This is the episode that is probably going to be the end of Defying Gravity. Don’t get me wrong, I still really like this show and think it’s underrated, even by its fans. However, most of the show’s detractors reference the more soap-opera nature as its major downside. If there are any stragglers with that opinion holding on, they’re not going to be back next week.
Having (or not having) children was the major theme woven through the whole episode. Zoe followed through on her decision to abort her pregnancy while Jen gives birth to her baby rabbit in space. Both of their stories were juxtaposed against Dr. Winkler, the ex-astronaut ER Chief in charge of their hospital field trip. The allusions to Grey’s Anatomy continue (though loosely), as you can draw a dotted line between Zoe’s complications and Yang’s. A reckoning is coming based on the baby bunny, though. Just plain silly on Jen’s part if she doesn’t see the endgame.
I’m glad that the storyline with Evram isn’t turning out to be PTSD, at least not in the strictest sense. I would have found it hard to believe that he would ever be able to get on the crew without the disorder being discovered. Indicating that his visions were, in fact, full blown hallucinations, quickly brings the story back to Beta, and the hallucinations that Ted, Donner, and Zoe are all having as well.
The Paula and Wass stuff was good, but I wonder what will come of it. I don’t think that Wass will go through some big life change, or even begin one. It’s just too early in the run of the show (there I go trying to be all optimistic again) for a character to experience dramatic change. I do like this other version of Was,s though, who wouldn’t give up on Paula for no other reason than she would do the same for him.
Other stuff:
Much as been made, at least around here and on Twitter, about the show’s dismal ratings. I wonder, though, how the multi-national nature of the production, and the fact that it runs in several countries, will affect its longevity. I’m sure that this is much cheaper for ABC to run versus shows produced in, and primarily for, America.
Oh I liked the episode, but then again I have been slightly obsessed with the human crying baby/baby bunny plots.
Zoe had a hysterectomy hmmm. Might her ovaries and uterus grow back just like the vasectomy fix?
And the bunnies seem like a test run for what I feel Jen has planned.
The incident between Wass and Paula was awful!
With this latest episode I think it is clear that ‘birth’ has something to do with the ‘real’ mission and where Beta is taking these people. We’ll just have to be patient and see where this goes. I just hope the series is allowed to continue.
I am really digging this show, even though the pacing is a slow burn instead of a frenetic pace. I hope it gets a full run so we can see where the show is going.
One dim amount of hope is that DVD sales are often higher for sci-fi type shows. I wish it was available for preorder right now so fans could signal support with money
It will indeed be interesting to see what happens considering there are so many players involved with the production and distribution. If any show with such low ratings ever had a chance of surviving, it’s this one.
I look forward to the day we can regenerate lost thumbs!
ASCAN is astronaut candidate.
*POST AUTHOR*
THANK YOU!! I feel like I should have figured that out on my own… Now it makes pefext sense.
I just say episode #7 … I found it to be really intense …
I forgot to watch this episode(!), thanks for the good recap.
Speaking of ASCANs, it’s a shame that “The Cape” didn’t ever get put on DVD or even VHS, it was a nice but short-lived astronaut series as well (but with less soapy drama). Buzz Aldrin helped with that one.