The Premise:
If there’s hi-tech computer crime going on, Level 9 is the department to
take care of it. A secret government organization of ace hackers and detectives
works on cases which require a new level of policing. While some of the team
keep tabs on things via computer at home base, the rest are field
agents.
Background:
To add to its Sci-Fi programming, UPN decided to give the go-ahead to
Freedom, a story about a group of kick-ass mercenaries, and Level
9. While Freedom floundered quickly, Level 9 did so slowly,
but was pulled from the airwaves after a mere seven episodes. It was created by
John Sacret Young (VR.5) and also features former La Femme Nikita
scribe Peter M Lenkov among its producer/writers.
First Run:
Level 9 first hacked into transmission frequencies on October 27th
2000.
Number of Episodes: A half-season’s worth of
13. Only nine have ever been transmitted in the States.
The Good Guys:
Jack Wiley (Max Martini), wild card agent from another agency who is seconded
to Level 9; Annie Price (Kate Hodge), no-nonsense team leader and Level 9 head;
Sosh (Kim Murphy) and Jargon (Esteban Powell), the decrypting duo who tackle
advanced computer operations at home base; Roland Travis (Fabrizio Filippo,
alias Scott Hope from Buffy Season 3), wise-ass ex-con brought into
Level 9 for his hacking and infiltration skills; Wilbert ‘Tibbs’
Thibodeaux (Michael Kelly), Jerry Hooten (Romany Malco) and Joss Nakano (Susie
Park), field agents.
The Bad Guys:
Justin Malik – aka The Mailman, an expert hacker – although he’s
little threat after his second appearance. The major thorn in Level 9’s
side is hacker CrayZhorse, who is behind most of the plots they tackle but
remains elusive.
And
Isn’t That...
Carter’s dad from Stargate SG-1 (Carmen Argenziano) is in
the pilot episode, and genre favourite Willie Garson pops up a couple of times.
The equally ubiquitous Tucker Smallwood plays a pilot in the episode
Through the Looking Glass.
Overdone Clichés:
The show has little time to come up with any, but Travis getting out of his
depth and screwing up happens a fair bit. Wiley gets on the wrong side of Annie
most weeks as well.
Fashion Statements:
Geek-wear for the those who are never allowed to mix with real people, suits
for everyone else.
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