Ascension

Sy Fi has a hard time renewing great shows while keeping only the repetitive and bland. This is a great show that ends on a cliffhanger. The only issue I have with it is, as always these days, graphic sex. How are young people supposed to be exposed to great sci fi and fantasy genres if it's not suitable for them to watch? I grew up watching all sorts of sci fi and fantasy programs that sparked my interest in science and engineering. This is just a sad situation all the way around.

This show is not what you think. I will not give away any details. But if you watch the first episode, thinking that this is about a space adventure, you may want to quit watching. Don't.

The second episode will develop the story a bit more, and the third episode, if you are looking for a space adventure, will give you what you were looking for.

This show is a roller coaster ride, with multiple surprises, twists and turns. The acting is believable, the special effects are good. Just enough to make it realistic, although there are some iffy spots.

I don't know that I am allowed to post links here. But look up some of the early American and Russian spaceship cockpit layouts. I assume there are some online. This is directed to the reviewer who said the tech was not realistic to the period. That is thoroughly explained, and if you compare those images to what you see in this show, it ought to be pretty close.

This miniseries is really about what the project, as explained in the show, says it is. The future of the human race and finding a way into space. You will see for yourself, and understand just what is going on by the end of the third episode. You will get an idea of just how deep the rabbit hole goes.

I am sure there are more surprises to come and I for one am looking forward to them. I am glad I looked through the reviews and found the one advising me to watch to episode three. That was very good advice. You can safely ignore the negative reviewers. It is unlikely they made it past the first episode, so they do not know what they are talking about.

I am giving this a 7, though I am leaning more towards a 6. I think a 7 is fair for now, and if I can adjust it later after I have finished this miniseries, I will.

Don't worry - no spoilers here -- nothing to spoil! So my husband I found this show right before Thanksgiving on Netflix and got hooked really, really fast! We couldn't watch the last three episodes until Thanksgiving company departed. So they did, we did and then it ended -- What in heavens name? I have repeatedly said that TV shows should not be allowed to air their finale until I have reviewed it and put the Humans of The Earth stamp of approval on it. Very, very disappointing. It was left wide open for a Season 2 which was not considered. DO NOT WATCH IT. You will be so disappointed! There was nothing the least bit satisfying about the ending -- don't tell me to use my imagination -- that is what you all get paid for! Disappointing show. Just have to sit and pout until Stranger Things comes back (but if it doesn't at least it ended well -- That gets my Humans of the Earth stamp of approval.

This show started off a little slow, setting up the premise for the show and introducing us to the characters. The last few episodes were very interesting...even exciting. And then, the show just ended. I think this show got a bad deal. This show had a lot of potential. I think what killed it is that the first few episodes were a bit slow and dull. But it really took off after that. Another good show cancelled. Add it to the likes of Jericho, The Event and Under the Dome.

I enjoyed Ascension a lot more than I thought I would, and am genuinely surprised by the negative and lukewarm reviews it has received - and yet, I do have to acknowledge that most of the actual critiques are correct.

The first installment is slow, and not particularly interesting until you get to the final twist. From there, the next two installments move quicker. Also, the ending doesn't feel like an ending. Even BSG, which of course had been setting up for a series, let the initial miniseries end on a note that at least felt like an ending. There are a number of characters in Ascension who don't have satisfying arcs, and a number of subplots that aren't resolved at all. And yes, the show does have a very soap opera-ish feel to it, but not without reason: the laws of the ship restrict procreation, so sex became a currency like drugs in a prison.

The series is compelling in a way that not a lot of new shows are. The central idea, while highly implausible, is nonetheless fascinating, and opens the door to a lot of possibilities. SyFy has been introducing mostly fluff over the last few years so this had a much more mature feel to it.

I hope this does become a series, though I am skeptical as to how long the premise can hold before it gets old. The writers should have tried a bit harder to make the miniseries feel more self-contained. Still, the unique premise of the show and the complexity of the plot warrants a view, especially for science fiction fans.