As the opening episode of No Escape begins, viewers see what appears to be an abandoned boat. A helicopter crew approaches the boat and confirms it is “The Blue”. A man with search and rescue boards the boat and begins calling for anyone who may be on board. After turning off the engine, the man climbs the steps to look around. Eventually, a door shuts behind the man who finds “I confess” written on the other side of the door. After the intro, Emma (Abigail Lawrie) is in Townsville, Australia. Detective Sergeant Christie approaches her and calls her Emma. At the police station, she is introduced to Chief Inspector Sarah Craven (Susie Porter).

Emma confirms she is there on holiday from the UK. She knows she isn’t supposed to be working although Sarah says they’re not interested in that. Christie asks whether she is familiar with a yacht called The Blue. Emma knew this was their home port and thought it’d be nice to catch up if they come this way. When she was backpacking in the Philippines, she met the crew in a bar. They asked Emma to sail with them for a bit. Although she did, she got off the boat weeks ago. Sarah explains that distress signals were sent from The Blue. When they searched the vessel, it was seaworthy but completely empty. Four people seem to have disappeared into thin air.

As the conversation continues, Lana and her friend are in London six weeks earlier. Lana and Kitty (Rhianne Barreto) are worried that they’re going to miss their flight. They seem concerned when they see two cops. They buy tickets to Manila. On the plane, Lana tells Kitty that they should keep moving and get as far away as they can. Kitty is worried they’ve made a mistake, but Lana doesn’t think it will be. She tells Kitty that she has to forget that stuff back home. In Manila, Kitty and Lana party. Eventually, they’re approached by a worker at a restaurant who tells them there is a problem with their credit card. The card has been declined, but he agrees to try to run it through once again.

As they flee, Kitty and Lana try to figure out what happened and whether they maxed the card out. At an ATM, the card is retained. Lana knew this was going to happen eventually if they used her card. Lana has cash hidden in her shoe at the hotel, but Kitty is worried the police could be waiting for them. Kitty has a note from a guy who said she could stay with him. Lana manages to get them enough money to get a ferry to Mindanao. They also find a pass aboard The Blue in the wallet. A man agrees to take them out to the boat. He explains that the skipper doesn’t like the marina crowd so he stays further out. They approach Michelle Wilson to give her the wallet back.

Michelle is glad to have the wallet back even if the money is missing. They’re introduced to Joseph (Narayan David Hecter), Denny (Sean Keenan), and Aaron. Kitty tells Michelle that they need to get to Mindanao. Aaron gives them drinks. In the present, Emma is asked about the people on the crew list. She says Michelle Wilson is American and smart like university smart. As for Heinrich Krause, he fixes things. When she is asked about Dennis Winbourne, Emma confirms that is Aaron’s brother. In the past, the group drinks and talks about sex. Aaron points out that Lana hasn’t drunk all night. Kitty changes the subject by suggesting they play a new game while Lana walks away from the others.

Lana goes downstairs and looks around the living quarters. She looks through photos she finds in a drawer and finds an ultrasound. Lana finds jewelry and possibly puts some in her pocket. Joseph catches her looking through their stuff so he interrupts. Lana claims she was looking for the loo. Joseph doubts it would be in his cabin. They sit down before Joseph offers her a drink of absinthe. As they talk about his painting, Joseph suggests every boat needs an artist. He reveals that his dad is Filipino and his mom is French. Back home in France, he is Asian. The boat belongs to Aaron while the rest of them joined from different places. Lana says she is 25. Joseph says most English girls who travel this way go straight to Phuket.

He questions why they’re in the Philippines. Joseph says he is running away and he thinks they all are. In the morning, Lana wakes Kitty to say they’ve sailed off and she doesn’t even remember falling asleep. When they approach the crew members, they’re told they’re on their way to Mindanao. They have to stop off in Balakid first to pick up some supplies for New Year’s. They’re invited to go island hopping with them. Lana and Kitty agree. Aaron gives them a rundown of the rules on The Blue and explains that all decisions are made via a vote. When safety is a concern, Aaron is in charge. Finally, he tells them not to have sex on board. Once Aaron leaves, Kitty mentions that he had a ring on his finger. Lana says he is married while Kitty wonders where the wife is.

Sarah asks Emma whether there was a fight or anything like that. Emma doesn’t know what Sarah wants her to say. She argues that they were just a bunch of travelers having a laugh. In the past, Lana tells Kitty that they can get away tonight before they get back. However, Kitty wants to stay on the board where they’ll be off-grid. Kitty thinks they’re going to get caught sooner or later. They agree to split up so they can buy new clothes and supplies. Lana tries on the earrings she stole before police arrive and enter a nearby building. There are gunshots so everyone scatters. Lana runs into Denny who heard the gunshots. Denny thinks they should get back to the boat because those cops aren’t good people.

As they walk away, he admits he was meeting up with an old mate back there. Denny says he was buying weed even though Aaron expects more from him. Lana insists she wasn’t going to tell on him. Denny mentions he has seen those earrings before, but he wouldn’t tell on her either. They run into Kitty and head back to the boat. The next day, the group goes swimming. Once Lana comes out of the water, Joseph says he stays on the boat because of the beautiful views. Denny tells Lana that Aaron wants him to give her a lesson in helming the boat. He shows her how it works. Michelle tells Kitty that she gets a couple of bars out there because there is a town nearby. Kitty checks her phone and finds messages from Nira saying the cops came around asking for her.

She begins crying. Later that night, Joseph tells the others about his family being religious. Aaron says he went out with a guy once who wouldn’t even get off the boat. He also warned Aaron not to bring anything back. Aaron brought back a conch that he gave to Heinrich for Christmas. Denny tells Aaron that he was giving Lana a lesson and they might’ve strayed a bit. They see another boat with a unique flashing pattern so they decide to check it out. They try to get in touch with the other boat. Heinrich jumps into the water to check it out and Denny follows him. Lana ends up going with them because she wants to know what is going on. Lana climbs onto the trawler to look around. Heinrich and Denny seem to have found something.

They come back with a bag full of money. As they argue about taking it, Joseph notices that another boat is coming towards them. Aaron says they should turn the lights out and get out of there. In the present, Sarah lets Emma listen to a distress call from The Blue. She claims not to recognize the voice. Christie points out that Michelle Wilson is the only woman on the crew list, but Emma says it isn’t Michelle. Emma says she has never heard that voice before. When she is allowed to leave, Emma calls Kitty to leave a message she knows she likely won’t get. She says she is scared and she is sorry for what she did. The search and rescue team finds a body in the water.

 

No Escape Review

The opening episode of No Escape offers some promise that the series will be interesting although the episode count is very concerning. This episode was already a little slow at times so it is likely going to slow to a crawl before all is said and done. The highlight of the episode was the beautiful scenery, especially those featuring the boat and water. However, you can only be impressed with those scenes so many times before the story has to grip you and make you care about what is happening.

The first episode didn’t do that. The story isn’t particularly original and the frequent time jumps aren’t going to help maintain the viewer’s interest. The characters are mostly shallow although there is still time for them to gain depth. Some of the casting choices are iffy. If the series was going to create an American character, they probably should’ve cast an American actress for the role because that stood out like a sore thumb.

Abigail Lawrie and Rhianne Barreto aren’t the most dynamic duo. The scenery is gorgeous and most of the performances are strong enough, but the story isn’t gripping and the characters are one-dimensional. That may change with a few more episodes, but No Escape feels like a run-of-the-mill suspense show after the first episode. It scores a 5 out of 10.

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