The Cape (1996) - Pilot

This is not the pilot for the superhero show currently on TV. In this case, 'The Cape' refers to Cape Canaveral, the part of Florida where NASA launches it's space shuttles.

I downloaded this because it co-starred Adam Baldwin of 'Firefly' fame and had actress Bobbie Phillips as another character. I always enjoyed anything she was in ('Murder One'). I also like shows about the space program.

Basically it's part soup opera and part astronaut adventure. The Challenger disaster was ten year before this show premiered and there are many references to the heroic nature of space travel and those who do it for a living.



You could see the ground being laid for many series subplots in this pilot but that didn't take away from an interesting story about the rescue of a rogue Soviet satellite with a nuclear power source. Everything is being rushed to capture this device before it crash lands on some populated area of the Earth.

Corbin Bernsen is the main star of this show and everyone takes even casual conversation so seriously. There is no room for humor when you have to save the world all the time. It got tiresome to hear every character make these brave and bold pronouncements. I can see why this series only lasted one season. That kind of writing can get really tiresome at times.

The use of NASA footage and the other special effects do create a realistic view of the modern shuttle program, however. I am sure I watched more episodes of this series when it was on back in the day though I don't remember it right now.

6/10