Dark Angel

A really good science fiction series by James Cameron. It has a dark matured setting, interesting stories and a good cast of characters. The story follows Max Guevara aka X5-452. She is a genetically improved human created, born, raised and trained by the US government in a project code named Manticore. They wanted to created super soldier. To give you perspective: The X5 outclass even Captain America in every aspect but are neither invulnerable nor above street level super hero powers. A bullet can kill them as does reckless behavior, stupidity or mistakes. At the age of 9 Max and her group of fellow X5 decide to escape from their facility. This worked because shortly after a terrorist group used an electromagnetic weapon in the atmosphere above the USA. The electromagnetic pulse wreck havoc on all computers and the USA has not recovered 10 years later. Corruption, poverty and unemployment is on the rise while the former glory is still remembered but out of reach. Max works as bicycle courier in Seattle and tries to lay low as they are still hunted by Manticore. She meets Logan a hacker who under the persona Eyes Only uncovers corruption, crimes and lies from the people in positions of powers. They work together as he needs help and she wants to find the other X-5 (They separated after the escape as this is a valid tactic to distract pursuers). With this starts the show. I like the setting. It is a fine mixture of a near dystopian future and our normal life. There is an overall story arc and a lot of character development. Season 2 is a game changer. There will be twist, reveals and new mysteries. They go up to eleven here and nothing will be the same. I truly liked the story but will say that it can be overburdened for others. I wanted to see this continued but sadly a third season was never done. I read that they ended it with 3 books with one being a prequel to the whole series. It was however a good season that I enjoyed. Lets continue with the characters. Max Guevara was played by Jessica Alba and it is considered her breakthrough role. She is a great actress and fully delivers the full range of her characters emotions and struggles. Impressive performance. Michael Weatherly plays Logan Cale aka Eyes Only. An interesting character that I would describe as a bit naive but true hero material. He works well together with Jessica Alba. He is most famous in his role as Agent DiNozzo in NCIS but I dislike his character (not him) there. Of cause I like Original Cindy played by Valeria Rae Miller. She is Max best friend, co-worker and roommate. She is also a lesbian character and this was rare at the time. She is truly enjoyable, fun to watch and entertaining. Then we have Michael Lydecker played by John Savage. He is an officer at Manticore and tasked to capture the escaped X-5. Behind this he is a more deep character than they need to do and I praise him and the script. New in Season 2 are Joshua played by Kevin Durand. He became a favorite and works well. I truly enjoyed him and his characters journey. Then there is Alec McDowell aka X5-494. I enjoyed and hate his character at the same time but praise the performance by the actor. Ames White by Martin Cummins is a great antagonist and has a lot of secrets that will make his character even more interesting. For the side characters with lesser roles I like of cause Nana Visitor as Elisabeth Renfro, Mole played by Brian Jenson, Richard Gunn as Calvin Theodore and John Charles Mackenzie as Reagan Ronald. A really good cast. Overall I liked the dark and matured setting, the characters and worldbuilding. Even if it is not my favorite show of all times it is still worth watching.