AWAY raised the stakes to a brand new stage, including drama and chaos to the Atlas.
Extra importantly, AWAY Season 1 Episode 3 targeted on the true magnificence of affection and its painful penalties. Who knew a easy change of employees in Mission Management would immediate Lu’s backstory and a secret romance?
“Half the Sky” was sudden, emotional, and compelling in each method. Plus, a personality who’s a lady of coloration and sapphic? Undoubtedly a bonus.
We find out about Lu’s decision-making course of and what units her other than everybody else. Nevertheless, what makes Lu distinctive just isn’t how she makes decisions, however quite, how everybody else makes decisions for her.
In any case, she had no management over Mei’s switch from Mission Management. CNSA screens all of her telephone and video calls for the reason that starting. So, when Lu wished to thank Mei for her service, Li Jun refused Lu’s request, and there was nothing Lu might do about it.
Moreover, Lu didn’t also have a probability to come back out herself. When Li Jun discovered Lu’s romantic word for Mei, rumors started circulating at NASA about their relationship, which led to Jack Willmore outing Lu to her crewmates.
Lu didn’t get an opportunity to come back out on her personal phrases or every time she was prepared. She didn’t have the chance to say goodbye to the lady she cherished, somebody she wouldn’t communicate to for 3 years. Lu felt extra ostracized and remoted than ever, particularly since Li Jun and one other colleague betrayed her.
Lu could not have had many decisions, however she did get to decide on easy methods to react to what occurred, and rightfully, she was livid. In fact, she hid her emotions about Mei’s sudden switch, however she turned indignant when Jack outed her.
Regardless of yelling on the unsuitable individual, Lu had each proper to be as livid as she was. There was a purpose why Lu and Mei’s relationship was non-public and why Lu was nonetheless within the closet. We find out about these causes via flashbacks. Lu’s previous choices influenced her reactions to current decisions, even when she didn’t understand it.
It was infuriating how Lu felt like she needed to apologize to Kwesi and Ram for her outburst, however fortunately, they realized they have been unsuitable by gossiping about Lu’s non-public life.
One of many pivotal moments of this episode was when Emma supported Lu throughout this difficult time, regardless of Lu initially pondering Emma was at fault. Emma handled this case the way in which a commander ought to — she reprimanded Jack and requested him to step again whereas comforting Lu one of the best she might with out overstepping boundaries.
Look, I do know you wished to be the one main this mission. However a commander has one job — to handle the crew, and Lu simply had a meltdown. And now she’s trapped in a tin can with 4 folks that know her deepest secret. Not ‘trigger she wished it, not as a result of she requested for it. Since you wished to really feel vital and rating some factors with the boys.
Emma
Emma arguably influenced Lu to come back out of her shell and acknowledge the scenario. Emma could have been a commander since AWAY Season 1 Episode 1, however on “Half the Sky,” she actually fulfilled this position.
Emma: Lu, there isn’t any excuse for what occurred to you on the market, and it occurred on my watch. However I can promise you this: you’ll by no means obtain an undesirable look or phrase from the crew once more. Look, I do not know what to say right here, besides I am so sorry about Mei. I do not… I do not know the very first thing about your relationship, and it is none of my enterprise. However I do know what it feels wish to be other than the individuals you care about. How you reside and die with each telephone name. And if… abruptly, these calls have been taken away… Lu, I am unable to even think about. I did not know Mei terribly properly, however she was one of the best CAPCOM I ever labored with. And it might sound foolish, however I used to be at all times so impressed along with her English. She speaks it higher than most Individuals. You communicate it properly too.
And whereas Jack was one of many episode’s villains, he did attempt to make amends by organizing a possibility for Lu to privately name Mei, the place nobody else could be listening.
We have now not forgiven him since outing somebody towards their will is extraordinarily homophobic, however not less than he acknowledged that he was unsuitable and tried to point out he was sorry. Nevertheless, Lu is the one one who may be the one to forgive him and never anybody else.
