Proportionate Response (2020) User Reviews (7)

Season One Review

[southdavid · 7/10 · 20 July 2023]

My Netflix backlog list is so deep now, that it's taken me three years to get back around to "Space Force" a Greg Daniels produced comedy for the streaming service, that would be cancelled at the conclusion of the second run.

Air Force General Mark Naird (Steve Carell) is promoted to a Four Star General and anticipates taking over as Chief of Staff for the Air Force. Instead, he's allocated control of Space Force, a newly formed militarised unit, tasked with protecting US interests in Space, whilst continuing the research missions. Naird moves to remote Colorado, with his daughter Erin (Diana Silvers) to lead the team and immediately clashes with Chief Scientist Adrian Mallory (John Malkovich), who refutes the need for military oversight. However, Chinese aggression towards the US's experiments starts to increase and Mark must fight his administrations desire for retaliation.

I think expectation has, in this case, worked a little in "Space Force's" favour. One of the reasons I'd put off watching it were the lukewarm reviews it received at the time, so I was expecting something pretty bad. I don't think it's that at all - in fact I reasonably enjoyed the whole run. I don't think it quite matches up to other shows Daniels had a hand in, such as "Parks and Recreation" or "King of the Hill" but viewed on its own merits it does well. Like "Parks and Rec" it's essentially a workplace comedy, where the tropes of that are just given a space twist. Don Lake, for examples, plays Naird's executive office, but essentially acts as the hapless secretary. There's even a charming workplace romance blooming between a Captain, played by Tawny Newsome and a scientist, played by Jimmy O Yang.

It's not hard to see why it wasn't particularly well thought of when it arrived with the fanfare of a new Greg Daniels / Steve Carell project. It's certainly more mildly amusing rather than hilariously funny and includes a bunch of actors playing characters we've already seen do very similar roles. But as I say, without that expectation, it's another in the line of generally warm and charming sitcoms and I'll certainly be running on to the second run.

Each episode gets better.

[mrspractical · 9/10 · 22 June 2020]

I think this was a fitting finale that wraps up the season nicely. We get to see each character do what they do best. Even the F. Tony Scarapiducci character has grown and is more likable. Even though there is some predictability, there are a few twists. Carell and Malkovich have been fabulous the whole season, but the writers are not stingy in letting the other characters get screen time. I'd watch a second season.

Critics should be embarrassed.

[christinelindberg · 9/10 · 19 September 2020]

The critics who have trashed this show have exposed themselves to being bereft of creative imagination. Space Force is too quick-witted and scathingly topical to be appreciated by the weak of knowledge and mental capacity. Like every episode, this final episode of Season 1 is hilarious, poignant, and brilliantly satirical. So very, very little of American TV offers such a raised-bar viewing option, that it will be another sad indictment of what passes for worthwhile entertainment if the uber-intelligent comedy series Space Force does not return for a second season.

Better than deserved

[cubsfan1117 · 9/10 · 2 April 2022]

This show has really gotten better and better. Would have been a shame to not have season 2! I know I am watching this late but enjoying it more than expected.

Average season ending

[chunkylefunga · 5/10 · 11 June 2020]

90% of the episode was average then they just chucked in a couple of 'what's gonna happen next' just to keep you tuned to season 2.

So...

[don-34566 · 1/10 · 16 November 2021]

Where do you go with this train wreck? The very real conflict with China was reduced to a spat in space and the main character is on the run. John Malkovich is the only redeeming part of the show and he's wasted. The show has the "appeal" of AP Bio (spoiler alert! - none). Thrown together, poorly written, and self-congratulatory. Have I missed anything?

To balance the obviously biased review

[agferg · 5/10 · 6 March 2022]

The above CL review is so obviously written by an insider. There is almost nothing brilliant or intellectual about this series and insulting those who don't like it by questioning their intelligence is sophomoric. I would argue the opposite position in a heartbeat. The show has an amazing and talented array of actors who are wasted with some of the worst writing in comedic history. The budget was obviously spent on the actors and sets rather than quality writing. I'm hoping that Steve Carell is being listed as one of the writers as a courtesy, otherwise he should stay on the other side of the lens.