After Molly collapses and experiences a vision of her encounter on the Seraphim, Sam agrees to give her an ultrasound so she can learn more about her mysterious pregnancy. Also, Molly tracks down Kryger and he reveals the disturbing details of his own solo mission that ISEA is keeping secret.
It's seems like Extant will be taking a nonchalant approach to telling its story. That's not inherently bad. And yet, it definitely feels like the show is more comfortable with being cryptic and vague than advancing its plot in a meaningful way. "Extinct" basically just confirms that Molly is indeed 14 weeks pregnant and that Harmon Kryger also had a vision doing his solo mission.What gets to me is that the pilot ended with Harmon telling Molly not to trust anyone and then she just immediately starts talking about everything with Sam. That seems questionable. Sure, Sam has been nothing but nice and understanding towards Molly and her condition. She seems to want answers as much as Molly does. On top of that, she's able to put together an off-the-book ultrasound. And yet, that only makes me a tad bit more suspicious of her. She's almost too friendly. Director Sparks and Yasumoto get to be the prominent mysterious bad guys. But that doesn't mean we should trust Sam as strongly as the show suggests we should.
Although Extant is a sci-fi series, it still is approaching things with a rational head. Molly and Harmon compare notes about their experiences in space which includes multiple sayings of 'brain abnormalities.' Then, they just conclude that it was their bosses at ISEA who did something to them. Again, it's a very good assumption to make. It's just not an exciting one. It's important that they both saw visions of loved ones who have passed. At least, Molly got to confront Sparks about it. That was a meaningful plot development even though it just amounted to him lying to her and keeping up his facade as her friend. Right now though, Extant is just comfortable with letting us ask the questions and it just being more mysterious about all of it.
Some more thoughts:
- "Extinct" was written by Leslie Bohem and directed by Matt Earl Beesley.
- It's clear that Julie has feelings for John and I just don't care about that at all. It's a soapy twist that doesn't really belong.
- Femi and Yasumoto are also sleeping together. Okay, sure. I'm more intrigued by the little box that can tell you your life expectancy.
- Hi Tyler Hilton!
- Other important plot points include Ethan learning what extinction means and Molly missing her romantic date with John. Completely inconsequential stuff that is played as important for some reason.
- Sparks' daughter, Katie, is tied to whatever is happening to Molly as well.
- The Marcus vision reappears and just says 'It's okay." Ummm, no it's not. Circular stuff is popping up on her abdomen.
