Jessica Alba plays Max, the genetically enhanced protagonist of Dark Angel

In the series opener, we are introduced to the title character, otherwise known as Max (Jessica Alba). We learn that 20 years ago, Max and several others were genetically engineered by the military in Project Manticore. Many of these children escaped from the lab in the Wyoming Mountains, but become separated in the escape. Now, ten years later, Max wants to find the others like her. Although seemingly a near-perfect human specimens (with what we learn later are feline reflexes and agility), Max and the others are subject to seizures and nightmares. To control the seizures, Max must take doses of Triptophane.

Beyond these weaknesses, Max is a one woman wrecking crew. But even a wrecking crew can use a little help from her friends. Max works as a bicycle courier by day, but by night she is Dark Angel. She has teamed up with Logan Cale (Michael Weatherly), a cyber-journalist who also happens to run the underground news source "Eyes Only" (ironically titled as you can only see his eyes in the broadcasts). Logan is in a wheelchair, as the result of a shooting during one of his his activist escapades. Logan wants to save the world, while Max just wants to find the others like her. Maybe acting together they can help each other succeed.

The protagonist of the show is an ex-military type named Lydecker (John Savage). He was and still is in charge of Manticore. He is scouring the countryside, trying to find "his" missing children. While this seems to be his mission in life, it is becoming obvious that Project Manticore did not shut down after the "X-5" children escaped ten years ago. Locating the escapees has been made doubly difficult since the nation's computers were all fried in the electromagnetic pulse. But that doesn't stop a man from trying.

Dark Angel is not a completely orignal concept. The series Seaquest DSV introduced a genetically engineered group of super soldiers known as Daggers or GELF's (Genetically Engineered Life Forms). Crew member Dagwood, played by Peter DeLuise, was a prototype Dagger. The Daggers proved to be unruly to control, they were incarcerated, and the project was terminated. Dark Angel does take the concept further, making it the central focus of the show.

Jessica Alba's portrayal of Max quite simply kick's ass. She has a unique look, and she plays the character with attitude. The supporting cast has all turned in fine performances to date, albeit a little over the top at times. I suppose that is to be expected from a James Cameron story.

Seven weeks into it's run may be too soon to give Dark Angel a thorough analysis. However, there is good news: Fox has picked up the series for a full 22 episodes.