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

Donners Baseball

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.

Photo Credit: ABC

Categories: | Episode Reviews | General | TV Shows |

8 Responses to “Defying Gravity – She had a mother, as so many do”

August 24, 2009 at 10:12 AM

I never thought something like this would bother me, but Nadia’s sexual advances are starting to make me … uncomfortable. In the normal course of some other show, I’d probably welcome it, but in DG? She’s the frakking pilot, for crying out loud! Keep it in your pants, lady … or whatever you say to a woman in those situations. Actually, what *do* you say to a woman that means the same thing?

As for Donner’s hallucinations, it’s apparent that they are part Beta’s influence, and the Shaws know it. I’d love to read theories on what Beta is and what it means to the mission. Why are they hesitating to tell the crew about it? Remember, they previously said the crew would still do the mission “in a heartbeat” if they knew about Beta and what the mission really entailed. So what’s the hold up? They’ve crossed rubicon, so this hold up is just for the viewers at this point.

August 24, 2009 at 4:57 PM

I completely agree about Nadia, Keith. Not only is she incredibly harassing, she is full of shit with the “no strings attached.” If there were no strings, she would not be constantly breathing over his shoulder and into his ear. She comes with the worst kind of strings, those who pretend there are none and are actually a psycho stalker. Do no like her. At all.

Rest of the show, still enjoying the hell out of it. Hoping for a second summer run….I can hope, right?

August 24, 2009 at 12:29 PM

May I suggest Nadia goes around like a cat in heat?

Dorv, I have to go back and look for sure but I think the “back off” comment happened in present time. I don’t have a good record for paying attention on the details of this show though – I don’t know why, maybe watching it on a Sunday night is the problem for me ;)

I’m really looking forward to the Beta reveal!

August 24, 2009 at 12:48 PM

I actually watched it twice to make sure, but I thought that it followed the thread of the “I stood on Mars” conversation.

Anyone else pay better attention to this??

August 24, 2009 at 12:59 PM

The “Back-Off” comment was 5 years ago … it took place after Donner confronted Goss about he and Ted being on Mars and Goss just being in orbit. This led Eve to check the video and discover that the “real” transmission and that released to the public.

As for the shenanigans between all of the astronauts back while they were in training … I would imagine that in 2159 when the show takes place (or 2154 when they were training) that Space Travel is a lot more “mundane” and a lot less serious and militaristic than it is today.

As for Wass making the team … this was obviously decided by Beta (as we will probably find out goes for all the rest of the team) … remember the episode where they had the swim test? Eve told them to pass him … even though he almost drowned.

Personally, I like this show … I find it interesting to see the characters in their present … and also be able to see how they got to where they are and who they are by showing their past.

This show is an interesting mix of sci-fi and drama … the actors are great … the characters are interesting … and the effects are pretty damn great for a TV show.

August 24, 2009 at 1:11 PM

Oh my, between this, the bunny embryos, and the Hell if I know, my track record for DG is awful! I’ll have to be more careful about my conjecture!

August 24, 2009 at 1:01 PM

6. 1- 6 30 Aug 09 Bacon
7. 1- 7 6 Sep 09 Fear
8. 1- 8 13 Sep 09 Love, Honor, Obey

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