The streamer has canceled the Hilary Swank-led space drama after a single season, Deadline reports. 

The series seemed to be a popular option for the streaming, regularly appearing in its top 10 in the U.S.

It also spent several weeks in the top 10 Nielsen streaming viewership rankings, so the decision to end the series is a bit of a shocker. 

Then again, Netflix also canceled a top 10 series in Teenage Bounty Hunters, so the lines between hits and misses for the streamer continue to blur. 

The series followed the first crewed expedition to Mars, the Mars Joint Initiative.

It features an international crew: a Chinese chemist, a world-leading British botanist with no previous experience in space, a Russian cosmonaut with the most experience in space, an Indian medical officer who is second in command, and American commander Emma Green. Emma's husband trained as an astronaut along with her, and might have commanded the mission but for a medical condition.

The three-year mission launches from the Moon; however, several crew members do not trust Emma's ability to command because of her response to a crisis situation at the very beginning of the mission.

The streamer describes as being "about hope, humanity and how ultimately, we need one another if we are to achieve impossible things."

The cast also included Josh Charles, Vivian Wu, Mark Ivanir, Ato Essandoh, Ray Panthaki, and Talitha Bateman.

Away is the latest in a long line of cancellations from Netflix. In recent months, the streamer has un-renewed hits such as GLOW, The Society, and I Am Not Okay With This. 

It has also canceled the aforementioned Teenage Bounty Hunters,as well as The Dark Crystal and Altered Carbon. 

What are your thoughts on this latest cancellation?

Are you surprised?

Hit the comments below. 

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The post Away Canceled After One Season at Netflix appeared first on TV Fanatic.

Some were amazing, and some were very disturbing.

Plus a few classics were dusted off and found new life during these dark times.

1.  "Wonderwall"/"Bad Romance"/"Let It Go" – Ted Lasso

Just when you thought AFC Richmond football couldn't score any higher in the adorable and endearing categories, they went to a karaoke bar on Ted Lasso Season 1 Episode 7. 

Sam's rendition of "Wonderwall" was heartfelt. Coach Beard's performance of "Bad Romance" would make Lady Gaga proud. Then Rebecca brought down the house with "Let It Go."

The only thing more entertaining than the singers were the reactions of the usually gruff Roy Kent and a shirtless Dani Rojas. 

2.  "I Want to be Evil"/"Someone to Watch Over Me – Lucifer

Compared to Lucifer Season 4, the first half of Lucifer Season 5 didn't feature the cast showing off their vocals as often. We weren't completely deprived though.

Lucifer Season 5 Episode 4 had not just one but two musical numbers. First, Lilith sang "I Want to be Evil." Then, she and a Lucifer duetted on "Someone to Watch Over Me."

That both songs were filmed in black and white were appropriate for the noir episode and showed off how good Tom Ellis and Lesley-Ann Brandt looked in 1940s fasions was the icing on the cake. 

3. "Always Be My Baby" – Schitt's Creek

Patrick serenading David with Tina Turner's "The Best" back on Schitt's Creek Season 4 Episode 6 deserves to go in the books as one of the most romantc TV moments of all time.  How could he possibly top that?

Unbelievably — Patrick did! As part of his wedding vows, Patrick once again serenaded David — this time with Mariah Carey's "Always Be My Baby."

Let's just say, David was not the only one who was misty-eyed at this loving tribute. 

4. "Blue Skies" – This Is Us

When the Big Three turned one, Jack and Rebecca went back to Dr. K for advice on This Is Us Season 4 Episode 18. 

He partly sang and partly told them about how the song "Blue Skies" came to encompass the entire human experience for him, the sad and the happy times alike.  

The lemon speech was a tough act to follow, but with "Blue Skies," Dr. K knocked it out of the park of the again. 

5. "You Are So Beautiful To Me" – The Boys

The Boys Season Season 2 Episode 2 featured a breakthrough moment for The Deep as he finally confronted his self-loathing. Of course, this is The Boys, so it didn't play out in a typical fashion.   

The Deep got high and hallucinated his gills speaking, then singing, "You Are So Beautiful To Me." 

Watching The Deep duet with his gills was disturbing, but it was disturbing in all the right ways.

6. "Little Voice" – Little Voice

Bess continuing to sing "Little Voice" despite the power going out during Little Voice Season 1 Episode 9 wasn't just a beautiful performance; it was a beautiful storytelling moment.

In every hero's story, there comes the point where the hero faces her fears, becomes her best self, and inspires the world around her to change for the better.

Bess' performance, with the crowd joining in, was the perfect expression of such a pivotal hero's journey moment.  

7. "American Pie" – Zoey's Extraodinary Playlist

Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist's ambitious musical numbers and fearlessness in tackling subjects like grief are a potent combination. These qualities were best exemplified during the Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist Season 1  Episode 12 closing number, "American Pie."

Thematically, it functioned as a moving elegy to Mitch and the season as a whole, while also setting up storylines for the next season, such as the continued exploration of the Max/Zoey/Simon love triangle.

The singing, the editing, and the cast all came together to create a show-stopping number.

8. "5,000 Candles In The Wind" – Parks and Recreation

The cast of Parks and Recreation were among the TV casts to reunite for a quarantine special, and seeing them on our screens again was like eating a bowl of chicken soup.

The reunion featured callbacks to nearly all of the best jokes from the series: Leslie gushing over Ann's beauty, Tom's neverending parade of business ideas, Cones of Dunshire.  

The most heartwarming callback came when Ron said, "Andrew take it away," and entire cast launched into a rendition of "5,000 Candles In The Wind," the finest tribute song ever written for a miniature horse. 

9. "Rocket Man" – AWAY

One interpretation of Elton John's classic, "Rocket Man," is that it's a song about exile. Keeping that in mind makes watching Lu and Mei perform the song at a karaoke bar extra poignant. 

It added to the joy of witnessing Lu and Mei form an unshakeable bond but also underscored the tragedy of Mei being exiled from her CAPCOM position to prevent scandal.

It's going to be a "long, long time" before Lu and Mei can reunite, but when they do, let's hope they find themselves back at a karaoke bar.  

10. Michael learns how to play the guitar – The Good Place

Learning how to play the guitar just isn't something you can master in the afterlife — not even after 800-plus attempts.  

Seeing Michael find a teacher and play a guitar chord without magic was one of the reasons The Good Place Season 4 Episode 13 was a satisfying conclusion to the series.  

That and the obvious sparks between Michael and his teacher made for a memorable music lesson.  

11. "The Man That Got Away" – Dynasty

Fallon did a lot a singing during Dynasty Season 3. She duetted with Adam on Dynasty Season 3 Episode 11. Her vocals saved, after nearly ruining, a fundraiser on Dynasty Season 3 Episode 18.

Using Fallon as the inspiration for Veronica Cabot, the chanteuse character in the noir story Liam told on Dynasty Season 3 Episode 13, was a natural choice.

The episode itself wasn't as committed to the noir theme as it should have been, but Dynasty star, Elizabeth Gillies, certainly was as she belted out a classic torch song while strutting her stuff on a piano. 

12. "At Least It Was Here" – Community

When creator Dan Harmon and the cast of Community reunited for a charity table read of Community Season 5 Episode 4, they pulled out all the stops. 

This included an appearance from Keith Slettedahl, lead singer of The 88, the band who wrote and performed "At Least It Was Here" aka the Community theme song. Having Slettedahl perform the theme anew captured the feeling of tuning in to watch a new episode.       

Then Harmon made up a new verse about farts, which got the cast laughing and was the perfectly Community way to usher Greendale back into session. 

13. "Simply Irresistible"  – What We Do In The Shadows

When you hear the name Jackie Daytona, "Simply Irresistible" will immediately start playing in your head and never leave. 

Watching Lazlo reinvent himself as a barkeep during a montage set to the Robert Palmer hit on What We Do in the Shadows Season 2 Episode 6 was hysterical. 

No wonder Lucy became so attached to the guy and later did a cover of "Simply Irresistible" in Jackie Daytona's honor.  

Over to you, TV Fanatics!

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What TV musicial moments from 2020 can't you get out of your head?

Hit the comments below. 

You can watch Lucifer online at TV Fanatic.

The post We Can’t Get These Musical TV Moments From 2020 Out Our Head appeared first on TV Fanatic.

Not only did AWAY Season 1 Episode 10 exceed every expectation, but it delivered a riveting finale full of emotion and hope.

