Ep 1. We Are Not Alone

In the season 2 premiere of MARS, titled "We Are Not Alone," the focus is on the challenges faced by the multinational crew of the International Mars Science Foundation (IMSF). The team of six, led by American mission commander Hana Seung (Jihae), has been on the red planet for nearly a year. They have been tasked with establishing a sustainable human colony on Mars and their progress has been hampered by numerous obstacles, including dwindling supplies, equipment failures, and the harsh Martian environment.

The episode opens with a sequence showing the crew carrying out their daily routines, which include tending to the hydroponic gardens, conducting experiments in the lab, and exploring the surrounding terrain. It's clear that the crew members have developed strong bonds and rely on each other for emotional support as well as assistance with tasks. However, tensions are simmering beneath the surface, with some members feeling frustrated by the slow pace of progress and the lack of contact with Earth. Commander Seung is particularly concerned about the colony's food supply, which is barely sufficient and could run out within months.

The main plot of the episode revolves around the crew's discovery of a mysterious object on the Martian surface. They initially think it could be a meteorite, but upon closer inspection, they realize it's something far more significant. It appears to be a metallic cylinder, about 10 feet long and 3 feet in diameter, with strange markings etched into its surface. The crew debates what to do with the object, with some members arguing that it could hold clues to the planet's past and others urging caution in case it poses a threat.

As the crew tries to figure out what the object is, they receive an unexpected message from Earth. It's from an existing space station with AI as a central command and a plan how to rescue the colonists, which puts Commander Seung in an ethical dilemma. Should she follow the IMSF's protocol and wait for rescue or choose her plan to continue exploring and colonizing the planet? The message introduces a potential solution to the colony's problems, but it comes with a catch. The rescue plan includes abandoning the Mars colony permanently.

Meanwhile, tensions among the crew continue to escalate. American geologist Robert Foucault (Sammi Rotibi) feels that his contributions to the mission are being overlooked and resents the attention Commander Seung is giving to Spanish hydroponicist Javier Delgado (Alberto Ammann). Obi (Oliver Martinez), the Nigerian flight engineer, is struggling with the physical toll the mission is taking on him and is having doubts about his ability to contribute. Russian physician Marta Kamen (Anamaria Marinca) is deeply concerned about the health of her fellow crew members and is advocating for a more aggressive approach to addressing their medical needs.

Throughout the episode, we see flashbacks to the crew members' families and their reasons for joining the mission. It's clear that each member has a personal stake in the success of the colony, but they are also grappling with doubts and regrets. The flashbacks provide a poignant contrast to the harsh reality of life on Mars and underscore the crew's isolation and vulnerability.

"We Are Not Alone" is a tense and thought-provoking episode of MARS that sets the stage for the rest of the season. The show's blend of science fiction and documentary-style realism is as compelling as ever, and the cast does an excellent job of conveying the physical and emotional challenges faced by the crew. As the IMSF's mission hangs in the balance, viewers are left wondering what the future holds for these intrepid explorers.