Far Horizon review: a gorgeous space opera that finally finds its heart

There is a moment in the third episode of “Far Horizon” when the crew of the exploration vessel Meridian stand silently on the bridge, watching a vast purple galaxy fill the window. Nobody speaks for almost a minute. It is the kind of scene most series would rush, and it is the moment this ambitious new space opera starts to work.

The eight-part series, now streaming on a big streaming service, follows a mismatched crew sent beyond the edge of mapped space to find out why a colony ship went silent forty years earlier. Created by writer Nadia Okonkwo-Hale and shot largely on huge LED stages, it is one of the most expensive productions of the year, and it shows.

Spectacular to look at

Visually, “Far Horizon” is a triumph. The ship feels lived in, with scuffed consoles and makeshift repairs, and the space sequences are some of the most beautiful seen on television. The score, built around low strings and choir, gives the quieter moments real weight.

A slow launch

The problem is the start. The first two episodes are crowded with technical briefings, unexplained politics back home and a mystery that is teased far too slowly. Several characters are introduced with little more than a job title, and it is easy to lose track of who wants what.

A crew worth following

Once the Meridian leaves known space, however, the series finds its heart. Lucia Vantongeren is excellent as Captain Iyla Ross, a commander who doubts the mission from day one, and Kofi Brandvold brings humor and sadness to the ship’s aging engineer. The fifth episode, a tense hour almost entirely set in a damaged airlock, is the best thing the series does.

The final two episodes answer the central mystery in a satisfying way while leaving plenty of room for a second season, which has not yet been confirmed.

The verdict

“Far Horizon” asks for patience, and not every viewer will want to give it. Those who do will find a thoughtful, beautifully made series about people far from home, with some of the most memorable images on any screen this fall. Score: 8 out of 10.