Editing SeaQuest DSV

{{Short description|American television series (1993–1996)}}
{{about|the TV series|the video game based on the series|seaQuest DSV (video game)}}
{{redirect|SeaQuest|the aquarium chain|SeaQuest (aquariums)|other uses}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2025}}
{{Lowercase title|italic=yes}}{{Use American English|date=January 2025}}
{{Infobox television
| italic_title       = no
| image              = seaQuestDSVMainTitle.jpg
| caption            = The ''seaQuest DSV'' main title
| runtime            = 45 minutes per episode
| genre              = [[Science fiction]]
| creator            = [[Rockne S. O'Bannon]]
| starring           = {{Plain list|
* [[Roy Scheider]]<ref>{{cite news|title= 'seaquest' Star Calls Series 'Junk'|work= Orlando Sentinel|url= https://www.orlandosentinel.com/1994/09/13/seaquest-star-calls-series-junk/|access-date= 2010-10-16|archive-date= June 12, 2011|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110612113204/http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/1994-09-13/news/9409130211_1_scheider-junk-seaquest|url-status= live}}</ref>
* [[Jonathan Brandis]]
* [[Stephanie Beacham]]
* [[Don Franklin]]
* [[Michael Ironside]]<ref>{{cite news|title= Down-to-earth 'seaquest'|work= Orlando Sentinel|url= https://www.orlandosentinel.com/1995/09/17/down-to-earth-seaquest/|access-date= 2010-10-16|archive-date= June 12, 2011|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110612110611/http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/1995-09-17/entertainment/9509150312_1_hasburgh-ironside-seaquest-2032|url-status= live}}</ref> }}
| composer           = {{Plain list|
* [[John Debney]] <small>(Season 1)</small>
* [[Don Davis (composer)|Don Davis]] <small>(Seasons 1 & 2)</small>
* [[Russ Landau|Russ Mitchell Landau]] <small>(Seasons 2 & 3)</small>
}}
| country            = United States
| language           = English
| num_seasons        = 3
| num_episodes       = 57
| list_episodes      = List of seaQuest DSV episodes
| executive_producer = {{Plain list|
*Rockne S. O'Bannon
*[[David J. Burke]]
*[[Steven Spielberg]]
*[[Patrick Hasburgh]]
*Clifton Campbell
*Tommy Thompson
*Robert Engels
}}
| producer           = {{Plain list|
*Steve Beers
*[[Gregg Fienberg]]
*Oscar L. Costo
}}
| camera             =
| company            = {{Plain list|
*[[Amblin Television]]
*[[Universal Television]]
}}
| network            = [[NBC]]<ref>{{cite news|title=Spielberg's 'seaQuest DSV' Sails to Sunday-Night Win|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1993-09-15-ca-35411-story.html|access-date=2010-10-16|first=Lee|last=Margulies|date=September 15, 1993|archive-date=November 2, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121102222529/http://articles.latimes.com/1993-09-15/entertainment/ca-35411_1_seaquest-dsv|url-status=live}}</ref>
| first_aired        = {{Start date|1993|09|12}}
| last_aired         = {{End date|1996|06|09}} 
}}

'''''SeaQuest DSV''''' (stylized as '''''seaQuest DSV''''' and also promoted as simply '''''seaQuest''''') is an American [[science fiction television]] series created by [[Rockne S. O'Bannon]] for [[NBC]]. It aired between 1993 and 1996. In its final season, it was renamed '''''seaQuest 2032'''''. Set in "the near future" (the year 2018 in the first season), ''seaQuest DSV'' originally mixed high drama with realistic scientific fiction.<ref>{{cite news|title= Lake Is Site Of Trial Of The Next Century|work= Orlando Sentinel|url= https://www.orlandosentinel.com/1994/10/27/lake-is-site-of-trial-of-the-next-century/|access-date= 2010-10-16|archive-date= September 5, 2012|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120905123807/http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/1994-10-27/news/9410270211_1_seaquest-dsv-deluise-edward-kerr|url-status= live}}</ref>  The first two seasons star [[Roy Scheider]] as [[Nathan Bridger|Captain Nathan Bridger]], designer and commander of the eponymous naval [[submarine]] ''seaQuest'' DSV 4600, the [[ship prefix]] standing for "[[deep-submergence vehicle]]".

[[Jonathan Brandis]] portrays [[Lucas Wolenczak]], a teenaged computer genius placed aboard ''seaQuest'' by his father, and [[Stephanie Beacham]] portrayed [[Kristin Westphalen]], the chief medical officer and head of the ''seaQuest'' science department. In the opening episode of the third season Bridger departed DSV 4600 and was replaced by [[Oliver Hudson (seaQuest 2032)|Captain Oliver Hudson]], played by [[Michael Ironside]]. Also present was a [[dolphin]] character called Darwin who, due to technological advances, was able to communicate with the crew. [[Steven Spielberg]] expressed interest in the project and served as one of the show's executive producers during the first two seasons.

