Note: This is an advance review of the first two episodes of Ascension , which premieres on Syfy this Monday as a two-hour presentation.details will be kept to a minimum...

It may be hard to remember in this post-Sharknado world we live in, but there was a time when Syfy (formerly Sci-Fi Channel) was a beloved hub for science fiction drama -- 2004's Battlestar Galactica being a prime example of that. Later, the network's focus shifted to broader genre shows like Eureka, Warehouse 13 and Being Human, all of which had decent followings but were never quite on the same acclaimed, "serious" level as Battlestar. Now, the genre station is looking to get back to its roots with several upcoming series, starting with Ascension, a new six-part miniseries airing as a three-night event on Syfy.Inspired by the real-life, never completed Project Orion that began under the Kennedy administration, Ascension follows the passengers of the USS Ascension, a massive generation ship that -- in this series -- actually succeeded in launching in 1963 over fears that the Cold War would end in nuclear desolation. Unfortunately, halfway through its century-long journey to Proxima Centauri (which is to say, it picks up in our present), a young woman's murder -- the first ever on-board the ship -- causes the crew to question the true nature of their mission. Worse yet, they're approaching the point of no return.

Naturally, the murder-mystery aspect makes Ascension stand out from other space operas, but the thing that will probably jump out at you the most is its high-end, retro style. Since the ship launched over 50 years ago, it's basically a time capsule; clothing, technology, moral values -- they're all entrenched in the 1960s. It's a unique take that is felt throughout the first two episodes and factors heavily into the plot. It's kind of like Firefly in that way, combining two distinct genres to create something all its own. Here, Ascension hooks you almost immediately with a long take of the ship's interior set to Elton John's "Rocket Man." Even though that song didn't come out until 1972, it still perfectly sets the tone. That's because it's not afraid of toying with expectations.

Tricia Helfer on Her Return to Space in Ascension

And that's part of what makes Ascension so great: it's full of surprises. While the high-concept premise is neat, it's only just a starting point. At its heart, Ascension is a character-driven story that evolves through dialogue and relationships, not plot points. I mean, obviously there are some twists and turns, but it's almost always at the hands of the crew and their disparate motives. There's also the "whodunnit" element, which fuels a lot of the intrigue -- at least at first. But it's less about the "who" and more about the "why" and "how." That again plays into the social strata on-board the ship, which generates even more tension within the ensemble.

Speaking of which, the cast here is strong. Tricia Helfer (a Battlestar alum) is right at home as the manipulative Viondra Denninger, whose lust for power is underlined by her past as a "lower-decker" (i.e., the working class). Viondra is married to the ship's captain, William, played by Brian Van Holt, who does a surprisingly good job of playing a stoic leader-type -- especially coming off of his utterly comedic role in Cougar Town. His cat-and-mouse rapport with Helfer is definitely one of the standouts in this.Not surprisingly, some of the cast gets lost in the shuffle in the premiere, and there are some parts where you'll probably think, "Wait, who's that guy again?" But I guess those moments are to be expected with a cast this big, and having seen the whole miniseries already, I can tell you that those characters get fleshed out more down the line. However, the one performer you'll want to keep your eye on is Brandon P. Bell (Dear White People), who plays Aaron Gault, the ship's XO and primary investigator of the murder. If there was a "main character" on this show, he'd be it, and he gives a solid performance in this first two-hour block.