Ascension

:

Season 1
  • Network: SyFy
  • Series Premiere Date: Dec 15, 2014
User Score
6.8

Generally favorable reviews- based on 128 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 77 out of 128
  2. Mixed: 30 out of 128
  3. Negative: 21 out of 128
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  1. nightblade00
    Feb 24, 2015
    5
    The premise of the show and the first episode were very good. However, it quickly lost its luster by the mid point of episode 2. While it could have been saved by what was looking like it was going to be a strong ending, the writers took a nose dive and laid a big fat turd at the end, almost completely ruining what could have been a pretty cool little mini-series.
  2. jablooey
    Dec 29, 2014
    7
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. There's something else going on in this show that reviewers haven't been commenting on. The characters are living in a constructed reality that parted ways with reality at the time of Kennedy's assassination. They are living under constant government surveillance. There are characters referenced named Johnson, Nixon, and Warren. The little psychic girl describes a dream about great towers falling from the sky and a woman in pink holding her husband's brains... How is everyone not registering what this show's subtext is about? Has history been successfully buried in the mass consciousness?… Expand
  3. Gezzer
    Jun 23, 2015
    5
    Wow what could've been. This show is a high concept SciFi drama that misses the mark not based on concept but more execution.
    It's biggest flaws are the plot/script holes and the acting/ directing.
    There are characters whose abilities seem to change based on the scripts need. For example a trained agent that gets man handled by a skinny guy and when previously showing great ability in    Wow what could've been. This show is a high concept SciFi drama that misses the mark not based on concept but more execution.
    It's biggest flaws are the plot/script holes and the acting/ directing.
    There are characters whose abilities seem to change based on the scripts need. For example a trained agent that gets man handled by a skinny guy and when previously showing great ability in that arena.
    A director that seems to think that extreme horror causes juvenile girls to have lock jaw and no other reaction.
    A situation that calls for complete silence so that a character unaware of the others existence doesn't become suspicious to only get ambushed by another character that wasn't supposed to know as well, but obviously didn't react to all the noise before they had to go quite.
    Actors that can't invest in their characters and come off wooden and uninspired.
    I could go on and on, but why bother. It's a perfect example of how what could've been great some how got totally screwed up as it was being made. Don't expect a second season.
    I only watched it because Netflix didn't have anything else compelling at the time. So it's worth a watch, but don't go into it with any high expectations, because this definitely isn't art. It's filler to round out a network's season and nothing more.    … Expand
  4. mcrancidrugburn
    Dec 25, 2014
    7
    To me this show is like The Sims, Fallout 3, and Area 51. It's like The Sims because of this manipulative scientist that has inherited this super secret project Ascension from his father. It's like Fallout 3 because of the people living inside the Ascension are like the people trapped in the vaults. The people have their own culture but, it is subtly controlled by the scientist. TheTo me this show is like The Sims, Fallout 3, and Area 51. It's like The Sims because of this manipulative scientist that has inherited this super secret project Ascension from his father. It's like Fallout 3 because of the people living inside the Ascension are like the people trapped in the vaults. The people have their own culture but, it is subtly controlled by the scientist. The people inside the Ascension have no idea what's going because they a have been raised to believe that they are in outer space on search for a new planet to inhabit. They have been taught everything they know from television shows from the fifties and books from the library. It's like they are living in North Korea except they don't have a dictator. There's some soap opera type stuff in the story but it doesn't take away from what it's about.There's some sex scene and nudity I had no problem with it. One of the things I notice is how the scientist has given concrete gender roles to the people inside Ascension. Most of the women are escorts or nurses. The men are soldiers or security. There's no racism though but there aren't any gay characters and the scientist explains why. There is a hierarchy and class divide sort of like "A Brave New World" where you have the people of lesser caste being treated differently. So, it's all so similar to "Snowpiercer" because, this "ship" is divided into many different levels. So, basically it's a giant ant farm with humans at some secret location. The conclusion I got from watching the final episode is that the Ascension project is about space travel but space travel through the use of a person's mind. The Star Child. I like when Syfy does shows like this instead shark tornadoes.… Expand
  5. vikesh2206
    Jan 14, 2015
    7
    Despite some uninteresting characters and a weak mystery, the sophomore season of Syfy's Ascension delivers smart and thrilling sci-fi with a refreshing retro feel.
  6. reellm
    Apr 18, 2015
    4
    2/5★ A great concept bogged down with uninteresting drama and politics. I would like to see a better execution of the central idea, because I think there are many possibilities and it would be interesting to explore it but Ascension is unoriginal, and too soap opera-ish to take seriously. There are plot holes that distract from the genuine Sci-Fi aspects of the show.
    Verdict: Skip
  7. acontentoak
    Dec 26, 2014
    8
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. This is a fun show, that tackles all the things I love in good sci-fi; ethics, morality, and mystery. Regardless of the science, this show is about the idea of what happens when you put people in a bubble and tell them they are doing it to save humanity. This show addresses topics like birth control and population crisis, cultural development over time, the use of sex and love as political tools, and perhaps the most heavily addressed in the show and one of the most relevant issues today is the questionable ethics of sacrificing some for the good of the many.
    Creating good sci-fi to me is all about the depth of the world you create. I love sci-fi that just drops me into an already fully formed world and story, this is a show that totally did that for me. In terms of creating a show with a unique idea and a smart approach, while incorporating some twists and turns, and relevant ethical debates than it was very successful.
    Where Sy-Fy often lacks and indeed within Ascension, is in having high quality production value and acting. Unfortunately Sy-Fy is not quite HBO or AMC and there are some cheesy or poorly produced moments. I watch sci-fi and fantasy obsessively so it is easy for me to overlook these moments to enjoy all the good moments and ideas that I believe the show is full of.