Production of the first season was marked by disputes between the producers, NBC and cast members, changes in the production staff, and an [[1994 Northridge Earthquake|earthquake]]. The second season saw changes in the cast, as well as continued disputes between cast members and producers. The third season introduced a new lead actor and title. While initially popular, the series began to decline in ratings throughout its run and was abruptly canceled in the middle of its third season.<ref>{{cite news|title= Spielberg Sinks With 'Seaquest|publisher= [[Sun Sentinel]]|url= http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/1993-09-12/news/9309100892_1_family-dog-high-tech-submarine-seaquest|access-date= 2012-06-10|archive-date= February 3, 2013|archive-url= https://archive.today/20130203052050/http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/1993-09-12/news/9309100892_1_family-dog-high-tech-submarine-seaquest|url-status= dead}}</ref>

{{Quote_box|width=45%|align=Centre|"The twenty-first century. Mankind has colonized the last unexplored region on earth, the ocean. As captain of the ''seaQuest'' and its crew, we are its guardians. For beneath the surface lies the future."| - Opening Narration}}

==Overview==

===Season 1===
[[Image:season1cast.jpg|thumb|upright=1.2|The first season cast]]
The series follows the adventures of the high-tech submarine ''seaQuest'' DSV 4600, a [[deep-submergence vehicle]] operated by the United Earth Oceans Organization (UEO), a global coalition of up-world countries and undersea confederations, similar to the United Nations. The UEO was created following a major showdown of nations and confederations at the Livingston Trench in the [[North Atlantic Ocean]] that occurred circa 2018 as depicted in the pilot episode, "To Be Or Not to Be", and it remained a recurring element for the duration of the series.

The ''seaQuest'' was designed by retired naval captain Nathan Bridger and built by NORPAC (a military organization mentioned in the pilot) and given as a loan to the UEO after its creation. The storyline begins in the year 2018, after mankind has exhausted almost all [[natural resources]], except for the ones on the [[ocean floor]]. Many new colonies have been established there and it is the mission of the ''seaQuest'' and its crew to protect them from hostile nonaligned nations and to aid in mediating disputes as well as engage in undersea research, much of which was still in the preliminary stages when the show began production in 1993.

Bridger, though originally reluctant due to a promise he made with his wife after their son, Robert, was killed in a naval military action before her death, is convinced to return to the navy, under the auspices of the UEO, and assume command of the ''seaQuest''. The first season's storylines primarily dealt with plausible oceanographic research, environmental issues, political machinations of the world and the interpersonal relationships of the crew.

===Season 2===
[[Image:season2cropped.jpg|thumb|upright=1.2|The season two cast]]
In the [[Higher Power (seaQuest DSV)|first-season finale]], Bridger sacrifices the ''seaQuest'' to prevent an [[ecological disaster]] and for a short time it was not known if the show would be renewed for another season.<ref>{{cite news|title= Seaquest Mission: Find Safe Harbor|work= Orlando Sentinel|url= https://www.orlandosentinel.com/1994/09/17/seaquest-mission-find-safe-harbor/|access-date= 2010-10-16|archive-date= September 5, 2012|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120905124038/http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/1994-09-17/lifestyle/9409160412_1_roy-scheider-seaquest-hasburgh|url-status= live}}</ref> The series had suffered in the ratings, as it was pitted against ''[[Murder, She Wrote]]'' on [[CBS]] and ''[[Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman]]'' on [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]]. When it was decided the show would return, NBC and [[Universal Studios Television|Universal]] used this opportunity to change the show's format, beginning by relocating the show's production from [[Los Angeles]] to [[Orlando, Florida|Orlando]].

Several cast changes were also made as both [[Royce D. Applegate]] ([[Manilow Crocker|Chief Petty Officer Manilow Crocker]]) and [[John D'Aquino]] (Krieg) were released by NBC as the network wanted a younger cast for the second season. D'Aquino returned for a guest appearance in the third season. [[Stacy Haiduk]] (Hitchcock) informed producers that she did not wish to relocate to Orlando for the second season, having just returned to Los Angeles after spending four years in Florida during the production of ''[[Superboy (TV series)|The Adventures of Superboy]]''.<ref>"I didn't decide to leave the show... it was just mutual... I didn't really want to go to Florida... I spent three and a half years doing ''Superboy.''"—Stacy Haiduk interview, October 2012</ref> Stephanie Beacham, who as Dr. Westphalen was one of the first season's strongest characters, was also hesitant to relocate to Florida.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.simplystephaniebeacham.com/Articles/OK/1995/ok8-95.html |title=Welcome Home, Stephanie |publisher=simplystephanie.com (originally OK! Magazine) |date=August 1995 |access-date=2007-12-11 |archive-date=September 28, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070928101538/http://www.simplystephaniebeacham.com/Articles/OK/1995/ok8-95.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Beacham also blamed continued disputes between the network and the show's producers as a major reason why she did not return.

Joining the series for season two were [[Edward Kerr]] as [[Lieutenant James Brody]], ''seaQuest''{{'}}s weapons officer; [[Kathy Evison]] as [[Lonnie Henderson|Lieutenant Lonnie Henderson]], ship's helmsman; [[Rosalind Allen]] as [[Dr. Wendy Smith]], the boat's new chief medical officer; [[Michael DeLuise]] as [[Tony Piccolo (seaQuest DSV)|Seaman Anthony Piccolo]], an ex-convict who has [[genetically engineered]] [[gill]]s and [[Peter DeLuise]] as [[Dagwood (seaQuest DSV)|Dagwood]], a prototype genetically engineered life form (G.E.L.F. or "dagger"—a racial slur) who serves as ''seaQuest'''s custodian. As the ''seaQuest'' itself was rebuilt in the storyline, it allowed for the sets to be redesigned for the new Florida location and a shortened version of the [[Emmy award]] winning main title theme was instituted as the series returned to the airwaves on September 18, 1994 with the two-hour [[television movie]] season premiere, "[[Daggers (seaQuest DSV)|Daggers]]".

NBC and the show's producers also decided they wanted more traditionally science-fiction oriented episodes this season, a direction that was explored toward the end of the first season when ''seaQuest'' discovered a million-year-old alien ship entombed in the ocean floor in the episode "Such Great Patience". The second season explored heavy science-fiction concepts such as genetic engineering, aliens, [[parapsychology]], [[time travel]] and various "[[monsters of the week]]" (including killer plants, a giant fire-breathing worm, a prehistoric crocodile and an ancient demon.)