Of course, there was no shortage of decision-making, but "Home" focused on dealing with your feelings when you cannot choose whom you love.

With only hours away from landing on Mars, the crew and NASA workers have plenty of things to do. Lu, in particular, has a tough decision to make that requires her to listen to her values. Her dilemma begs the question — how far would you go for the country you represent? When is it time to stand up for yourself and listen to your heart?

Lu listening to her heart brought her character full circle. She always had a big heart, but actually listening to it would be unheard of earlier episodes. When Lu makes this decision, she shows that she has come a long way since the Atlas left for Mars.

The best time to witness character development is often during a finale, and AWAY really delivered with Lu's character. 

Misha: Lulishka, people who don’t know you think you are cold. I know you have the biggest heart of anyone I’ve ever met. Now, let me tell you something; it took me almost sixty years to learn. Motherland is just an idea. Borders don’t exist. The only thing that matters is the people you love. Whatever you owe them, you already paid, and if they’re not proud of who you really are, Lu, they’re just stupid fools.

_{🔗 permalink: The only thing that matters is the people you love.}

Relationships also developed significantly on "Home." Love is not always romantic and AWAY showed us time and again. This show has no shortage of love, whether it is platonic, familial, and romantic. In each of these instances, the bonds created between characters are strong and everlasting. Nothing short of pure magic.

No wonder Kwesi values people the most. He recognizes what most cannot — the magical connections formed between people.

A unique aspect of love is the choices we make because of how we feel, and on "Home," there are plenty of decisions made based on love.

Emma and Ram is the most evident relationship. Regardless of romance, they have a bond that runs extremely deep, but Ram is in a tight spot after confessing his feelings on AWAY Season 1 Episode 9.

Ram has two choices: he can continue keeping his relationship with Emma strictly professional or put his feelings aside and be there for her. Emma needs someone to be there for her during this stressful time, and realistically, there is no better support for Emma than Ram at that moment.

Emma is under a lot of pressure, and as the commander, she still feels responsible for her crew. She is a great commander, but Ram stepped in when she needed someone the most.

Someone had to remind Emma that they completed the checklist, and all they could do was climb into the command module, buckle in, and descend to Mars. Ram reminded Emma that she finished her job for now.

Emma has difficulty grasping the concept because anything she decides now is personal. Whether it is for herself or her crew, she feels like she has to make choices since there is nothing else to do. She is terrified of letting her team down because she made the call to push forward to Mars.

Ram: Emma, I know you’re scared, and I know you well enough to know why, but our lives are not your responsibility.

Emma: Yes, they are. It’s my job to get you to Mars.

Ram: We got each other here. Emma, I hope we make it down alive, and I hope Pegasus is waiting for us when we land, but whatever happens, in about an hour, the entire world is gonna stop. Billions of people are gonna stop what they’re doing, and they’re gonna look up at the sky, and that is something I’m willing to die for. We all are. Our deaths are not your burden to carry; do you understand?

_{🔗 permalink: They’re gonna look up at the sky, and that is something I’m willing to die for.}

However, once again, Emma is worried because of fear. If she took a step back and looked at the bigger picture, she would realize anything that she is not personally responsible for anything wrong that happens moving forward. She did her job to the best of her ability, and Ram helps her see that.

Emma and Ram understand each other, and their friendship is one of the most rewarding aspects of the entire show. We love their dynamic, and we hope to see more of it on future seasons.

That does not mean they have to be together romantically. Emma loves Matt, and we cannot imagine her with anyone else, but it is refreshing to see that no matter what happens, Emma and Ram will always have a deep love for each other, even if it remains platonic. That is how powerful their connection is. 

But Ram and Emma are not the only ones who have to make choices based on their feelings or lack thereof. Melissa finally confesses her own feelings to Matt, who, unlike Emma, does not feel compromised.

If Emma is compromised, it suggests that she might have real romantic feelings for Ram because Matt does not seem to return Melissa's at all.

Why would Emma feel compromised while Matt does not? It does not make any sense, unless, as Kwesi said, Emma's love for Ram is more than platonic. Emma's love is one of the many reasons she is afraid she will lead her crew to their deaths. Essentially, she believes she is about to kill her loved ones. 

Of course, Emma could not be more wrong. No matter what happens, the Atlas will either make history as a team or die heroic deaths. Emma would not be killing anybody, but thankfully, they made it to Mars.  

The pivotal moment on "Home" was the final few minutes, when the Atlas landed on Mars.

Everything on AWAY led up to this moment. When Misha, Lu, Kwesi, Ram, and Emma take their first steps on Mars, the scene becomes a moment for reflection. How did they get here despite all the obstacles in their path? They almost died several times, but now they are standing on Mars. What led to this victorious moment? 

It was a combination of things. For one, their values — hope, trust, people, faith, love, teamwork, and countless more. They would have never made it without their values guiding them, and they did every time someone had to make a choice.

It just so happens that the Atlas crew made it to Mars because they made good choices based on their values, but even if they had not, they would have still been okay, as long as they continued to stay true to themselves.

Kwesi: Lord God, we thank you for bringing the five of us together, and we humbly ask that you deliver us safely home. Carry us now through this crucible of fire, so that we may show the world that there is a better world, a world beyond division, and confusion, and fear. Let us discover a world beyond fear. Amen.

_{🔗 permalink: Let us discover a world beyond fear.}

The Atlas crew's first steps on Mars is a moment for the books, but NASA receiving Emma's message is also iconic. The way the room burst into cheers was something no one will ever forget. Chills ran down our spines, and we just wanted to replay the scene over and over again. 

The emotions captured in that room are so memorable, and this scene was the most satisfying way that AWAY Season 1 could end.

Plus, Li Jun frowning at the Atlas's image was a spectacular bonus.

AWAY had a beautiful first season for a science fiction show about family, choices, and faith. We only hope Netflix renews AWAY for a second season so we can continue this journey with the Atlas crew and their families on Earth.

Kwesi: Can I say one thing? Ten hours from now, we are going to be standing on Mars.

_{🔗 permalink: Can I say one thing? Ten hours from now, we are going to be standing on Mars.}

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Well, Fanatics, it is your turn!

What did you think of AWAY's season finale? Did it meet all of your expectations? What did you think of Lu's last-minute decision? What do you make of Emma and Ram's relationship, or Matt and Melissa's? Are you hoping for a season renewal? 

Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!

If you missed an episode, you can watch AWAY online right here at TV Fanatic!

The post AWAY Season 1 Episode 10 Review: Home appeared first on TV Fanatic.

This time, there are not many choices left; only Ground had critical decisions to make on AWAY Season 1 Episode 9.

Not only was the crew affected by having no control over their lives, but Lex was deeply affected too since Emma is closer to death than ever before.

With every obstacle the Atlas faced, no matter how dreary the circumstances were, they always had options. Now, for the first time, they do not have any.

It is just a waiting game for Emma, Lu, Ram, Kwesi, and Misha. There is nothing else to do unless Ground notifies them of a way to extract water from the ship.

Lu: How about the uh, bladders of water that are surrounding the ship?

Ram: Through the walls?

Misha: Yeah, absolutely not.

Kwesi: Why? Why can’t we?

Misha: Because it’s impossible.

Emma: I’ll get on it with Ground. The impossible’s where we’re at.

_{🔗 permalink: The impossible’s where we’re at.}

Each crew member deals with death's inevitability in their own way, demonstrating their core personalities once again. However, this time, it is different because they are at death's door — they have nothing to lose by being honest and vulnerable with themselves.

There are no expectations to reach, no decisions to make, and no goals to set. Emma, Lu, Ram, Kwesi, and Misha confront the most intimate parts of themselves, showing how much they hid this entire time.

Lu is the most upfront of the crew. She is straightforward about death like she always has been. Lu was ready to die on Mars, but she does not want to die on the Atlas without even landing on the planet. And although Lu does not talk about her values a lot, she holds them close to her. 

Her big heart is as visible as ever when Lu remains honest throughout "Spektr." She keeps things simple and to the point without beating around the bush, making her the perfect candidate to write last words on the crew's behalf.

Lu: It was worth it.

_{🔗 permalink: It was worth it.}

Kwesi's circumstances are the most curious of the five because he reveals more about his birth family. Now, we understand why Kwesi has always been anxious about his health and the water supply — it is because he brutally witnessed his parents die of dehydration. 

