‘The Ark’ Recap: ‘We Don’t Kill Our Own’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

THE ARK -- "We Don’t Kill Our Own" Episode 208 -- Pictured: (l-r) Christie Burke as Lt. Sharon Garnet, Kieran Mortell as Milos Warren -- (Photo by: Aleksandar Letic/Ark TV Holdings, Inc./SYFY)

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode 208 of ‘The Ark’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.

One unfortunate truth we all have to learn in this life, is that sometimes… the kindness and the grace we extend to others… won’t be reciprocated. Because despite our best intentions and best understanding of the situation, there are people that will take advantage of kindness and grace to further their own agenda and sometimes… the kindness we exude will be seen as weakness or selfish if the end result of our decision doesn’t benefit everyone. Which leaves us wondering if we should continue to take the high ground because it can backfire and well, that lesson and that question are top of mind today, because they were both showcased and answered during this week’s episode of The Ark on SYFY.

Which ‘We Don’t Kill Our Own’ accomplished… by way of two key moments. One of which involved the truth about Lieutenant James Brice’s past. For the mess that happened last week put Kimi squarely in the crosshairs of the captain. Who wanted answers and wanted to know who else Kimi suspected as Eastern Federation aboard the ship, to do this investigation right. Which of course, brought Brice’s past into play and while he wasn’t revealed to be EF, his admission that he chose to save his young co-pilot's life on the fateful day the EF attacked the moon, instead of following orders and ending their lives via a suicide mission that could have devastated the EF, was one that went over poorly. For his decision to be kind to one but not all, didn’t save everyone and obviously, ended the life of Lane’s father, and this admission deeply upset Lane, and shattered their friendship. All of which spoke to how good deeds don’t always offer up a wondrous ending.   

But of course, there was mention of two storylines that explored this, and the second was handled by a stunning surprise aboard the ship. In that, the clones were working quietly behind the scenes all this time, to take control of Ark 1. Because they were terrified of being second class citizens once again and knew of a world where they would be safe. So, they used the drugs they stole from medical to create an airborne sedative, which did indeed get them in control of the ship, and the FTL Drive. But not for long. For they didn’t count on Captain Garnet unleashing Kelly before she passed out, who in turn woke Alicia and Dr. Kabir, and a handful of others, and worked with them to re-take the ship. Which was no easy task. Because the clones did wake the captain, and tried to get Garnet to hand over control of the ship when our heroes began to move their plans sideways.

Which she thankfully refused to do, and instead put the ship on lockdown. Thankfully, her distraction and push to disobey the clone's orders gave the good doctors in medical time to create a compound that woke the crew and let them re-take the ship. Which in turn spoke deeply to how, kindness doesn’t always go so far. Because despite giving the clones a second chance… and showing them that not everyone would treat them like dirt, they cared not. Instead seeing that as a window to sow this brand of chaos and even put down the Gen 3 Clones. All of which, undoubtedly made the captain and Brice ponder upon if they made the right choices… and deep down… they know they did. For they both understood the most important lesson of all regarding kindness. In that, one should never stop exhibiting it because of the actions of a few. For to do so, would let the darkness in the world win. 

All of which made for a powerful and engaging episode. One filled with action and adventure, and incredible moments. Since Kelly is slowly earning her redemption and this crew is indeed starting to work together as one for greater causes, and they're working to leave old agendas and old haunts, behind, and this could not come at a better time. For it would also seem… that the greatest challenge this crew has faced to date awaits them, courtesy of that cliffhanger at the end of the tale. One that informed us that the Eastern Federation has found Ark 1, and trained their weapons upon them, and it will be interesting to learn how they found the ship and learn what they want… when we settle in to enjoy what should be an epic penultimate episode to season two of this brilliant series. Until next time.

To learn more about season two, and what it means to actors Reece Ritchie (Lieutenant Spencer Lane) and Richard Fleeshman (Lieutenant James Brice), check out interview with them, here.

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