‘The Ark’ Recap: ‘Pretty Big Deal’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

THE ARK -- "Pretty Big Deal" Episode 206 -- Pictured: Christie Burke as Lt. Sharon Garnet -- (Photo by: Aleksandar Letic/Ark TV Holdings, Inc./SYFY)

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 206 of ‘The Ark’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
​
One particular element of storytelling that is difficult for a writer to learn and master, is balance. Simply because, ideas excite a writer and that can push them to just blast that idea out on paper in a frenzied hurry sometimes and that can lead… to imbalance. Where the story can go too hard, push the envelope when it doesn’t need to, or perhaps it will go a little too dark for too long. Because balance is what keeps those surprises from happening, and it takes a lot of practice and a lot of discipline to eventually find the happy medium. Thankfully though, when that moment arrives, we are treated to stories from writers that perfectly captivate and provide us with what we need, and one particular show that offers up a masterclass in balance is The Ark on SYFY.

For Dean Devlin and Jonathan Glassner, and their crack team of writers have mastered balance and that was evident during ‘Pretty Big Deal’. Because this story, could go too hard and hammer the audience further with dark stories. But this tale served as the much needed break the audience, and the crew of Ark 1, have needed from a powerhouse season of storytelling. One that has seen the crew struggle amid their fight for survival. So, to balance things out, this story featured all kinds of wins. For starters, after weeks of living in low light and sparking consoles, Ark 1 was made whole again. Complete with a command module that functioned, new bunks for the crew, and the now desolate Ark 3 also provided them with badly needed upgrades and parts for the ship. Allowing for this weather worn gal to look as though she just left Earth, and the joyous moments didn’t end there.

After all, Captain Sharon Garnet was able to finally sit in the captain’s chair. A move that cemented her standing as the true master of this vessel and this level of peace and comfort… allowed for heroism to take place. For while they were on the way to their destination, this good crew received a distress call from Ark 8 and were quick to respond. Which allowed for some old school sci-fi to come into play, wherein this crew explored a strange new world and ran into some serious surprises. The kind where they encountered a planet full of clones, one of which was a clone of Lieutenant Lane. Which rocked his world and left him in a tough place mentally, where Garnet was able to support him, and this was quite the epic sci-fi twist. The kind that opened up a new storyline for Lane, which only added to the uniquely refreshing nature of this episode, and it still continued from there.

For Kelly finally had the explosive in her brain removed and found some ties with Trust at last. Plus, Angus and Alicia finally got together at last, and lives were saved. Since the clones were brought aboard the ship. All of which, spoke to balance. Since we got a break from the darkness, and the intensity of this journey through space. But of course, balance also means that the ugly stuff doesn’t stay away forever and there are some ominous clouds gathering on the horizon. Because Kimi and her alliance have their concerns about Brice and Eva, and whether they might be Eastern Federation spies aboard the ship. Plus, Eva is in a dark place and fighting to mentally survive, and somehow, the FTL drive on Ark 8 detonated. Ending the lives of mentally broken, yet innocent clone lives and answers must come to bear on that matter.

But while we wait for the storm clouds to arrive, we really can relish in a delightful, palate cleansing tale. One that allowed for us to get to know a little more about the characters as well, something we always cherish, and now we know that Brice can pay the guitar and that Lane, and his clone are big on mentally stimulating games such as chess. But what matters most, is that this episode informs us, that this show will always lean into balance and provide us with a beautifully crafted story. One that knows exactly when to drop the right surprises, such as Lane’s dilemma here, and when to take its foot off the gas pedal, so that everyone at home and aboard Ark 1 can process the gravity of this fight to keep humanity alive. Until next time.

---

Watch ‘The Ark’

Powered by JustWatch