'Constellation' Episode 3 takeaway: Jo Ericsson backtracks on her claim as she struggles with hallucinations
Contains spoilers for 'Constellation' on Apple TV+
STAR CITY, RUSSIA: Apple TV+'s psychological thriller series 'Constellation' gets more intense in Episode 3 as Jo Ericsson (Noomi Rapace) grapples to adapt to everyday life upon her return from space.
The neurological impact adds to her struggle as she can't differentiate between real and fake. Following her miraculous return to the Earth, a team of experts sits together to investigate the space collision.
Irena Lysenko dismisses Jo Ericsson's claim
Jo claims that during a spacewalk, she encountered the body of a female cosmonaut from the USSR. However, Irena Lysenko (Barbara Sukowa) swiftly dismisses her claims, arguing that the preservation of a body in space for 32 years since the dissolution of the USSR is impossible.
She highlights that no cosmonaut has ever been reported missing or deceased beyond the Karman line, casting doubt on Jo's reliability.
The team comes up with a possible explanation, suggesting that Jo may have mistaken a garbage bag for a cosmonaut, citing its resemblance to her description.
They propose that Jo's experiences could be attributed to hypoxia, a condition resulting from insufficient oxygen to the brain, leading to memory loss, confusion, and hallucinations.
Jo Ericsson is suffering from hallucinations and memory loss
Jo grapples with uncertainty as she experiences hallucinations of her dead colleague, Paul Lancaster, during a visit to his grave. While speaking with Paul's family, she calls his wife Erica, which confuses everyone since her name is Frida.
Back home, Jo's confusion continues as she questions Magnus Taylor (James D'Arcy) if they bought a new blue car, as she believes that they own a red one. Magnus' awkward look hints that some of Jo's memories have been altered.
These instances strongly suggest that Jo is suffering from neurological impacts following her return from space.
While hypoxia may offer a partial explanation, it fails to account for the broader scientific mysteries that have impacted Jo's experiences—mysteries that Henry Caldera (Jonathan Banks) is actively seeking to unravel.
Three episodes of 'Constellation' are streaming on Apple TV+.