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Can ‘Constellation’ finale satisfy sci-fi fans?

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Apple TV+ pumped up its reputation as a hub for thought-provoking and visually stunning science fiction with Constellation, a series that’s part sci-fi, part horror and part family drama. The intricately plotted space thriller’s season finale airs Wednesday. And, as the season concludes, the show must clear a high bar to make the ending ring true.

After all, hit TV mysteries like Lost disappointed lots fans with their finales. And those same sci-fi fans (and their kids) are sick of being disappointed.

Apple TV+ space thriller Constellation must stick a tough landing in season finale

Apple TV+ hit series Constellation makes for an unusual blend of genres, merging elements of space adventure, horror, mystery and family drama. Drawing inspiration from quantum physics, the narrative visits different timelines across possible universal dimensions.

The show’s characters unknowingly shift dimensions while the viewing audience is expected to keep up. It’s complex and, at times, almost unbelievably confounding.

The series is flat-out weird, actually. After its start with a relatively straightforward-seeming space collision, the show immediately challenged all of us non-physicists.

Right away, it became a bit of a nightmare for me. Almost from the beginning, questions about when and how Constellation would answer its mysteries started to mushroom beyond seemingly possible explanations.

Like no other spacefaring TV or film story I can recall, this one seems to imply space makes those who return from it insane (though a colleague pointed out that 1940s sci-fi story Scanners Live in Vain explores a similar theme). Constellation brings the crazy, in part, by adding darkly atmospheric situations and horror tropes to hard-core science. Sure, space is dangerous. But maybe it’s also maddening.

Can a TV show reach this high, implying a multidimensional reality, without falling on its face? And if I ask this question in another dimension, does it seem less ludicrous?

Other dimension-crossing shows take themselves lightly, mostly

Constellation is not the first show to cross dimensions with varying levels of success. See Dr. Who, Fringe, Sliders, The Man in the High Castle and others, plus plenty of movies. But with Constellation, there’s an underlying seriousness that makes me nervous. When a show takes itself seriously, won’t it be hard to watch if it fails to adequately explain its plot? (There’s already talk of a second season of Constellation, by the way.)

In other words, when a show plays with quantum mechanics, with chraracters crossing dimensions and striving to understand the underlying confusion, it had better be revelatory. It should at least try to explain how things shown on the show are happening. If somebody wakes up at the end, implying in a cliched way it was all a dream or a coma, well, that won’t be acceptable.

Peter Harness created the show. Directors Michelle MacLaren, Oliver Hirschbiegel and Joseph Cedar brought it to life. Can they nail the Constellation season one finale?

Crossing realities with Constellation

Constellation on Apple TV+
Don’t miss that tagline: “Reality is a conspiracy.”
Photo: Apple

Constellation tells the story of Jo Ericsson (played by Noomi Rapace), a Swedish astronaut on an International Space Station crew. Among other endeavors, they seem to be working on a mysterious NASA experiment. But a collision in space in the opening episode leads to disaster.

The show’s nonlinear narrative jumps between Ericsson’s time on the ISS and her life after she returns to Earth. Despite knowing that she survives her ordeal in space, viewers are kept on the edge of their seats as her harrowing experiences unfurl. She comes home telling one story, yet everyone seems to believe another. And later, still other narratives crowd in.

She believes she went on a spacewalk and found a dead female cosmonaut crashed into the ISS. (The corpse drifts off into space.) But no one else finds her story of a dead Soviet credible. At the time, I joked with colleagues that the dead Russian woman would actually turn out to be Ericcson herself. That’s how weird the show seemed, and it still does. But after watching subsequent episodes of Constellation, it seems more likely the cosmonaut’s death was covered up. I wonder if it could be Irina Lysenko (Barbara Sukowa), now a top Rosocosmos administrator (in at least one reality; maybe in another one she died).

And that’s just one loose end the Constellation season one finale needs to clear up.

Back on Earth with her husband, Magnus (James D’Arcy), and daughter, Alice — spookily played by twin sisters Rosie and Davina Coleman — Ericsson’s memories trick her. They hint at disconnects between her current reality and her past. Why does her husband believe she despises him? Isn’t their Volvo red, not blue? Why does the European Space Agency director think he and Ericsson are in love? Something is horribly wrong.

Soon enough, Jo’s disorientation gets worse. And it becomes clear it’s not just her. It seems to affect everyone who ever ventured into space. They’re asked to take pills to combat the trouble. Ericsson finds out those pills aren’t just the vitamins they’re claimed to be. They’re antipsychotics. In her case, at least, it’s lithium.

