'Constellation' Ending Explained: Irena Lysenko and Jo Ericsson's chilling conversation untangles mystery
Contains heavy spoilers for 'Constellation' on Apple TV+
STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN: After leading viewers on a thrilling journey across seven episodes, Apple TV+'s 'Constellation' unveils the mysteries in its finale.
Delving deep into the enigmatic lives of Jo Ericsson, Alice, Henry, and Bud Caldera, the series sets the stage for what lies ahead in their futures.
Despite exploring alternate realities, previous episodes concluded with a cliffhanger, leaving fans speculating about the show's conclusion.
However, the finale delivers a satisfying unraveling of mysteries, offering closure to the intricate plotlines.
Irena Lysenko learns about her alternate reality in 'Constellation'
In a previous revelation, it was disclosed that Bud and Henry Caldera (Jonathan Banks) had switched places during a mysterious incident.
In Episode 8, Bud destroys CAL to ensure he remains in a reality where he's revered as a hero and a Nobel Prize winner, rather than being seen as a failure with some criminal actions.
During his encounter with Irena Lysenko (Barbara Sukowa), he divulges details about a space accident in 1967, revealing that Irena had died in it.
This revelation shocks her, leading her to realize that what she and Jo Ericsson, along with other astronauts, had been experiencing wasn't merely burnout but a perplexing, inexplicable event.
Her uncertainties are further dispelled when she examines Jo's ultrasound scans, noticing a similar interference effect was observed in Henry's CAL data.
Now armed with the truth, Lysenko comprehends that Jo wasn't delusional. Consequently, Lysenko emails all astronauts who had crossed the Karman line, intending to investigate this "madness" effect.
Irena Lysenko asks Jo Erisson to 'Live' in Apple TV+'s 'Constellation'
When Irena visits Jo to check on her well-being, Jo inquires about the two men confined upstairs. Irena clarifies that there's only one man, who happens to be the first person to go to space.
Jo then ponders whether there are two versions of Irena and herself—one dead and one alive.
Irena, who lacks all the answers, urges Jo to come to terms with her current reality and move forward.
She emphasizes that whatever has happened cannot be reversed and encourages Jo to embrace her life in this reality, focusing on nurturing her soon-to-arrive child.
Jo Ericsson and Alice make peace with their current realities in 'Constellation'
In the reality where Jo was presumed dead, her daughter Alice (Davina Coleman and Rosie Coleman), who speaks Swedish, has come to terms with her mother's fate and decides to move forward in life.
She finds solace in believing that her mother is alive somewhere, feeling fortunate that the other Alice has her mother by her side.
In the alternate reality, Alice understands that Jo is not her biological mother but desires her to fulfill that role.
Following her conversation with Irena, Jo begins to embrace the situation. She not only accepts Alice as her daughter but also expresses affection for Magnus Taylor (James D'Arcy) and shares her desire to continue her marriage with him.
As the family departs from the rehabilitation center, Irena quietly reveals to Alice that her name is Irena, also known as 'Valya' among friends, confirming that Alice's dreams were not baseless after all.
Is Jo Ericsson alive on ISS in Apple TV+'s 'Constellation'?
In the climax scene, we witness Jo, who endured a severe accident on the ISS, resulting in the loss of her eye and her presumed death.
A tablet belonging to the other Jo floats by, containing a message she recorded for Alice in case she didn't survive.
However, the Jo with the disfigured face isn't from the current reality. She never made the recording on her iPad since the accident occurred before she had the chance to bid farewell to her daughter.
In a surprising turn of events, Jo moves her eye and manages to grab the tablet, indicating that she is alive after all. While on Earth, Jo would have succumbed to massive blood loss, the situation in space is different. Despite losing her eye, she didn't lose a significant amount of blood, which perhaps enabled her survival.
The season concludes with a cliffhanger, leaving viewers wondering about Jo's fate on the ISS and whether she will ever return to Earth.
This unresolved ending sets the stage for potential future seasons, adding to the anticipation and speculation surrounding the storyline.
'Constellation' is available to stream on Apple TV+.