    *SPOILERS*

    I understand the complaints about the ending. It seems so far off from the rest of the show and so far from any logic or idea that the show presented us that, i can see how it would be interpreted as coming from nowhere for no reason. What I can appreciate about it, is that it is incredibly difficult to properly end anything like this. Either everything is wrapped up nicely but thats never believable and is always too cheesy or corny, or everything could end terribly with some sort of dramatic the world is horrible and everyone is doomed but thats never satisfying, or you can end on a total out of the blue cliffhanger. Having three nights to tell this story and give it a perfect ending that gives us the answers we want but also keeps excited up until the end, is an extremely hard task. Particularly when you are playing with science fiction which is pretty open-ended.
    A part of me hopes Sy-Fy will pick it up and we will get some more answers. Obviously this project was never about the ship, it was about the geneticists and whatever scientists that invented the MRI machine and the goal was to genetically experiment in an environment that was so manufactured it would allow you to control all the variables, the ultimate goal in furthering the evolution of the human genome so it could have a greater ability to manipulate the world around us. This one appears to be creating a human that is so magnetically and energetically tied into the world around here that she can release enough energy to create a portal to a specific location which creates a lot of different questions and seems very unlikely.
    But isn't great to have something that ends just leaving you with questions and surprise!? This whole idea inspires so many great conversations. What could you get out of humanity if you stuck a bunch of scientists in one world and got to control who people had children with? If you could control the genetics and all the physical external factors of someone could you change our abilities and senses? would it be right to send hundreds of people into space for a journey knowing that they wouldnt make it but their children would be the ones who had to deal with that choice and end that journey? How much could we learn about society and human growth from just telling people we were doing that while they were actually in a bunker somewhere and we were secretly observing them? and how immoral would that be?

    This show presents a lot of great questions and problems that are completely relevant to our issues today. That is all I want with Sci-Fi.    … Expand
  8. chaos215bar2
    Jan 11, 2015
    5
    The plot is interesting, though it tends to jump a little haphazardly from one subplot to the next. There really wasn't enough time to explore everything that was going on, and a number of scenes felt out of place, as if something leading up had been cut from the final edit.

    The trouble is, the show is all premise and little substance, and much of it doesn't hold up to scrutiny.    The plot is interesting, though it tends to jump a little haphazardly from one subplot to the next. There really wasn't enough time to explore everything that was going on, and a number of scenes felt out of place, as if something leading up had been cut from the final edit.

