Ep 1. Re-Entry

In the first episode of the science-fiction series Extant, titled "Re-Entry", we meet astronaut Molly Woods (played by Halle Berry), who returns to Earth after spending a year alone on a space mission. The episode begins with Molly being interviewed by a committee about her experience in space and her physical and mental health since returning to Earth.

As we learn about Molly's backstory, we also see her trying to reconnect with her husband John (played by Goran Visnjic) and their son Ethan (played by Pierce Gagnon), who is not a typical child - he's actually an android that John designed and built. Although Ethan appears to be human, he has certain abilities that set him apart, such as being able to access and process vast amounts of information instantly.

Throughout the episode, we see that Molly is haunted by memories of her time in space, particularly a mysterious encounter she had with an entity that seemed to be trying to communicate with her. Meanwhile, John is working on a top-secret project for his employer, the robotics company Humanics. When Molly begins to experience strange physical symptoms and undergoes medical examinations, she begins to wonder if her encounter in space could have had an impact on her health.

As the episode unfolds, we also meet other characters who will become important players in the show's ongoing story. These include Sam (played by Camryn Manheim), Molly's friend and mentor who is also a scientist working for the government; Yasumoto (played by Hiroyuki Sanada), the head of Humanics who seems to have a particular interest in Ethan; and Harmon (played by Michael O'Neill), a government official who is suspicious of Molly's story and is determined to get to the bottom of what really happened to her in space.

"Re-Entry" sets the stage for the rest of the season by introducing us to the show's main characters and the various threads of its plot. The episode establishes the themes of family, identity, and technology that will be explored in depth as the series progresses. It also sets up some tantalizing mysteries for viewers to ponder, such as the true nature of Ethan's existence, the significance of Molly's space encounter, and the connection between Humanics and the government.

Overall, Extant season 1 episode 1 is a compelling and well-crafted introduction to a complex and intriguing sci-fi world. Its strong performances, elegant storytelling, and thought-provoking ideas make it a promising start to what promises to be an ambitious and engaging series.