We find out how Lu and Mei fell in love via flashbacks, at a time the place Lu had way more freedom along with her decisions. It was stunning to be taught that Lu felt like she couldn’t bodily cheat on her husband regardless of Lu and Mei’s obvious emotions for each other.
Nevertheless, Lu didn’t understand she was already dishonest on him, even when it was solely emotionally. However that’s the factor about falling in love — you should not have management over who you fall in love with, even if you’re married to another person.
Lu didn’t have a lot wiggle room in her previous, both — she was a yr or two away from going to Mars, and he or she was already in America, studying English for the voyage. It’s merely illogical to ask her husband for a divorce when representing her household and all of China on this mission.
So, Lu did one of the best she might on this scenario. She saved her relationship with Mei strictly platonic. Mei helped Lu along with her English abilities, whereas Lu taught Mei brush calligraphy.
Lu’s emotions didn’t waver, and he or she had extra vital choices to make the day earlier than she left. This time, Lu acknowledged her emotions — she agreed to sleep in the identical mattress as Mei (with out doing anything), and he or she accepted a hoop from Mei. Whereas it was by no means explicitly said, it positively felt like a promise ring.
Lu’s previous choices present how regardless of how onerous somebody can strive, you can’t management the whole lot, akin to love. Love is a robust feeling, and it is likely one of the only a few exceptions that no one can determine on via a easy selection.
We’re not outlined by who we fall in love with, however quite, our decisions once we are in love. And we be taught rather a lot about Lu when she fell in love with Mei. Above all, Lu values honor, respect, and integrity. She acknowledges she fell in love with Mei, however she can’t act on her emotions out of disrespecting her husband.
She can’t divorce her husband due to ill-timing, however Lu makes one of the best of a troublesome scenario. She is level-headed and clever, however she additionally has a giant coronary heart full of affection.
Girls maintain up half the sky.
Lu
After studying about Lu and Mei’s previous, we witness their closing telephone name within the current. They’ve just one hour to talk with one another, after which they’re lower off for 3 years.
Their dialog was nothing wanting emotional, highly effective, and hopeful. Lu and Mei focus on their present predicament, however in addition they focus on their future collectively. Issues are grim now, however Mei guarantees to attend for Lu, although she just isn’t obligated.
Their love is aware of no bounds, and it was stunning to see unconditional romantic love between two ladies of coloration no much less.
We are able to solely hope they survive their three-year drought, and they’re going to be capable of spend the remainder of their lives collectively in happiness.
Lu: This mission was taken from you, they usually reassigned you some place else. One thing positively has occurred. It is my fault. I am so sorry.
Mei: It is as a result of I really like you that the mission was taken from me, and I’ll by no means be sorry for that.
In the meantime, Matt desires Lex to return to high school, after spending a number of weeks by his bedside and tending to his restoration. Whereas the alternatives right here should not have exceptionally excessive stakes, we be taught rather a lot about Lex and Matt due to them.
For instance, Lex feels liable for her father since Emma is in house for 3 years. Though Matt is insistent about Lex going again to high school, Lex is fearful of lacking one thing vital on the hospital.
She seems like she can’t reside her personal life when her father is combating for his. Regardless of the intensive care Matt has, Lex solely feels comfortable when she is by her facet since Emma can’t be. Nevertheless, Matt desires Lex to reside her life.
We see Matt and Lex’s contrasting values — Lex cares about assist and routine, whereas her father cares about normalcy and restoration. Now that we all know, their dynamic shall be much more attention-grabbing transferring ahead.
No matter’s gonna occur to me is gonna occur. You being right here just isn’t gonna change that, okay? You perceive? And once I’m feeling down in right here, fascinated about how courageous you are being offers me energy. And also you going again to high school, getting again to your life, you don’t have any thought how a lot that helped me immediately.
Matt
We need to hear from you, Fanatics!
What did you concentrate on AWAY Season 1 Episode 3? What do you make of Lu’s reactions to different individuals’s decisions? Do you assume it was time for Lex to return to high school? What are your expectations for future episodes?
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Sarah Novack is a employees author for TV Fanatic. Comply with her on Twitter.