Roy Scheider was vocal in his anger at the show's new direction. In an interview given during the second season, Scheider averred: "It's childish trash... I am very bitter about it. I feel betrayed... It's (the new season) not even good fantasy. I mean, ''Star Trek'' does this stuff much better than we can do it. To me the show is now ''[[21 Jump Street]]'' meets ''Star Dreck''."<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/1994/09/13/seaquest-star-calls-series-junk/ |title=seaQuest Star Calls Series "Junk" |publisher=Orlando Sentinel |date=September 1994 |access-date=2011-08-13 |archive-date=June 12, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110612113204/http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/1994-09-13/news/9409130211_1_scheider-junk-seaquest |url-status=live }}</ref> Scheider felt the series had strayed too far away from its premise, and that he "became more of a combat commander than a scientific commander and I hadn't signed up for that."<ref>{{cite book |first=Diane C.|last=Kachmar |title=Roy Scheider: A Film Biography |publisher=McFarland |date=November 21, 2008 |page=162 |isbn=978-0786440597}}</ref>

Scheider added that after moving production to Florida, the show was "going to present human beings who had a life on land as well as on the boat... we've had one script that has done that (the episode '[[Vapors (seaQuest DSV)|Vapors]]')," Scheider said. "The other shows are Saturday afternoon 4 o'clock junk for children. Just junk—old, tired, time-warp robot crap," making reference to the much maligned episode "Playtime."<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/1994-09-14/lifestyle/9409140527_1_childish-trash-dsv-seaquest |title='seaQuest' Star Harpoons His Show |publisher=Orlando Sentinel |date=September 1994 |access-date=2012-05-23 |archive-date=May 29, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140529051406/http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/1994-09-14/lifestyle/9409140527_1_childish-trash-dsv-seaquest |url-status=dead }}</ref>

As Scheider explained, "I don't do this kind of stuff... I said (to the production executives), 'If I wanted to do the fourth generation of ''Star Trek'', I would have signed up for it. I wouldn't have done ''seaQuest''. You guys have changed it from handball into field hockey and never even bothered to talk to me.'"<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/1994/09/17/seaquest-mission-find-safe-harbor/ |title='seaQuest' Mission: Find Safe Harbor |publisher=Orlando Sentinel |date=September 1994 |access-date=2013-05-12 |archive-date=September 5, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120905124049/http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/1994-09-17/lifestyle/9409160412_1_roy-scheider-seaquest-hasburgh/2 |url-status=live }}</ref> Scheider's comments left him in trouble with some of the executive producers, including [[Patrick Hasburgh]] who, in reply, had strong words for Scheider as well: "I'm sorry he is such a sad and angry man. ''seaQuest'' is going to be a terrific show, and he is lucky to be part of it."<ref>TOTAL TV, October 1–7, 1994, Vol. 5, No. 36, p. A120.</ref>

By the end of season two, ''seaQuest DSV'' was again suffering, partly attributed to a perceived decrease in the quality of the writing as well as preemptions by NBC due to [[NBC Sports|sports coverage]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.firsttvdrama.com/neverf/never5.php3 |title=Never Forget! The Questor Tapes to Sliders |publisher=First TV Drama.com |access-date=2007-12-11 |archive-date=June 13, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070613022148/http://www.firsttvdrama.com/neverf/never5.php3 |url-status=live }}</ref> The possibility of cancellation appeared likely but NBC kept the show in production after plans for a new series titled ''Rolling Thunder'' to replace ''seaQuest DSV'' were canceled. Producer [[Lee Goldberg]] claimed the new series was canceled because the premise was "awful."<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://blogs.mediavillage.com/retro/archives/2005/10/lost_at_seaques.html |title=Herbie J's Retro Watercooler TV: Why Seaquest Sunk|author=Herbie J Pilato |authorlink=Herbie J Pilato |date=October 13, 2005 |access-date=2007-12-11 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071015233824/http://blogs.mediavillage.com/retro/archives/2005/10/lost_at_seaques.html <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date = October 15, 2007}}</ref> The season finale, written as a possible series finale, involved the ''seaQuest'' and its crew being abducted by aliens and forced into a civil war on an alien world where the ship appeared to be destroyed and the crew presumed dead.

===Season 3===
{{quote box|align=right|width=30em|The world is not a nice place, it's not comfortable...corporate entities have grown to the point where they rival and sometimes are more powerful than actual national governments. UEO is not the big kid on the block anymore, ''seaQuest'' is no longer state of the art; it's a boat and it's a military vehicle and I'm going to take it places it has never been before|[[Michael Ironside]], in an interview promoting season three}}
Blaming continued disputes with producers and abandonment of the show's original premise, Roy Scheider requested to be released from his contract with NBC. However, the network only partially agreed and demanded that Bridger would make several appearances throughout the third season. Edward Kerr had been very frustrated with the episode entitled "Alone" (Reportedly, Kerr hated the script so much that he left the set. Brody is absent from that episode)<ref name="sweb.cz">{{Cite web |url=http://www.edward-kerr.com/ed-kerr-faq.html#43 |title=Edward Kerr – FAQ |access-date=February 17, 2012 |archive-date=January 31, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120131024939/http://www.edward-kerr.com/ed-kerr-faq.html#43 |url-status=live }}</ref> and also wished to exit the series in the third season, which is why his character was critically injured in the season finale, "[[Splashdown (seaQuest DSV)|Splashdown]]".<ref name="sweb.cz"/>

NBC would only agree to release him from his contract if he continued to play Brody for a few episodes in the third season so his character could be killed off for more dramatic impact in the episode "SpinDrift".<ref name="sweb.cz"/> Because of rescheduling, the episode "Brainlock", with Brody still alive, aired after the character's death. [[Rosalind Allen]] was released as Dr. Smith proved to be unpopular with the audience and because producers felt that her character's telepathic abilities would not fit with the more serious tone planned for the new season.