And the show goes further, showing Ericsson in a scene where she sees people who can’t see her. They appear to be in different dimensions.

A mysterious NASA experiment

One of the central mysteries in Constellation revolves around a NASA experiment that Ericsson and her team appear to be working on aboard ISS before the collision.

Led by a former astronaut and Nobel Prize-winning physicist Henry Caldera (Jonathan Banks), the test is shrouded in secrecy. Apparently, it seeks a new state of matter that can exist only in a zero-gravity environment. And it may prove alternative realities, where an object can exist in two places at once.

But did the experiment even occur? It depends on which reality we’re talking about.

And Caldera, a veteran of the (fictional) Apollo 18 mission, appears to be caught in multiple dimensions. He is the scientist Henry, desperate to advance his tests on ISS. But in another, he is “Bud,” who seems like Henry’s disenchanted doppelgänger who has given up on everything and lives in a crappy Los Angeles apartment. Henry saved the Apollo crew from disaster while Bud lives in the hell of believing he let them die.

Which reality is true, or are they both true? Constellation suggests the latter. So the show seems to hope your head will explode.

And by the way, the word “caldera” refers to an explosively volcanic environment. So there’s that. And Banks plays up to that as Bud, almost like he wants to erupt and destroy a certain someone.

In any case, whatever’s going on seems to have a profound impact on Ericsson and her perceptions of reality, along with her family’s.

Can the show pull off an ending that pleases fans? Well, that’s a tall order. But we can expect revelations in the Constellation season finale.

Watch Constellation season one on Apple TV+

Constellation is a welcome addition to Apple TV+’s growing roster of original sci-fi shows like Silo, Foundation, Invasion and For All Mankind. Apple TV+  is available by subscription for $9.99 with a seven-day free trial. You can also get it via any tier of the Apple One subscription bundle. For a limited time, customers who purchase and activate a new iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, Mac or iPod touch can enjoy three months of Apple TV+ for free.

After launching in November 2019, “Apple TV+ became the first all-original streaming service to launch around the world, and has premiered more original hits and received more award recognitions faster than any other streaming service. To date, Apple Original films, documentaries and series have been honored with 471 wins and 2,090 award nominations and counting,” the service said.

In addition to award-winning movies and TV shows (including breakout soccer comedy Ted Lasso), Apple TV+ offers a variety of documentaries, dramas, comedies, kids shows and more.

Watch on Apple TV



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‘Constellation TV’ review: Harshly shifting realities

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Apple TV+ pumped up its reputation as a hub for thought-provoking and visually stunning science fiction with its series Constellation, part sci-fi, part horror and part family drama. The intricately plotted space thriller’s first-season finale airs Wednesday. But this Constellation TV review finds reason to worry.

The show’s characters unknowingly shift dimensions while the viewing audience is expected to keep up, so, you know — look out for that.

But as the season concludes, the show must clear a high bar to make the ending ring true. After all, hit TV mysteries like Lost disappointed a lot of fans with their finales. And those same fans and their kids are sick of being disappointed.

Apple TV+ space thriller Constellation must stick a tough landing in season finale

Apple TV+ hit series Constellation makes for an unusual blend of genres, merging elements of space adventure, horror, mystery and family drama. Drawing inspiration from quantum physics, the narrative visits different timelines across possible universal dimensions. That makes it complex and, at times, almost unbelievably confounding.

The series is flat-out weird, actually. After its start with a relatively straightforward-seeming space collision, the show immediately challenges all of us non-physicists.

Right away, it became a bit of a nightmare for me. Almost from the beginning, questions about when and how it will answer its mysteries started to mushroom beyond seemingly possible explanation.

Like no other space-faring TV or film story I can recall, this one seems to imply space makes those who return from it insane (though a colleague pointed to 1940s sci-fi story Scanners Live in Vain). Constellation brings the crazy, in part, by adding darkly atmospheric situations and horror tropes to hardcore science. Sure, space is dangerous. But maybe it’s also maddening.

Can a TV show reach this high, implying a multidimensional reality, without falling on its face? And if I ask this question in another dimension, does it seem less ludicrous?

Other dimension-crossing shows take themselves lightly, mostly

After all, it’s not the first show to cross dimensions with varying levels of success. See Dr. Who, Fringe, Sliders, The Man in the High Castle and others, plus plenty of movies. But with Constellation, there’s an underlying seriousness that makes me nervous. When a show takes itself seriously, won’t it be hard to watch if it fails to adequately explain its plot? There’s already talk of a second season.

