Review: “DERELICT” Night Rocket Productions

2023 continues to be the year of awe-inspiring audio drama sequels – with the return of DERELICT adding to that list of creative awesomeness.
Last year I reviewed Fathom, the mind-blowing aquatic prequel to DERELICT which doesn’t require prior listening to before embarking with DERELICT. However, if you can, I would strongly recommend a cheeky listen to this insanely imaginative sci-fi world created by J. Barton Mitchell.

Set seven years later we switch snorkels for spacesuits as a rag-tag cadre team of specialists set out on a retrieval mission of a derelict spaceship. This ship, a Mass-Dorian (MD) cruiser has been drifting within the desolate void of space with crew communications seemingly cut – and MD willing to risk everything/everyone for its recovery (charming!)

Sarah Raynor (Chad Morgan), a mechanical engineer and recovering addict is press-ganged back into MD service to assist with the recovery of the vessel. Whether Raynor wants the job or not she will evidently inherit the role of leader as this stylish audio drama unfolds.
Being faced with imminent catastrophe and a mission that will probably go Pete-Tong who do you need in your corner… OG washed-up agent Blayne (Michael Mau), that’s who! It’s great having this tough-as-nails character back adding true-grit levels of sarcasm that franchise fans – including myself – can continue to follow.

Big Q then – is DERELICT as good as it should be?

The trailer and episode one deffo give off suspenseful Event Horizon movie vibes that sci-fi fans will dig. Early doors it feels like this podcast is teeing up another season of cognitive overload packed with pacy decision Fatigue. Sucks to be you agent Blayne!

DERELICTS suspenseful audio ushers its audience in by placing you right and centre of the action – challenging & sharpening listener perspectives. Space is a desolate dark place, a place where extremes are tested – the sound design team weaves emotions of vulnerability & fragility into auditory form. Without a doubt, DERELICT is top-tier sonic dynamite.

Minute fly in ointment moment before scores. With this 2nd season, I would prefer a more stable episode release cycle than last year. IMO, this was a massive frustration – one which creator J. Barton Mitchel did acknowledge. With indie shows of this magnitude, it costs to diligently create the high level of content the team delivers. I’ve personally contributed to DERELICT to keep the lights on via patronage. Guys, give this some thought if you also want to help be part of this peak audio drama.

I will close with this closing statement for you to ponder – when is the Netflix series coming…

DERELICT scores 4.9/5
Previous Fathom review

Podcast submissions – tinthesahara@gmail.com

Cast & Crew

DERELICT is created, written, and directed by J. Barton Mitchell; produced by Elizabeth Laidlaw and Kirsten Rudberg; features original music by Luke Atencio and Ryan Taubert; sound design and editing by J. Barton Mitchell; additional sound design by Ian Geiberger and Music Radio Creative. Cast: Chad Morgan – RAYNOR, Michael Mau – BLAYNE, Dani Payne – FREED, Ian Geiberger – CHAMBERS, J.D. Cerna – STEVENS.

Previous reviews

• Review: “Bunker 8” The Midnight Mystery
• Review: “The Lucan Obsession” BBC SOUNDS
• Review: “Elon’s Spies” Tortoise Media
• Review: “Dirt an Audio Drama” season 4
• Review: “Curious Matter – The Exile”