[[Marco Sanchez]] ([[Miguel Ortiz (seaQuest DSV)|Chief Petty Officer Miguel Ortiz]]), who had requested to remain with the series, was also released after NBC decided it wanted the principal cast number dropped from ten to nine, leaving [[Jonathan Brandis]] ([[Lucas Wolenczak]]), [[Don Franklin]] ([[Commander Jonathan Ford]]), and [[Ted Raimi]] ([[Tim O'Neill (seaQuest)|Lieutenant Tim O'Neill]]) as the only three cast members who remained with the show since the first episode. The marine trivia presentations at the end of the show, formerly hosted by [[oceanographer]] [[Bob Ballard|Dr. Bob Ballard]] in the season one and the main cast excluding Scheider in season two, were dropped entirely. The show itself was renamed to ''seaQuest 2032'', with the storyline pushed ahead ten years after the end of season two.

[[Image:season3cropped.jpg|thumb|The season three cast]]
In [[Brave New World (seaQuest 2032)|the season premiere]], the ''seaQuest'' reappears on Earth, its crew mostly intact, ten years after their abduction at the end of season two. Captain Bridger retires to raise his new grandson and [[Michael Ironside]] joins the cast as the more militaristic [[Oliver Hudson (seaQuest 2032)|Captain Oliver Hudson]]. Originally, Ironside refused to take over from Scheider as star of the series. "I saw so many problems that I couldn't see where I'd be able to do the work I wanted to do." claimed Ironside.<ref>{{cite news|title= Michael Ironside takes helm of reborn 'seaQuest 2032'|work= [[The Associated Press]]|url= https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1960&dat=19951011&id=oqVGAAAAIBAJ&sjid=2OgMAAAAIBAJ&pg=1156,2799867|access-date= 2012-07-16|archive-date= December 20, 2022|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20221220235219/https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1960&dat=19951011&id=oqVGAAAAIBAJ&sjid=2OgMAAAAIBAJ&pg=1156,2799867|url-status= live}}</ref>  Also considered for the lead of the series was actor [[Jonathan Banks]], who had previously appeared in the first season episode "Whale Songs" as radical environmentalist Maximilian Scully.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://blogs.mediavillage.com/retro/archives/2005/10/lost_at_seaques.html |title=Herbie J's Retro Watercooler TV: Why Seaquest Sunk|author=Herbie J Pilato |date=October 13, 2005 |access-date=2007-12-11 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071015233824/http://blogs.mediavillage.com/retro/archives/2005/10/lost_at_seaques.html <!-- Bot retrieved archive --> |archive-date = October 15, 2007}}</ref>

After weeks of negotiations where Ironside offered producers a number of changes to the storytelling structure of the series, which were agreed upon, he finally signed on. "You won't see me fighting any man-eating glowworms, rubber plants, 40-foot crocodiles and I don't talk to Darwin." he said. Though not cast as the new lead of the series, Jonathan Banks reprised his character of Scully in the third season. Also joining the cast was [[Elise Neal]] as [[J.J. Fredericks|Lieutenant J.J. Fredericks]], who served as ''seaQuest'''s sub-fighter pilot.<ref name="Orlando Sentinel">{{cite news|title= After Long, Steady Dive In Ratings, 'Seaquest' Is Deep-sixed By Nbc|work= Orlando Sentinel|url= https://www.orlandosentinel.com/1995/11/17/after-long-steady-dive-in-ratings-seaquest-is-deep-sixed-by-nbc/|access-date= 2010-10-16|archive-date= September 5, 2012|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120905123821/http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/1995-11-17/news/9511171002_1_seaquest-2032-florida-crew-central-florida|url-status= live}}</ref>

Steering story lines back towards more reality-based themes, the third season attempted to blend the sense of the first season with some of the unique elements of the second season, while at the same time, pushing forward in an entirely new direction altogether as the UEO faces the threat of the Macronesian Alliance and the ever growing corporate conglomerate Deon International. The series was perceived as becoming much darker than it was in the previous two seasons, focusing less on science (as it had in the first season) and science fiction (as it had in the second season) and more on international politics. While these changes were met with mostly positive reactions, ratings continued to decline and NBC canceled the series after thirteen episodes.<ref name="Orlando Sentinel"/>  The 57th and final network airing of ''seaQuest 2032'' took place on June 9, 1996.

==Cast==

===Main===
{{Main|List of seaQuest characters}}

====Season 1====

*[[Roy Scheider]] as [[Nathan Bridger|Captain Nathan Bridger]] (47 episodes)
*[[Jonathan Brandis]] as [[Lucas Wolenczak]]<ref>{{cite news|title=Seaquest Sends Sos For Livelier Season|work=Chicago Tribune|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/1995/06/23/seaquest-sends-sos-for-livelier-season/|access-date=2010-10-16|first=Ian|last=Spelling|date=June 23, 1995|archive-date=June 13, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110613005016/http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1995-06-23/entertainment/9506230345_1_lucas-wolenczak-seaquest-patrick-hasburgh|url-status=live}}</ref> (57 episodes)
*[[Stephanie Beacham]] as [[Kristin Westphalen|Dr. Kristin Westphalen]] (22 episodes)
*[[Stacy Haiduk]] as [[Katherine Hitchcock|Lieutenant Commander Katherine Hitchcock]] (23 episodes)
*[[Don Franklin]] as [[Commander Jonathan Ford]] (56 episodes)
*[[John D'Aquino]] as [[Benjamin Krieg|Lieutenant Benjamin Krieg]] (22 episodes)
*[[Royce D. Applegate]] as [[Manilow Crocker|CPO Manilow Crocker]] (22 episodes)
*[[Ted Raimi]] as [[Tim O'Neill (seaQuest)|Lieutenant Tim O'Neill]] (54 episodes)
*[[Marco Sanchez]] as [[Miguel Ortiz (seaQuest DSV)|CPO Miguel Ortiz]] (40 episodes)
*[[Frank Welker]] as voice of [[Darwin (seaQuest DSV)|Darwin]]
*[[Robert Ballard|Dr. Bob Ballard]] as himself, marine trivia during credits

