Defying Gravity – Its Deju Vu all over again

When ABC pulled Defying Gravity from its prime time schedule, all seven of its fans were in an uproar. OK, I kid, there were more than seven fans; truthfully, it was actually a pretty popular show around these parts. Since it has continued to air in Canada, we’ve decided to continue covering it through the end of the first (ha!) season. For those that have chosen to wait for domestic airing, be advised that a Big Honking Spoiler Warning is in effect. Seriously … turn back before Beta decides you’re not worthy.

The episode starts with video diaries of each of the crew’s reaction to Beta. Donner talks about the unknown, Jen doubts herself, Zoe is excited despite her trepidation, Wass was just fraking hilarious. Every member of the team is affected by the revelation, but each very, very differently. To Paula, Beta is quite literally a message from God. Nadia won’t accept what she can’t understand. And, Jen just cannot see nor hear Beta, leading her to doubt her place on the mission.

The flashbacks in this episode mainly focused on Mars. We spent more time with Sharon, and, to my knowledge, met Walker for the first time. Since Beta didn’t approve of their selection, he/she/it/whatever was making things very hard on both. I’m not sure if scared is the right word to describe their mood, but neither was completely at peace with what they were going to do. Walker, in a parallel to Paula’s story in the present, was having some kind of medical problem that caused Donner to have him replaced on their last excursion. He was, obviously overruled in the past, but not in the future.

Paula’s thumb didn’t prove itself ready for the Venus landing. More accurately, Beta doesn’t want her on the mission, but instead Donner. She doesn’t handle the rejection well, decrying it now as being sent from the Devil. Methinks she’s a little wishy washy, no?

Rollie and Jen are doing that whole not speaking/fighting thing, and he doesn’t take it well when she doesn’t pick up the phone. So, he ties one on at Major Tom’s, and runs over a bicyclist with his car on the way home. Seriously. I have no idea how this fits into anything, but I guess I’ll go with it.

Other stuff:

• I didn’t necessarily get the relevance of the U.S. Presidential Election that was the backdrop to the episode, unless Beta influenced it somehow.
• On Mars, Sharon was slowed getting back to the lander by Walker’s chest pains … the bigger question about that mission is knowing what we know now about Beta, how does that change the dynamic that was Goss’ decision?
• Define irony: no one on the crew likes tomatoes.
• Arnel sacrificed for the mission (obviously his leg), but thinks he never actually had a shot.
• Wass’ place on the team makes a bit more sense now, and his homework project in his quarters is proof.
• Wass also continues to protect Paula, in his own way.
• Goss and Eve know that someone is going to leak the story to the press, it’s just a matter of when and — more importantly — who?

Clacked by Ivey West
on Oct 14, 2009 @ 09:52 EST5EDT