# Space Force! **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** tv-shows-scripted, netflix\ **Created:** [May 20, 2020, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/space-force/854182 "2020-05-20T14:54:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![JohnGalt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johngalt/32/184_2.png) [@JohnGalt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnGalt)\ **Post date:** [June 3, 2020, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/space-force/854182/61 "2020-06-03T15:34:02Z")
> [@CairoCarol](#): > > I started watching this yesterday with my SO and we both love it. We’re four episodes in and can’t stop laughing. Part of the fun is picking up on the parodies before you get enough data to confirm it - for example, I recognized “the Mooch” immediately although it was (I think) another episode or so before they gave his full name as some twisted variant on Scaramucci. And the AOC character is uncannily similar to the real person. The show will not age well as people become less familiar with these characters and so some of the jokes are lost, but for now it’s a lot of fun. > > The female characters get a large share of the snappy lines, which I like (“Refer to my gender again and I will fuck you in the ass”), but Malkovich is sublime. It seems like a perfect role for him. Thanks Carol - I was just about to post the exact same thing (except the part about your SO): love the Mooch and AOC characters, and the Jane Lynch quote was great. Malkovich is my favorite character, the one whom I most identify with. I wish the music wasn’t so “Star Trekky” overwhelming; it’s annoying watching late at night with the volume set to hear the voices when the music starts blaring. Of course all of the science behind Space Force makes no sense, but that’s part of the charm. I liked the “$10,000 for a button cover” scene as an example; pushing a single button shouldn’t cause a disaster, but… I appreciate the Lisa Kudrow wife’s crime never be stated, although I think it would have been funnier if they had used Nancy Walls as the wife. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2020, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/space-force/854182/62 "2020-06-05T02:52:24Z")
Just finished Episode 10, and the wife is yelling for more. We like it. They better get started on Season 2. ---
**Author:** ![Marvin\_the\_Martian](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/marvin_the_martian/32/2898_2.png) [@Marvin\_the\_Martian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marvin_the_Martian)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2020, 1:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/space-force/854182/63 "2020-06-05T13:12:07Z")
Just through episode 2. I figured the wife’s crime was something from her distant past that happened in Colorado and that she had managed to evade punishment for - that’s why she started crying when told they would be moving there. Interesting to hear that we never find out the answer. ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2020, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/space-force/854182/64 "2020-06-05T14:58:20Z")
Just finished episode 5 and so far find it pretty bland. Odd personal coincidence: the head of the Coast Guard being treated as the Butt-Monkey? I thought the actor was from a certain sitcom but couldn’t remember the name. Then Russian Spy tells General’s Daughter that they are “like Kim and Greg from the popular American TV show _Yes, Dear_.” That’s the show I was thinking of! (But then it turned out that the guy wasn’t from that, he was from _According to Jim_.) ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2020, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/space-force/854182/65 "2020-06-05T15:13:45Z")
> [@silenus](#): > > Just finished Episode 10, and the wife is yelling for more. > > We like it. They better get started on Season 2. We finished it last night, we both liked it. I was surprised by how much I enjoyed it as I wasn’t expecting much. John Malkovich was the best part of the show but everyone contributed nicely. We’re ready for a second season, hopefully it happens quick and not slow like many Netflix & Amazon shows. ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [June 5, 2020, 3:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/space-force/854182/66 "2020-06-05T15:45:42Z")
> [@Marvin\_the\_Martian](#): > > Just through episode 2. I figured the wife’s crime was something from her distant past that happened in Colorado and that she had managed to evade punishment for - that’s why she started crying when told they would be moving there. Interesting to hear that we never find out the answer. I don’t think that’s it, because she’s in a _Federal_ prison. ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [June 6, 2020, 6:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/space-force/854182/67 "2020-06-06T06:21:15Z")
