Dark Angel Episode Reviews by Melissa N. Hayes-Gehrke

Dark Angel is a fun science fiction TV show that ran from 2000 - 2002. The setting is Seattle in 2019, after a nuclear detonation in 2009 by terrorist destroyed much of the US's communications and electronics technology, plunging the US into a huge depression. The star of the show is Max Guevara, a genetically-engineered soldier who escaped from her secret government home as a child in 2009. Other child-soldiers escaped at the same time she did, and now she is trying to find them, as well as bring down the secret organization that created them and is still trying to find them.

This show did a great job of creating a future pop culture, which is featured among the teenage Max and her friends. The future society is also fascinating, with its mix of poverty and twentieth-centuries ruins in downtown Seattle, alongside the future technology and priveleges that the few remaining wealthy people possess. The decreased resources and power of the US government allows just enough space for both extra-legal agencies (such as the one that created Max) to exist as well as providing space for "freaks" like Max and her siblings to be able to make it through society without detection.

I watch a lot of science fiction and fantasy. Once I watch a show, it often sticks in my mind for days, so I thought I'd write down my thoughts a little more formally as a review. Sometimes I concentrate on themes in the show, sometimes I think more about the background science, sometimes the characters - whatever strikes me. I try to make sure details like names and events are correct, but I may make an occasional error.

All of my reviews have spoilers for the episodes and are, of course, completely my own opinions. I welcome any email with comments.


Episodes by Season


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