Critic’s Rating: 3.5 / 5.0

3.5

Keep your friends close and your enemies closer on The Ark Season 2 Episode 7 because everyone’s skeletons are coming out of the closets.

If there is one thing you can count on when you keep people in close quarters for an extended period, there will be drama.

The creative team behind The Ark is starting to once again utilize the premise of “a snake in the hen house.”

Tamara Radovanovic as Jelena Griff, Pavle Jerinic as Felix StricklandTamara Radovanovic as Jelena Griff, Pavle Jerinic as Felix Strickland
(Aleksandar Letic/Ark TV Holdings, Inc./SYFY)

It’s the strongest arc to take on and will yield the most character growth and plot progression for the story.

Since its start, Season 2 has seen one external issue or problem after another. It is refreshing to see more internal struggles rather than another space catastrophe.

The Ark can only pull at that thread so many times before the premise becomes stale and boring.

The best thing the hands behind The Ark can do now is start revving up for an epic ending.

Now That The Story Is Turning Inward, The Funnier Episodes Of The Ark Will Be Far And Few Between.

It’s hard to believe that we are already past the midway point of The Ark Season 2. It feels like just yesterday, Maddox was threatening to blow up Captain Garnet for taking her crew.

Stacey Read as Alicia Nevins, Tiana Upcheva as Eva Markovic, Richard Fleeshman as Lt. James Brice, Christie Burke as Lt. Sharon GarnetStacey Read as Alicia Nevins, Tiana Upcheva as Eva Markovic, Richard Fleeshman as Lt. James Brice, Christie Burke as Lt. Sharon Garnet
(Aleksandar Letic/Ark TV Holdings, Inc./SYFY)

Since The Ark Season 2 Episode 1, we’ve seen electric space tentacles, multi-generational clones, and a parallel universe that gifted us a naked Brice. Why does Brice (Richard Fleeshman) even have shirts?

Now that the story is turning inward, the funnier episodes with ridiculous stakes will be far and few between.

Hopefully, that will also mean a more significant focus on production value. I’m sorry, but the detonator Kimi found looked like it was purchased from the toy section at Wal-Mart.

Then there was the “explanation” trope at the end where Garnet and Lane wouldn’t let Eva explain herself despite her repeatedly saying, “I can explain.” I’m not too fond of that cliche.

And not to nit-pick, but the plotting and dialogue of “It Can’t Be True” felt a little forced, and there were a number of plot holes.

For one thing, there was a strong focus on Kelly despite the continuity errors.

Samantha Glassner as Kelly Fowler, Christie Burke as Lt. Sharon GarnetSamantha Glassner as Kelly Fowler, Christie Burke as Lt. Sharon Garnet
(Aleksandar Letic/Ark TV Holdings, Inc./SYFY)

From Plot Holes To Overwrought Love, It’s Time For The Ark To Start Cleaning House

As we saw in “The Other You,” Cat gave Kelly a device to control her implants.

Since that Cat was from another universe and didn’t know Kelly’s history, we can forgive her oversight.

However, that was three episodes ago, and in “Museum of Death,” Kelly (Samantha Glassner) let it be revealed to Marsh and everyone in the Med Bay that she had control over her implants.

So, no one thought it would be a good idea not to inform the captain or anyone on the security team? The dangerous prisoner is left to augment herself freely.

That’s a plot hole if ever there was one.

Shalini Peiris as Dr. Sanjivni Kabir, Kieran Mortell as Milos WarrenShalini Peiris as Dr. Sanjivni Kabir, Kieran Mortell as Milos Warren
(Aleksandar Letic/Ark TV Holdings, Inc./SYFY)

In retrospect, it’s possible that the captain had other things on her mind, given the episode’s revelations. Love may be in the air for the good captain.

Speaking of love, Angus and Alicia are starting to become old news.

Granted, they are the cutest couple in space, but enough is enough. Listen, I ship those two, but it’s “do or don’t” time.

With everything that has happened on The Ark, the longing looks, and sweet exchanges between the two lovebirds are getting old.

They’ve escaped death on numerous occasions. It’s time to stop playing with their food and get to forking.