    The trouble is, the show is all premise and little substance, and much of it doesn't hold up to scrutiny. Scientifically and technically speaking, a lot of the details just don't make sense when you stop to think about it. Basically, this feels like a SyFy show, and that's not really a good thing.    … Expand
  9. MelancholicAlc
    Jan 26, 2015
    9
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Okay, so this is a very good show, and there hasn't been a hard scifi show on TV for a very long time now. All sci fi shows either descend into some Earth based stuff, and don't deserve the name sci fi show, or are too much CGIed to really impress. Look I get that production costs prevents any show to realistically give us zero gravity. Despite Ascensions clever way to deal with this, ya gotta wonder: How was this sold to the crew? Did they really believe artificial gravity was invented? The script never says.
    The story is good, but at times, you wondered where they would go with it all. Would Stokes wander the Earth? Was Gault on Earth or on another planet? the acting was average to excellent. Ellie O'brien as Christa deserves special mention, and the usual suspects Helfer and Bellows.

    Nitpicks:
    Would we ever design such a ship where so much indoor space was wasted, not to mention energy and oxygen? Such a ship would run out of energy before it ever crossed Mars Orbit.
    Only 100 years to Alpha Centauri? Our fastest ship took nine years to PLUTO, at 7.311.000.000 km.
    Alpa Centauri is at 4.3 lightyears or. 41.277.277.135.661 km, which is five thousand times as far. 5.646 times to be exact. With our fastest ship it would take us 50.813 years to reach Alpha Centauri. Put in another way: doing 4.3 lightyears in just 100 years would mean we've managed to make something as heavy as several Titanics go with 4 percent of lightspeed .... with 1960s technology. Your crew would have to be pretty dumb to buy all that.

    One has got to wonder about the    … Expand
  10. testychicken
    Dec 26, 2014
    10
    good god, twists and the ending! F yeah i want more. I know that SyFy likes to do the whole mini series to start shows they're thinking of plugging. this would have been a much better choice than that crappy angel show they made. should have green lit this first. and bring back the interconnected series like eureka, alpha, and warehouse 13. made the shows better and more involved.
  11. The_Rick3721
    Jan 7, 2015
    10
    Awesome show and great characters with a very interesting twist that adds confused me at first but eventually added a large amount of depth and intrigue to the storyline! Really hoping that this becomes a long standing series and there is many more episodes and seasons to look forward to! I've seen some negative reviews with individuals trying to compare this to other sci-fi tv shows orAwesome show and great characters with a very interesting twist that adds confused me at first but eventually added a large amount of depth and intrigue to the storyline! Really hoping that this becomes a long standing series and there is many more episodes and seasons to look forward to! I've seen some negative reviews with individuals trying to compare this to other sci-fi tv shows or even those that watched half of the first episode and decided to write a review. That is childish and irresponsible to those who are seeking input on an interesting television show. I will be honest...I binge watched the entire mini-series. haha Personally enjoyed every minute of it and look forward to a continuance to the series.… Expand
  12. Projectguy
    Feb 10, 2015
    0
    This show was so disappointing that I only created this account to voice my displeasure. My personal rules for science fiction and I've been a fan for 50+ years are simple:

    Rule 1. Science fiction especially when viewed in retrospective MUST be based in science fact / history. So far the only thing they got right was that space is a vacuum. This project should have been based in a    This show was so disappointing that I only created this account to voice my displeasure. My personal rules for science fiction and I've been a fan for 50+ years are simple:

    Rule 1. Science fiction especially when viewed in retrospective MUST be based in science fact / history. So far the only thing they got right was that space is a vacuum. This project should have been based in a time period when such feats of engineering were possible like in 2030. In 1963 the fledging space powers barely had the ability to get a deflated beach ball into low earth orbit.

    Rule 2. Realistic social premise: Ignoring Rule1. a society technologically advanced enough to do what this thing purports to do would have established a completely militaristic social hierarchy. This especially when the base premise is a 1963 launch date or on the flip side of that coin launching a colony of Mennonites at that point the launch date becomes inconsequential. Oh I almost forgot - a black man in a position of authority based on a 1963 launch date even 51 years out; never. And a spaceship with a labour / social structure akin to the strata of the Titanic; not even in 1963.

    Rule 3. Plot. A "who done it" on a spaceship just watch Castle. The sub-plot of the little girl with a vision of disaster is the only saving grace - the sex looks interesting but not enough to make me suffer through a season of this.

