Space Force has finally been launched into orbit by Netflix. This workplace comedy from the team behind The Office was easily anticipated for tackling one of the most aloof projects by the current president and doing a satirical take on the subject (on what is already a joke to begin with).
On a comedic standpoint, this show has its share of funny moments and mixed-bag elements as it tries to balance being a workplace comedy and a political satire. Thus, this list will encompass the 5 reasons Space Force is out of this world (& 5 it failed to launch).
10 Out of This World: Ben Schwartz as F. Tony
Ben Schwartz has been making a splash this year with Sonic for Sonic the Hedgehog and himself for the Netflix improvisational series Middleditch and Schwartz. Likewise, he made a great impression as the overzealous but bothersome F. Tony Scarapiducci.
A clear parody of real-life former White House director of communications Anthony Scaramucci, F. Tony is the social media director for Space Force. And his attempts to make the sixth branch of the armed forces look trendy and “hip” come off as hilariously over-the-top. Schwartz really had fun doing Jean-Ralphio Saperstein 2.0.
9 Failed To Launch: On-the-Nose Parodies
Speaking of parodies of government officials, there have been many other obvious parodies of current popular politicians at this time. There is the obvious one with Anabela Ysidro-Campos (or AYC) being a parody of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. But there are also other Democratic politicians being spoofed, like Representative Pitosi (Nancy Pelosi) and Senator Schugler (Chuck Schumer).
It is not that these figures are faithfully portrayed; it is that it dates the series to mock on the topical absurdities of today’s politicians. But maybe the writers will work their way with this.
8 Out of This World: Topnotch Production Design
Being a workplace comedy about a space exploration unit by the US army, Space Force has to excel in its production design. For all its worth, the show pushed it in depicting a concealed Area 51-esque facility, starting with a funny Batman-like cave entrance, towards inside the control room and down to the launch facilities.
The special effects work are seamless as well. From the chimpanzee Marcus to the satellites themselves, the creators pushed for a sitcom a la Star Trek. Blockbuster Netflix really pushed it with the effects budget.
7 Failed To Launch: Padding Episodes
One of the problems of Space Force (and probably other sitcoms from other streaming platforms) is that the entire season is built in one arc: the legitimization of Space Force. Thus, there are many episodes and moments in the series that dragged out for eternity and ended up being pointless.
The two examples of this are Episode 2 “Save Epsilon 6!” and Episode 3 “Mark and Mallory Go to Washington”, where it primarily centers on the dilemma of a satellite’s launch into space. The buildup felt elongated with no payoff.
6 Out of This World: Touching Moments from the Naird Family
One of the highlights of Space Force is showing General Mark Naird’s domestic life. His recurring bits include visiting his incarcerated wife Maggie (Lisa Kudrow), taking care of his daughter Erin (Diana Silvers), and coping with his new role as Chief of Space Operations. And that is where his poignant sides are shown.
It also pushes Mark to prioritize his daughter’s well-being, even though it comes off as strict. This pays off in the last episode “Proportionate Response”. It goes to show that a general must also command his family.
5 Failed To Launch: Erin’s Subplot
Diana Silvers is an up-and-coming actress who showed up for supporting roles in Glass, Booksmart, and Ma. She landed a primary role in Space Force as General Mark Naird’s daughter Erin Naird. She is mostly sardonic and nonchalant, trying to cope with her family’s move to Wild Horse, Colorado. And she was able to be acquainted with several personnel, like helicopter pilot Angela Ali (Tawny Newsome) and Russian liaison Bobby.
While Silvers does a fine job as Erin, her teenager-needing-more subplot is wasted for a generic resolution. She deserves better.
4 Out of This World: Steve Carell’s Performance
Speaking of performances, Steve Carell as General Mark Naird is, as expected, fantastic. He definitely delivers on a decorated general oblivious on how to run a space exploration division of the Armed Forces but determined to fulfill the POTUS’ space plan with crotchety patriotism. Carell pulled off a fine parody of a modern-day American general.
That being said, comparisons to his other iconic TV character, Michael Scott from The Office, are unavoidable. But they aren't quite the same kind of lovable buffon, although both do seem to try their hardest.
3 Failed To Launch: Hit-or-Miss Humor
Being a comedy, Space Force has funny moments to spare. But when some jokes land, others fall in the wayside. The jokes that land came from the entire absurdity of Space Force.
But the jokes that fell flat came from the satirical bits when it tries to spoof several real-life figures. An example of this is in Episode 7 “Edison Jaymes”, wherein Elizabeth Holmes-type tech entrepreneur Edison Jaymes (Kaitlin Olson) offers to service Space Force’s rocket fuel. While the jokes are clear, the delivery and the buildup are really lukewarm.
2 Out of This World: Embracing the Absurdity
Ever since the term “Space Force” was dropped by the current administration, Netflix took advantage of it by even trademarking its term. And this embrace of the absurdity is easily shown in the first season of the Space Force.
Creators Greg Daniels and Steve Carell took inspiration from the basic figures behind Space Force and weaves it to a workplace comedy of absurd proportions. They basically take the political grandiose of Dr. Strangelove (down to John Malkovich’s Dr. Mallory being a stand-in for the titular mad scientist) and mixes it with Veep’s incongruous political climate.
1 Failed To Launch: Confused Tone
But even if they embraced that absurdity, the show keeps juggling if it is a full-on political satire like Veep or a standard workplace comedy like The Office. As a result, the tone seems confused at times as there is no fixed focus on the main arc. It just jumps from work tension and government espionage to domestic drama and absentee-father trappings.
The tone tends to drown the humor and makes every beat predictable. As such, the second season should be concentrated on one fixed setting, then build from there. Otherwise, this is adequate comedy.
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