'Constellation' Episode 2 takeaway: Jo Ericsson makes it back alive after retrieving CAL Data

Jo Ericsson's resilience and expertise are put to the test as she finds herself stranded aboard the ISS
UPDATED FEB 21, 2024
Noomi Rapace as Jo Ericsson in a still from 'Constellation' (@Apple TV+)
Noomi Rapace as Jo Ericsson in a still from 'Constellation' (@Apple TV+)

Contains spoilers for 'Constellation'

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: The pilot episode of 'Constellation', streaming on Apple TV+, ended on a cliffhanger as we saw Jo Ericsson (Noomi Rapace) selflessly volunteering to stay behind on the damaged ISS, ensuring that her fellow crew members can safely return home.

Tension mounts in Episode 2 as Jo faces a race against time, using every ounce of her strength and knowledge to ensure her survival before oxygen runs out.

Jo Ericsson makes it back from the ISS alive

The media calls Jo Ericsson the loneliest human as she finds herself alone aboard the ISS. With a mere 19 hours of life support remaining, she refuses to give up.

She begins switching the batteries to Soyuz 1 and manually calculates the deorbit parameters. Meanwhile, she records a message for Magnus Taylor (James D'Arcy) and Alice Taylor (Rosie Coleman) on her iPad and leaves it behind on the ISS for the next crew to discover.

With only 11 minutes of oxygen and life support left, Jo dons her space suit and secures herself for re-entry.

With the docking process initiated, she anxiously awaits the capsule's separation from the space station, only to encounter a last-minute bolt malfunction that adds to her challenges.

With Mission Control unable to establish communication and Jo's life support dwindling, everyone believes that she is now dead.

Suddenly, alarms blare and invite attention to Soyuz 1 hurtling toward Earth. Jo experiences a ballistic landing and makes it out alive.

Noomi Rapace as Jo Ericsson in a still from 'Constellation' (@Apple TV+)
Noomi Rapace as Jo Ericsson in a still from 'Constellation' (@Apple TV+)

Why is CAL Data so important?

While everyone is relieved that Jo is alive, Commander Henry Caldera (Jonathan Banks) is concerned about the retrieved CAL data.

Since the first episode, we have seen him prioritizing the data over the lives of astronauts. He takes a sigh of relief when Jo confirms that she has retrieved the Data Core.

Jonathan Banks as Henry Caldera in a still from 'Constellation' (Apple TV+)
Jonathan Banks as Henry Caldera in a still from 'Constellation' (Apple TV+)

As soon as she lands on Earth, Henry runs tests on his iPad with the data. “How do you say ‘Eureka’ in Russian?” he says joyously.

In Episode 2, we discover that CAL data will supposedly help cure some serious illnesses and will prove to be a boon for life on Earth.

Without delving into much detail, the creators have left audiences eager to uncover the transformative possibilities this data holds.

Could these revelations be linked to the enigmatic occurrences surrounding Jo following her return to Earth?

'Constellation' is available to stream on Apple TV+.

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