    And to think they cancelled "Defying Gravity".    … Expand
  13. okiestarman
    Dec 15, 2014
    0
    it's all about SEX!!!! Piss poor. Its not Science fiction, this is Dallas or some other soap opera. So I guess when we do send people out into space I guess all the laws we live by on earth will be thrown out. I could only handle an hour of the show. Acting is not even needed on this show, just show some skin. I have been a science fiction fan for 50 years and this hurts to see thisit's all about SEX!!!! Piss poor. Its not Science fiction, this is Dallas or some other soap opera. So I guess when we do send people out into space I guess all the laws we live by on earth will be thrown out. I could only handle an hour of the show. Acting is not even needed on this show, just show some skin. I have been a science fiction fan for 50 years and this hurts to see this classified as science fiction.… Expand
  14. Greyking
    Dec 21, 2014
    3
    Seems like Syfy is one step away from making soft core porn. Terrible and completely disappointing. This wasn't a science fiction program just a trashy soap opera. I'm immensely disappointed.
  15. metabad
    Jan 17, 2015
    4
    After watching it all, I can say, it's all premise and the rest is kind of a mess and there are numerous reasons for it.
    I know that sci-fi entertainment doesn't have to be scientifically sound, but this show is so style-over-substance, you really mustn't think about anything that you get presented here.
    You're on spaceship launched in 1963, and the project leaders apparently found it    After watching it all, I can say, it's all premise and the rest is kind of a mess and there are numerous reasons for it.
    I know that sci-fi entertainment doesn't have to be scientifically sound, but this show is so style-over-substance, you really mustn't think about anything that you get presented here.

    You're on spaceship launched in 1963, and the project leaders apparently found it a good thing to put 60's lifestyle right in there. White collar on the upper decks with hostesses serving drinks and sometimes a little more and blue collar workers in the lower decks providing food like pigs and fish.

    You could buy into all of this, if it weren't so clumsily sewn together. You simply mustn't think about
    any details, because it doesn't make much sense:
    - Style: The command-bridge looks very retro and analog, with tapes rolling and retro looking monitors.
    Once you're on sick-bay everything looks almost early 21st century and..wait for it... they have an MRI!
    Without advanced digital technology?
    - In the lower, blue collar decks are only men, at least we haven't seen any woman. Really? No women there for them? How's that supposed to work for decades?
    - On a spaceship with 600 people that has to be monitored, checked and maintained 24/7, how can you dispense young women so that they become hostesses? Walking around in bathing suits carrying a plate of drinks. Is there really nothing more important to do for them? And I'm not even getting into the soapy elements and all the sexual innuendo. Yikes!

    The plotting adds to these problems, because there are too many threads to switch back and forth.
    A murder happens, with a gun that shouldn't be on the ship because it launched without weapons.
    This incident could have been used to have the 'detective' guide us through the world those people live in and make it palpable, so that it merges into a whole.
    But there seems to be not enough time to do that, because there's another plot involving a secret project on earth and yet another plot on the ship about a girl having visions, seeing the killed woman walking around the ship.

    This is simply too much to handle in the given time and it makes for an unsatisfying viewer experience.
    Furthermore, the show is too busy playing hide-and-seek. It gives away a secret, but the way it tries to keep others from you feels strained. Maybe it's just too many secrets to handle in a couple of episodes.
    And at the end, when the credits roll, despite some interesting, partly suspenseful stuff you saw, you might feel like me: disappointed, like it was a waste of time.    … Expand
  16. crowbb
    Dec 21, 2014
    1
    Wow, that was pretty awful. After the first big reveal I was interested to see where they would take it. The answer was sadly, down the tubes. The remainder of the show was an awful soap opera that goes nowhere.
  17. bandrsntch
    Dec 18, 2014
    1
    A really lame Science fiction story with a lot of token sexual innuendo thrown in to try and make it palatable enough to watch. Unbelievable that a whole crew would not know they were not in space. technology to build and fund something like that in thew 60's didn't exist. Ending was so very unsatisfying leaving so many loose ends. Its utterly inconceivable that someone would concoct suchA really lame Science fiction story with a lot of token sexual innuendo thrown in to try and make it palatable enough to watch. Unbelievable that a whole crew would not know they were not in space. technology to build and fund something like that in thew 60's didn't exist. Ending was so very unsatisfying leaving so many loose ends. Its utterly inconceivable that someone would concoct such an experiment just to achieve space travel by teleportation. Don't waste your time watching. Go rent instead Forbidden Planet which appears at end of this piece of junk.… Expand
  18. Bulsajo
    Feb 17, 2015
    1
    Just awful. Plays like a daytime soap. Ballroom gowns and high heels on a spaceship? P.S. Please don't mess up The Expanse, the source material deserves better.
  19. MafiaDonJuan
    Jan 1, 2015
    10
    What a great show! The characters are very well-developed and compelling; the sets and costumes are high quality; and the story was gripping (and full of interesting twists) from start to finish. This is the best science fiction show that I've watched since Battlestar Galactic.