====Season 2====

*[[Rosalind Allen]] as [[Dr. Wendy Smith]] (19 episodes)
*[[Edward Kerr]] as [[Lieutenant James Brody]] (26 episodes)
*[[Michael DeLuise]] as [[Tony Piccolo (seaQuest DSV)|Seaman Anthony Piccolo]] (33 episodes)
*[[Kathy Evison]] as [[Lonnie Henderson|Lieutenant Lonnie Henderson]] (32 episodes)
*[[Peter DeLuise]] as [[Dagwood (seaQuest DSV)|Dagwood]] (31 episodes)

====Season 3====

*[[Michael Ironside]] as [[Oliver Hudson (seaQuest 2032)|Captain Oliver Hudson]]<ref>{{cite news|title= Seaquest Is Back With A New Skipper|work= Chicago Tribune|url= https://www.chicagotribune.com/1995/09/16/seaquest-is-back-with-a-new-skipper/|access-date= 2010-10-16|date= September 16, 1995|archive-date= June 12, 2012|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120612025427/http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1995-09-16/entertainment/9509160061_1_seaquest-patrick-hasburgh-jonathan-brandis|url-status= live}}</ref> (13 episodes)
*[[Elise Neal]] as [[J.J. Fredericks|Lieutenant J.J. Fredericks]] (10 episodes)

===Recurring===<!--If we don't have a source to state that they are recurring, then place them here. -->
{{Main|List of recurring characters on seaQuest DSV}}
{{div col}}
*[[Shelley Hack]] as Captain Marilyn Stark 
*[[Richard Herd]] as Admiral/Secretary General William Noyce
*[[W. Morgan Sheppard]] as "The Old Man", Professor Martinson
*[[Dustin Nguyen]] as [[Chief Petty Officer|CPO]] William Shan
*Jesse Doran as General Francis Gideon Thomas
*[[Kent McCord]] as Commander Scott Keller
*[[Robert Engels]] as Malcolm Lansdowne
*[[Mark Fauser]] as Weapons Officer Dalton Phillips
*[[Timothy Omundson]] as Dr. Joshua Levin
*[[Dan Hildebrand]] as Helmsman Carleton
*[[Roscoe Lee Browne]] as Dr. Raleigh Young
*Sarah Koskoff as Julianna
*[[Denis Arndt]] as Navy Quartermaster Bickle
*[[James Shigeta]] as Montegnard Confederation President Chi
*[[Jonathan Banks]] as Maximilian Scully
*Michael Costello as Secretary General McGath
*[[Sam Sorbo|Sam Jenkins]] as Mariah
*[[Mark Hamill]] as Tobias LeConte
*[[Karen Fraction]] as Dr. Perry
*[[Michael York]] as President Alexander Bourne of Macronesia<ref>{{cite news|title= A More Reality-based 'Seaquest' Begins Filming Tuesday|work= Orlando Sentinel|url= https://www.orlandosentinel.com/1995/07/16/a-more-reality-based-seaquest-begins-filming-tuesday/|access-date= 2010-10-16|archive-date= September 5, 2012|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120905123954/http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/1995-07-16/news/9507150650_1_hasburgh-michael-ironside-seaquest|url-status= live}}</ref>
*[[Andrew Stahl]] as General Stassi
*[[Tim DeKay]] as Larry Deon
*[[Ralph Wilcox (actor)|Ralph Wilcox]] as Mason Freeman
*[[Patricia Charbonneau]] as Elaine Morse
{{div col end}}

==Episodes==
{{Main|List of seaQuest DSV episodes}}
{{:List of seaQuest DSV episodes}}

During the first and second seasons, NBC aired the show on Sundays at 8:00&nbsp;p.m. [[Eastern Time Zone|Eastern Time]]; however, the series was frequently preempted in the second season in favor of [[NBC Sports]] coverage. During the third season, NBC moved the show to Wednesdays at 8:00&nbsp;p.m. ET; ''seaQuest'' continued to face frequent preemptions in favor of sports coverage and other television specials. Several of the show's producers, including Carleton Eastlake, believe these preemptions led to the show's cancellation.

After cancellation, the series aired on the [[Syfy|Sci-Fi Channel]] in the United States, [[Horror Channel]] in the UK, [[Space: The Imagination Station]] in Canada and [[Network Ten]] in [[Australia]].

