Synopsis

Naomi, a Canadian climate scientist, is selected as a finalist for the first one-way mission to Mars. Thousands have applied through Fourth Planet, a new private company, and only fifty remain in the running. Elaine, Naomi’s long-term partner, inwardly panics at the news but outwardly plays along in hopes that Naomi will ultimately choose her, as she always has before.

The final round of interviews takes place in Norway where Naomi meets some of the other finalists. Ciel, a hardened astrophysicist, questions Naomi’s commitment to the mission and encourages her to stay focused on Mars. But Sven, another finalist, drops out of the running to be with his family and pressures Naomi to do the same. At the midpoint, Naomi is officially offered a spot on Crew One. She must choose: venture to Mars in pursuit of her ambition or remain here on Earth to be with the woman she loves. 

Naomi accepts the offer.

The second half of the show takes place in a training simulation, where Naomi and Elaine—who still love each other deeply—struggle to navigate this change in the relationship. The artificial time delay placed on all incoming and outgoing video messages doesn’t make things any easier. As Elaine begins to pull away, Naomi desperately holds on tighter. But when a colleague and close friend dies during a rocket test launch explosion, Naomi steels her resolve and fully commits to the mission. 

When the time comes to say goodbye, neither Naomi or Elaine know how to do it. Instead, they go outside and stargaze, just like they did on their first date. After affirming how much they mean to each other, the countdown begins. The stage fills with light as the rocket takes off.