    Most of the negative reviews here seem to be from people who (a) believe that love triangles and a little    What a great show! The characters are very well-developed and compelling; the sets and costumes are high quality; and the story was gripping (and full of interesting twists) from start to finish. This is the best science fiction show that I've watched since Battlestar Galactic.

    Most of the negative reviews here seem to be from people who (a) believe that love triangles and a little nudity make a show trashy, or (b) were expecting a self-contained mini-series and wanted more explained. Yes, there is some kissing and about 10 seconds of nudity per hour, so if this disgusts you, you should probably look elsewhere for entertainment. And if you're expecting everything to be neatly wrapped up at the end, you will likely be disappointed.

    But if you're looking for what is likely the beginning of an interesting, high quality science fiction show, then I'd recommend that you give this a try.    … Expand
  20. Qldgamer
    Feb 1, 2015
    5
    Great concept that clearly was a massive pilot for a series that might never been made, with a open ended plot which detracts from the overall experience. Solid acting
  21. Gib
    Jun 23, 2015
    1
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Had potential for a Fallout in space but spoiler they are not in space and the constant plot twist makes the show frustrating to watch without calling bull. Where are the scientists? The show seemed more concerned about making massage girls than real thinkers which is no surprise because a real scientist would realize they are not on a real spaceship.… Expand
  22. npurgar
    Dec 16, 2014
    2
    For f*ck sake syfy, can you make anything that's not catastrophically bad. Now I'm worried you won't do the same mistake with "The Expanse" or "The Magicians"
  23. kamiyamaninja1
    Dec 18, 2014
    10
    wow what a show... Awesome, fresh and new.. very interesting and full of surprises.. looking forward to more of these shows.. love all the different actors..
  24. BogKid
    Dec 16, 2014
    6
    I have seen only the first episode of "Ascension" so far. Most SyFy dramatic shows have been very disappointing, often with promising beginnings lapsing into soap opera as the show progresses. I suspect there is a major possibility that "Ascension" will do the same. That said, however, the show does have a reasonably promising opening episode. The plot is a bit too obvious with itsI have seen only the first episode of "Ascension" so far. Most SyFy dramatic shows have been very disappointing, often with promising beginnings lapsing into soap opera as the show progresses. I suspect there is a major possibility that "Ascension" will do the same. That said, however, the show does have a reasonably promising opening episode. The plot is a bit too obvious with its progression pretty much telegraphed by the types of characters featured in the initial show. Worth a watch -- but is it really better than "Sharknado"???… Expand
  25. Bo33y
    Jan 22, 2015
    0
    Fake people, being fake, within fake CGI space. Throw in some murder to make their fake, mundane, lives more interesting. Presto all the hallmarks of yet another series that has ascended..

    Shame this wasn't that Capricornly Truman Show, rather some kind of faked attempt... My eyes burning from that pilot , I could only watch it on fast-forward. Otherwise absolutely painful, too    Fake people, being fake, within fake CGI space. Throw in some murder to make their fake, mundane, lives more interesting. Presto all the hallmarks of yet another series that has ascended..

    Shame this wasn't that Capricornly Truman Show, rather some kind of faked attempt...