==Production==
In October 1992, it was announced [[NBC]] had given a 22-episode order to ''Sea Quest'' which was co-created by [[Rockne S. O'Bannon]] and [[Steven Spielberg]].<ref name="UTVSeaquestVar">{{cite news|url=https://variety.com/1992/tv/news/u-tv-ups-deal-making-pace-101080/|title=   U TV ups deal-making pace   |publisher=Variety|access-date=February 16, 2024}}</ref> The budget for the first season was estimated to be around $30 million with [[Universal Television]]'s televisions ambitions for the series being to serve as part of a larger [[Media franchise|multimedia franchise]]<ref name="SpielbergSeaquestVar">{{cite news|url=https://variety.com/1993/voices/columns/spielberg-on-quest-to-bring-big-prod-n-to-small-screen-1117862159/|title=    Spielberg on 'Quest' to bring big prod'n to small screen   |publisher=Variety|access-date=February 16, 2024}}</ref> Spielberg had been friends with [[Roy Scheider]] since he starred in ''[[Jaws (film)|Jaws]]'' and was instrumental in getting him as the lead in the series with Scheider saying of the experience "“It’s the best part offered me this year. If it gets to be half as good as it reads — it will be wonderful. It’s time for a show like this on TV.<ref name="SpielbergSeaquestVar" />

During development, the original title for the series was ''Deep Space'', though this was changed after the announcement of ''[[Star Trek: Deep Space Nine]]''.<ref>Chunovic, Louis, ''seaQuest DSV: The Official Publication of the Series'', p. 12, 1994, {{ISBN|0-7522-0978-7}})</ref>

Roy Scheider's character was based on [[John C. Lilly]] and Bob Ballard, who was also the technical advisor for the series in the first season. Lilly was a pioneer researcher into the nature of consciousness using as his principal tools the isolation tank, dolphin communication and psychedelic drugs, sometimes in combination.  He was a prominent member of the Californian counterculture of scientists, mystics and thinkers that arose in the late 1960s and early 1970s. [[Albert Hofmann]], [[Gregory Bateson]], [[Ram Dass]], [[Timothy Leary]], [[Werner Erhard]], and [[Richard Feynman]] were all frequent visitors to his home. The character's name, [[Nathan Hale Bridger]], was in homage to [[Nathan Hale]].

When producers began developing new characters for the second season, they named Lieutenant Brody after Police Chief Martin Brody, Roy Scheider's character in the first two ''[[Jaws (film)|Jaws]]'' films.<ref>{{cite book |first=Diane C.|last=Kachmar |title=Roy Scheider: A Film Biography |publisher=McFarland |date=November 21, 2008 |page=154 |isbn=978-0786440597}}</ref> Ralph Willcox and Karen Fraction, who both became recurring guest stars in the third season, had previously appeared as different characters in the second. Despite the numerous cast changes, Jonathan Brandis appeared in every episode of the series, Don Franklin in all but one episode ("And Everything Nice"), and Ted Raimi in all but two episodes ("Nothing But The Truth" and "The Siamese Dream").

Several of the cast's family members were brought in to play characters, as well. Brenda King, Roy Scheider's wife, portrayed Carol Bridger; Todd Allen, Rosalind Allen's husband, portrayed Clay Marshall in "The Siamese Dream"; Michael and Peter DeLuise's father, veteran actor [[Dom DeLuise]], portrayed Nick Piccolo in "[[Vapors (seaQuest DSV)|Vapors]]". Several cast members also dabbled on the creative side of the show, as both Ted Raimi and Jonathan Brandis penned episodes during the second season. (Brandis wrote the aforementioned "The Siamese Dream" and Raimi, "[[Lostland (seaQuest DSV)|Lostland]]".) Conversely, Robert Engels, one of the show's executive producers (and writer of two episodes, "[[Greed For a Pirate's Dream (seaQuest DSV)|Greed For a Pirate's Dream]]" and "[[Hide and Seek (seaQuest DSV)|Hide and Seek]]") during the first season, portrayed the recurring character [[List of recurring characters on seaQuest DSV#Malcolm Lansdowne|Malcolm Lansdowne]].

While in production, ''seaQuest DSV'' won and was nominated for a number of awards. [[John Debney]] won the 1994 [[Emmy Award|Emmy]] for "Outstanding Individual Achievement in Main Title Theme Music" for his composition of the ''seaQuest DSV'' theme song and in 2000, it was named the 48th best theme song of all time by [[TV Guide]]. [[Don Davis (composer)|Don Davis]] also won an Emmy in 1995 for "Outstanding Individual Achievement in Music Composition for a Series" (Dramatic Underscore) for his score for the second season premiere, "Daggers". [[Russ Mitchell Landau]] was also nominated for his work on the third season premiere, "Brave New World", in 1996. Kenneth D. Zunder was nominated for the Emmy award for "Outstanding Individual Achievement in Cinematography for a Series" for the episode "Such Great Patience". Jonathan Brandis won the 1994 Young Artist Award for "Best Youth Actor Leading Role in a Television Series" for his portrayal of Lucas Wolenczak and the series was nominated for a 1994 [[ASC Award]] for "Outstanding Achievement in Cinematography in Movies of the Week/Pilots" as well as the [[Saturn Award]] for "Best Genre Television Series" in 1995.

A ''seaQuest DSV'' feature film was in pre-production stages, however, it never materialized.<ref>[http://jonathanbrandis.piranho.de/interviewschatsb2.html Transcript of "INTERVIEW WITH JONATHAN BRANDIS BY AOL." Originally 1996] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080131094642/http://jonathanbrandis.piranho.de/interviewschatsb2.html |date=January 31, 2008 }} Retrieved February 15, 2008</ref>

Despite being scripted in at least one episode, Captain Bridger never refers to Dagwood by name. The closest he ever got was calling him "Dag" in the episodes "[[Special Delivery (seaQuest DSV)|Special Delivery]]" and "The Siamese Dream".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.newcapequest.com/ncq/index.php?name=ForumsPro&file=viewtopic&t=842|title=Script changes in "Special Delivery"|access-date=2014-10-06}}</ref>

Despite popular belief, Darwin was not a real dolphin but rather an [[animatronics|animatronic]] animal designed and created by [[Walt Conti]], who had created other similar effects for films such as ''[[Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home]]'', ''[[The Abyss]]'' and ''[[Free Willy]].'' Alien creature effects were designed and created by [[Tony Gardner (designer)|Tony Gardner]]'s [[Alterian, Inc.]]