However, Kwesi is not very anxious on AWAY Season 1 Episode 9. He knows what death from dehydration looks like, and now that he expects it, life does not surprise him anymore. Death is inevitable for Kwesi. So, while he values health, faith, and water, he also knows he cannot do anything other than wait to die. 

At least Kwesi holds his values firmly until the last minute. Part of him still expects to die of dehydration. He wants to ensure his crewmates are as comfortable as they can be. Kwesi may be waiting for death, but he plans to die with faith by his side and love in his heart.

Even though it seems like Misha embraces death, he is actually in denial. Misha shuts down any possible while he still talks like they will survive. These are all signs of denial.

Besides, the journey to Mars made Misha realize one thing. After countless mishaps over the last several months, Misha admits that he wants to avoid death and live. This sentiment is unusual for someone like Misha, who seemingly thrives in space.

But after losing his vision, family, and crew's trust, Misha has nothing left. When you have nothing to cherish, your real values come out. You do not have anything to lose by being the most honest version of yourself, and in this state, Misha chose his family.

He chose to save sentimental handmade puppets for his grandchildren over his vodka, which he relies on desperately in trying times, proving that Misha wants to be home with his family. After decades of being an astronaut and achieving the impossible, he craves to be a full-time grandfather and make proper amends with his daughter.

So, it makes sense for Misha to be in denial. After all, if they die, Misha will die with the most regrets since he did not have a chance to make things right. Since Misha lacks hope at the moment, we can only hope on his behalf that the Atlas finds a solution before succumbing to death.

As the most accepting of the crew, Ram only has one thing left on his mind. He deals with death at the pivotal moment of "Spektr," when they have one more way to extract water from the ship. 

Despite the pressure Emma and Ram face on their upcoming spacewalk, it does not stop Ram from confessing his feelings. Ram may claim he is not close to anyone, but he loves the crew as if they were his family, and he is in love with Emma.

Of course, Ram knew Emma's rejection was inevitable, but his perspective on the life or death situation is clear. He is about to embark on his first spacewalk, and he is not confident about returning with enough water for the remainder of the trip.

Since the beginning of the voyage, Ram was always the most prepared to die of everyone in the crew. Well, he was, until he fell in love with Emma. However, confessing his feelings while on the brink of death is a strong indicator that Ram is still the most prepared, even if they have a real shot in obtaining water.

The last episode will be exciting for many reasons, but especially now since Ram and Emma collected enough ice to last until Mars. Now, Ram must live with the consequences of confessing his feelings. 

Ram: You know, I used to think that if my life ended in sacrifice for something great, something bigger than myself, for my country, science, history… it would be the epitome of a life well-lived.

_{🔗 permalink: The epitome of a life well-lived.}

By the time Emma and Ram are ready for their spacewalk, Emma was hopeful about surviving. However, before the moment, she was the most detached of the group. Emma, who birthed hope on the Atlas, who took the craziest risks, and who always tried her hardest, had absolutely nothing to give.

But how could she? She left the two people she loved most in the world on Earth. Mars is her dream, but she developed new ones along the way. Emma is about to lose one of her big dreams, and there is nothing she can do about it.

Ever since Emma had Lex, she never believed she had to give up one dream for another, but with one last shot to survive, Emma is terrified she was wrong all these years. Emma already lost hope, so she believes that she gave up Matt and Lex for Mars, something she never thought was true.

Emma: I’m scared I’m never gonna see you guys again.

Matt: Don’t think like that.

Emma: But I do, I can’t help it. Misha said you can’t have both — family and the mission. That you have to leave something behind in order to survive.

_{🔗 permalink: That you have to leave something behind in order to survive.}

However, it was never true, and Matt and Lex know that more than anyone. Once Emma allows herself to feel beyond fear again, she will realize how Matt and Lex are always with her. She never gave them up, and they were with her throughout this entire journey.

Even on "Spektr," when Emma lost hope, Matt held onto it for her. He doubled his belief on Emma's behalf. So, once Emma comes out of her shell, she will know that she never lost hope — Matt, and even Lex, had it when she did not.

Things are not better at Matt and Lex's end, either. Lex is in a similar position that the Atlas is in — she waits to hear if NASA found a solution or if Emma will die.

Lex has the most to lose, but she also has the most support since she makes up with Isaac. If Emma dies, Isaac would be empathetic and supportive since he lost his father, too.

Lex: Everyone keeps telling me to have faith and keep hoping. But what happens if my mom does die? What will it feel like?

Isaac: It’s pretty much the worst thing you’ll go through in your life. Nothing will make sense. You’ll be pissed off. Sometimes you won’t even know if you wanna keep living.

Lex: Yeah. That’s pretty much what I thought it’d be like.

Isaac: But it does get better.

Lex: Really?

Isaac: But then that kinda messes you up even more, ’cause in a way, you want it to keep hurting. At least if it hurts, you’re not forgetting them. It really sucks when you start to forget them.

_{🔗 permalink: At least if it hurts, you’re not forgetting them. It really sucks when you start to forget them.}

We hope Emma makes it, but Emma knows that Lex is not alone if she does not. Lex has Matt, Melissa, Cassie, Isaac, her friends at school, and of course, Lex has Emma — in her heart, where she was this entire time. Lex will be okay no matter what, but it was tough watching her attempt to grasp the concept of Emma's death.

"Spektr" contrasted all of the previous episodes of AWAY uniquely. Although death loomed nearby after so much decision-making, it was almost relieving to see that not many people had choices to make. Almost everyone had accepted the Atlas crew would die in a matter of days.

Thankfully, Matt never gave up. He did not have choices to make, but that is because he worked on the situation tirelessly. He refused to wait to see if the Atlas would live or die since death was not an option. It did not exist in any way.

Matt was the only one without choices who thought the crew would live. While darkness consumed the episode, Matt contrasted it with light. He defined life on "Spektr" by being a beacon of hope.

It is worrying to think about what would have happened if the crew died since Matt refused to give up. He may have gone into denial, but thankfully, we never got to that point, and honestly, nobody wanted to see that.

There is one more episode left on AWAY Season 1. Now that the Atlas has enough water for the remainder of the trip, they are about to face their biggest obstacle yet. They are about to make history no matter what happens, but whether they live to see it or not will depend on a healthy mix of critical choices and uncontrollable fate.

"Spektr" paved the path for AWAY Season 1 Episode 10 to be an epic finale, and we hope that they deliver, even if the crew does not make it.

Over to you, Fanatics!

What did you think of AWAY Season 1 Episode 9? Did you feel the episode's intense emotions? What do you think of how each character dealt with the possibility of death? Did you agree with Ram's decision to tell Emma how he felt? 

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Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!

You can watch AWAY online right here, at TV Fanatic! 

The post AWAY Season 1 Episode 9 Review: Spektr appeared first on TV Fanatic.

When Pegasus, the Atlas supply ship, loses contact with NASA, Emma, as the Atlas commander, must make a gut-wrenching choice. Should they land on Mars and die of dehydration, or should they slingshot around Pegasus II and return to Earth without ever landing?  

This may be the most challenging decision anyone on the show has faced yet, and it does not make it any easier when Emma has pressure coming from all sides.

Emma is the sole person who decides the Atlas's fate on "Vital Signs," and her ever-changing mind shows how her values are all over the place.

Lu's values, however, are crystal clear. The episode even reveals more of her past and how she developed those values. Before this episode, We did not know that Lu is a firm believer in jinxing because of her father.

Jinxing adds a spin to Lu's character, considering she laughed at Kwesi on AWAY Season 1 Episode 7 when he suggested that the surviving plant be a miracle.

Lu's big heart shines once again. She trusts science the most, but she follows her father's belief in jinxing despite her instincts, demonstrating how much she values him.

However, Lu may blame Emma for jinxing Pegasus for reasons beyond her own parents.

It is easy for Lu to point fingers at Emma when Emma recently recovered from a downward spiral and dehydration. Emma is not entirely trustworthy because of her behavior, and she finally pays the price when Lu claims Emma does not care about landing on Mars.

It seems no one is more dedicated to landing on Mars than Lu herself as she considerably pressures Emma to trudge on, even if it means death. Lu may value her family, but she values this mission more.

Misha: You don’t wanna see your kid again?

Lu: Of course, yes.

Misha: And the woman you love?

Lu: Yes.

Misha: Then, on some level, you’re not relieved we’re going home?

Lu: No.

Misha: Why?

Lu: Because I didn’t come here to fail.

