Beka takes Trance on a joyride and Tyr takes over the ship, Harper uses his latest invention to close the tunnel and shut off the controlling mojo.

The Good

• The new opening narration by Dylan is better than season two, but still not as good as season one. Either they changed the music, or I've gotten used to it. They are still using the weird shot of a windblown Rommie with that odd look on her face.
• Harper giving Tyr a hug (all he can reach is the bicep) and Tyr's "whatever" face.
• "I even had to reattach your head once. I couldn't get the tongue to work properly." Trance describing what the future would be like for her and Beka if she and Tyr manage to pull Andromeda into the tunnel. She's becoming all kinds of creepy.

The Bad

• The Previouslies: It's a good thing we know "Roseanne" is what Harper called his bomb, otherwise Beka's cry of "We're dropping Roseanne," makes no sense.
• Tyr might be able to shut down Andromeda's Artificial Intelligence, but he can't erase it. The Knight, the Devil and Death, anyone? Clumsy writing. Unless he was specifically using the AI eraser, which should have been more clearly established if that was the case.
• I rewound the tape to check it out, and it definitely looked like Tyr had lost his forearm spikes. They had better explain that one.

The Cliche

• Beka gets awfully touchy-feely: playing with Trance's hair, cozying up to Dylan and climbing up Tyr. The female always gets sexy; the guy always get violent.
• Harper makes deus ex machina fun. He's always so happy when his inventions work.
• Beka going, "You don't remember [the kissing]. Of course not." Why can't they ever say, "That was fun. Want to do it again?"

What Did I Think?

Moderately creepy atmosphere, but there's no true explanation for what's going on, and there are a couple of points that either confuse (Tyr's physical changes) or contradict (Tyr being able to threaten to "erase" the AI).