When the show opens, we travel to a a period of time, which is fifty-one years into the one hundred year journey through space. Everything comes to a halt, when the body of Lorelei Wright (Amanda Thomson) is found dead. Back on Earth, Harris Enzmann (Gil Bellows) visits his father, Abraham, in the hospital. Outside of the hospital, Harris is introduced to an academic, who pokes around about the Ascension project. Of course, Harris remains tight lipped.

The Executive Officer of the ship, Oren Gault (Brandon P Bell), is asked to head the investigation. Although the others believe it was simply an accident, Oren believes something sinister has happened. The girl, who found the body, Christa, who happens to be Lorelei’s sister, has gone into shock and a temporary coma. During a chat with his girlfriend and Lorelei’s sister, Emily, Gault discovers Lorelei had been dating James Toback (P.J. Boudousque), who happens to be a maintenance worker on the ship.

It is revealed that Lorelei was killed, by a bullet. William Denninger (Brian Van Holt) tells Gault about the bullet. Next, Gault vists the librarian, Ophelia (Rachael Crawford). The library doesn’t have any books regarding the solving of murders, but they do have some film noire. She shows Gault the last thing that Lorelei checked out, which happens to a video card from the Year 31. However, the card is gone and only the case remains. It is noted that the Year 31 is when a massive fire broke out and killed scores of people. It is also revealed that William Denninger saved the pair from the fire.

Meanwhile, Councilman Rose (Al Sapienza) has sex with Denninger’s wife, Viondra (Tricia Helfer), who also happens to be the head stewardess of the ship. Rose seems to be interested in taking William’s place as captain of the ship. Meanwhile, the doctor checks out her patient, Chirsta Valis (Ellie O’Brien), and shows off her Seahorse necklace. When the show returns, Gault interviews Toback, who admits to getting into an argument with Lorelei on the night of her death. Gault questions him about Lorelei’s autopsy, which reveals she had sex within hours of her death. Toback suggests it was with someone else.

Gault speaks with Christa and asks her why Lorelei went to the beach. She says Lorelei was afraid and was trying to hide from someone. She also admits to being able to feel and see things. Meanwhile, Denninger attempts to encourage Gault to pin the crime on James Toback. Back on Earth, Harry has breakfast with his family. He catches his son sending bullying text messages to another. Afterwards, Harry is warned that something bad has happened at work.

After watching a black and white surveillance, Gault allows Toback to leave. Gault tracks James to the beach. They discuss the possibility of Lorelei begin murdered, before discovering a new entrance to the beach. Christa looks out into space and screams for them to leave her alone. Meanwhile, Gault explores the lower levels and finds some strange graffiti on the wall. He believes he discovers the location, where Lorelei was murdered. A fight breaks out in the lower decks, as the officers attempt to speak with Stokes (Brad Carter).

The ship is hit by a radiation storm. During the storm, Nora and Toback visit the beach and discover the video card that Lorelei removed from the library. Christa is laid to sleep, as Dr. Burns places her seahorse necklace nearby for the girl’s comfort. The ship’s occupants shuttle in place to protect themselves from the radiation. Christa removes her mask and watches as a man in a yellow suit enters and steals the doctor’s necklace.

After the storm has passed, Gault mentions that Stokes has the gun. When they search his depertment, they find it and take Stokes to the brig. Dr. Burns discovers Nora’s whereabouts during the storm, while Christa tells her about the stolen necklace. Meanwhile, Stokes is interviewed and denies the accusations. He finally admits to giving the gun to Lorelei. He says they have it all wrong and that people were afraid of Lorelei. Next, Viondra and William speak. Viondra tells him she hasn’t yet found Rose’s informant.

At Lorelei’s funeral, Christa gives Gault an item that belonged to her sister. Somehow, the cell foor, which is holding Stokes is opened and he escapes. He immediately recovers the gun. Lorelei’s body is sent out into space. Meanwhile, Harris is grilled about the gun, before he is told there is another problem. Back in space, Stokes takes Nora hostage. Gault shows Lorelei’s item to Denninger and learns that William had been having an affair with Lorelei. However, he denies committing the murder, as Stokes enters with Nora.

Stokes is suspicious of the placement of the gun and his cell door opening. Gault catches him off guard and disarms him, before the pair fight. Stokes is sucked down the vacuum hole and falls for hundreds of feet. Of course, he lands safely and is hauled away by some men. Back on Earth, Harris watches the event and says he has total control over the situation. He seems to be experimenting with the ship’s occupants.

Review


The show definitely has some potential. The space and ship setting is wonderful and intriguing. I also enjoyed the music, which added to the old-fashioned atmosphere. With a few exceptions, the acting was pretty good. I enjoyed the simultaneous plot lines from the ship and Earth. The show was definitely ambitious. However, there seemed to be something missing. For starters, I felt little care for Lorelei. Truthfully, there was no reason for anyone to feel anything at her funeral. On the other hand, I felt the politics among William, Rose and Viondra was anything, but compelling.

Perhaps the show has too many side plots? However, I did find myself intrigued by Harris Enzmann and his control over the Ascension mission. Is he responsible for throwing a corkscrew into the project, with a murder? Maybe, we’ll find out today. This episode of Ascension deserves a 6.5 out of 10.

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