_{🔗 permalink: Because I didn’t come here to fail.}

Lu contrasts NASA, but NASA administrators are not emotionally involved in any way, shape, or form. Their main goal is to ensure the safety of their astronauts. If there is a way to save their lives, they will take it, even if they abort the mission.

NASA would never take any risk because they think only astronauts are high stakes, but what about the Atlas crew? The stakes have always been higher for them because Mars is their dream.

As Emma learned on Season 1 Episode 7, people can have multiple dreams and value multiple things. However, Emma still initially decides to go back to Earth, but for the wrong reason — fear.

She is misguided because she is terrified of letting her crew down. Landing on Mars would be their death sentence, and Emma could not live with that burden, even for a short while. Emma is also scared of never seeing Matt or Lex ever again, even though she knew the risks of joining this mission.

Kwesi: Forgive me. This might sound a little foolish, but I thought that if I could bring life back to Mars, then I could show people that it is not too late to save Earth. I thought this was God’s plan for me.

Emma: Surely, God’s plan wasn’t for you to die.

Kwesi: Well, traditionally speaking, God’s a bit unforgiving when it comes to his disciples sacrificing their lives.

Ram: I would have wanted to land on Mars eight months ago, even if it meant certain death. It’s what I promised my brother.

_{🔗 permalink: I would have wanted to land on Mars eight months ago, even if it meant certain death.}

It is ironic because of everyone that could remind Emma of her values; it was Lu who did. Furthermore, despite caring about the mission to Mars immensely, what really drove Lu on "Vital Signs" was Emma herself.

The point of reminding Emma of her values is not to get to Mars no matter what, but rather, for Emma to make a good choice, but how can she do that if fear fuels her? 

Lu convinces Emma to give Mars a chance, but more importantly, Lu reminds Emma of who she is and where her real values lie. Lu reminded Emma what defines her as a person, and how she developed her values — hope.

Emma: I am leading, and if Ground tells us that a sonic boom means that there’s even a decent chance that Pegasus is down there intact, then hell, yes! Full speed ahead. But we all know they’re not gonna say that. They’re gonna say exactly what you said, Ram, that if a plane disappears from radar, its pilot isn’t coming home. And the only thing a sonic boom gives us is a very faint and dangerous hope.

Lu: And that’s all this mission is.

Emma: Lu…

Lu: And when did you forget that? Where is the woman who stood on the Moon and asked the whole world to believe in impossible things? Who leapt off the side of a spaceship with nothing to cling to but hope? Who went into her crewmate’s room when he was sick, and stood outside of my door and told me it was okay to love? Hope has never been my North Star. Honor, discipline, duty. Never hope, until I met you. You… Emma, I don’t wanna die, I really don’t. But I’m willing to die for hope.

_{🔗 permalink: Emma, I don’t wanna die, I really don’t. But I’m willing to die for hope.}

It was hope that drove Emma to Mars in search of better options for humanity. It was hope that made her fall in love with Matt and shaped her family. Hope got Emma to where she is today, and therefore, it is her most significant value.

If Emma does not make her decision based on hope, then it will not matter whether the crew lives or dies because she made the wrong choice.

In hindsight, it is evident how Emma relied on hope and how she influenced the crew. Misha, Ram, and Kwesi seemed fine with slingshotting around Pegasus II until Lu presented her idea. It was not promising, but Lu's suggestion did provide a spark of hope needed during this time.

Imagine Lu convincing Emma about hope when Emma was the one who inspired Lu. This interaction shows how intertwined Emma and Lu have become.

Furthermore, Lu's hope speech shows how the crew is tight-knit and whatever decisions they make affect them. Kwesi, Ram, and Misha may have taken backseats on "Vital Signs," but they were just as integral to Emma's decision.

It does not matter what Ground says or does. Emma values Matt's and Lex's opinions, but they are not on the Atlas with her. While their anxieties are valid, there are only four other people in Emma's predicament, four other people who can empathize with Emma. So, Emma has to make the right choice for her crew and no one else.

Of course, once Emma remembers her hope, she becomes confident and makes a new choice. She never seemed more sure of herself than she did when she officially decided.

Emma: But I have no doubt that whatever comes next, we can take it on together, as a family. And I know this because today I was reminded what got me here. It’s the same thing I saw in you, Matt, that made me know you are my soulmate. It’s the same thing that makes you the person you are, Lex, brave enough to get that test. Hope. Hope made us the people we are. People who can chart voyages to the Moon and walk amidst the stars. People who might inspire others to cure cancer and CCM, and end wars and all the other things we wish we could change in this crazy, crazy world. Because the thought, the mere possibility, the hope that we might succeed is enough for us to keep trying.

_{🔗 permalink: Hope made us the people we are.}

Getting to Mars was never about living or dying. Of course, Emma, Lu, Ram, Kwesi, and Misha all care about their lives and do not want to die. However, if death occurs because of their choice, it should not matter as long as it is a good one.

Lu says hope is worth dying for, and while it definitely is, good choices are worth even more.

Now that Emma made her final decision, there is no turning back. She has officially sealed the Atlas's fate, but Emma made the right choice no matter what happens. Even if the crew dies before reaching Mars, Emma still made her choice by weighing the consequences and picking the option with her strongest values. 

That is truly the difference between a good and a bad choice, and AWAY portrayed it beautifully. 

Emma: So, we’re not coming home yet. We will, soon, but first, we’re going to Mars.

_{🔗 permalink: So, we’re not coming home yet. We will, soon, but first, we’re going to Mars.}

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Your turn, Fanatics!

What did you think of AWAY Season 1 Episode 8? Do you think Emma made the right decision? Will the Atlas survive the remainder of the trip despite their barely functioning water system? Now that the Atlas is closer to Mars than ever, what do you expect on the final two episodes?

Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!

You can watch AWAY online right here, at TV Fanatic!

The post AWAY Season 1 Episode 8 Review: Vital Signs appeared first on TV Fanatic.

AWAY Season 1 Episode 7 is brutal in decision-making, and the episode showed us the consequences of making the wrong decisions.

However, "Goodnight Mars" was not all dreary and sad. The episode also showed us long term effects of making the right decision and how rewarding they can be.

Emma already had her centric episode, but we never actually dived into her past to learn about what led to her decision-making skills today, especially since she makes one decision on AWAY Season 1 Episode 7 with disastrous results.

"Goodnight Mars" finally reveals Emma's backstory and how she got together with Matt. Like all other pivotal moments on AWAY, it was not an easy choice for Emma, but deciding to jump from a casual relationship to a full partnership defined Emma's values.

Especially since before this decision, the only thing Emma cared about was flying. However, something in Emma's past changed her mind. Her biggest dream was still to go to Mars, but Emma learned you could have more than one dream.

Emma: Flight, possibility, hope. These are things I never want you to live without. What I wanted to say, but I did so very badly, is that there was a time when I thought flying was everything. When I thought Mars was everything. When I had no idea how much more there was. How much more there could be.

_{🔗 permalink: When I had no idea how much more there was. How much more there could be.}

Whatever helped Emma come to this realization had to have been something extraordinary. What could be more special than boldly choosing to have a child, someone born from unconditional love? 

Throughout the flashbacks on "Goodnight Mars," Emma is terrified of deciding about her pregnancy, knowing that whatever she chooses will forever change her life.

Emma seemed so sure she would not have the baby because she would have to give up flying, but her peculiar adamance demonstrated otherwise. Emma was so insistent that she did not want the baby because a realization scared her — the idea that she could have multiple dreams and want multiple things.

The concept scared her — after all, everything Emma thought she knew flipped upside down. She focused on one thing for so long, and she never allowed herself to enjoy or want anything else.

Emma's past showed us how she transformed from a person with one value to someone with many. Her choice to keep Lex defined Emma as a character who can love many things. Before this decision, Emma was a one-dimensional figure, but she opened her eyes to a world she never knew existed with this pregnancy.

Furthermore, if Emma decided not to keep the baby and focus solely on flying, she might not have ever made it to Mars, let alone be the mission's commander. To be a commander, you have to have a heightened sense of perception, pay attention to everything going on, and consider all possible scenarios.

If Emma continued not to care about anything except for flying, how would she equip herself with the necessary tools to become the Atlas commander? Her perception would have been so narrow and warped.

Emma may have made a simple decision in her past, but it was a decision that changed the course of her life forever, and this choice got her to Mars. Emma learned how to weigh all options, value multiple consequences, and broaden her vision once she decided to have a family.

