Beyond Westeros: George R.R. Martin’s Underrated Sci-Fi Series ‘Nightflyers’ deserves a Second Look
Despite the monumental success of Game of Thrones and the burgeoning anticipation for House of the Dragon, renowned author George R.R. Martin has crafted a diverse body of work often overshadowed by his fantasy epic. While adaptations of his novels have become cultural touchstones, few realize the extent of his ventures into other genres. Among these is Nightflyers, a sci-fi horror novella that received both a 1987 film adaptation and a 2018 television series on SYFY – a series that, despite its cancellation after a single season, remains a compelling and often overlooked piece of Martin’s oeuvre.
Nightflyers is rooted in Martin’s “Thousand Worlds” science fiction universe, but differs substantially from the meticulously detailed world-building of A Song of Ice and Fire. The original novella,a concise 88 pages,presents a bleak narrative where all but one of the characters meet a gruesome end. The SYFY series, tho, expands upon this foundation, drawing inspiration from a range of horror classics. The influence of authors like H.P. Lovecraft, as well as films such as Alien, the Exorcist, and, most notably, Event Horizon is readily apparent.
The series opens with a chilling scene reminiscent of The Shining, featuring Dr. Agatha Matheson (Gretchen Mol) broadcasting a desperate warning before taking her own life aboard the titular ship, the Nightflyer. The narrative then jumps back to 2039, establishing a backdrop of a resource-depleted Earth ravaged by a mysterious illness. A crew of scientists embarks on a mission aboard the Nightflyer to establish contact with the advanced alien race, the Volcryn, hoping for salvation. This crew includes Karl D’Branin (Eoin Mackin),haunted by personal tragedy; Captain Roy Eris (David Ajala),a detached holographic presence; genetically-enhanced Melantha Jhiri (Jodie Turner-Smith); and the telekinetic Thale (Sam Strike),tasked with communicating with the Volcryn.
throughout their journey, the crew experiences unsettling phenomena – D’Branin, for example, is visited by apparitions of his deceased daughter – initially attributed to Thale’s abilities. Though, they soon discover the Nightflyer itself is haunted, transforming the mission into a desperate fight for survival. While the “haunted house in space” element is arguably the series’ strongest suit, as argued by Collider, the show attempts to incorporate a multitude of genres. It blends hard sci-fi, space opera, body horror, and psychological thriller, sometimes to the detriment of a cohesive narrative.
the series expands upon Martin’s original story with elements not found in the novella, such as a “memory suite” allowing characters to explore their pasts. Themes of science versus faith,human hubris,and the unknown are also significantly developed within the series itself,a result of Martin’s limited involvement due to his exclusive deal with HBO. Though, the series dose retain one element familiar to fans of Martin’s work: a permissive attitude towards sexuality, described as “sexing” – a recreational activity akin to tennis, though thankfully devoid of familial implications.
Despite its deviations, Nightflyers shares core characteristics with Martin’s more celebrated works. Characters, regardless of their prominence, face the constant threat of sudden and brutal death – a nod to the fate of beloved characters like Ned Stark. Moreover,the series presents a morally ambiguous landscape,where characters operate in shades of gray,and optimism is a rare commodity. One character’s violent actions, as a notable example, are ultimately excused due to their potential usefulness. Furthermore, Martin’s “Thousand Worlds” universe proves as richly detailed and imaginative as the world of Westeros.
Ultimately, the series’ full potential remained untapped, cut short by cancellation in February 2019 after a cliffhanger ending. Nevertheless, Nightflyers stands as a fascinating and engaging watch, visually stunning and possessing a depth that surpasses many conventional sci-fi offerings – and, as some have suggested, even eclipsing other SYFY productions like Sharknado.
