Yeah, this just really didn't work. The concept was literally Star Trek under water, as given by its very name. This show was very much patterned after The Next Generation, down to clones of Wesley and Beverly Crusher.
Though, in this show, the Doctor had the British accent since the Captain didn't, and they wanted to keep that TNG element.
In a strange twist of fate, the Wesley clone, Lucas, actually was the most popular character here.
Though the show was aping TNG, they were "inspired" by the then new DS9 for the title. "Sea Quest: Deep Submergence Vehicle" -- "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine". Cute, huh?
They should have copied Trek more directly and put them in space. They ended up bringing in aliens in the second season and even, astonishingly, literally putting the submarine in space!
Another couple of problems:
* They used the same basic lighting style everywhere, from the sub to office buildings, etc, and much of the sub's interior didn't look like a submarine at all. Because of this, very often it was not at all obvious whether a scene was taking place in the sub or someplace else. While in the real world, it would make sense to make it like that to make it more livable, in a tv show, it needs to be easily distinguishable at a glance. While the 1701-D may have looked like a luxury cruise ship, you ALWAYS knew when a scene was taking place there.
* There were FAR too many young good looking crew members such that it was distracting. Usually, you want one or two for sci-fi. Doing it this way makes it look like you're going to get some Melrose Place type soap opera.
Though, in this show, the Doctor had the British accent since the Captain didn't, and they wanted to keep that TNG element.
In a strange twist of fate, the Wesley clone, Lucas, actually was the most popular character here.
Though the show was aping TNG, they were "inspired" by the then new DS9 for the title. "Sea Quest: Deep Submergence Vehicle" -- "Star Trek: Deep Space Nine". Cute, huh?
They should have copied Trek more directly and put them in space. They ended up bringing in aliens in the second season and even, astonishingly, literally putting the submarine in space!
Another couple of problems:
* They used the same basic lighting style everywhere, from the sub to office buildings, etc, and much of the sub's interior didn't look like a submarine at all. Because of this, very often it was not at all obvious whether a scene was taking place in the sub or someplace else. While in the real world, it would make sense to make it like that to make it more livable, in a tv show, it needs to be easily distinguishable at a glance. While the 1701-D may have looked like a luxury cruise ship, you ALWAYS knew when a scene was taking place there.
* There were FAR too many young good looking crew members such that it was distracting. Usually, you want one or two for sci-fi. Doing it this way makes it look like you're going to get some Melrose Place type soap opera.