And that is what AWAY is — a meaningful show about family and how our families impact us. They shape who we are and who we want to be. "Goodnight Mars" did an excellent job demonstrating the meaningful bond a family has.

By choosing to keep the baby, who ended up becoming Lex, Emma added the first of many new values to her character — hope. She did not want to give up flying, and she still wanted to go to Mars. Having a family is a risky choice, but Emma did not let it get her down. 

After all, having multiple dreams is the definition of hope. What could be more hopeful than having a strong vision and believing in as many things as you want?

Lu: How can this be?

Kwesi: Have you ever seen a dandelion grow through a crack in the cement? There’s a Swedish study about children who thrive against all odds. They call them dandelion kids. Uh… My mother was a child psychologist.

Lu: So you’re saying there’s no explanation?

Kwesi: Maybe it’s a miracle.

_{🔗 permalink: Have you ever seen a dandelion grow through a crack in the cement?}

However, things are much worse in the present because Emma made a terrible choice that spiraled out of control. The timing could not be any worse, with hitting the three-quarter mark on the Atlas journey to Mars. 

Ram's psychiatric evaluation of Emma was the first sign something was wrong with her. 

Emma's past and present could not be more opposite — in her past, she cared too little about family, but she cared too much in the present. Concentrating too much on one value made her destructive, incapacitated, and temperamental.

AWAY highlights the importance of family, but the show also portrays how focusing too much on one thing negatively affects your choices. You are not clear-headed and calm — you are biased, high-strung, and irrational.

However, Emma's abnormal focus on Matt and Lex was not the only thing that brought her down, as the crew eventually figured out.

Lu: How can this be?

Kwesi: Have you ever seen a dandelion grow through a crack in the cement? There’s a Swedish study about children who thrive against all odds. They call them dandelion kids. Uh… My mother was a child psychologist.

Lu: So you’re saying there’s no explanation?

Kwesi: Maybe it’s a miracle.

_{🔗 permalink: Have you ever seen a dandelion grow through a crack in the cement?}

Kwesi and Lu were both wrong about the mysterious surviving plant, but this subplot was the perfect addition to the chaotic episode. With Emma's erratic behavior and Lex's accident, the audience needed some relief, and Kwesi and Lu were more than happy to provide it.

Plus, it was definitely a bonus when we discovered that Emma and the mystery were tied together. What a great way to balance out the intense emotions expressed on "Goodnight Mars." 

Emma: I just felt so out of control when I couldn’t fix the water system. And one of our main mission objectives is to prove that life can grow on Mars. I couldn’t let us fail. That plant is our future.

Ram: But it’s also our past. It’s Earth, and you couldn’t let it go, or accept the fact that for the next three years of this mission, Matt is there for Alexis, and you can’t be. Right.

Emma: I used to be like you when I was Lex’s age. Single-focused. No one could get too close ’cause if they did…

Ram: It might hold you back, right?

_{🔗 permalink: That plant is our future. But it’s also our past.}

Unfortunately, Emma was not the only one making rash decisions with terrible repercussions. Lex makes one herself, but sometimes, one decision can flip the entire world upside down.

Lex's accident may have been a result of irrational thinking, but she was upset because of Emma's response to her email about Isaac. Emma already stood on rocky grounds, and by doing so, she accidentally brought Lex with her.

Of course, everyone is responsible for their actions, and Lex is no exception — but Lex's accident demonstrates how it only takes one person to crush an entire faction. 

Now that Lex is recovering in the hospital, and Emma is rehydrated, this mother and daughter duo will have to face many consequences when they are healthy again. And with only three episodes to go, we can only imagine how high the stakes will be.

Over to you, Fanatics!

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What did you think of AWAY Season 1 Episode 7? Were you surprised about the surviving plant? How will Lex's dynamics with Isaac and Matt change moving forward? Do you think once Emma fully recovers, she will be fit to be the commander? What do you think will happen on the three remaining episodes? 

Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!

You can watch AWAY online right here, at TV Fanatic!

The post AWAY Season 1 Episode 7 Review: Goodnight Mars appeared first on TV Fanatic.

Trust was among many characteristics tested on "A Little Faith," along with consequences and teamwork. However, this episode was special because of how these qualities intertwined together to build faith and make choices.

Meanwhile, we learn about Kwesi's backstory, which provided a lot more context on his character.

But first, we always knew Misha valued trust and work ethic, but "A Little Faith" showed us that he cares about work ethic more than trust, which was why he did not see an issue in betraying the rest of the crew.

Misha made his choice, which ultimately set up the crew's fate for the rest of the episode. It is not wrong to value work ethic instead of trust, but it is clear Misha did not consider the consequences of either situation.

When you feel too strongly about a specific value or care about two equally, it is more important to consider the consequences of figuring out which outcome is best.

If Misha had looked at the consequences, he would have realized the Atlas was better off directly switching to the backup water system rather than dismantling it to repair the primary system. Not only did he lose his credibility, but he seriously endangered the crew's water supply.

Misha: Kwesi, tell them.

Kwesi: Tell them what?

Misha: Tell them. You… you saw what I can do. You said I was like a great surgeon, so just tell them to have your faith.

Kwesi: You don’t know the first thing about my faith. And our commander issued you an order.

_{🔗 permalink: You don’t know the first thing about my faith. And our commander issued you an order.}

It was curious to see how AWAY connected Kwesi's backstory to the most nerve-wracking and risky situation the Atlas has been in so far. However, it makes sense — we knew Kwesi was a man of faith from the very beginning, and "A Little Faith" showed us how he became a faithful person and how he maintains his faith during tough times.

Kwesi has a sad past, but his perseverance and strength are incredibly moving. These two qualities developed Kwesi's faith in the most natural way. Even if you do not believe in a higher power, AWAY Season 1 Episode 6 certainly makes you believe in Kwesi, who does.

But Kwesi was not born a faithful person. We see how he adjusts to his new life in England during flashbacks, forced to make far more choices than the average boy his age. These choices define the rest of his life until the present day on the Atlas.

Initially, Kwesi does not make any choices. He is grateful for his adoptive parents, but he does not understand how they can have such strong beliefs when a boy his age has already experienced so much devastation.

Kwesi: Why does this family get to have a god, but my family did not?

_{🔗 permalink: Why does this family get to have a god, but my family did not?}

But Kwesi's adoptive parents do not give up, especially his father, who introduced Kwesi to his great love, gardening. Kwesi's father was also responsible for his faith discovery.

Kwesi’s Father: When I came to this country, I was a young man, but my heart was like yours. I was sad, angry, and scared. When I met Miriam, I didn’t know we would fall in love. We started as friends, or she tried to be my friend, but I wasn’t interested. We worked together at the World Relief Fund. I was so sad that we couldn’t help all of the people. Miriam told stories from the Old Testament. About people who had so many troubles, slaves who wanted to leave the desert. They had no food nor water. But in all of this, God came to their rescue and helped them. I used to make fun of God. I was just like you. I didn’t believe there was a God who can do wonders. Then, my life started to improve. The pain in my heart also started to fade away. I started to think about the slaves in the desert. I thought it was their will, their faith in each other, that made God possible in the desert. Maybe we make God. God does not make us. Kwesi, me and Miriam are not asking you to believe in what we believe in. Also, we are not asking you to think about us as your mother and father. We are telling you the important things so that you can follow and choose when you want.

_{🔗 permalink: Maybe we make God. God does not make us.}

When Kwesi began connecting to faith, we finally learn about his values. Ever since he was a young boy, it was never about believing in a higher power, but rather believing in the people around him.  

Kwesi values people and the sacred connections formed between them. That is how he made past decisions and how he makes them today.

He chose to defend Emma on AWAY Season 1 Episode 1 because she saved him, which created a unique bond between them. He chose to risk his life and save Ram on Season 1 Episode 4 because Kwesi values Ram and their friendship.

Kwesi was the first to apologize to Lu on Season 1 Episode 3, and he supported Misha's puppet show on Season 1 Episode 5. Kwesi continued supporting Misha through "A Little Faith" until Misha betrayed them.

Kwesi is the backbone of the Atlas. Emma may be the commander, and Ram may be the physician, but they do not glue the group together — Kwesi does.

Kwesi is the one who reminds the crew of the importance of believing in each other to save the water system. Without Kwesi, it is arguable the rest of the team would have kept fighting. They would not have fixed anything, and they would have jeopardized their lives to the point of no return.

