Defying Gravity – She had a mother, as so many do

Everyone, anywhere has a backstory, a history of their lives, or a collection of events that has brought them to any particular moment. Most shows build certain portions of this history into the narrative, some use flashbacks to tell them. Defying Gravity really isn’t using flashbacks as much as it’s just telling two stories, five years apart. The characters in the present have already been affected by things we see in the past, and by so many more we haven’t seen yet.

I am pretty much hooked on the show at this point. I like the science fiction aspect of what’s going on. I am very curious as to the nature of Beta. Yeah, I even like the mushy relationship stuff, specifically with Donner and Zoe. What has continued to surprise me, however, is the pretty complex non-linear storytelling that has been layered through the show. It has become an integral part of the show, especially how layers are created, and pulled back each week.

Some examples of things that we know about in the present, but not yet in the past:

• When does everyone find out about Donner and Zoe, and how much do they know?
• What happens between Ted and Jen, and how does that lead to two separate marriages?
• How does Wass make the team (And will I ever stop calling him Wash in my head)?
• If Goss backs off (and that’s obviously a big if) how do Ted and Donner not make the team?

You had to know, as much as we’ve heard about Zoe’s mom, that she would eventually turn up in Houston (I’m assuming they are in Houston, but has it ever been stated?). The woman was, not for nothing, just as kooky as Zoe has made her out to be. She was, however, an incredibly perceptive woman, first with Donner, and then with her daughter. That prompted, presumably, Donner’s trip to see the mother of his ex-girlfriend who’d perished on Mars. The baseball is an important piece of his memory of Sharon, and it was a big step for Donner to see him give it up. Three times.

Ted has quickly learned to manage the guilt of keeping the secret, or at the least, not letting it affect his ability to lead. His twist with the time capsule shows that he can not only incorporate the things from Goss, but also not be an ass about it. The guilt still weighs on him, particularly with Donner. I doubt Ted will keep him in the dark long, but I also doubt Donner will be the first on the team to find out about Beta. My bets are on Jen.

Other Stuff:

• I’m not Donner, or do I carry his baggage, but if I’m getting tired of Evram trying to get into his head, then Donner must be going crazy.
• What happened between Donner and Sharon’s mother, and what between mother/daughter for her not to care about any of Sharon’s things?
• Why would the National Security Council play a role in the censoring of the Mars tape?
• I still don’t like Donner and Nadia, but I now understand Donner’s mindset more.
• Donner embraced his hallucination, and it saved the ship, and it leaves me wondering how much longer until he tells someone.
• Donner’s confrontation with Goss about the ranking was great, especially the bit about “tolerating number two, because Ted Shaw is a hell of an astronaut” and “I was on Mars … He was Mars … You were safe up on Zeus issuing commands.”
• I’m not digging the Jen/embryo storyline, and I wonder if it’s because I might think, deep down, Jen and Ted belong together.
• Exactly how much water would the planet have to lose for the Great Barrier Reef to go uncovered?

Despite the fact that ABC did not provide previews of next week’s episode (causing some tweets of concern on Twitter), TV Guide does list episode six, “Bacon” for next Sunday. Aside from being the name of one of my favorite cinematic pet pigs, the name also lends itself to there being some kind of problem with the food supply.

Clacked by Ivey West
on Aug 24, 2009 @ 12:00 EST5EDT