==Home media==
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! rowspan="2"|Title
! rowspan="2"|Ep #
! colspan="6"|[[SeaQuest DSV#Home media|DVD release date]]
|-
!Region 1
!Discs
!Region 2
!Discs
!Region 4
!Discs
|-
|align="center"| Season One
|align="center"| 23
|align="center"| December 26, 2005
|align="center"| 4
|align="center"| November 20, 2006
|align="center"| 6
|align="center"| December 5, 2006
|align="center"| 6
|-
|align="center"| Season Two
|align="center"| 21
|align="center"| January 1, 2008
|align="center"| 8
|align="center"| March 31, 2008
|align="center"| 8
|align="center"| August 20, 2008
|align="center"| 8
|-
|align="center"| Season Three
|align="center"| 13
|align="center"| TBA
|align="center"| TBA
|align="center"| TBA
|align="center"| TBA
|align="center"| October 5, 2011
|align="center"| 4
|}

In 2005, Universal announced that the first season of ''seaQuest DSV'' would be released on [[DVD region code#1|Region 1]] DVD along with a week-long marathon of the show on the [[Syfy|Sci Fi Channel]]. The DVD release included never before seen deleted scenes on selected episodes. The second season was released in 2008 in region 1. As opposed to the first season, the second season was released on eight single-sided discs and does not contain any extra features such as deleted scenes. The third season was not released on DVD in region 1 but was released in [[DVD region code#4|Region 4]] in 2011.

On December 12, 2015, the Australian DVD label [[ViaVision]], through its distributor [[Madman Entertainment|Madman]] Distribution, released season 1 on [[Blu-ray]] in full [[1080p]] [[High-definition video|High definition]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.madman.com.au/catalogue/view/34982/seaquest-the-complete-season-1-blu-ray|title=Seaquest: The Complete Season 1 (Blu Ray)|website=Madman Entertainment|access-date=2016-01-17|archive-date=January 29, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160129131532/http://www.madman.com.au/catalogue/view/34982/seaquest-the-complete-season-1-blu-ray|url-status=live}}</ref> Although presented in 1080p, the program is presented [[Pillarbox]]ed to maintain the original [[Aspect ratio (image)#4:3 standard|4:3 aspect ratio]]. Season 2 was released on Blu-ray on March 2, 2016.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ezydvd.com.au/blu-ray/seaquest-season-2/dp/6171798#bc=b834|title=Seaquest: Season 2|website=EzyDVD|access-date=2016-01-17|archive-date=January 13, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160113064653/http://www.ezydvd.com.au/blu-ray/seaquest-season-2/dp/6171798#bc=b834|url-status=live}}</ref> On April 15, 2020, selected episodes were made available on the early preview of the streaming service [[Peacock (streaming service)|Peacock]],available to [[Xfinity]] subscribers with qualifying devices.

On May 6, 2019 Mediumrare Entertainment released the complete series on DVD in Region 2 however two episodes are missing, 'Dagger Redux' and 'The Siamese Dream' instead two episodes from the previous disc are overlapped in their place. Despite this, the correct episode titles are listed in the DVD menu.

Mill Creek Entertainment announced the complete series of SeaQuest DSV on Blu-ray was released on July 19, 2022.

==Merchandise==

*A short series of novels based on the characters and concepts depicted on ''seaQuest DSV'' were available during the first season of the show.  They were:
**''seaQuest DSV: The Novel'' (a novelization of the [[To Be or Not to Be (seaQuest DSV)|pilot episode]]) by [[Diane Duane]] and [[Peter Norwood]].  Published October 1993.  {{ISBN|978-0-441-00037-1}}
**''seaQuest DSV: Fire Below'' by Matthew J. Costello. Published January 1994.  {{ISBN|0-441-00039-8}}
**''seaQuest DSV: The Ancient'' by David Bischoff. Published March 1994.  {{ISBN|0-441-00042-8}}
*Nemesis Comics published one issue of a ''seaQuest DSV'' comic book in March 1994. It contained a 23-page original story titled ''Deep Faith'', blueprints for the Renegade submarine and for the seaQuest bridge, and two one-page "Logbook" character bios for Captain Bridger and Dr. Westphalen. The cover for the planned second issue was included on the final page of Issue #1, but it was ultimately never published.
*[[seaQuest DSV (video game)|A video game]] was released for the [[Super Nintendo Entertainment System|Super NES]], [[Game Boy]], and [[Sega Genesis|Genesis]] consoles in 1994.
*A series of [[action figures]] designed by [[Playmates Toys]] were released in 1993. Captain Bridger, Commander Ford, Lucas Wolenczak, Lt. Commander Hitchcock, Lieutenant O'Neill, Chief Crocker, Darwin, Dr. Rubin Zellar, and The Regulator were released as part of wave one. Additional characters such as Dr. Westphalen, Chief Ortiz, and Lieutenant Krieg and a Darwin with sound effects were planned as part of wave two, but they were never released. Additionally, prototypes of the ''seaQuest'', the Delta 4 Pirate sub, the ''Stinger'', a seaLaunch, and a Deep Sea Mini Pickup, all with electronic lights and sounds, are known to exist but were not released.
*A series of [[trading cards]] produced by [[SkyBox International|SkyBox]] were released in 1993, depicting characters, scenes, and episodes from the first season. It consisted of 100 standard trading cards, plus four foil chase cards and two promotional cards.
*Various models were produced by [[Monogram models|Monogram]], including the ''seaQuest'', a Deep Sea Mini Pickup, ''The Stinger'', and Darwin (actually a remolded [[Flipper (1963 film)|Flipper]]) were released.
*Various pieces of clothing, including T-shirts, baseball caps, and embroidered patches of the ''seaQuest'' and UEO logos (replicas of the ones used on the show) were released.
*A non-fictional large format book was released in the UK during the first season, titled ''seaQuest DSV: The Official Publication of the Series''. It contained comprehensive interviews and production information, artwork, and design histories, as well as a production report of the episode "Hide and Seek". (Published October 1994.  {{ISBN|0-752-20978-7}})
Other merchandise made available included a shot glass in cobalt blue with gold logo, key chains and pins, a book cover, 'magic rocks' sets, journal, and a set of bookmarks.