In all seriousness, the real focus needs to be on giving Angus something to do. It’s the seventh episode, and the botanist has done nothing.

Reece Ritchie as Lt. Spencer LaneReece Ritchie as Lt. Spencer Lane
(Aleksandar Letic/Ark TV Holdings, Inc./SYFY)

I guess we can at least thank him for calling out Lati

The Ark Has Enough On Its Plate Without The Writers Creating Convoluted Storylines

The Ark is starting to have more problems than solutions, but at least they aren’t with the ship for once.

We’ve known Kimi (Díana Bermudez) was up to something for a while, and in the previous episode, we learned she’s on the hunt for Eastern Federation agents.

While her detective skills certainly need work, she was right on the money with Eva. Except the security agent is convinced Brice is Eastern Federation as well.

I don’t know what direction the writers will take The Ark in with Brice, but I don’t see the handsome character being a double or even a sleeper agent.

Tiana Upcheva as Eva Markovic, Richard Fleeshman as Lt. James BriceTiana Upcheva as Eva Markovic, Richard Fleeshman as Lt. James Brice
(Aleksandar Letic/Ark TV Holdings, Inc./SYFY)

At the very least, Kimi doesn’t seem to be as unhinged as Lati, but I’m going to blame the creative team for that one.

It seems like they had Lati lose it and kidnap Alicia just to give the story and thrust, but they did so in an inorganic way, making the whole setup unbelievable.

The Ark has enough on its plate without the writers creating convoluted storylines.

Wherever The Ark Takes Audiences, It Will Be A Journey Filled With Characters You Can Root For

Between secret Eastern Federation hunters, clones, and post-humans, you’d think the crew wouldn’t have time for romance, but the writers have a different idea.

Have you noticed that almost all the characters have mating on the brain?

Shalini Peiris as Dr. Sanjivni Kabir, Jadran Malkovich as Dr. MarshShalini Peiris as Dr. Sanjivni Kabir, Jadran Malkovich as Dr. Marsh
(Aleksandar Letic/Ark TV Holdings, Inc./SYFY)

First, there was that bizarre and awkward exchange between Marsh (Jadran Malkovich) and Kabir (Shalini Peiris.) He told her he liked her, and it somehow felt so juvenile.

However, you quickly forget because Kabir’s reaction was whiplash-worthy. I don’t know if it was the acting or the writing, but something wasn’t working in this scene.

Luckily, the doctors aren’t the only possible couple on the love boat.

I’ve been saying it since I reviewed The Ark Season 2 Episode 2, but Garnet and Lane will probably end up together.

It’s not as if the show has been subtle about it. Sharon and Spencer have at least one flirting moment per episode.

However, I thought it was The Juno Project that was going to bring them together. Turns out, I was half right. It’s bringing them together, but only because Garnet doesn’t have a match.

Christie Burke as Lt. Sharon Garnet, Reece Ritchie as Lt. Spencer LaneChristie Burke as Lt. Sharon Garnet, Reece Ritchie as Lt. Spencer Lane
(Aleksandar Letic/Ark TV Holdings, Inc./SYFY)

That was a pang to the heart that I was not expecting, and due entirely to Christie Burke’s fantastic acting.

With Fifteeners, clones, and now Eastern Federation on board, The Ark is getting a little crowded.

I can only assume that the showrunners and creative team behind The Ark are gearing up for an out-of-this-world season finale to cap off The Ark Season 2.

Captain Garnet’s (Christie Burke) happy home and chosen family are starting to fall apart.

Christie Burke as Lt. Sharon Garnet, Pavle Jerinic as Felix Strickland, Diana Bermudez as KimiChristie Burke as Lt. Sharon Garnet, Pavle Jerinic as Felix Strickland, Diana Bermudez as Kimi
(Aleksandar Letic/Ark TV Holdings, Inc./SYFY)

Wherever The Ark takes audiences, the journey will be filled with characters you can root for.

What do you think Kelly is going to do about Lati?

Do you think Eva is still working for the Eastern Federation?

Drop a comment below to let us know, and join me again when I review the next episode of The Ark!



Source link


administrator