Ascension (SyFy) -- 3-night event -- S: Tricia Helfer/Brian Van Holt -- 12/15/14
12-15-14, 02:32 PM
#1
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Ascension (SyFy) -- 3-night event -- S: Tricia Helfer/Brian Van Holt -- 12/15/14
Created and written by executive producer and showrunner Philip Levens ("Smallville"), "Ascension" is an ambitious original drama following a covert U.S. space mission launched in the 1960's that sent hundreds of men, women and children on a century-long voyage aboard the starship Ascension to populate a new world. Half way into their journey, as they approach the point of no return, the mysterious murder of a young woman causes the ship's population to question the true nature of their mission. The series stars Brandon P. Bell ("Hollywood Heights") as the confident and capable First Officer Aaron Gault, Brian Van Holt ("Cougar Town," "The Bridge") as the eponymous ship's Captain William Denninger, and Tricia Helfer ("Battlestar Galactica") as Viondra Denninger, the captain's beautiful, manipulative and dangerous wife (who also serves as the ship's Chief Steward). Joining Bell, Van Holt and Helfer are Tiffany Lonsdale as Chief Astronomer Emily Vanderhaus, Andrea Roth as the ship's head doctor Juliet Bryce, Jacqueline Byers as her daughter, Nora Bryce, and P.J. Boudousqué as Nora's love interest, James Toback.
Trailer:
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/uXT0QGLh5c4" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Preview:
<iframe width="560" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/hCLCqyH5wk0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
FYI, this is 3 episodes airing Monday through Wednesday
Part 1 is 85 minutes
Part 2 and 3 are 2 hours each
12-16-14, 08:42 AM
#6
DVD Talk Legend
Re: Ascension (SyFy) -- 3-night event -- S: Tricia Helfer/Brian Van Holt -- 12/15/14
12-16-14, 09:49 AM
#7
Re: Ascension (SyFy) -- 3-night event -- S: Tricia Helfer/Brian Van Holt -- 12/15/14
Interview with SyFy's chief: http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/new...trategy-755056
You're doing projects such as Ascension as limited series. Do you go in planning for more?
The mandate is that if we're going to invest in a miniseries event, we want the potential for there to be a series coming out the other side. That said, next year's miniseries event, Childhood's End, which is a 1953 Arthur C. Clarke classic, is closed-ended, so there will be no series coming out of that. It's kind of off-strategy, but it influenced some of the biggest movie and TV franchises and it's never been adapted, so how do you not tackle it?
The mandate is that if we're going to invest in a miniseries event, we want the potential for there to be a series coming out the other side. That said, next year's miniseries event, Childhood's End, which is a 1953 Arthur C. Clarke classic, is closed-ended, so there will be no series coming out of that. It's kind of off-strategy, but it influenced some of the biggest movie and TV franchises and it's never been adapted, so how do you not tackle it?
12-16-14, 11:38 AM
#8
Senior Member
Re: Ascension (SyFy) -- 3-night event -- S: Tricia Helfer/Brian Van Holt -- 12/15/14
At the beginning, I thought it was cool that we had two different timelines, kind of linked together via relativity, then, in the middle it seemed that we were already several generations in, then, that ending!
I watched it in pieces so I can't say it kept me riveted, but the ending sure hooked me.
Although:
I watched it in pieces so I can't say it kept me riveted, but the ending sure hooked me.
Although:
Spoiler:
12-16-14, 11:39 AM
#9
Re: Ascension (SyFy) -- 3-night event -- S: Tricia Helfer/Brian Van Holt -- 12/15/14
Which would explain the shift to darker and/or harder edge programming with very little soft or light hearted options. I figured they were going this way after the cancellation of Warehouse 13 and the tonal shift of Haven.
I think the only whimsical alternatives on Syfy will be Face/Off and Ghost Hunters.
I think the only whimsical alternatives on Syfy will be Face/Off and Ghost Hunters.
12-16-14, 03:47 PM
#10
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Re: Ascension (SyFy) -- 3-night event -- S: Tricia Helfer/Brian Van Holt -- 12/15/14
I really enjoyed this. I thought it nicely combined science fiction with a 1960's period piece. And the ending was interesting. I'm glad I didn't read spoilers ahead of time.
12-16-14, 04:56 PM
#11
DVD Talk Legend
Re: Ascension (SyFy) -- 3-night event -- S: Tricia Helfer/Brian Van Holt -- 12/15/14
At the beginning, I thought it was cool that we had two different timelines, kind of linked together via relativity, then, in the middle it seemed that we were already several generations in, then, that ending!
I watched it in pieces so I can't say it kept me riveted, but the ending sure hooked me.
Although:
I watched it in pieces so I can't say it kept me riveted, but the ending sure hooked me.
