‘The Ark’ Recap: ‘Everybody Wins’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

THE ARK -- “Everybody Wins” Episode 112 -- Pictured: (l-r) Pavle Jerinić as Felix Strickland, Christie Burke as Sharon Garnet -- (Photo by: Aleksandar Letic/Ark TV Holdings, Inc./SYFY)

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the Season One Finale of ‘The Ark’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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It is definitely quite incredible that the SYFY series, The Ark, recently answered one of its most burning questions in the simplest manner possible… through common sense. For this series has pondered deeply upon whether or not we are worth saving and if by chance we can find a way forward, and through some fine and powerful moments that parallel our modern world, it eventually made it clear that yes, we are, provided of course we find a way to drop the nonsense and the vitriol and work together toward common causes. Which is a comforting answer for certain, one that eventually brought forth an even more critical question regarding this commentary. Such as… what it will take to drop the nonsense so we can move forward.
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Which is… a powerful question to ask because one would think that to do so would require incredible work on our part. The kind that might be generational in nature. Or perhaps… the answer is far simpler than we know. Perhaps… the key to enacting change and finding unity starts with some acts of kindness. Ones that don’t require repayment nor would they come with conditions. Just… good old-fashioned kindness, as evidenced by what happened in the season one finale of the show. For ‘Everybody Wins’ saw Doctor Kabir and Alicia figure out how to make the cure work, and by having the end to Klampkins in hand, Captain Garnet saw an opportunity to offer up pure kindness. For she could just give the cure to Evelyn Maddox and use that to show her a better way forward, together, and well… her gambit paid off in spades.

For Maddox was quite shocked and confused by this act, but she accepted it and started to ponder upon the real possibility that all of this infighting was silly and wasteful and that all should work together. Which was quite the powerful epiphany to see take place, and while that makes it sound as though an immediate happy ending came into play because of that… that simply was not the case. Because this story made it clear that while this could work, it would not be without its struggles. For some, would not accept it right away and would need more convincing, as evidenced by Kelly’s desire to enact revenge against Angus and by William Trust’s disgusting act here. Wherein he tried to crash Ark Fifteen and kill half of the human race in the process out of a need for rich guy justice. 

But the fact that people stood up to Kelly and that a successful plan was executed to save Ark Fifteen following Trust’s wicked reveal of his plans for Maddox and her crew, spoke volumes to how good deeds and true kindness can start a movement. One that inspires, one that motivates, as evidenced by how everyone survived the disastrous surprise that Proxima B revealed at the end of this tale, courtesy of kindness being paid in full on Maddox’s part and that truly brought hope to this tale. For if Evelyn Maddox can find it in her heart to do the right thing and offer help and salvation to others after exuding cruelty… then there is indeed hope for the human race after all. A hope that we can express in our own world if by chance… we offer up a little more kindness right now in these troubling times. 

Which makes this… quite the powerful season finale. One that really did a fine job of bringing everything together. For all the thematic concepts came together beautifully here, and the characters completed their respective arcs this season in a satisfying and beautiful manner. But above all, it set the stage for a different battle ahead. One that will involve finding a new home instead of fighting each other, and that should lead to some powerful storytelling. The kind that will be equally uplifting as this tale since it would show us at our finest and show us what wonders we could accomplish by working together. And that is going to make for a tough wait for season two, since we are all eager to see humanity enter this bold new chapter in its fight for survival. Until next year.    

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