The stakes couldn’t be any increased than they’re on AWAY Season 1 Episode 8.
When Pegasus, the Atlas provide ship, loses contact with NASA, Emma, because the Atlas commander, should make a gut-wrenching selection. Ought to they land on Mars and die of dehydration, or ought to they slingshot round Pegasus II and return to Earth with out ever touchdown?
This can be probably the most difficult determination anybody on the present has confronted but, and it doesn’t make it any simpler when Emma has strain coming from all sides.
Emma is the only real one that decides the Atlas’s destiny on “Very important Indicators,” and her ever-changing thoughts reveals how her values are in every single place.
Lu’s values, nonetheless, are crystal clear. The episode even reveals extra of her previous and the way she developed these values. Earlier than this episode, We didn’t know that Lu is a agency believer in jinxing due to her father.
Jinxing provides a spin to Lu’s character, contemplating she laughed at Kwesi on AWAY Season 1 Episode 7 when he advised that the surviving plant be a miracle.
Lu’s large coronary heart shines as soon as once more. She trusts science probably the most, however she follows her father’s perception in jinxing regardless of her instincts, demonstrating how a lot she values him.
Nonetheless, Lu might blame Emma for jinxing Pegasus for causes past her personal mother and father.
It’s straightforward for Lu to level fingers at Emma when Emma not too long ago recovered from a downward spiral and dehydration. Emma just isn’t completely reliable due to her habits, and he or she lastly pays the value when Lu claims Emma doesn’t care about touchdown on Mars.
It appears nobody is extra devoted to touchdown on Mars than Lu herself as she significantly pressures Emma to trudge on, even when it means demise. Lu might worth her household, however she values this mission extra.
Misha: You do not wanna see your child once more?
Lu: After all, sure.
Misha: And the girl you’re keen on?
Lu: Sure.
Misha: Then, on some degree, you are not relieved we’re going dwelling?
Lu: No.
Misha: Why?
Lu: As a result of I did not come right here to fail.
Lu contrasts NASA, however NASA directors aren’t emotionally concerned in any method, form, or kind. Their foremost objective is to make sure the security of their astronauts. If there’s a solution to save their lives, they may take it, even when they abort the mission.
NASA would by no means take any danger as a result of they suppose solely astronauts are excessive stakes, however what in regards to the Atlas crew? The stakes have at all times been increased for them as a result of Mars is their dream.
As Emma discovered on Season 1 Episode 7, folks can have a number of goals and worth a number of issues. Nonetheless, Emma nonetheless initially decides to return to Earth, however for the improper cause — concern.
She is misguided as a result of she is scared of letting her crew down. Touchdown on Mars can be their demise sentence, and Emma couldn’t reside with that burden, even for a short time. Emma can be frightened of by no means seeing Matt or Lex ever once more, although she knew the dangers of becoming a member of this mission.
Kwesi: Forgive me. This may sound just a little silly, however I assumed that if I might deliver life again to Mars, then I might present those that it’s not too late to save lots of Earth. I assumed this was God’s plan for me.
Emma: Absolutely, God’s plan wasn’t so that you can die.
Kwesi: Effectively, historically talking, God’s a bit unforgiving on the subject of his disciples sacrificing their lives.
Ram: I might have wished to land on Mars eight months in the past, even when it meant sure demise. It is what I promised my brother.
It’s ironic due to everybody that would remind Emma of her values; it was Lu who did. Moreover, regardless of caring in regards to the mission to Mars immensely, what actually drove Lu on “Very important Indicators” was Emma herself.
The purpose of reminding Emma of her values is to not get to Mars it doesn’t matter what, however slightly, for Emma to make a sensible choice, however how can she try this if concern fuels her?
Lu convinces Emma to present Mars an opportunity, however extra importantly, Lu reminds Emma of who she is and the place her actual values lie. Lu reminded Emma what defines her as an individual, and the way she developed her values — hope.