Although:
Spoiler:
Spoiler:
12-16-14, 05:12 PM
#12
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Re: Ascension (SyFy) -- 3-night event -- S: Tricia Helfer/Brian Van Holt -- 12/15/14
At the beginning, I thought it was cool that we had two different timelines, kind of linked together via relativity, then, in the middle it seemed that we were already several generations in, then, that ending!
I watched it in pieces so I can't say it kept me riveted, but the ending sure hooked me.
Although:
I watched it in pieces so I can't say it kept me riveted, but the ending sure hooked me.
Although:
Spoiler:
I still think it's pretty absurd, but I can roll with it - at least for 2 more nights.
12-16-14, 07:13 PM
#13
Senior Member
Re: Ascension (SyFy) -- 3-night event -- S: Tricia Helfer/Brian Van Holt -- 12/15/14
So the ship hasn't needed any outside repairs in 51 years? Or did I miss them address that?
12-16-14, 11:28 PM
#15
Moderator
Re: Ascension (SyFy) -- 3-night event -- S: Tricia Helfer/Brian Van Holt -- 12/15/14
Watched the first episode and liked the beginning and ending -- the middle, not so much. Some pretty bad dialogue throughout. How was the 2nd episode for those that watched?
12-17-14, 09:32 AM
#16
DVD Talk Ultimate Edition
Re: Ascension (SyFy) -- 3-night event -- S: Tricia Helfer/Brian Van Holt -- 12/15/14
My dad quit this show after 4 minutes. I got through 4 minutes, said I'm going to give this show one more shot, got through another 90 seconds. Dominion and Helix both had me on board by that point and neither was that great.
12-17-14, 01:09 PM
#17
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Re: Ascension (SyFy) -- 3-night event -- S: Tricia Helfer/Brian Van Holt -- 12/15/14
Really liked the second episode. Big step up from the first episode. Looks like they have a couple of story lines going that all tie in to each other. The thing I worry about is can they tie everything up in the next episode. I guess if they break the big secret all the other stuff doesn't matter.
12-18-14, 08:12 AM
#18
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Re: Ascension (SyFy) -- 3-night event -- S: Tricia Helfer/Brian Van Holt -- 12/15/14
Well that ending was interesting. I'm not sure what th main purpose of the mission was now.
I liked what I saw but which it was more contained unless this is just the start of a series. Ending left some big questions.
Spoiler:
I liked what I saw but which it was more contained unless this is just the start of a series. Ending left some big questions.
12-18-14, 12:04 PM
#19
DVD Talk Hero
Re: Ascension (SyFy) -- 3-night event -- S: Tricia Helfer/Brian Van Holt -- 12/15/14
I guess people are hoarding the episodes on their DVR for later viewing. Having seen the whole thing, I thought this was an entertaining story that went in a number of different directions. Avoid spoilers if possible, I certainly wouldn't read this thread before seeing the whole thing.
The 1960s-era tech and style was a neat trick by the writers. Cultural evolution would have slowed down greatly in that ship.
I guess the ending implies
I did get an impression from watching the entire thing that some of the story ended up on the cutting room floor. The relationship between the blogger and TC investigator felt like it needed more development.
The 1960s-era tech and style was a neat trick by the writers. Cultural evolution would have slowed down greatly in that ship.
I guess the ending implies
Spoiler:
I did get an impression from watching the entire thing that some of the story ended up on the cutting room floor. The relationship between the blogger and TC investigator felt like it needed more development.
12-19-14, 03:40 PM
#21
DVD Talk Hero
Re: Ascension (SyFy) -- 3-night event -- S: Tricia Helfer/Brian Van Holt -- 12/15/14
Not that I'm unappreciative, but were all those nekkid butt shots really needed, story-wise? 
12-19-14, 08:30 PM
#23
DVD Talk Hero
Re: Ascension (SyFy) -- 3-night event -- S: Tricia Helfer/Brian Van Holt -- 12/15/14
Half of Bitten's season was virtually nude.They didn't explain the backstory too well about the ship's genetic matches made by computer. I guess that was supposed to be the punchline, though I would have liked to hear more about its origins.
12-20-14, 05:16 AM
#24
Banned
Re: Ascension (SyFy) -- 3-night event -- S: Tricia Helfer/Brian Van Holt -- 12/15/14
Late to the party, but watching on Demand (still need to finish episode two before it disappears, although I'm sure they will repeat the whole thing).
Lots of things to discuss...when do spoiler considerations become a moot point (I was careful about reading the posts so as not to ruin any potential surprises)?
Still a bit confused about the details about "the mission" (from both perspectives).
Lots of things to discuss...when do spoiler considerations become a moot point (I was careful about reading the posts so as not to ruin any potential surprises)?
Still a bit confused about the details about "the mission" (from both perspectives).