===Soundtrack album===

{{Infobox album
| italic_title = no
| name         = seaQuest DSV
| type         = soundtrack
| artist       = [[John Debney]]
| cover        =
| alt          =
| released     = 1995 (initial release), 2020 (Deluxe Edition)
| recorded     = [[Universal City Studios]], Stage 10
| venue        =
| studio       =
| genre        = Soundtrack
| length       = 29:46 (original release); 131:28 (Deluxe Edition)
| label        = [[Varèse Sarabande]]
| producer     = [[John Debney]]<br/>Philip Neel
| prev_title   =
| prev_year    =
| next_title   =
| next_year    =
}}

[[John Debney]] composed the original theme music and scored the pilot and season one shows, with [[Don Davis (composer)|Don Davis]] working on season two. When the series was revamped as ''SeaQuest 2032'' in the final season, [[Russ Landau]] composed a new theme and scored all the episodes. In 1995, [[Varèse Sarabande]] released an album of Debney's music from the show, featuring the series main and end title themes and selections from "To Be or Not to Be" (tracks 2-8), "Knight of Shadows" (tracks 9 and 10) and "Such Great Patience" (tracks 11-13). In 2020, the label released a 2-CD expansion, with music from "To Be or Not to Be" on disc 1. Disc 2 contained music from the season one episodes “Brothers And Sisters” (tracks 1-7), “Knight Of Shadows” (8-11), “The Regulator” (12-14), “The Good Death” (15-23), “Such Great Patience” (24-31) and “The Devil's Window” (track 32).

====1995 album====
# Main Title (1:03)
# Preparing for Battle (2:51)
# Bridger's Dream (:52)
# Uncharted Waters (2:06)
# First Engagement (3:18)
# Darwin Speaks (:58)
# Dangerous Adversary (1:34)
# To Adventures Bold (1:31)
# Waltz With the Dead (2:48)
# The Forgiving/Resurrection (4:53)
# The Discovery (2:15)
# Lucas Meets the Alien (2:30)
# Solemn Oath (2:26)
# End Credits (:37)

====2020 Deluxe Edition====
''CD 1'': "To Be or Not to Be"
# SeaQuest Opening Credits (3:29)
# SeaQuest Arrives (4:01)
# Military Welcome (:37)
# To The Island	(1:30)
# Come See Her	(1:38)
# seaQuest (3:32)
# Playon To SeaQuest (:37)
# Hitchcock Retreats (1:50)
# Darwin Speaks (:59)
# Stark Prepares (1:02)
# Act In To SeaQuest (:46)
# Transition (:34)
# Attack Formation (2:48)
# At The Precipice / Into The Rift (7:48)
# Stark Plots (:42)
# Damage Assessment (:52)
# Hyper-Probe (2:05)
# Impending Battle / Play On (1:51)
# Bridger Returns (2:42)
# Battle Stations (2:50)
# Caught (1:21)
# To The Bottom Of The Sea / A Tag To Bonnie The Bad Girl (6:57)
# To The Ocean (4:15)
# SeaQuest: End Credits	(:57)
# SeaQuest Opening (alternate version with Choir mixed down) (1:45)
# SeaQuest (alternate version)  (1:36)

''CD 2'': Season One Highlights
# SeaQuest Series Promo (2:33)
# Of Treasures In The Deep (1:14)
# The Discovery (1:41)
# Mind Meld #2 (1:23)
# Big Tension (3:38)
# Exploring The Depot (1:30)
# Saying Goodbye (2:40)
# Into The Ghost Ship (1:43)
# The Possession Of Kristini (2:47)
# Lukas Confronts Captain (3:14)
# The Forgiving (4:51)
# Vern Leaves (2:09)
# Monkey Fish (1:42)
# Inside Us All (:56)
# Attacked (1:12)
# Cynthia (1:20)
# Drug Store (1:38)
# Narrow Escape (1:57)
# The Plan (1:41)
# Close Call (3:31)
# The Escape (4:21)
# Darwin Save Malik (1:03)
# Cheo Checkmate (1:08)
# Discovery (2:14)
# Of Gods And Astronauts (2:28)
# Encounter (1:44)
# Wolf In The Fold (1:37)
# Intruder (4:28)
# Communication (2:29)
# Understanding/Possible Pickup (4:31)
# Invitation Extended (2:26)
# SeaQuest: End Credits (:35)

==See also==
* [[List of underwater science fiction works]]

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20060908221225/http://www.spacecast.com/shows_Seaquest.aspx "seaQuest DSV" at spacecast.com] Canadian science-fiction channel's show page
*{{IMDb title|0106126}}

{{SeaQuest DSV|state=uncollapsed}}
{{EmmyAward MainTitleThemeMusic}}
{{Steven Spielberg}}

{{authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:seaquest DSV}}
[[Category:SeaQuest DSV| ]]
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