‘Night Sky’ Recap: ‘To the Stars’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the series premiere of ‘Night Sky’.
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Something that is truly incredible about modern mankind, is that we’ve been able to assemble a viable path to living a complete and fulfilling life. A process and act that allows for humanity to avoid one of its greatest fears. Which is of course, spending our twilight years full of regret over the possibility that we didn’t do enough to find satisfaction or to be remembered and that’s simply incredible. Because who knew that mankind, a species that sometimes is unable to pull off simple tasks and acts of kindness, would be able to set something up that should be incredibly complex and difficult in nature? But we have and so many follow the path and while that is amazing and comforting to know, this is of course a plan that still has its drawbacks.
 
Because unfortunately, we use a ‘one size fits all’ approach to the path. When in fact, not everyone fits into the mold or the plan and require some different experiences in life to find fulfillment and sometimes… the path in question, doesn’t provide people with the peace and completeness they expect to find in their twilight years. Especially when the path presents them with quite the unexpected surprise. One that informs them that sometimes following the plan and not taking certain risks along the way creates regret, and well… that particular conundrum is top of mind today, simply because it serves as one of the focal themes of the brand-new Prime Video series, Night Sky. A feat that ‘To the Stars’ accomplishes by introducing us to a happy couple in their twilight years that have come to discover that this exact problem applies to them.
 
For despite having enjoyed full careers and family life, and despite being one of those rare couples that stay married for decades on end, alongside owning their own home filled with memories of good days and bad, it is inherently obvious in this tale that Franklin and Irene York… are unfulfilled in this life. Which is stunning to realize, since they followed the path that the world has outlined for them. But a secret on their property is why they are struggling with peace in their twilight years. For buried beneath the tool shed, is an ancient transport, one that places them smack dab in an observation lounge that is conveniently built to overlook the alien landscape of another world. Where they’ve taken the time to add creature comforts of home to look into the universe and its wonders and well, it doesn’t take long for the audience to realize that this world… and what lies beyond the glass… is why they don’t feel fulfillment.
 
Because this couple is quite literally on the precipice of space exploration and could break the bonds of the life everyone else is expected to lead and see wonders untold. Or they could in fact, reveal this secret to humanity and show the world the majesty of the universe and upend the system by opening our eyes to so much more. But instead… they keep this a secret. A gift to themselves if you will, and their advancing age and the troubles that come with that… are creating the regret. Because with time not on their side, this gift from who knows what, might fade with them, and their legacy will be something boring instead of bold and to top it all off, they have never explored this place beyond the view, a choice that leaves them wondering… if they’ve ever truly lived.
 
If anything, all of these elements and concepts, set the stage for one powerful series. One that is clearly going to examine the human condition in a bold new way. By challenging whether or not the system we’ve set up, is the right way to live life in a fulfilling manner… or if by chance, we need to look at how to be bolder a species, so we can build stunning memories, the kind that inspire others. Which makes this a brilliant series premiere, one filled with beautiful performances and endearing warmth, and it also deserves kudos for exploring old age and how that isn’t as romantic as we make it out to be. But most important of all, this premiere features a genius concept, one that is fresh and original and absolutely sucks you in, since it makes you eager to continue the journey… to see where that surprise at the end of this story, and where Franklin and Irene’s desires to live an amazing life… will take us. Until next time.

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