Just finished, and full read the thread. I didn’t hate it, but as some have touched on the tone was very uneven. Sometimes subtle humor, sometimes heavy zaniness (such as the whole chimpstronaut thing) and sometimes pretty serious family drama. And for too long stretches, it was just _there_. Lots of the drama on the moon seemed to be lifted from _For All Mankind_. > [@Chefguy](#): > > The daughter is a wasted trope, and the actor who plays her is unbelievably bad; bad enough to make me think she’s related to someone putting money into the production. I was going to say that for me the funniest moment of the series was the daughter’s facial expressions when she was on the phone with her mother in the prison visit. (And now I said it!) So was the female inventor [Elizabeth Holmes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elizabeth_Holmes)? ---
**Author:** ![hogarth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hogarth/32/1773_2.png) [@hogarth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hogarth)\ **Post date:** [June 8, 2020, 2:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/space-force/854182/68 "2020-06-08T14:50:57Z")
My wife and enjoyed watching the episodes. Personally, I thought Greg Daniel’s show “Upload” was funnier (although the non-comedic parts weren’t any better). Aparna Nancherla never fails to make me laugh, though. > [@Bryan\_Ekers](#): > > This show is amusing, but would be a lot better if they took the science at all seriously. Poor attention to agronomy is what ruined the show “Green Acres” for me. ---
**Author:** ![Isosleepy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/isosleepy/32/479_2.png) [@Isosleepy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Isosleepy)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2020, 2:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/space-force/854182/69 "2020-06-09T02:53:23Z")
I liked it. Second half is better than the first. And you cannot beat John Malkovich singing a love song. ---
**Author:** ![Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba9def/32.png) [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)\ **Post date:** [June 9, 2020, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/space-force/854182/70 "2020-06-09T17:12:28Z")
> [@Darren\_Garrison](#): > > So was the female inventor [Elizabeth Holmes](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elizabeth_Holmes)? As far as we could tell. The show, and Nerd, I mean Naird, let her off better than she deserved. Though he did blackmail her to get trump off his back. (sex is for WINNERS!" ---
**Author:** ![D\_Odds](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/d_odds/32/2882_2.png) [@D\_Odds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D_Odds)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2020, 6:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/space-force/854182/71 "2020-06-10T18:19:57Z")
> [@Superdude](#): > > You know, I thought it was just Ben Schwartz’s character Jean-Ralphio in _Parks & Recreation_ that I didn’t like. After this show, I’ve realized I just don’t like him as an actor. This. 100 times this. Space Force is the 3rd or 4 to thing I’ve seen him in, including him playing it straight once. Someone burn his SAG card. ---
**Author:** ![vislor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/vislor/32/5933_2.png) [@vislor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/vislor)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2020, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/space-force/854182/72 "2020-06-10T18:24:29Z")
My wife and I finished it last night. We watched the first episode, were meh but got told it got better. While it got better, it wasn’t more than slightly above average to me. I agree with everyone that if Naird has been played straight and surrounded by morons, that would have been better. I agree that they didn’t really seem to know where they wanted the characters to go or even to be. I did like that the wife’s crime wasn’t said. I didn’t catch the Mooch parody so that was funny. Upload was much better. They had what they wanted figured out much quicker. I think for me, it peaked at the congressional hearing. How he acts at that, impressing Mallory and the congresscritters, impressed me. I thought it was a good speech and showed how well the two characters could work together. If anything, I’m disappointed we never got something like that again. I also liked how the military people, except General Grabaston (how did they get that name?) were against escalating the conflict. I liked that it was the civilian admin person who wanted to see something done. Thanks for the discussion! ---
**Author:** ![solost](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/solost/32/11776_2.png) [@solost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/solost)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2020, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/space-force/854182/73 "2020-06-10T18:42:36Z")
> [@Isosleepy](#): > > I liked it. Second half is better than the first. And you cannot beat John Malkovich singing a love song. I hope so. Watched Ep 5 last night so I’m halfway through. My wife is over it-- she says I’m on my own if I want to watch the rest. > [@Darren\_Garrison](#): > > Just finished, and full read the thread. I didn’t hate it, but as some have touched on the tone was very uneven. Sometimes subtle humor, sometimes heavy zaniness (such as the whole chimpstronaut thing) and sometimes pretty serious family drama. And for too long stretches, it was just _there_. There’s probably a way to blend elements of satire/ slapstick/ comedy-drama in one show and make it work, but this show seems to veer randomly from one format to another in jarring fashion. And the Gen. Naird character-- sometimes he’s played as competent, sometimes he’s VERY Michael Scott-like. ---
