Ep 2. Through the Valley of Shadows

Through the Valley of Shadows is the second episode of the sci-fi series Another Life's first season, airing on Netflix. In this intense episode, the crew of the spaceship Salvare continues its risky mission to investigate the origins of a mysterious alien artifact that landed on Earth and may endanger humanity.

In the beginning, the team is still recovering from the loss of one of their members, Nico, whose mind was taken over by the artifact and eventually died. The captain, Erik, is tormented by guilt and PTSD, while the rest of the crew is worried about their own sanity and safety. Yet, they have to keep going, as time is running out and the artifact seems to be manipulating them.

However, their next destination is another daunting challenge. The Salvare has to pass through a wormhole, a tunnel-like phenomenon in space that can lead them to a distant planet where the artifact may have come from. As the crew prepares for the journey, tensions rise and old conflicts resurface. Some crew members don't trust each other or their AI companion, William, who seems to be hiding secrets.

Once inside the wormhole, the Salvare encounters bizarre and frightening phenomena, such as distortions of reality and hallucinations. The crew members face their inner demons and traumas, which are accentuated by the unknown forces of the wormhole. The viewers get glimpses of their backstories and personalities, such as Cas' troubled relationship with her father or Sasha's religious background.

Meanwhile, outside the wormhole, the Salvare's communications with Earth are disrupted. The only one who has the means to fix it is Michelle, the ship's holographic interface who is programmed with the memories and emotions of Erik's deceased wife. Michelle has her own motives and feelings, and her interactions with Erik are both tender and eerie.

As the Salvare approaches the other end of the wormhole, the crew faces a new danger. They encounter an alien ship and have to make a choice whether to trust it or attack it. The alien's appearance is disturbing, and its language is incomprehensible, but it seems to have a message for them. The crew's decision and the consequences of it have far-reaching implications for their mission and humanity's fate.

Through the Valley of Shadows is a captivating and nerve-wracking episode that showcases the show's strengths in visual effects, world-building, and character development. It also raises intriguing questions about the nature of the artifact, the alien species, and the psychological effects of space travel and contact with the unknown. Viewers who enjoy thrilling and thought-provoking sci-fi dramas will find a lot to admire in Another Life's second episode.