B.I.T.S '19 Film Review - Deep Six Web Series (Episodes 1-6)

"Space Is Hard" is the message that co-creators Mika Collins (who also plays key pilot Nemain) and (Davin Lengyel who also directs) are trying to get across to their audience. Alongside that Truth, the production used classical methods of miniatures, real sets, and practical effects to present their show.  To make sure the story makes scientific sense the production hired UBC Astrophysicist Jaymie Matthews as a consultant. The story takes place in a distant star system Tau Ceti 250 years into the future.

Siku is the current location of the fleet a mix of military and scientist on a mission to explore microbial life supported by a Terminal that is their only link back to earth.  The Terminal reduced the deep space journey from 10,000 years to months. Siege (Katherine Gauthier) and Wing Commander Duke (Tahmoh Penikett) are out on patrol when a bogie approaches. There is an explosion and Duke ends up on the wrong end of a debris field. Ace pilot Athea (Michelle Morgan) attempts a rescue against The Commander's (Jonathan Wittaker) order that is unsuccessful. She gains a reprimand plus a promotion while Siege ends up with P.T.S.D., nightmares and is grounded after the incident.

The situation becomes life or death as lead Science office Eddie (Ginger Busch) discovers that the capsules that bring supplies affect the atmosphere around Siku like rocks in a pond causing changes on the planet that could wipe out the fleet the next time a large capsule arrives. Unfortunately, the last one that caused the explosion was minuscule compared to the next one bringing food and fuel. This likely will cause a catastrophic event that would result in the loss of the terminal and everything around it.  The only way out is to get parts from the military satellite at Armid.  Its a job for two but only one can go due to time constraints, limited space and rations will be low meaning the pilot will be disoriented completing the task. The good news is once the parts are loaded the pilot is not needed to bring the parts back.

Deep Six has 6 of a scheduled 9 episodes in the can. It's low tech at its finest. It features science that is not bunk and a cast of actors that are in tune with their characters. The comradery is strong  amongst the crew that is headed by a detached Commander John whose always looking to get home and his emotionally raw niece Siege at the other end of the spectrum.  It's a gripping watch that is easy to binge leaving the viewer with positive anticipation of the next three episodes to come.

*** 1.2 Out of 4

Deep Six | Davin Lengyel | Canada | 2019 | 70 Minutes.

Tags: Web Series, SCI-FI, Space, Science, Terminal, Pilot, Patrol, Wing Commander, Squad Leader, P.T.S.D, Capsule, Supplies, Repairs, Suicide Mission, Satellite, Launch, Contact.