**Author:** ![msmith537](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d9b06d/32.png) [@msmith537](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/msmith537)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2020, 7:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/space-force/854182/74 "2020-06-10T19:11:25Z")
> [@solost](#): > > Made by the same guy who made “Upload”, eh? Interesting. I guess that means DrForrester won’t like it, judging by that “Upload” thread awhile back 🙂 Same guy who made Upload and The Office. I thought it was “ok”. Kind of uneven. I think I like it best when Carrell plays as a competent straight man trying playing off John Malcovich’s more “academic” scientist culture. > [@Superdude](#): > > You know, I thought it was just Ben Schwartz’s character Jean-Ralphio in Parks & Recreation that I didn’t like. After this show, I’ve realized I just don’t like him as an actor. He’s fine but he always plays the smarmy “too cool” bull shit business guy. He was basically the same character in House of Lies. ---
**Author:** ![NAF1138](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/naf1138/32/3245_2.png) [@NAF1138](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NAF1138)\ **Post date:** [June 10, 2020, 7:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/space-force/854182/75 "2020-06-10T19:55:19Z")
> [@msmith537](#): > > Same guy who made Upload and The Office. Co created Parks and Rec too. ---
**Author:** ![LoneRhino](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lonerhino/32/1311_2.png) [@LoneRhino](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LoneRhino)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2020, 2:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/space-force/854182/76 "2020-06-11T02:28:36Z")
I’m 7 episodes in. At its best it’s a mediocre show. The 2nd episode with the chimp was the low point. I have found myself wondering if Malkovich is in the show because he’s made some bad financial decisions. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2020, 10:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/space-force/854182/77 "2020-06-11T10:50:47Z")
> [@LoneRhino](#): > > I have found myself wondering if Malkovich is in the show because he’s made some bad financial decisions. On a scale of one-to-Nicholas Cage, Malkovich is at worst a three. ---
**Author:** ![Mahaloth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mahaloth/32/1079_2.png) [@Mahaloth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mahaloth)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2020, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/space-force/854182/78 "2020-06-11T14:39:01Z")
> [@LoneRhino](#): > > I’m 7 episodes in. At its best it’s a mediocre show. The 2nd episode with the chimp was the low point. I have found myself wondering if Malkovich is in the show because he’s made some bad financial decisions. I think he is probably the best thing in it. I think it was a wise choice career wise if you consider actors never know what the finished product will actually be like. He was told “Steve Carrell, Greg Daniels, The Office crew, only 10 30 minutes episodes initially, chance to work with great people and do comedy”. Sounds like a good opportunity. [He made Crossbones at a low point.](https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/G/01/digital/video/hero/TVSeries/Crossbones_180392000_CES._V347800309_SX1080_.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ba9def/32.png) [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Just_Asking_Questions)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2020, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/space-force/854182/79 "2020-06-11T18:03:27Z")
Finished it last. night. The ending really was a bit WTF? Is everyone going to die on the moon? Bummer! Is Naird now a treasonous criminal? Does anyone on the show have an idea how to salvage the show, or are they just going to leave it like this? And I think the only crime Naird’s wife could commit that would get her 40 years in federal prison and not be a violent mass murder would be selling secrets to the Chinese or Russians. ---
**Author:** ![hogarth](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hogarth/32/1773_2.png) [@hogarth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hogarth)\ **Post date:** [June 11, 2020, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/space-force/854182/80 "2020-06-11T18:06:39Z")
> [@Just\_Asking\_Questions](#): > > Finished it last. night. The ending really was a bit WTF? Is everyone going to die on the moon? Bummer! Is Naird now a treasonous criminal? Does anyone on the show have an idea how to salvage the show, or are they just going to leave it like this? I assumed that the Americans were lying about ruining the Chinese base and that they were going to have to shack up with the Chinese for season 2. I could be wrong, though. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/space-force/854182.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/space-force/854182.md?page=5)