'Moonbase 8' Review: An interesting premiere with a water crisis and dead body at NASA's Moon Base Simulator
Spoilers for 'Moonbase 8' Episode 1 'Dry'
The first episode of the Showtime space series dives straight into mission preparation for NASA wanting its first manned base on the surface of the moon. On earth, NASA operates several simulation moon bases in order to train candidates for not only working but living on the moon. We are quickly introduced to the team at 'Moonbase 8' – Cap (John C. Reily), Skip (Fred Armisen), Rook (Time Heidecker) and Travis Kelce.
'Dry', the premiere episode was an interesting pilot showcasing obstacles one would assume to face if they were to be on the moon. It is too soon to judge the series off of one episode, but it seems that the show isn't shy about exposing character dynamics right off the bat. It's an interesting 30-minute watch, with actors with an impeccable reputation, so we're going to give this a chance.
The comedy series follows its premise of having three astronauts stationed at NASA's Moon Base Simulator in a remote part of the Arizona desert. Their goal is to prove to NASA that they are qualified for their first lunar mission, but they do run into a few obstacles. From Kelce seemingly taking advantage of Cap's go-with-flow attitude to the fact that they run out of a month's water supply in one week -- again, thanks to Travis. Of course, human nature does kick in, and doubt and incompetence also play a huge part in their team spirit.
We see Cap desperately trying to get to the moon because he doesn't want to be a "deadbeat dad," we see Skip as an organizational and realistic man who figures out drinkable liquids on their base to help get through the month, Kelce who is simply there to be macho and for the PR, and Skip's ally Rook, who thinks vegetable oil is drinkable. Kelce seems to have wrapped Cap around his finger through – it's sad enough to make you feel bad for the guy. Cap washes the rover (once in the morning, once in the afternoon) that Kelce seems to think is only his, makes sure Kelce's towels are clean, and even keeps Kelce's mail safe. Skip and Rook try to speak to Cap about the way Kelce is treating him, but Cap isn't having it. It's Cap's department, but it's Kelce's word – Cap thinks it's a "partnership" – it's not.
There is a fair amount of 'Dry' Humor (drinking of 'de-peed' water), which was expected with comedian Reilly and SNL alum Armisen on the cast. Given they were given a mission to plan apple seeds to "further explore plant growth on the moon" and monitor its growth – the empty water tank was a crisis. They do also have to survive but they have only about 3 days with no "drinkable" liquids. Kelce great idea? Dig a well, to which Cap promptly agrees to. What follows is a scripted, humorous, episode that sees the quad try to overcome what we think we would a much scarier situation on the actual moon versus a base on earth. There's also a dead body, we'll let you guess who's it is.
We don't know how the series will proceed, but the actors so far, seem to be delivering their characters in their raw scripted form. We do have to say that not all the jokes or all the quirky personalities are charming – sometimes it feels like they are trying too hard, but as we said, it's too quick to judge. It's short enough to get through without thinking you've wasted your time and quick to jump into problematic storylines and character backstories – so, let's wait and watch.
'Moonbase 8' airs on Showtime on Sundays at 11 pm ET/PT.
