3rd Rock from the Sun (1996) Season 1 Review

The Turner's Late 90's Alien-Infused Sitcom Struggled to Find Its Footing Early on...

Synopsis: This 1996 NBC Sitcom was created by Bonnie and Terry Turner (That 70’ Show, SNL) and focused on a group of four aliens coming to Earth (disguised as humans) to fulfill the vague mission of “studying human life forms.” Starring John Lithgow as Dick Solomon, Kristen Johnson as Sally Solomon, Joseph Gordon Levitt as Tommy Solomon, French Stewart as Harry Solomon, and Jane Curtin as Dr. Mary Albright.

Season One Highlight: Episode 20, “See Dick Run”

-It is indicative of how “late-blooming” this first season of “3rd Rock From the Sun” was that the best episode, in this writer’s opinion, was the season finale. Tying together the major plot points of the season nicely (Dick and Mary’s relationship took center stage, and rightfully so), the finale accomplished its goal without going overboard - something the show struggled with from the pilot. Moreover, we even get a tad of a cliffhanger as the Dick Solomon we have grown to love and adore is captured and replaced by a meaner, slicker, and more calculating…well…Dick Solomon. In one of his finer acting performances in the entire season (and that is really saying something), we watch John Lithgow balance both of the characters in the same room, jumping from heartfelt to manipulative with the ease of a true expert.

Season One Lowlight: Episode 14, “The Dicks they Are a-Changin”

-You would think an episode focused around the psychedelic 60’s and Woodstock would peak my interest. Instead, we get a boring, slow, and (most importantly) unfunny midseason romp through Mary’s drug-filled past. Though Jane Curtin and Lithgow impress with their awesome renditions of their younger (and hairier) selves, the episode starts slow, never picks up speed, and falls flat on its face in the final act. While the benefits of a sitcom have always included having multiple storylines that develop through each episode, the only sub-storyline of note in this twenty minute romp is Harry (French Stewart) joining a CD club. The acting is as rock solid as ever, but the laughs are simply too scarce for a comedy show.

Characters Who Shined:

Dr. Dick Solomon (John Lithgow): It is no secret that Lithgow “carried” this show through the first season. Though often times jabbed at throughout his career for possibly “overacting” by critics and fans alike, Lithgow couldn’t overact Solomon because Solomon IS Lithgow. It was the role he was meant to play, and whether that resulted in Lithgow going over the top, peeling the layers back for a more engrossing performance, or meeting somewhere in the middle, Lithgow’s presence at the heart of 3rd Rock from the Sun is what kept me watching through the early fumbling episodes.

Sally Solomon (Kristen Johnston): Though she was a bit more engrossing in the early episodes when we really saw Sally grapple with her dueling personalities (one as the rough and tough fighter of the quartet and the other as the only woman amongst a group of testosterone-fueled males…AKA, “the Mother”), Kristen Johnston’s Sally Solomon was a constant bright spot from episode 1 to episode 20. Played with a fervor that would have likely taken center stage had John Lithgow not been cast alongside her, Johnston brings energy, fun, physical comedy, and excellent comedic timing to a character that, on paper, is the most fascinating Solomon on the show. Originally viewing her place in the crew as the one “stuck” with being the woman (the Solomon’s are beings that are not assigned gender on their home planet), she quickly becomes more and more accepting of her place, her role, and herself. The profanity and juvenile humor of the show keep Sally from being a true 90’s feminist icon, but the roots were certainly planted for just that.

Characters Who Faltered:

Harry Solomon (French Stewart): This one pains me to put down, because Stewart’s Harry Solomon did have his moments of pure comedy gold throughout the first season. As the true oddball of the Solomon quartet (the only true reason he is even with the group to begin with is because he is the only one who can communicate with home base via a chip implanted in his brain…unbeknownst to him), Harry should be a scene-stealer. Moreover, French Stewart completely nails his demeanor. Just look at this face:

Perfection. However, for every awesome Harry moment, there seems to be three or four potential jokes that just fall flat. Whether that is from poor writing, bad pairings, or a combination of both, French Stewart’s Harry is less so plainly unfunny and more-so incredibly disappointing. He is still a funny character on a genuinely funny show, but the writers struck potential gold with this oddball and only came up with a few pieces of silver. Nothing to scoff at, no, but this concoction could’ve been a true winner. Maybe they will figure it out in season two?

2021 Woke-Crowd Cringe-O-Meter:

6/10

The issue with 90’s shows, even ones that appeared on major networks like NBC, is that we simply, as a population, cannot view them in the same light as in when they first appeared. From a changing political climate to increased women’s rights to a firmer grasp on racism and what that word exactly means, shows from even twenty-five years ago can appear crude, inappropriate, and entirely cringeworthy for our “woke” brains, to quote the inherently not Great, Ben Shapiro.

Season One of 3rd Rock from the Sun is pretty middle of the pack when it comes to cringieness. It handles things like homophobia, race, and social issues surprisingly well, but really struggles - especially in the earlier episodes of the season - with sexist tropes. This won’t be an issue for the average dumb male viewer like myself, but hardcore feminists should probably stay clear.

Final Verdict:

Compared to season one of say, 30 Rock, which flowed more like a steady river of solid comedy and fart jokes, 3rd Rock from the Sun dips, dives, flies, drops, and soars through a myriad of interesting storylines, inconsistent humor, and truly fantastic acting. Really, it is a mixed bag. Dump your hand into the box and you may get a delicious Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup, but you also may get a Butterfingers or Whopper. Fortunately, the end of season run was strong enough to keep me invested moving forward.

The Score: 7/10 (Solid)