In other words, when a show plays with quantum mechanics, with chraracters crossing dimensions and striving to understand the underlying confusion, it better be revelatory. It should at least try to explain how things shown on the show are happening. If somebody wakes up at the end, implying in a cliched way it was all a dream or a coma, well, that’s not acceptable.

Peter Harness created the show. Directors Michelle MacLaren, Oliver Hirschbiegel and Joseph Cedar brought it to life.

Crossing realities with Constellation

Constellation on Apple TV+
Don’t miss that tagline: “Reality is a conspiracy.”
Photo: Apple

Constellation tells the story of Jo Ericsson (Noomi Rapace), a Swedish astronaut on an International Space Station (ISS) crew. Among other endeavors, they seem to be working on a mysterious NASA experiment. But a collision in space in the opening episode leads to disaster.

The show’s non-linear narrative jumps between Ericsson’s time on the ISS and her life after she returns to Earth. Despite knowing that she survives her ordeal in space, viewers are kept on the edge of their seats as her harrowing experiences unfurl. She comes back to earth telling one story, yet everyone seems to believe another. And later, still other narratives crowd in.

She believes she went on a space walk and found a dead female Soviet cosmonaut in the wall of the International Space Station, who drifts off into space. But no one else finds that credible. At the time, I joked with colleagues that the dead Russian woman would actually turn out to be Ericcson herself (that’s how weird the show seemed, and it still does. But it seems more likely the cosmonaut’s death was covered up. I wondered if it could be Irina Lysenko (Barbara Sukowa), now a top Rosocosmos administrator (in at least one reality; maybe in another she died).

Back on Earth with her husband, Magnus (James D’Arcy), and daughter, Alice — spookily played by twin sisters Rosie and Davina Coleman — Ericsson’s memories trick her. They hint at disconnects between her current reality and her past. Why does her husband believe she despises him? Isn’t their Volvo red, not blue? Why does the ESA director think he and Ericsson are in love? Something is horribly wrong.

Soon enough, Jo’s disorientation gets worse. And it becomes clear it’s not just her. It seems to effect everyone who ever went to space. They’re asked to take pills to combat the trouble. Ericsson finds out those pills aren’t just the vitamins they’re claimed to be. They’re anti-psychotics. In her case, at least, it’s lithium.

And the show goes further, showing Ericsson in a scene where she sees people who can’t see her. They appear to be in different dimensions.

A mysterious NASA experiment

One of the central mysteries in Constellation revolves around a NASA experiment that Ericsson and her team appear to be working on aboard ISS before the collision.

Led by a former astronaut and Nobel prize-winning physicist Henry Caldera (Jonathan Banks), the test is shrouded in secrecy. Apparently, it seeks a new state of matter that can exist only in a zero-gravity environment. And it may prove alternative realities, where an object can exist in two places at once.

But did the experiment even occur? It depends on which reality we’re talking about.

And Caldera, a veteran of the (fictional) Apollo 18 mission, appears to be caught in multiple dimensions. He is the scientist Henry, desperate to advance his tests on ISS. But in another, he is “Bud,” who seems like his disenchanted doppelgänger who has given up on everything and lives in a crappy Los Angeles apartment. Henry saved the Apollo crew from disaster while Bud lives in the hell of believing he let them die.

Which reality is true, or are they both true? The show suggests the latter. So the show seems to hope your head will explode.

And by the way, the word “caldera” refers to an explosively volcanic environment. So there’s that. And Banks plays up to that as Bud, almost like he wants to erupt and destroy a certain someone.

In any case, whatever’s going on seems to have a profound impact on Ericsson’s and her perceptions of reality, along with her family’s.

And will the show pull an ending that pleases fans? Well, that’s a tall order, according to this Constellation TV review. But we can expect revelations in the season finale, according to some reviews. And if it’s great, this review could go from four starts to five.

Watch Constellation on Apple TV+

Constellation is a welcome addition to Apple TV+’s growing roster of original sci-fi shows like Silo, Foundation, Invasion and For All Mankind. Apple TV+  is available by subscription for $9.99 with a seven-day free trial. You can also get it via any tier of the Apple One subscription bundle. For a limited time, customers who purchase and activate a new iPhone, iPad, Apple TV, Mac or iPod touch can enjoy three months of Apple TV+ for free.

