'Constellation': Apple TV+ series' fans speculate astronaut Paul Lancaster's fate after his alleged death
Contains spoilers for 'Constellation' on AppleTV+
STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN: The latest episode of 'Constellation' on Apple TV+ ended with a suspenseful twist, leaving viewers wondering about Paul Lancaster's (William Catlett) destiny.
In Episode 6, we are introduced to an alternate reality where astronaut Paul survives the space collision and returns to Earth, while Jo Ericsson (Noomi Rapace) tragically dies on the ISS.
As Paul grapples with missing and altered events upon his return, he confronts disbelief from his team and superiors regarding the CAL experiment and Commander Henry Caldera's (Jonathan Banks) existence. This sets him on a quest to unravel the enigmatic mysteries that surround him.
Bud Caldera shoots at Paul Lancaster in 'Constellation'
In the final moments of the episode, Paul tracks down Bud Caldera (also played by Jonathan Banks). Upon arriving at Bud's apartment in Los Angeles, Paul knocks on the door, inquiring about Henry. Bud denies knowing anyone by that name.
During a brief conversation, he discloses that the Apollo 18 incident led to the deaths of his colleagues, leaving him as the sole survivor.
Contrary to Bud's account, Paul recalls him as a hero who prevented casualties during the accident. Paul's persistent inquiries about Henry and the CAL experiment unsettle Bud, who sternly orders him to leave immediately.
Refusing to depart without answers, Paul's insistence pushes Bud to pull out his gun. A gunshot is heard, suggesting Paul's fate hangs in the balance.
Mystery lingers around the fate of Paul Lancaster in 'Constellation'
Despite the episode's title, 'Paul is dead', strongly implying the astronaut's death, fans remain hopeful that he's alive since his death hasn't been clearly shown on screen. This creates a cliffhanger for the audience, eager to delve deeper into the character's storyline.
A devoted fan on Reddit expressed, "I don’t think Paul is dead. That would be a lame way to resolve his character after such a great episode."
Supporting this sentiment, another fan added, "I think he loses his arm just like the other Paul."
On the other hand, some fans believe Paul's death is a reality. A Reddit user speculated, "I have a theory about 'interference by interaction.' The close-up shots of blood drops on the ISS and the concept of 'state of matter' hint that when Bud interacted with and killed Paul, it might have altered a parallel universe."
The upcoming episodes promise to unravel the mysteries surrounding Jo Ericsson and Paul Lancaster, both of whom seem to have ended up in alternate realities.
Meanwhile, Jo herself is actively investigating the enigmatic events unfolding around her.
'Constellation' Episode 7 titled ‘Through the Looking Glass’, is scheduled to release on Wednesday, March 20.