The Ark Creators on Why the Season 2 Premiere Killed Off *That* Critical Season 1 Character

The Ark Creators on Why the Season 2 Premiere Killed Off *That* Critical Season 1 Character

As a longtime fan of science fiction and someone who has followed The Ark since its thrilling debut on SYFY last year, I couldn’t contain my excitement when I heard that Season 2 was finally here. The cliffhanger at the end of Season 1 left me on the edge of my seat, wondering what had become of the crew stranded in the depths of the damaged Ark One.


SYFY’s “The Ark” is back on our screens! This popular science fiction show, which follows humanity’s search for a new home in space, has made its highly anticipated return for Season 2. The premiere episode of this new season provided answers to many unresolved questions regarding the Ark One and its endangered crew.

After enduring months of anxiety over which survivors of the Ark One made it through the catastrophic explosion that concluded Season 1’s cliffhanger finale, viewers have now uncovered the fate of those left trapped inside the wrecked ship’s underbelly. The massive blast from a nearby planet shredded the hull, leaving roughly half the team unaccounted for after the significant impact cut off communication between Captain Sharon Garnet (Christie Burke) and her colleagues on the bridge.

In the finale of Season 1, fans were left wondering which of the stranded crew members survived – a group that included Angus Medford, the quirky botanist (Ryan Adams), security chief Felix Strickland (Pavle Jerinić), head doctor Dr. Sanjivni Kabir (Shalini Peiris), maintenance technician Eva Markovic (Tiana Upcheva), and popular crew member Cat Brandice (Christina Wolfe).

For more on The Ark:
Everything to Know About The Ark Season 2 on SYFY
What Jonathan Glassner Learned on SG-1 That He’s Bringing to SYFY’s The Ark Season 2
What’s Next on SYFY’s The Ark? Christie Burke & Stacey Read Tease Season 2 Twists (EXCLUSIVE)

Why [SPOILER!] had to die in The Ark Season 2 premiere 

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Due to a timely intervention by nearby ship Ark 15 and its enigmatic captain Evenly Maddock (Jelena Stupljanin), Garnet and the bridge crew managed to board a shuttle for their salvation in the Season 2 debut of The Ark. Simultaneously, the episode explored the turmoil among the remaining team members trapped within the burning hull of Ark One.

Viewers observed that the majority of the stranded team members were frightened but alive. However, there was an exception – Brandice, who uttered her final words to scientific genius William Trust (Paul Murray), as she took her last breath on a stretcher due to a lethal injury.

Due to the survival of the other crew members, Cat’s death signals a bitter-sweet start to the heightened risks in the second season of “The Ark.” According to creators Dean Devlin and Jonathan Glassner in an interview with SYFY WIRE, this tragic event signifies that Season 2 will significantly increase the stakes, warning fans that nothing is safe on a science fiction series where success is never assured.

In Devlin’s opinion, it’s crucial on our unpredictable show that things get established from the start with the possibility of anything happening. As we experience the dramas unfold, we never know who will make it through. This uncertainty raises the stakes and distinguishes us from other shows that have tackled similar themes before.

The Ark Creators on Why the Season 2 Premiere Killed Off *That* Critical Season 1 Character

In Season 1 of “The Ark,” Cat made an appearance with a complex and intriguing past. Before boarding the Ark, she was popular on Earth as a social media influencer known for her focus on beauty. This background helped her secure a place on the Ark One without any essential skills for the mission.

In Season 1, it came to light that Cat had a complex and hidden relationship with the intelligent and wealthy William Trust, who was married at the time and spearheaded the Ark program. This was one of many secrets Cat kept concealed. Additionally, she had a significant physical scar from an Earth disease that was kept under wraps. Garnet, the acting captain, was confided in enough about Cat’s past to appoint her as the ship’s unofficial mental health counselor – a role Cat took on despite having no prior experience in this area.

Glassner acknowledged that deciding to eliminate Cat from the Season 2 opener was a painful creative decision. However, the demise of this significant character served to heighten fan engagement with the perilous larger plot of “The Ark.”

Last season, our ship was severely damaged at the end. It seemed unfair to return without any injuries or fatalities, as if we were shortchanging the consequence of the damage. (Glassner’s explanation paraphrased)

In our writers’ room for this new season, the first order of business was to determine which character had the most untapped potential and the least to explore further. We care deeply about all our characters and actors, making this choice a difficult one. After careful consideration, we reluctantly decided on the character whose story we felt we had already fully explored, despite our attachment to her.

Cat Brandice is no longer with us, but so far, The Ark’s Season 2 has not resulted in major losses for the crew of the Ark One – the ship is still smoldering – although there have been no substantial casualties reported as of yet.

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2024-07-18 06:01