After launching in November 2019, “Apple TV+ became the first all-original streaming service to launch around the world, and has premiered more original hits and received more award recognitions faster than any other streaming service. To date, Apple Original films, documentaries and series have been honored with 471 wins and 2,090 award nominations and counting,” the service said.

In addition to award-winning movies and TV shows (including breakout soccer comedy Ted Lasso), Apple TV+ offers a variety of documentaries, dramas, comedies, kids shows and more.

Watch on Apple TV

★★★★☆



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‘Constellation’ space-thriller becomes latest hit for Apple TV+

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Add Constellation to the lengthy list of Apple TV+ shows that are stand-out hits. The new sci-fi mystery horror series sits near the tops of popularity charts of two different ratings services, and has ever since the premiere in February.

Masters of the Air remains popular, too. As do the historical dramas Napoleon and Killers of the Flower Moon. That puts all four of these series/films ahead of almost all the content on any streaming service.

Constellation combines sci-fi, mystery and horror

In Constellation, an astronaut returns to Earth after a disastrous mission to find parts of her life missing, and it appears a horrifying conspiracy may be to blame.

Apple calls the show an “action-packed space adventure,” but it’s more of a sci-fi horror mystery. The series is “an exploration of the dark edges of human psychology, and one woman’s desperate quest to expose the truth about the hidden history of space travel and recover all that she has lost,” according to Apple.

Whatever the mix of genres, Constellation pulls in a big audience. The series is No. 3 on JustWatch‘s list of top streaming shows for the week ending March 3. And it’s at
No. 4 on ReelGood’s list of Top 10 TV shows on streaming during the week ending March 6. The series has been on both lists since it launched February 21.

Estimates from companies like JustWatch and Reelgood are necessary because streaming services rarely reveal how many people watch their offerings.

The first five episodes of Constellation are ready to watch now on Apple TV+. The finale comes next week.

Watch on Apple TV

Masters of the Air stays popular

The Apple TV+ WWII drama Masters of the Air continues to draw in a big audience. The series stays on the popularity charts week after week.

It is an in-depth look at the “bomber boys” in the U.S. Army Air Force squadrons that took the war to Hitler via brutal and harrowingly dangerous bombing campaigns through skies filled with exploding flak and increasingly deadly Nazi fighter planes.

There’s clearly an audience for this type of show. ReelGood puts the historical drama at No. 9 on its list of most popular TV shows on streaming last week. And it sits at No. 8 on JustWatch‘s list of top streaming shows.

The first eight episodes of Masters of the Air are available to watch now on Apple TV+. The finale premieres Friday, March 15.

Watch on Apple TV

Napoleon storms onto the popularity charts

Napoleon, a historical epic from director Ridley Scott, began streaming on Apple TV+ on March 1 and plenty of viewers have since tuned in to stream it.

The movie stars Joaquin Phoenix as Napoleon Bonaparte, the French emperor who conquered much of Europe. It details the tyrant’s ruthless rise to power and his obsessive love for his wife, Empress Josephine.

The Oscars mostly snubbed the film, but it is nevertheless pulling in an audience. For the most recent week, JustWatch puts it at No. 5 on its list of most popular streaming movies and ReelGood had it at No. 6.

Napoleon is ready for Apple TV+ subscribers to watch now.

Watch on Apple TV

Killers of the Flower Moon is just as popular

Martin Scorsese’s Killers of the Flower Moon has been drawing a crowd of viewers since it hit the Apple TV+ streaming service in mid January, and that continues.

The historical crime drama scored ten Oscar nominations — including for Best Picture —  which surely helped keep it on the top ten lists of popular films. For the most recent week, JustWatch puts it at No. 7 and ReelGood had it at No. 8.

Killers of the Flower Moon is available to stream now.

Watch on Apple TV

Watch now on Apple TV+

Watching Constellation or any of these other series or films comes with a subscription to Apple TV+. The service is $9.99 per month with a seven-day free trial. You can also get it via any tier of the Apple One subscription bundle.

And Apple’s streaming video service also includes much more, of course. There are comedies, musicals, children’s shows, nature documentaries, etc.

Want more tips on what to watch on Apple TV+? Read our guide to the 15 best shows on Apple TV+.



