As you may have heard, Defying Gravity was prematurely labeled as “canceled” earlier this week, only to have the show mutter, “I don’t want to go on the cart.” For those of us in the U.S., that means … it means … well, it means who the hell knows what it means, because this Friday night won’t have a new episode, but those neighbors of ours to the north get to see it and the last two episodes of the series (yes, let’s just say “of the series” because, frankly, you know this isn’t going to get a renewal).
So, it’s likely this is our last chance for fleeting attempts at guessing what in the hell this “Beta” thing is aboard the Antares. Hey, let’s start with me! I love theories!
Beta, I believe, is the means by which humankind will be able to exist beyond the confines of planet Earth, as Earth’s fate is sealed. Let’s look at the clues:
Its name: Beta. The name of this “thing” is going to be significant. Beta — the second letter of the Greek alphabet — is often used when referring to the second object in a group. In reference to my theory, it means the second chance for humankind. Consider it Humans 2.0 (let’s NOT say Earth 2, please. Not again.) Beta is also used to refer to a test phase of a project, which could be what this mission is all about, as well.
The next episode’s title: “Eve Ate the Apple.” Adam and Eve, the biblical first people of Earth. When we last left the Antares team, they were getting an eyeful of what Beta looks like. So it’s a good bet that this next episode is when we all get clued into what Beta is, and the episode’s title could be related.
The Antares mission revolves around Beta. The mission — as most of the crew thinks — is simply to explore seven planets in our solar system. The real mission, though, is something to do with Beta. If the Antares is still going through with visiting all those planets, then how does that fit into the plan with Beta? I say it’s to better explore these planets as possible places for Beta to set-up shop. And that means finding a place to begin habitation, and possibly colonization of some kind.
Hints about life and death abound. All of the hallucinations have been about one central theme: death. The exception to this is the bunny that Paula’s Jen’s keeping around and, to a lesser degree, how Donner had his tubes untied. And let’s not forget the tomatoes that Beta caused to grow wildly throughout a portion of the ship. If Beta’s capable of generating (or regenerating) life, then putting it on a planet or a moon to begin habitation there isn’t a stretch.
Defying Gravity is an odd show in that it has a lot of science fiction yet, at the same time, we get those “plucky” Grey’s Anatomy-like scenes. And just when it seems like the show is getting too plucky, Beta acts up and it draws me back in. To think the purpose of Beta is something as grand as humankind’s only hope to continue its existence makes those plucky scenes seem even more out of place.
Got any theories of your own? Am I way off base? Let’s hear your thoughts.
Clacked by Keith McDuffee 
on Sep 17, 2009 @ 11:00 EST5EDT
Maybe they will copy 2010 and make Jupiter another sun. :)
I’m very curious about the Beta/Eve/Mining Company connection.
I think the idea that Beta knows earth is on its way out and we need a beta test for life on another planet is a good theory. Death is not the only theme – Even though Zoe had an abortion, she is pregnant in her visions. (on another note, it is not Paula with the bunny, it is Jen).
However, I also decided that, based upon the single scene we have seen over and over of the land and wind blowing someone viewing Beta from an easy chair, that what Beta is is simply BetaMax – pissed off and proving it WAS the superior video taping option, and dammit – it will prove it if it has to take people to the end of the galaxy to do it! ;-)
There so much to speculate about. Just picking up on the second chances, most of the crew suffers from guilt. Many people use their guilt as a motivator to better behaviour. But what might that better behaviour be for the crew? Since many of the crew suffer from guilt over deaths, perhaps they would be guardians of Life? All life? Maybe that’s the reason some of them were chosen for the crew. To be certain, everyone has a purpose.
Eve is very interesting, obviously her name is no coincidence. Yes, what might that mean? Her bio says she has a tragic past. And the fact that she has a three year old son seems to have a larger significance.
Goss, in his arrogance seems to feel nothing but self satisfaction over his choices, that’s sigificant too.
There could be direct lines to 2010. “Here’s a new planet, be good to eachother” I hope/think the writers are more clever than that.
I think I read a spoiler somewhere that Paula’s faith would be tested, so I factor that in with my swirling theories. I sincerely doubt it happened but, what if the door opened and Our Lady was there? That would shatter what we think of the name Beta. Picks up on the Guardian of Life theme, explains the name Eve, gives some biblical light to the “garden of tomatoes”, and generally helps explain the visions. Like I said, I doubt this was the case, but it would be fascinating to me. I love Our Lady Apparitions and one in space would be awesome!
This show really grew on me.
“you know this isn’t going to get a renewal”
Actually you don’t know that. It’s wasn’t made by or for ABC, it was just the American distributor. It’s also shown on the Canadian channel CTV where the Canadian requirements for domestically produced content means they can be satisfied with lower ratings.
Ryan: I’d say the chances of a renewal are slim to none. Its been playing in three countries: Removed from the schedule from one, canceled from another (UK), and the third can’t even confirm its running the finale yet (CTV).
I think its a pretty good assumption.
Please could you cite a source for where it’s been cancelled in the UK. As far as I’m aware the BBC haven’t even started showing it yet.
This is the article that I was referring to, but frankly, I had just assumed because it was a UK site, that it was referring to the UK airing. That could obviously be a bad assumption:
https://www.inentertainment.co.uk/20090914/defying-gravity-cancelled-due-to-poor-ratings/
So (at the end of the last episode) while everyone else was transfixed with with Beta Jen looks at everyone a bit confused. I’m not even sure she sees anything…
I was wondering that too! I just searched for the episode that just aired and it seems like Jen can’t see Beta! I’m still waiting for the rest of the episode to buffer, but if I don’t find out why Jen can’t see Beta, I will die in agony.
Maybe it’s called Beta because it’s the second one of its kind to have visited Earth?
Or maybe – even though it’s the second one – it arrived on Earth first in preparation of the coming of Alpha?
Sort of like an ET version of John the Baptist… or of John From Cinncinnatti…..
I was thinking more like Gaia
maybe Beta is a form of the Gaia spirit of the Earth
I think they are named in the order that the signals were picked up.
The one on earth (beta) was the second signal picked up, it responded to the first signal (I cant remember what planet the first signal was picked up from)
Mars – Alpha, Earth – Beta, the responding signal. (Watched it to the end in the UK)
Last episode (13) shown on BBC (UK). I wonder what the chances are of James Parriott writing a book? I’d certainly buy it after seeing series 1.