Emma: I’m main, and if Floor tells us {that a} sonic increase signifies that there’s even a good likelihood that Pegasus is down there intact, then hell, sure! Full velocity forward. However everyone knows they are not gonna say that. They’re gonna say precisely what you mentioned, Ram, that if a airplane disappears from radar, its pilot is not coming dwelling. And the one factor a sonic increase provides us is a really faint and harmful hope.
Lu: And that is all this mission is.
Emma: Lu…
Lu: And when did you overlook that? The place is the girl who stood on the Moon and requested the entire world to imagine in not possible issues? Who leapt off the aspect of a spaceship with nothing to cling to however hope? Who went into her crewmate’s room when he was sick, and stood outdoors of my door and instructed me it was okay to like? Hope has by no means been my North Star. Honor, self-discipline, obligation. By no means hope, till I met you. You… Emma, I do not wanna die, I actually do not. However I am prepared to die for hope.
It was hope that drove Emma to Mars in the hunt for higher choices for humanity. It was hope that made her fall in love with Matt and formed her household. Hope acquired Emma to the place she is in the present day, and due to this fact, it’s her most vital worth.
If Emma doesn’t make her determination based mostly on hope, then it is not going to matter whether or not the crew lives or dies as a result of she made the improper selection.
In hindsight, it’s evident how Emma relied on hope and the way she influenced the crew. Misha, Ram, and Kwesi appeared nice with slingshotting round Pegasus II till Lu offered her concept. It was not promising, however Lu’s suggestion did present a spark of hope wanted throughout this time.
Think about Lu convincing Emma about hope when Emma was the one who impressed Lu. This interplay reveals how intertwined Emma and Lu have turn into.
Moreover, Lu’s hope speech reveals how the crew is tight-knit and no matter choices they make have an effect on them. Kwesi, Ram, and Misha might have taken backseats on “Very important Indicators,” however they have been simply as integral to Emma’s determination.
It doesn’t matter what Floor says or does. Emma values Matt’s and Lex’s opinions, however they don’t seem to be on the Atlas along with her. Whereas their anxieties are legitimate, there are solely 4 different folks in Emma’s predicament, 4 different individuals who can empathize with Emma. So, Emma has to make the precise selection for her crew and nobody else.
After all, as soon as Emma remembers her hope, she turns into assured and makes a brand new selection. She by no means appeared extra positive of herself than she did when she formally determined.
However I’ve little question that no matter comes subsequent, we are able to take it on collectively, as a household. And I do know this as a result of in the present day I used to be reminded what acquired me right here. It is the identical factor I noticed in you, Matt, that made me know you’re my soulmate. It is the identical factor that makes you the individual you’re, Lex, courageous sufficient to get that check. Hope. Hope made us the folks we’re. Individuals who can chart voyages to the Moon and stroll amidst the celebrities. Individuals who may encourage others to remedy most cancers and CCM, and finish wars and all the opposite issues we want we might change on this loopy, loopy world. As a result of the thought, the mere chance, the hope that we would succeed is sufficient for us to maintain making an attempt.
Emma
Attending to Mars was by no means about residing or dying. After all, Emma, Lu, Ram, Kwesi, and Misha all care about their lives and don’t need to die. Nonetheless, if demise happens due to their selection, it shouldn’t matter so long as it’s a good one.
Lu says hope is value dying for, and whereas it positively is, good selections are value much more.
Now that Emma made her ultimate determination, there isn’t any turning again. She has formally sealed the Atlas’s destiny, however Emma made the precise selection it doesn’t matter what occurs. Even when the crew dies earlier than reaching Mars, Emma nonetheless made her selection by weighing the results and selecting the choice along with her strongest values.
That’s actually the distinction between a very good and a foul selection, and AWAY portrayed it superbly.
So, we’re not coming dwelling but. We are going to, quickly, however first, we’ll Mars.
Emma
Your flip, Fanatics!
What did you consider AWAY Season 1 Episode 8? Do you suppose Emma made the precise determination? Will the Atlas survive the rest of the journey regardless of their barely functioning water system? Now that the Atlas is nearer to Mars than ever, what do you anticipate on the ultimate two episodes?
Tell us your ideas within the feedback under!
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Sarah Novack is a employees author for TV Fanatic. Comply with her on Twitter.