Synopsis of TV Show

Taking sci-fi to the ocean's floor, SeaQuest DSV chronicled the adventures of a huge and high-tech research submarine, the DSV or "Deep Submergence Vehicle." Produced by Steven Spielberg's production company Amblin Entertainment and assigned with what's reportedly the highest budget ever handed to a television (two million dollars an episode), this show wielded some impressive hit-show-making weapons.

By the year 2019, according to the show’s premise, the sea would represent a major component of global resources—and a vulnerable one, thanks to man’s sometimes not-so-gentle use of the Earth. Underwater mining and farming were big business, and it was the job of the DSV sub to patrol the ocean depths, working to preserve peace and further scientific research. The SeaQuest operated under the auspices of the UEO—the United Earth Oceans—an international oceanographic governing organization. It all sounds very Star Trek—only underwater, instead of out in space.

Aided by Darwin, a talking bottlenose dolphin, the SeaQuest crew battled a series of underwater catastrophes in their effort to maintain a peaceful sea—mining colonies, pirates, terrorists, viruses, and sea creatures were just a few. At the end of the first season, the original vessel was destroyed off the coast of Australia, so a new, smaller version was built.

The SeaQuest vessel was captained by Nathan Bridger, played by Roy Scheider, who had worked with executive producer Steven Spielberg on Jaws. Bridger was an ex-military man who turned to science later in his career, and was then lured back to active duty when the UEO asked him to man the very sub he had designed years earlier. Ted Raimi, brother of Evil Dead director Sam Raimi, portrayed O’Neill, and the famous kin cast also included Dom Deluise’s sons Michael and Peter DeLuise.

For the third and final season, the series was re-christened SeaQuest 2032, and had jumped forward several years in timeframe (to 2032, to be exact). Scheider and other main players left the show, and Michael Ironside stepped in to command as Captain Oliver Hudson. Along with the high-profile stars, the show also booked guest appearances from members of sci-fi's elite: Michael “Logan’s Run” York, William “James T. Kirk” Shatner, and Charlton “you know who he is” Heston.

Fans still lament that this show’s writers and producers shuffled around as much as they did, and that its run was only three years. It hooked people early on, especially those eager for another fictional odyssey into the unknown. Jumping into the swimming pool and looking for mining colonies that aren’t there—well, it’s just not the same.

Release History of Prime Time Show

9/12/93 - 12/27/95 NBC

TV Sub Categories

drama
sci-fi/fantasy

Television Network

NBC

Television Studio

Universal TV

TV Cast

Capt. Nathan Bridger (1993-95) Roy Scheider
Capt. Oliver Hudson (1995-96) Michael Ironside
Cmdr. Jonathan Ford Don Franklin
Lucas Wolenczak Jonathan Brandis
Lt. Tim O'Neill Ted Raimi
UEO Secretary General Thomas McGath Michael Costello
Lt. Cmdr. Katie Hitchcock (1993-94) Stacy Haiduk
Lt. Benjamin Krieg (1993-94) John D'Aquino
Chief Manilow Crocker (1993-94) Royce D. Applegate
Sensor Chief Miguel Ortiz (1993-95) Marco Sanchez
Dr. Kristin Westphalen (1993-94) Stephanie Beacham
Chief Shan (1993-94) Dustin Nguyen
Lt. Lonnie Henderson (1994-96) Kathy Evison
Lt. James Brody (1994-96) Edward Kerr
Seaman Tony Piccolo (1994-96) Michael DeLuise
Dagwood (1994-96) Peter DeLuise
Dr. Wendy Smith (1994-95) Rosalind Allen
Lt. J.J. Fredricks (1995-96) Elise Neal
Darwin (voice) Frank Welker

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