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New Constellation Apple TV Series premiers February 21

New Constellation Apple TV Series premiers February 21

Embark on a journey through the vastness of space and the depths of the human psyche with “Constellation,” the latest science fiction series to grace Apple TV+. This gripping narrative, set to premiere on February 21, stars the talented Noomi Rapace as Jo, an astronaut grappling with the aftermath of a disastrous space mission. As Jo struggles to piece together her shattered memories and cope with the harsh realities of life back on Earth, viewers are drawn into a story that challenges the boundaries of human endurance and the quest for truth.

Constellation plunges its audience into a world where the enigmas of the universe collide with the intricate workings of the mind. The show promises to deliver a richly woven story of perseverance and the search for understanding in the face of the unknown. Alongside Rapace, the series boasts an impressive ensemble cast, including Jonathan Banks and James D’Arcy, who bring depth and complexity to their roles. They are joined by newcomers Rosie and Davina Coleman, whose fresh talents add to the dynamic interplay of characters.

Constellation Apple TV Series trailer

The creative force behind this compelling series is Peter Harness, who not only crafted the original story but also serves as the principal writer. The direction of the series is a collaborative effort among Michelle MacLaren, Oliver Hirschbiegel, and Joseph Cedar, each lending their unique touch to the show’s visual storytelling.

Production of “Constellation” is a partnership between Turbine Studios and Haut et Court TV, with a team of executive producers guiding its artistic vision. The choice to film primarily in Germany provides a fitting backdrop that amplifies the grandeur of the series’ narrative scope.

As the series unfolds, viewers will find themselves captivated by the interplay of space exploration and the profound exploration of the mind. “Constellation” is not just a space odyssey; it is an introspective look at the human condition, blurring the lines between what is real and what is perceived.

At its core, “Constellation” is a distinctive fusion of science fiction and psychological drama. With Noomi Rapace leading a stellar cast and a group of renowned creators at the helm, this Apple TV+ series is poised to take audiences on an unforgettable voyage through the cosmos and into the labyrinth of the human soul.

Filed Under: Entertainment News, Top News





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Constellation psychological thriller TV series

Constellation psychological thriller

In the world of streaming television, Apple is carving out a niche for itself with high-quality, thought-provoking content. One of its latest offerings is the eight-part psychological thriller drama series “Constellation,” set to premiere in February 2024 on Apple TV+. This series, with its ensemble cast and intriguing premise, promises to be a captivating addition to the platform’s repertoire.

Constellation features a star-studded cast, led by the talented Noomi Rapace and Emmy Award nominee Jonathan Banks. Rapace, known for her intense performances in films like “The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo,” plays Jo, an astronaut who returns to Earth after a space disaster, only to find key parts of her life missing. Banks, famous for his role in “Breaking Bad,” adds his seasoned acting prowess to the mix. The series also features James D’Arcy, Julian Looman, William Catlett, Barbara Sukowa, and newcomers Rosie and Davina Coleman as Alice, ensuring a diverse range of characters and performances.

The series is the brainchild of Peter Harness, who is known for his creative storytelling and engaging scripts. Harness has created and written the series, adding another feather to his cap. Harness also serves as an executive producer through Haunted Barn Ltd, alongside David Tanner, Tracey Scoffield, Caroline Benjo, Simon Arnal, Carole Scotta, and Justin Thomson.

Constellation TV series Apple TV+

The direction of Constellation TV series is helmed by a trio of acclaimed filmmakers: Emmy Award winner Michelle MacLaren, Oscar nominee Oliver Hirschbiegel, and Oscar nominee Joseph Cedar. MacLaren, who also serves as an executive producer alongside Rebecca Hobbs and co-executive producer Jahan Lopes for MacLaren Entertainment, directs the first two episodes. This collaboration of esteemed directors is sure to bring a unique cinematic flair to the series.

The plot of “Constellation” is set to delve into the dark aspects of human psychology and the hidden history of space travel. This unique blend of space exploration and psychological thriller is sure to keep viewers on the edge of their seats, as Jo’s quest to uncover the truth about space travel history unfolds.

The series is produced by Turbine Studios and Haut et Court TV, known for their high-quality productions. The production took place primarily in Germany, under the series producer Daniel Hetzer for Turbine Studios, Germany. This location choice, while perhaps unexpected for a series about space travel, could add a unique aesthetic to the series.

Constellation is set to premiere globally on Apple TV+ on February 21, 2024, with the first three episodes being released at once. Subsequent episodes will then be released weekly until March 27. This release schedule allows viewers to immerse themselves in the series’ world right from the start, while also building anticipation for the unfolding story.

Filed Under: Entertainment News, Top News





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