One of the surprising results of cutting the cord (gosh, nearly 12 years ago!) and moving to an all-streaming diet of TV and film is that some network shows simply glide right on by without my even noticing.

I mean, that seems kind of obvious and inevitable now that I think about it, but I write about this stuff on the daily and follow news pretty closely, especially re: sci-fi and animation, so it’s doubly surprising when an animated sci-fi show drops on my desk that I legitimately hadn’t heard of before.

Say hello to Final Space, the first two seasons of which were just released on Blu-ray by Warner Archive. So now my question is: How did this show completely fly right past me? It stars a who’s who of amazing talent: David Tennant, Fred Armisen, Steven Yeun, and Tom Kenny (Spongebob Squarepants himself!). And rotating through as occasionals are Gina Torres, Jane Lynch, Conan O’Brien, Andy Richter, Alan Tudyk, Vanessa Marshall, and more.

Also, I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention that Final Space is also home to two of the greatest voices OF ALL TIME: Ron Perlman and Keith David.

So with that kind of star power, how did it go unnoticed for so long? Well, I’ll tell you. The first season was on TBS, and the second was on Cartoon Network’s Adult Swim. That’s how.

Ironically, I think going into this show totally blind was the best way. I had no preconceptions or expectations – I didn’t even know what it was about beyond the blurb on the Blu-ray case (which was a single sentence) – and I was honestly blown away.

Final Space is a sci-fi space epic with a solid sense of humor (that occasionally borders on raunchy), but it has a genuine heart of gold. Creator Olan Rogers delivers the voice of protagonist Gary Goodspeed, who sounds a bit like a tame TJ Miller (but isn’t utterly and completely stomach turning).

But don’t worry – give it two episodes and you’ll fall in love. Along with Tika Sumpter’s Quinn, Coty Galloway’s Avocato, and Yeun’s Little Cato. And if you aren’t completely transfixed by Tennant’s Lord Commander (the Big Bad) – who sounds nothing like him – then you might want to check your pulse.

I’m intentionally avoiding a plot recap and spoilers here, since the first season is only 10 episodes long, and it very much functions as a single, complete story. I also think the less you know, the more you’ll enjoy Final Space. However, here’s a quick synopsis:

An astronaut/prisoner named Gary and his adorable, planet-destroying friend, Mooncake, embark on a quest to unlock the mystery of “Final Space,” the place where the entire universe ends.

What surprised me the most is just how emotional and heartfelt this show is. Too often, epic sci-fi shows take themselves too seriously, and shows with an “adult” sense of humor fall into the trap of recycling fart jokes. Thankfully, Final Space avoids both (the first season, at least).

For a show that, yes, occasionally makes off-color jokes and uses the word crap about 347 times per episode, you will find yourself really connecting to and caring about this cast of characters.

These are profoundly flawed characters who recognize their faults but refuse to acknowledge their limitations. They’re stubborn, determined, and fiercely loyal. When they feel an unrequited love that burns them to the core, you’ll feel it. When they’re overcome with a ferocious desire to seek revenge, you’ll feel it. When they flash back to the parents they never got to say good-bye to, you’ll feel it. And when they suffer devastating loss, my goodness, you’ll feel it.

The second season continues the story, introduces new characters and expands the regular cast, and follows Gary and his friends as they search for one of their own. On the one hand, the show feels bigger, but it also lost much of its heart. The first season followed a somewhat strict formula that couldn’t be replicated, so it’s only logical that a second season would pale in comparison.

It’s still enjoyable, but it’s not quite the same experience.

The show actually has a fairly interesting history. It began life as a series of shorts called Gary Space that creator Olan Rogers made back in 2010 for his YouTube channel. Those rough shorts bear little resemblance to what Final Space would become, but it doesn’t matter. Three episodes in, Rogers ran out of steam, and the show – and the idea – sat dormant.

Six years later, Rogers created a 7-minute pilot episode to pitch to various networks. Many of the elements that would define Final Space are in place here – including the music, sense of humor, and several characters – and a bidding war ensued. Apparently, everyone wanted the show. Ultimately, it ended up with Conan O’Brien and TBS.

Two seasons (2018-2019) have now aired (on two networks), and a third season is apparently coming in 2021.

I guess this is a pertinent don’t-give-up lesson for creative types everywhere.

The new Blu-ray release from Warner Archive includes all 23 episodes from the first two seasons on three discs. Special features include brief “commercials” that are just Olan Rogers talking about each episode. Definitely recommended.