Ascension - Syfy mini series

[Elandyll]

I am pretty surprised to see there is no existing thread about this.

The second episode (of 3) was tonight, but I just only saw the first one on DVR.
Pretty good so far, with the caveat that I saw the "big twist" coming about 20mn in. Am glad they didn't keep that as the end show reveal.

[Show spoiler] The theme of the "ship not being really in space" or "pretend trip" has been used a ton of time. The Twilight Zone comes to mind, but also more recently "Pandorum" although the premise was quite different.

Looking forward to the other two episodes, even if it looks like it could have aimed higher in terms of ambition with its theme, budget and cast.

Ps: Tricia Helfer is amazing, both in looks and acting, as usual.

[kobol]

Not as shabby as I was expecting, interesting final scene I hope the ''syfy'' renews it.

[Thomas Veil]

The way this played out makes me believe that they had thought of this as a series at first but then said let's just make it a mini-series because the budget may be too much for a weekly thing and frankly I'm not sure how they could carry this on long term basis anyway.

Wasn't bad but I had to push myself a bit to get through it.

[jokerzwild]

Originally Posted by Thomas Veil

The way this played out makes me believe that they had thought of this as a series at first but then said let's just make it a mini-series because the budget may be too much for a weekly thing and frankly I'm not sure how they could carry this on long term basis anyway.

Wasn't bad but I had to push myself a bit to get through it.

Ya it had to have been meant to be a series, there is no way they ended it like that on purpose. My guess is they pulled the plug halfway through and just wanted to recoop something for what they spent.

[johnstrk]

I loved it! It was different and part 3 was very exciting. Love most of the characters and really hoping for a series.

I noticed last night during the opening credits listing episode 105 & 106 but the first night said something like part one and part two in the credits. So let's hope that means we are now 6 episodes into a first season to come. Or maybe this was our first season and will get season two next year.

[Moefiz]

Saw the first two episode last night, it was well done..I think the writers tip their hand when

[Show spoiler]the guy in the yellow radioactive suit showed up thou

..hopefully it does get a series order.

[Elandyll]

The third part was very good but man ... I do hope we get more episodes .. Or Something. Ending on this wouldn't be right.

I have read online that originally this was a 6 part order (each being 1h with commercials), which was then mixed into a mini series of 3x 2h, explaining the at times weird differences in pace.

I thought that Ascension showed a lot of potential, and the ending was great aside for the fact that we might never have a follow up.

Hopefully it's not a show that was supposed to be a TV series order but was cancelled (and re-tooled before even being shown)... The fate of "Virtuality" on Fox comes to mind.

[4EverJohnnyBoy]

I really got into this mini-series event and frankly it works in this format. I don't think a weekly season to season show would benefit this story. Personally, I'd love to see this return as an annual event every December. A three-night premiere totaling 6 episodes of superb visuals and excellent storytelling. Sort of like what FOX did with the relaunch of "24" in a 12-episode format. To me, "24: Live Another Day" was the evolution and jolt needed to reinvigorate the franchise as it cut out all of the mini (and often times mindless) subplots that took away from the main story. Plus with that "Ascension" ending, I definitely want to see what's next! Highly recommend this show.

[Elandyll]

Originally Posted by 4EverJohnnyBoy

I really got into this mini-series event and frankly it works in this format. I don't think a weekly season to season show would benefit this story. Personally, I'd love to see this return as an annual event every December. A three-night premiere totaling 6 episodes of superb visuals and excellent storytelling. Sort of like what FOX did with the relaunch of "24" in a 12-episode format. To me, "24: Live Another Day" was the evolution and jolt needed to reinvigorate the franchise as it cut out all of the mini (and often times mindless) subplots that took away from the main story. Plus with that "Ascension" ending, I definitely want to see what's next! Highly recommend this show.

I would be ok with that

[Thomas Veil]

I wouldn't get too excited...the ratings were pretty blah for the money they put into it. The first night was pretty good for SYFY but it dived after that ratings wise. I think if it could have kept the first night numbers it would have had a chance....maybe.

[4EverJohnnyBoy]

Originally Posted by Thomas Veil

I wouldn't get too excited...the ratings were pretty blah for the money they put into it. The first night was pretty good for SYFY but it dived after that ratings wise. I think if it could have kept the first night numbers it would have had a chance....maybe.

The ratings didn't dive as severely as you'd think. We still won't have full DVR results until probably Monday, but the LIVE viewers from the first night to the final night only dropped to 1.5 million. It's clear SyFy believes in this property as they announced a while ago they already began writing a continuation for it should they choose to bring it to series. They're very happy with these numbers thus far and so I think we have a good shot to see the next chapter and I'm all for that.

[Elandyll]

Originally Posted by Thomas Veil

I wouldn't get too excited...the ratings were pretty blah for the money they put into it. The first night was pretty good for SYFY but it dived after that ratings wise. I think if it could have kept the first night numbers it would have had a chance....maybe.

Dunno, it's Syfy after all, and shows with lower ratings have been renewed before.

Ratings:
ep1 - 1.8m
ep2 - 1.3m
ep3 - 1.5m

[4EverJohnnyBoy]

Originally Posted by Elandyll

Dunno, it's Syfy after all, and shows with lower ratings have been renewed before.

Ratings:
ep1 - 1.8m
ep2 - 1.3m
ep3 - 1.5m

Exactly. Well said I'm sure it's just a matter of time before we get official word of the continuation of "Ascension."

[Thomas Veil]

That's not a rating that's viewer numbers which is a big difference. for example Z-Nation has very similar viewer numbers if not more on some nights and though it was renewed it was done in October before the whole season played out...I would say Ascension's numbers are pretty low for a big event mini series. The fact they dumped it on three nights in a row in December is not a good sign. We shall see...I thought it wasn't bad but if they thought that highly of it I don't think they would have showed it like they did.

Besides they have the Expanse coming with Thomas Jane..Chad Coleman (from walking dead), Jared Harris (Mad Men)...another space type show. SyFy budget minded and will only carry so much.

[Noahishere]

I unfortunately forgot about this, is Syfy going to replay it or are they already a bunch?

[4EverJohnnyBoy]

Originally Posted by Noahishere

I unfortunately forgot about this, is Syfy going to replay it or are they already a bunch?

They will replay it, in fact they have done so twice already since last week's 3-night premiere. Check your listings and they are also available at SyFy On Demand.

[Mouse]

Finally got around to watching this. Really seems like this show was meant to be a full 13 episode season and they cut a lot of character development & story development to make it fit into 6 hours. Wasn't bad but could have turned a good show into a great one had they taken more time with it and explain some things while letting some relationships progress more naturally. So many little things piled up with no resolution or a problem would present itself then it would get fixed almost immediately but failed to show how or why it got to that point.

[rickah88]

I binged this yesterday, and was pleasantly surprised. While I really like the story idea, the acting(short of Helfer) is pretty wooden throughout.
I would like to see a follow up mini-series format, just to see how things play out.

[kobol]

Is there any word if this mini-series is getting picked up for a full series?

[Elandyll]

Originally Posted by kobol

Is there any word if this mini-series is getting picked up for a full series?

Afaik it's still up in the air.

There is definitely potential, as the Producers are on record saying it's up to Syfy & the ratings, and it has also been revealed by the show Creator that there is more material ready for more seasons if needed.

http://www.zap2it.com/blogs/syfy_asc...lt_tca-2014-07

Syfy is billing the six-episode "Ascension" as an "event series" (i.e., a miniseries), but if it does well Levens already has ideas for future seasons in mind.