Ep 1. All That We Left Behind

Nightflyers season 1 opens with a gripping episode titled "All That We Left Behind". The setting is a bleak future where Earth is on the brink of collapse, and humanity's hope for survival lies in a group of scientists and adventurers flying on a spaceship named Nightflyer.

The episode begins with a glimpse into the past, where Melantha Jhirl (Jodie Turner-Smith), one of the crew members on Nightflyer, is training in zero-gravity combat techniques. Her past is murky, and we get a sense that she is haunted by some event in her life. But before we can delve deeper into her backstory, a crisis strikes.

The ship's captain, Roy Eris (David Ajala), receives a distress signal from the Volcryn, an alien species that the Nightflyer is set to investigate. The signal claims that the Volcryn can save humanity from certain doom, and Eris decides to make contact with them. But there's a catch - the Volcryn refuse to communicate with humans directly and can only do so through a telepathic L1, a rare individual with telepathic abilities.

The ship has an L1 onboard - a young woman named Thale (Sam Strike). Thale is charismatic and charming, a trait that quickly endears him to the crew. However, they soon discover that his telepathic abilities aren't as simple as they seem. Thale is haunted by a traumatic event in his past, which has left him emotionally unstable and prone to violent outbursts.

Meanwhile, the other crew members are struggling with their own baggage. D'Branin (Eoin Macken), the lead scientist on the mission, is grappling with the guilt of abandoning his family on Earth. Agatha Matheson (Gretchen Mol) is a psychologist who lost her daughter to suicide, and her grief has driven her to seek refuge in her work. Rowan (Angus Sampson) is a gruff mechanic who struggles to connect with his crewmates.

As the Nightflyer hurtles towards the Volcryn, tensions among the crew escalate. Thale's psychic outbursts intensify, causing the crew to question whether he can be trusted. Melantha and D'Branin grow closer, but their relationship is complicated by Melantha's traumatic past and D'Branin's guilt. And as the ship approaches the Volcryn, strange and terrifying events begin to occur onboard.

"All That We Left Behind" is a tense and thrilling introduction to the world of Nightflyers. The episode lays the groundwork for a complex and intricate storyline, introducing a cast of flawed and compelling characters. The sets and special effects are stunning, conveying a sense of unease and claustrophobia as the crew hurtles towards an unknown and potentially deadly encounter. The balance between character development and action is well-judged, creating a sense of urgency and tension throughout the episode.

Overall, "All That We Left Behind" is a promising start to what promises to be a dark and enthralling sci-fi series. With its impressive cast, complex storylines, and impressive special effects, Nightflyers season 1 looks set to be a must-watch for fans of the genre.