TV

You probably already subscribe to half a dozen streaming platforms, but does it include MGM+ (formerly known as Epix)? If not, you will miss the November 12th premiere of a new eight-episode series called Beacon 23.

Here is the basic story from MGM+ (and here is the trailer):

Beacon 23 takes place in the farthest reaches of the Milky Way and follows Aster (Lena Headey), a government agent, and Halan (Stephan James), a stoic ex-military man, whose fates become entangled after they find themselves trapped together inside one of many Beacons that serve as a lighthouse for intergalactic travelers. Every Beacon is run by one highly trained human and a specialized Artificial Intelligence. Aster mysteriously finds her way to the lonely Beacon-keeper Halan, and a tense battle of wills unfolds. Halan begins to question whether Aster is friend or foe, as her ability to disguise her agenda and motives could make her a formidable opponent.

It looks intriguing. And the anticipation has been building since this project was announced more than two-and-a-half years ago (in the middle of Covid). Luckily, not even the writers strike killed this one.

It is based on the book of the same name, which had good reviews. Here are a few comments on the book:

—It’s a quick, easy read, especially since most of the events involve only one character. It’s quite good in its way, too, a bit like “The Martian” if the astronaut in that novel had just kind of hung out back in the Hab without working very hard on his survival. Our hero is flawed, hailed for an act that he views as cowardly, and in the end readers are left to wonder if he’s actually a hero or a fool. (The Oklahoman)

—It’s a book for adult readers, but I think younger readers would have a lot of fun with it. The voice is irresistible and it’s both funny and sad. In some ways it’s a cross between Andy Weir’s The Martian and David Bowie’s Space Oddity. Beacon 23 tells the story of a man whose job it is to stand sentry in what is effectively an interstellar lighthouse, making sure passing ships don’t crash into nearby asteroids. The main character’s name is never given, and the story is told in the first person so it could almost be anyone’s story. It’s very easy to relate to the narrator who is ex-military and living out his retirement all alone in the beacon with only his thoughts and the odd (often wry and hilarious) communications with NASA to keep him company. (Luna Station Quarterly)

—Beacon 23 is a loose combination of Dark Star and The Martian. At times I found the story very funny, particularly the dialogue with Rocky, as well as some interesting interchanges with NASA, imagined and real. There are also the inevitable technical issues to overcome when you are on your own and help is not an inconsiderable distance away. And to top it all the Operator of Beacon 23 is almost certainly suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, or in his own words “…just a little bit crazy.” (Book Lore)

I guess the key point in all of these is that the story reminds them of The Martian. All you need now is one more streaming platform. Or you can await broader distribution of the series. Whichever way you go, this one may be worth a second look.