Kwesi: All right! That’s enough! Can’t you see what’s happening? We’re being tested.

Lu: Not everything is an act of your god, Kwesi.

Ram: I’m not sure that’s what he meant.

Kwesi: No, that is exactly what I mean. We’re all angry and scared. I mean, I spent the day by Misha’s side, I have more cause than anyone to feel foolish and betrayed. But I believe that God intends for us to survive, and the reason I believe that is that he has put the five of us together. We have everything we need right here to figure this out. So, no, it’s not about faith in God. It’s about having faith in each other.

_{🔗 permalink: So, no, it’s not about faith in God. It’s about having faith in each other.}

Kwesi may only be a botanist, but he saved the Atlas on AWAY Season 1 Episode 6. 

Now that we know about Kwesi's background, we know that his faith is important and intertwined with his choices. Both of these characteristics share Kwesi's ultimate value — people. Kwesi has a strong faith because of human connection, and he makes his choices based on the people around him.

Kwesi defines himself by the people he meets, the friends he makes, and the faith he puts in them. While it may seem naive, Kwesi is extremely brave for having such a powerful belief in people.

Just imagine how much better this world could be if we valued each other the way Kwesi does. That is why Kwesi's values are brilliant and not naive.

Unfortunately, Kwesi's plants have to pay the price of Misha's betrayal, but Kwesi remains positive. After all, he is a man of faith, and nobody believes in the Atlas crew or this mission more than Kwesi does. That is one of the many benefits of valuing people and their impact on each other.

Ram: It’s so ironic, isn’t it? We’re literally surrounded by water. There’s enough in the walls of this ship to keep us alive for weeks.

Misha: Yeah. Yeah, I wish we could access it.

Lu: Even if we could, we still need that water to shield us from radiation.

Ram: But that’s the irony. We’re like those sailors who die of thirst in the middle of the ocean.

Kwesi: Except that we are not going to die.

_{🔗 permalink: We’re like those sailors who die of thirst in the middle of the ocean.}

In the future, no matter how grim things on the Atlas may seem, we know everything will be okay if we believe the way Kwesi does.

Over to you, Fanatics!

What did you think of AWAY Season 1 Episode 6? Were you excited to learn more about Kwesi? Do you understand his character more? How do you think Misha's betrayal will affect crew dynamics moving forward? Now that the Atlas is rationing water, how do you think the journey to Mars will be affected?

Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!

You can watch AWAY online right here, at TV Fanatic!

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The post AWAY Season 1 Episode 6 Review: A Little Faith appeared first on TV Fanatic.

Of course, they are in space, millions of miles away from their families, but an approaching deadline lingers in the air. They must make their final calls to their families because they will soon lose service, only communicating through text or email.

There are different stakes for Emma, Lu, Ram, Kwesi, and Misha, prompting them to deal with their goodbyes differently.

Lu is not super worried. She seems at ease during her last video call with her son and her husband. Of course, she cannot contact Mei, but Lu does not show how she feels. If anything, she deliberately chooses to shut herself off from her heart, thinking that she would risk putting the mission in jeopardy if she does not.

Emma: How do you do it? How do you cope? How do you… how do you do it? I mean, you have your little boy down there, and a woman you love that you can’t even talk to anymore. Yet you always seem so stalwart.

Lu: I may seem that way, Emma. If I think about three years without my son, my heart begins to break apart. And I may never… never get to be with Mei again. But we’re going to be the first human beings to set foot on Mars. I look that way. You’re looking in the wrong direction, Commander Green.

_{🔗 permalink: But we’re going to be the first human beings to set foot on Mars.}

Lu correlates being overly emotional with destruction. Lu may have a big heart, but she always struggled to free it. Her decision to bottle up her feelings and only look forward shows that what she values most is the mission to Mars.

Looking back, it makes sense — Lu initially accepted Mei's help with English, so she does not get replaced. Once she fell in love, Lu knew it was a messy time to divorce her husband and come out as the entire world was watching her.

So, Lu may seem at ease, but the reality is, her situation is far more complicated than that. The only way she can step foot on Mars is to focus on the future ahead and ignore her feelings.

Despite Lu's choice, she is not coldhearted. She may not value her feelings, but they are there whether she likes them or not. Lu, more than anyone, knows how powerful emotions are, but she puts the mission to Mars above all else, no matter what the cost, even if the price to pay is her own heart.

Kwesi's final video call with his mother was simple. He did not overthink anything too much, but perhaps that is because he has bigger things on his mind — like the fact that his sole fell off. 

He was already anxious because of several other symptoms he experienced, but when the skin on his sole fell off, his anxiety multiplied a million more times.

So, how can Kwesi be overly concerned with saying goodbye to his mother when he has more significant issues to deal with? It is Kwesi's first time in space, and the farther away from Earth he gets, the more his anxiety cripples him.

Up to date, Kwesi is the only character we do not know a lot about outside of the Atlas. A certain air of mystery surrounds him, but watching his first experience in space may provide some hints for a future episode.

Kwesi is not pessimistic, but it makes sense that he looks for something wrong in all of the symptoms he experiences, even if he is reacting normally for somebody who has never been to space before.

Ram: Okay, Kwesi, look. Here’s the thing, space takes its toll on the body, right? And we’re going further than anyone’s gone before, longer than anyone’s been away. We’re finding out as we go the challenges it brings all of us, but everything you mention is completely normal. Your vitals are good, you’re strong, you’re a person of faith, and that’s really gonna help you, okay? Look, I’ve seen a lot of people react to space, and I believe you’re just gonna get stronger and stronger.

_{🔗 permalink: We’re finding out as we go the challenges it brings all of us.}

Whenever we learn about his backstory, his anxiety might make sense in hindsight. Until then, we see how important his health is to him, and how he values it over anything else, except for his beloved plants. 

Ram does not have anyone to say goodbye to, as we learned on AWAY Season 1 Episode 4, but he still has to deal with his illness's aftermath — including Emma's sudden distance from him. 

Of course, he does not understand, since he does not think their intimate conversation was a confession of his feelings, but Emma certainly did.

Now that Emma suspects he has feelings for her, there are a couple of ways Ram could approach this situation, and whatever he chooses will define his character and his relationship with Emma moving forward.

Ram could admit Emma is right to get Emma's rejection out of the way, or he could play nonchalant and pretend he has no idea what Emma is talking about.

Of course, Ram chooses the latter, as he would much rather suffer in silence than make Emma uncomfortable in any way. He always chooses his friends first, even at the expense of his own heart.

The characters with the most significant stakes on "Space Dogs" are Misha and Emma.

Misha has several issues that will affect his last video call with his daughter and grandchildren, starting with his vision rapidly worsening.

Misha is already insecure about his impending video call with his family. He struggles to figure out what to say to his daughter while ensuring the puppet show he planned for his grandchildren goes smoothly. So, his worsening eyesight adds more to Misha's troubles.

Misha: If they wanted someone with better eyesight, they could have chosen someone who didn’t log more hours in space than any other man, woman, or monkey in the history of the planet.

_{🔗 permalink: More hours in space than any other man, woman, or monkey in the history of the planet.}

Now, we already know Misha cares a lot about work ethic, and an impaired vision would drastically impact Misha's work ethic. So, Misha chose to walk out of his eye exam because he was determined to focus on his family instead.

Misha has one last chance to make things right with his daughter before they are cut off more or less for two years, so he feels more pressure than usual.

But in the end, it did not matter what Misha said to Natalya, even when he was completely vulnerable to her. Although he created an entire puppet show loosely based on their relationship, Natalya was not ready to forgive Misha for breaking his promise.

Misha learned to value trust out of his own experiences — Natalya cannot forgive him because it would mean putting faith in her father again. It is out of Natalya's pain where Misha realized how vital trust is; it is a significant factor in what drives his choices.

It seems that the more we learn about Misha, the more heartbreaking his situation becomes. He is practically blind, which puts him out of his engineering work, and he is officially out of touch with his family. We can only imagine how life on the Atlas will be for Misha in his unfortunate predicament.

Finally, Emma struggles with her goodbyes because she is close to her family. On top of that, there is tension between her and Lex. 

It is especially challenging for Emma because she refuses to think about fatalities. So, Emma does not want to say goodbye to Matt or Lex, and she seems to plan their last calls to be like any other one.

Emma is currently not speaking to Lex, and she is in denial about being apart from her family for the next two years. Emma may value family the most, but it is at the cost of her wellbeing. What if she does not say goodbye to Matt or Lex, and then something terrible happens to her? Or them?

