As a fan of The Ark, I was absolutely thrilled with this week’s episode. It was a delightful deviation from the main storyline that allowed us to see our favorite characters in a completely new light. Garnet’s vulnerable side, Alicia’s grittier persona, and Brice’s baffled expression were all refreshing takes on the characters we thought we knew so well.
In this week’s episode of SYFY’s The Ark, there was an unexpected change in tone as characters we thought were familiar revealed hidden layers. A slight tweak in the laws of physics led to significant ripples, shaping the alternate realities these characters could have inhabited.
As a longtime fan of the thrilling series “The Ark,” I was absolutely floored when I heard that Cat Brandice (Christina Wolfe) would be making a comeback, even if it’s only in an alternate reality. Having lost her character to fatal injuries at the beginning of Season 2, I thought that was the last we’d see of the quirky, unpredictable social media sensation who somehow managed to secure one of the coveted survivor seats on the Ark One. To say I’m excited to see what her alternate self has in store for us is an understatement!
In Episode 4 of Season 2 titled “The Other You,” the ship’s abrupt exit from faster-than-light (FTL) travel generates a temporal fissure, revealing an alternate version of character Cat Brandice who, surprisingly, is alive in this specific episode.
For more on The Ark
1. Ark Producers Explain Why They Eliminated a Key Character from Season 2 in the Premiere
The Ark’s Jonathan Glassner on bringing back Cat… with a spiffy British accent!
Hey there! This week’s episode of “The Ark” takes an exciting twist as we all find ourselves stepping into each other’s shoes. It’s a wild ride where our favorite characters get to break free from their usual roles and explore new sides of themselves. In this alternate universe brought about by the time rift, timid Angus (played by Ryan Adams) becomes a fearsome security enforcer, even managing to knock down the tough Lt. Brice (Richard Fleeshman). On the other hand, Lt. Brice disappears from our reality and finds himself in an alternate Ark One, where he learns that he’s none other than the long-lost love of Captain Sharon Garnet (Christie Burke), who was believed to have passed away heroically.
Regarding Cat Brandice, it’s not just that she’s alive and active in the expansive realm of the series’ parallel timeline; she’s flourishing, having been trained at Oxford as a research scientist. This sharp-witted, capable individual goes by the more formal name of “Catrina.” As Jonathan Glassner, co-showrunner and executive producer, revealed on this week’s After the Ark podcast, introducing fans to Cat (or should we say, Catrina) in an alternate reality episode was a key element of The Ark‘s clandestine Season 2 plan.
“Glassner noted that parallel universes represent characters taking divergent routes,” expressing his delight at how refreshing it was for the cast of the show to delve into new aspects of their well-known science fiction personas.
One of the most enjoyed episodes from the previous season was titled ‘comet-water’, characterized by hallucinations experienced by everyone. Glassner commented that they desired a similar episode this season – one filled with humor and surreal elements, not heavily connected to the main storyline. They recognized their actors’ abilities and felt it would be entertaining to witness them portraying alternate versions of themselves.
In this week’s episode, we saw significant changes in the characters: Garnet displayed a more sensitive and tender side, Alicia (Stacey Read) took on a grittier, world-weary persona instead of her usual upbeat and optimistic demeanor, and Brice comically grappled with understanding the plot. Each main character underwent a complete transformation, leaving fans amazed. Additionally, Cat’s shocking return from the dead served as a fun reminder to viewers to always be prepared, as on The Ark, as hinted by Glassner, no unexpected twist is ever ruled out.
“He mentioned that they had always intended to reintroduce [Cat],” he expressed. “When it came time for me to inform [Wolfe] about the demise of her character, I shared, ‘We’ll create one more episode featuring you in a different reality – as I don’t want to bid farewell to you!'”
…”Additionally, when I first encountered Christina, she naturally spoke with a captivating British accent off-stage, but didn’t use it in our production. So, I suggested we let her speak in her native accent, and this transformation immediately elevated her character. It made her appear far more refined and sophisticated with the accent,” Glassner explained.
Beside themselves: The Ark cast on their alternate-reality characters
As a longtime fan of The Ark, this week’s episode was particularly gratifying for me. It offered a delightful peek into each character’s untapped talents, leaving us in stitches. For instance, the entire episode seemed like a heartfelt tribute to fans who’ve admired Garnet’s steadfast leadership or even recognized Brice’s (Fleeshman) usual bold demeanor. After all, it’s not every day that an alternate version of Brice finds himself roaming the ship in nothing but his birthday suit… and utterly bewildered!
In simpler terms, Fleeshman shared that what made that episode particularly enjoyable for him was the unique context in which it was set. The scene wasn’t just a standalone event; it was part of the rich history and potential future of the characters he worked with. Because the scene was so unconventional, it gave everyone involved a sense of liberation, allowing them to break free from any constraints.
Garnet, as pointed out by Fleeshman, serves as an ideal illustration. She’s often trapped by the necessity to do the right thing, lead, make the correct choice, and be selfless. However, there was a surprising twist where she portrayed a vulnerable, damsel-in-distress character – I found it endearing and freeing, and Burke did an excellent job with her performance.
Regardless of how distinct their counterparts from alternate realities might be, there needed to be a core of authenticity and continuity in each character’s version from another universe for the episode to maintain fan interest. “Christie portrayed it beautifully,” commented Glassner, “as she was almost this timid, innocent woman – not the dominant leader that she is in our world.”
“Though it’s a different version of Garnet,” said Burke herself, “this different version is grounded in the possibility that our current Garnet might still be present… I had a blast!”
By the close of this week’s episode, it appeared that everyone had returned to their usual personas. However, with the Ark One’s erratic space voyage, it’s impossible to predict where the crew might be headed next week. Don’t miss out on the latest Season 2 episodes of The Ark every Wednesday at 10/9c, only on SYFY.
Where to Stream Season 1 of The Ark
Want to delve deeper into the main narrative? Why not binge-watch the entire first season of The Ark, available for streaming right now on Peacock!
On NBCUniversal’s platform, there are two monthly subscription options: Premium (priced at $7.99 with advertisements) and Premium Plus ($13.99 without ads and downloadable for select titles). But if you’re a student, you can savor the Premium plan for an entire year at an amazing price of just $1.99!
Read More
Sorry. No data so far.
2024-08-09 00:32