Constellation: A Disappointing Sci-Fi Saga on Apple TV+
Overview:
Doppelgangers, specters, and mirrored realities set the stage in Constellation, Apple TV+’s latest serialized series. Premiering on February 21st, the show centers around the International Space Station (ISS) and the mysterious events that unfold on board. Despite its promising premise, the series falls short in delivering compelling characters and engaging storytelling, turning an intriguing concept into a tediously stretched out and lackluster eight-hour venture. As the streaming industry confronts the need to cut back on original productions, it’s no surprise that shows like Constellation would be the first on the chopping block.
Plot:
Set aboard the ISS, astronaut Jo FaceTimes her daughter Alice to show her around the zero-gravity environment. Unexpectedly, an unknown object strikes the station, causing chaos. Jo’s encounter with a desiccated corpse in an orange USSR cosmonaut suit further adds to the mysteries, but her inability to capture it on camera leaves her without proof. Jo’s determination to leave the station and the strange occurrences that unfold on Earth weave the plot together, revealing multiple layers of alternate realities.
Weak Execution:
The series struggles to captivate viewers, with its slow pacing and diluted storyline. The frequent shots of characters reflected in mirrors, along with comments about an upside-down world, slightly hint at the concept of alternate realities. However, the show fails to maintain a sense of intrigue. Rather than developing a dynamic protagonist, Jo comes across as one of several underdeveloped characters whom we are expected to care about without sufficient reasoning.
Missed Opportunities:
The performance of Noomi Rapace as Jo exudes a sense of haunted desperation, but even her acting cannot salvage the lack of engagement in her character. Jonathan Banks as Henry, the chief scientific consultant, is held back by the unnecessary secrecy surrounding his fundamental condition, making him more of a one-dimensional, melancholic figure than a compelling persona. The rest of the cast also lacks depth, leaving the viewer disconnected from their experiences.
Leisurely Pace:
One of the series’ major drawbacks is its slow-building narrative, which often feels like a case study in time-padding. Repetitive scenes and unnecessary sequences hinder the flow of the story, allowing the plot to meander aimlessly. The enigmatic twists introduced later in the show only further confuse and raise questions about the events. While the hint of answers in a potential Season 2 may provide some hope, it may not be enticing enough to make up for the overall lackluster quality of the debut season.