Misha: I’m prepping my last video call with my grandchildren. If I don’t come back, I want them to understand —

Emma: But you will come back. Unless you know something I don’t, I’m getting us home.

Misha: Yeah. Yeah. Every time I’m in space, I assume I’m not coming home. Plus, we are the first to go to Mars, and the first, statistically, have a tendency to die first, so…

Emma: I’m getting us home.

Misha: I believe you, I do. It’s important to say your goodbyes. It’s a good thing.

_{🔗 permalink: It’s important to say your goodbyes. It’s a good thing.}

Emma may end up regretting her decision, no matter how badly she wants to pretend that the next two years are not happening. However, in the end, she does say goodbye to Matt and Lex, but after they lose their connection, we see her deep, emotional turmoil. 

Considering that Emma values family first, this will undoubtedly affect her choices going forward, as she is now practically isolated from them. She might make good choices motivated by seeing Matt and Lex or again, or her ability to be the Atlas commander may be compromised.

Her next decisions will be the most critical ones she has ever made, and we cannot wait to see them play out on screen.

Now it is your turn, Fanatics!

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What did you think of AWAY Season 1 Episode 5? Did you enjoy the Christmas themed episode? What do you think of how each crew member said goodbye to their families? Now that they have minimal contact with Earth, how do you think dynamics will change for future episodes?

Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!

You can watch AWAY online, right here, at TV Fanatic!

The post AWAY Season 1 Episode 5 Review: Space Dogs appeared first on TV Fanatic.

Matt also deals with a tough decision looming ahead — should he pass his mobility tests and go home, or fail on purpose to have more access to the rehabilitation center? 

"Excellent Chariots" reminds us of the lengths people go for their friends, family, and themselves, even if death lurks around the corner.

Ram's illness was worrying, but his proposition to Emma had us on the edge of our seats. He wanted her to put him in the airlock if the virus did not run its course within forty-eight hours.

This sudden request makes us wonder what Ram could have endured in his past to be so adamant about sacrificing himself after only two days.

However, Ram's request makes sense in hindsight once AWAY reveals his past. Ram blames himself for infecting his brother, Rohit, who eventually died of typhus while Ram survived.

Rohit was someone Ram looked up to immensely. Ram's older brother was his hero and inspiration, so much so that Ram went to Mars for him. Ram never stopped blaming himself for Rohit's death, even though Rohit chose to stay by Ram's side.

Rohit: The evil King Ravana has taken Sita away in his fire-burning Vimana.

Ram: The Vimana is his spaceship.

Rohit: And so Ram —

Ram: That’s me. I’m Ram.

Rohit: That’s right.

Rohit: And Ram becomes friends with Hanuman, the monkey god, and together they defeat King Ravana and rescue Sita, and Ram becomes king. And Ram is given the fire-burning spaceship. It is as bright as the sun, and the excellent chariot rises up into the atmosphere, higher and higher, to the stars, to the Moon, and to Mars.

_{🔗 permalink: To the stars, to the Moon, and to Mars.}

Ram could not control Rohit's presence, no matter how much he tried to push his brother away. Ram felt the burden of Rohit's death every day since the funeral. So, when Ram falls ill again, he is determined to remain independent and take control of his life. He will not endanger anyone else.

But Ram's request runs more profound than his decision-making skills. Ram was desperate to hold onto his independence because of his values instead of remaining level-headed to choose for himself.

As usual, Ram's choices defined his character. While he may have many values, he puts one above all else — altruism. Ever since Rohit died, Ram put everyone else before himself, even if it meant his own death.

Ram even chose his career because he promised Rohit they would go to Mars. Ram can think for himself, but he never actually considers himself. That is why he makes such a great surgeon — doctors should be sympathetic, caring, and selfless.

Rohit: We will go to the stars, and the Moon, and Mars on this excellent chariot!

_{🔗 permalink: We will go to the stars, and the Moon, and Mars on this excellent chariot!}

When Ram fell ill, it was never a question for him — he was ready to die so that the Atlas crew remained healthy. He values everyone else and their values before his, and that is what defines his character.

The rest of the Atlas crew also had tough decisions to make, as Ram's illness tested their loyalty like never before. Emma administered his antivirals, but when Ram accidentally cuts his back, Emma, Lu, Kwesi, and Misha must decide: should they let Ram fend for himself, or risk catching the highly contagious infectious mononucleosis?

The choice was not easy, but it was never about whether Ram could stitch himself or not. The crew did not even recognize what drove them to risk their lives for Ram, but AWAY portrayed it loud and clear — love.

Emma, Lu, Ram, Kwesi, and Misha trained together for two years before going into space. Their journey to Mars had barely begun before circumstances tested them like never before. Every past action led to the choice they must make in the present.

Over the last couple of years, without even realizing it, the crew developed a strong bond. Although it was not always smooth sailing, they came out of every mishap stronger and closer than ever.

Ram's illness may have tested the Atlas crew, but there was never really a choice, as they already unconditionally loved each other. Ram was ready to die for them, and when Emma burst into the door, followed by Lu, Kwesi, and Misha, they were ready to die for him.

The Atlas crew continuously risk their lives for each other, and as they approach Mars with every minute, they will continue to do so, even if someone eventually pays the ultimate price of death.

We hope it never comes down to that, but it is remarkably touching how these five astronauts have deeply impacted each other without even realizing it.

Misha: Don’t worry about Ram. Remember in… in training when we did, uh, sense appreciation —

Kwesi: Sensory deprivation.

Misha: Yes.

Kwesi: How could I forget being zipped inside a sleeping bag and sealed away in a dark closet to see how long I’d last?

Misha: Yeah, how long did you last?

Kwesi: I made it twenty-eight minutes.

Misha: Oh.

Lu: Thirty-four.

Misha: Forty-one. Ram? Two hours. He took a nap. Yeah. Yeah, he acts like this sensitive playboy Casanova, but he’s stronger than he seems.

_{🔗 permalink: Yeah, he acts like this sensitive playboy Casanova, but he’s stronger than he seems.}

Something else emerged from "Excellent Chariots," but it was not necessarily unexpected. The episode heavily implied that Ram has romantic feelings for Commander Emma Green.

There have been sneaking suspicions since AWAY Season 1 Episode 2 when Ram was unusually concerned about Emma's wellbeing after the spacewalk, but "Excellent Chariots" more or less confirmed it.

Ram: You know, after Rohit died, everything changed. My parents, they, um, they basically shut down from me, and from life. It was like after he died, I… I lost them too. I lost my family.

Emma: That must be so painful.

Ram: If I’m ever lucky enough to have someone stand beside me like he did, and like you did, I’m not gonna be afraid. I won’t ever let her go.

_{🔗 permalink: I’m not gonna be afraid. I won’t ever let her go.}

As mentioned on AWAY Season 1 Episode 3 Review, we cannot control who we fall for because if we could, then Ram would not have chosen his commander, who also happens to be married with a kid. He would have picked anyone else in the world, but his heart chose Emma.

Now that we know of Ram's feelings, both Ram and Emma will have choices to make. Did Emma understand Ram has feelings for her? If so, how should she approach the situation? How will Ram act around her after their intimate conversation?

Their dynamic will be even more interesting as it unfolds throughout the rest of the show.

Back on Earth, Matt was certainly not exempt from tough choices on AWAY Season 1 Episode 4. He made enough progress in his recovery that he was soon eligible to go home, but Travis threw a wrench into the mix, which led Matt to his current dilemma.

Should he go home and be with Lex? Or should he purposely fail his mobility test and stay to have unlimited access to the rehab center's facilities?

Matt: Look, I met a guy here who says if I hide my progress during tomorrow’s tests, I’ll get more time here. I know it’s the last thing either of us wants is for me to be in this hospital another second longer, but —

Emma: But staying in is gonna help you recover?

Matt: There’s a chance it’ll help me walk, yeah.

Emma: Then, you need to stay.

Matt: But Lex needs me right now more than ever.

Emma: Yes, she does. But you don’t need to be at home to be her dad.

_{🔗 permalink: But you don’t need to be at home to be her dad.}

There is no easy answer in this situation, but Matt's values are clear — he wants normalcy and recovery more than anything else. However, this scenario forces these two concepts to face-off, leaving Matt to decide which one he values more.

It turns out that for Matt, it was not about which concept he cared about the most, but about another one entirely that trumped these two.

