REVIEW: ‘Exception’ Offers An Intriguing Sci-Fi Journey

Exception Season 1 is a CGI-animated sci-fi series on Netflix from Tatsunoko Production and Studio 5. In the future, humanity has acquired the means to traverse the stars in hyperspace. But there is a catch. Nothing living can survive the journey. So, in order to prepare an alien world for a colonization ship that holds a crew in suspended animation as they make the long trip through normal space, humanity sends out a scout ship with the ability to “print” people ahead of them. These prints are duplicates of colonists heading for the planet, sharing memories and feelings with their predecessors they are both the same and unique from them. But when an error occurs with one of the prints, the entire mission is suddenly put into jeopardy.

Like so much science fiction before it, Exception Season 1 uses its unique scenario to question how we view life, its value, and ourselves. The plight of these reprinted people and the decisions they are forced to make allow for some unique exploration of what makes us who we are. What value life has, particularly in light of the ability to just print another has been touched on before, but this series does a good job of placing some interesting twists into the question.

As Exception Season 1‘s narrative takes shape, a mystery quickly develops aboard the ship. The “who-dun-it” that occupies the middle stretch of this series is well crafted and left me guessing for a solid amount of time before the answers were revealed. Once the secret is uncovered, the series sheds most of its previous trappings for an action-filled finale as the crew must try to survive the results of the show’s previous plot lines.

This shifting focus is handled far better than I would’ve expected it to. Rather than creating a fractured feeling to its narrative, the story manages to shift its focus smoothly enough that the changes in focus and tone feel natural. This keeps the series feeling fresh for the entirety of its eight episodes.

Another strong aspect of Exception Season 1 is its voice acting. With numerous cast members who viewers are sure to recognize, the talent here delivers as skillfully as their portfolios would suggest. But to me, the stand-out star is Ali Hillis( Liara T’Soni Mass Effect). Her delivery of the ship’s medical officer Nina provides the most nuanced voice as the crew navigates the turbulent waters the story throws at them.

The biggest shortcoming of this series is far and away its visuals. I don’t care for any of the character designs, and the animation is generally fairly stiff. No element was ever so bad that it ruined moments for me, but a better art style could’ve greatly enhanced this show.

Exception Season 1 delivers a strong narrative that explores a unique science fiction scenario propelled by a top-notch voice cast. While its visual presentation leaves a bit to be desired if the other elements of the series intrigue you, I would not let this shortcoming stop you from checking this series out.

Exception Season 1 is streaming now on Netflix.