Matt realized he could be Lex's father from the rehabilitation center since he did not need to be at home for that. Lex seemed to be okay until she starts skipping makeup tests for top-secret reasons that Matt does not know.

Lex unknowingly made Matt's choice for him — if his daughter starts ditching school for unknown reasons, Matt has to be a more substantial presence in her life, especially since Emma is millions of miles away.

On the surface, normalcy may have won the battle, but love and parenting conquered all.

Now it is your turn, Fanatics!

What did you think of AWAY Season 1 Episode 4? Were you surprised at Ram and Emma's intimacy? What do you think their relationship will be like going forward? Do you think the crew was right to risk their lives for Ram? Do you think Matt made the right choice to go home? 

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Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!

You can watch AWAY online, right here, at TV Fanatic!

The post AWAY Season 1 Episode 4 Review: Excellent Chariots appeared first on TV Fanatic.

More importantly, AWAY Season 1 Episode 3 focused on the true beauty of love and its painful consequences. Who knew a simple change of staff in Mission Control would prompt Lu's backstory and a secret romance?

"Half the Sky" was unexpected, emotional, and compelling in every way. Plus, a character who is a woman of color and sapphic? Definitely a bonus.

We learn about Lu's decision-making process and what sets her apart from everyone else. However, what makes Lu unique is not how she makes choices, but rather, how everyone else makes choices for her.

After all, she had no control over Mei's transfer from Mission Control. CNSA monitors all of her phone and video calls since the beginning. So, when Lu wanted to thank Mei for her service, Li Jun refused Lu's request, and there was nothing Lu could do about it.

Furthermore, Lu did not even have a chance to come out herself. When Li Jun found Lu's romantic note for Mei, rumors began circulating at NASA about their relationship, which led to Jack Willmore outing Lu to her crewmates.

Lu did not get a chance to come out on her own terms or whenever she was ready. She did not have the opportunity to say goodbye to the woman she loved, someone she would not speak to for three years. Lu felt more ostracized and isolated than ever, especially since Li Jun and another colleague betrayed her.

Lu may not have had many choices, but she did get to choose how to react to what happened, and rightfully, she was furious. Of course, she hid her feelings about Mei's sudden transfer, but she became angry when Jack outed her.

Despite yelling at the wrong person, Lu had every right to be as furious as she was. There was a reason why Lu and Mei's relationship was private and why Lu was still in the closet. We learn about these reasons through flashbacks. Lu's past decisions influenced her reactions to present choices, even if she did not realize it.

It was infuriating how Lu felt like she had to apologize to Kwesi and Ram for her outburst, but thankfully, they realized they were wrong by gossiping about Lu's private life.

One of the pivotal moments of this episode was when Emma supported Lu during this challenging time, despite Lu initially thinking Emma was at fault. Emma dealt with this situation the way a commander should — she reprimanded Jack and asked him to step back while comforting Lu the best she could without overstepping boundaries.

Emma: Look, I know you wanted to be the one leading this mission. But a commander has one job — to take care of the crew, and Lu just had a meltdown. And now she’s trapped in a tin can with four people that know her deepest secret. Not ’cause she wanted it, not because she asked for it. Because you wanted to feel important and score some points with the boys.

_{🔗 permalink: And now she’s trapped in a tin can with four people that know her deepest secret.}

Emma arguably influenced Lu to come out of her shell and acknowledge the situation. Emma may have been a commander since AWAY Season 1 Episode 1, but on "Half the Sky," she truly fulfilled this role.

Emma: Lu, there’s no excuse for what happened to you out there, and it happened on my watch. But I can promise you this: you will never receive an unwanted look or word from the crew again. Look, I don’t know what to say here, except I’m so sorry about Mei. I don’t… I don’t know the first thing about your relationship, and it’s none of my business. But I do know what it feels like to be apart from the people you care about. How you live and die with every phone call. And if… suddenly, those calls were taken away… Lu, I can’t even imagine. I didn’t know Mei terribly well, but she was the best CAPCOM I ever worked with. And it may sound silly, but I was always so impressed with her English. She speaks it better than most Americans. You speak it well too.

_{🔗 permalink: But I do know what it feels like to be apart from the people you care about.}

And while Jack was one of the episode's villains, he did try to make amends by organizing an opportunity for Lu to privately call Mei, where no one else would be listening.

We have not forgiven him since outing someone against their will is extremely homophobic, but at least he recognized that he was wrong and tried to show he was sorry. However, Lu is the only one who can be the one to forgive him and not anyone else.

We learn how Lu and Mei fell in love through flashbacks, at a time where Lu had far more freedom with her choices. It was surprising to learn that Lu felt like she could not physically cheat on her husband despite Lu and Mei's apparent feelings for one another.

However, Lu did not realize she was already cheating on him, even if it was only emotionally. But that is the thing about falling in love — you do not have control over who you fall in love with, even if you are married to someone else.

Lu did not have much wiggle room in her past, either — she was a year or two away from going to Mars, and she was already in America, learning English for the voyage. It is simply illogical to ask her husband for a divorce when representing her family and all of China on this mission.

So, Lu did the best she could in this situation. She kept her relationship with Mei strictly platonic. Mei helped Lu with her English skills, while Lu taught Mei brush calligraphy.

Lu's feelings did not waver, and she had more important decisions to make the day before she left. This time, Lu acknowledged her feelings — she agreed to sleep in the same bed as Mei (without doing anything else), and she accepted a ring from Mei. While it was never explicitly stated, it definitely felt like a promise ring.

Lu's past decisions show how no matter how hard someone can try, you cannot control everything, such as love. Love is a powerful feeling, and it is one of the very few exceptions that nobody can decide on through a simple choice.

We are not defined by who we fall in love with, but rather, our choices when we are in love. And we learn a lot about Lu when she fell in love with Mei. Above all, Lu values honor, respect, and integrity. She acknowledges she fell in love with Mei, but she cannot act on her feelings out of disrespecting her husband.

She cannot divorce her husband because of ill-timing, but Lu makes the best of a difficult situation. She is level-headed and intelligent, but she also has a big heart full of love.

Lu: Women hold up half the sky.

_{🔗 permalink: Women hold up half the sky.}

After learning about Lu and Mei's past, we witness their final phone call in the present. They have only one hour to speak with each other, and then they are cut off for three years.

Their conversation was nothing short of emotional, powerful, and hopeful. Lu and Mei discuss their current predicament, but they also discuss their future together. Things are grim now, but Mei promises to wait for Lu, even though she is not obligated.

Their love knows no bounds, and it was beautiful to see unconditional romantic love between two women of color no less.

We can only hope they survive their three-year drought, and they will be able to spend the rest of their lives together in happiness.

Lu: This mission was taken from you, and they reassigned you somewhere else. Something definitely has happened. It’s my fault. I’m so sorry.

Mei: It’s because I love you that the mission was taken from me, and I will never be sorry for that.

_{🔗 permalink: It’s because I love you that the mission was taken from me, and I will never be sorry for that.}

Meanwhile, Matt wants Lex to go back to school, after spending several weeks by his bedside and tending to his recovery. While the choices here do not have exceptionally high stakes, we learn a lot about Lex and Matt because of them. 

For example, Lex feels responsible for her father since Emma is in space for three years. Although Matt is insistent about Lex going back to school, Lex is scared of missing something important at the hospital.

She feels like she cannot live her own life when her father is fighting for his. Despite the extensive care Matt has, Lex only feels at ease when she is by her side since Emma cannot be. However, Matt wants Lex to live her life. 

We see Matt and Lex's contrasting values — Lex cares about support and routine, while her father cares about normalcy and recovery. Now that we know, their dynamic will be even more interesting moving forward.

Matt: Whatever’s gonna happen to me is gonna happen. You being here is not gonna change that, okay? You understand? And when I’m feeling down in here, thinking about how brave you’re being gives me strength. And you going back to school, getting back to your life, you have no idea how much that helped me today.

_{🔗 permalink: And when I’m feeling down in here, thinking about how brave you’re being gives me strength.}

We want to hear from you, Fanatics!

What did you think about AWAY Season 1 Episode 3? What do you make of Lu's reactions to other people's choices? Do you think it was time for Lex to go back to school? What are your expectations for future episodes?

Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!

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You can watch AWAY online right here, at TV Fanatic!

The post AWAY Season 1 Episode 3 Review: Half the Sky appeared first on TV Fanatic.