    My eyes burning from that pilot , I could only watch it on fast-forward. Otherwise absolutely painful, too even try in attempt to get through. 3 guesses where this show goes....    … Expand
  26. alienchaos
    Dec 18, 2014
    2
    The screaming kid is the worst child actor to come along since...Jake Lloyd. Other than Tricia Helfer holding things together on the acting front, this show was less believable than Sharknado. This isn't hard-core SciFi and it's not that there weren't an ample number of opportunities to really hit on significant subjects that might affect people in this situation. How do you handle beingThe screaming kid is the worst child actor to come along since...Jake Lloyd. Other than Tricia Helfer holding things together on the acting front, this show was less believable than Sharknado. This isn't hard-core SciFi and it's not that there weren't an ample number of opportunities to really hit on significant subjects that might affect people in this situation. How do you handle being shut in; how do you manufacture all of the goods necessary to support 600 people for 10 decades; how do you handle feeding them; how do you maintain a reasonable chain of command? A nuclear reactor onboard? All of these could have been interesting but instead there is evidence of poor direction and in almost all cases, very thin acting credibility. All we get are how males dominate the sexual arena (and lots of it). I've got to say that life on the future planet will be incredibly dull and boring with this group.… Expand
  27. frelling_cute
    Dec 25, 2014
    5
    After the reveal at the end of episode, there was nowhere to go except Down. The script and acting were mediocre and I could have cared less for any of these characters or subplots on the ship.
    Worst part about this thing, was that it was advertised as a three part series, meaning it would have an end. Instead we got lots of dangling threads. If they make this series, I will not be back.
  28. Dobby
    Dec 27, 2014
    9
    Ascension is one of the most unique and fascinating shows that I've watched on the SyFy station in a while. As many have pointed out, the show isn't about what it appears to be in the beginning, but based on the conclusion (without giving away any spoilers) we really cannot be certain of that. The show is set in present times and is about a group of 300 individuals (adults and children)Ascension is one of the most unique and fascinating shows that I've watched on the SyFy station in a while. As many have pointed out, the show isn't about what it appears to be in the beginning, but based on the conclusion (without giving away any spoilers) we really cannot be certain of that. The show is set in present times and is about a group of 300 individuals (adults and children) who were chosen in the 1960s to embark on an interplantetary voyage to the nearest planet with sustainable life (called Proxima). The voyage is expected to take 100 years and at the start of the show, it has been 51 year since they have embarked and now the ship has a population of 600 people. Therefore, the children and grandchildren of the original crew members have never seen anything but the inside of a spaceship for their entire life.

    Of course, there is a lot more to the story that I cannot reveal. However, what I loved about the show was the complexity of the plot and the fact that it really gave us a look into what happens to a society when it has been isolated and cut off from the rest of the world for so long. If you are interested in themes such as eugenics, dystopian societies, advanced technology, supernatural phenomena, politics and government conspiracies, then I'd advise you to check out this 3-part TV mini-series. The only downside was that it ended with a lot of unresolved stories because the intention of the producers was to have SyFy pick it up as a recurring series. So therefore, it felt a bit like a prequel (without the sequel!) This bothered some people, but personally, I felt that the show was worth watching, regardless of whether it gets picked up by the network or not. The ending didn't annoy me...it just left me hoping for more!    … Expand
  29. tvnewsguido
    Dec 17, 2014
    6
    It is just good enough.

    There is a lot wrong with this show - but the concept is strong enough to be interesting. It has all the hallmarks of SyFy in tone and execution (that's a bad thing). I do, since it aired in the same week as the brilliant "Black Mirror: White Christmas," have to wonder what a more competent telling of Ascension might be like. I really wish some other network    It is just good enough.

    There is a lot wrong with this show - but the concept is strong enough to be interesting.

    It has all the hallmarks of SyFy in tone and execution (that's a bad thing). I do, since it aired in the same week as the brilliant "Black Mirror: White Christmas," have to wonder what a more competent telling of Ascension might be like. I really wish some other network would've done this.

    That being said, I watched all six hours so it was good enough to keep me coming back.    … Expand
  30. Spotted_boy1091
    Dec 17, 2014
    4
    The premise was interesting. It got off to a relatively good start. I felt that the casting could have been better and the characters seemed rather 2 dimensional. I could have forgiven all that if the ending was better. Sadly they did not deliver, i was left wondering where that guy ended up, i wasn't sure if it was arizona or an alien planet or what and on top of that i was leftThe premise was interesting. It got off to a relatively good start. I felt that the casting could have been better and the characters seemed rather 2 dimensional. I could have forgiven all that if the ending was better. Sadly they did not deliver, i was left wondering where that guy ended up, i wasn't sure if it was arizona or an alien planet or what and on top of that i was left guessing what the hell that whole lorilee ghost thing was about. It seemed like her whole purpose was to lead that black guy to fight that agent from the outside and thats it. i dont know... i was expecting more and syfy let me down yet again. in summation the biggest let down for me was that the ending left so many things unexplained.… Expand
  31. Celestial1
    Dec 19, 2014
    0
    I suppose going from The Wire to this will have an effect on my review, none-the-less.This show is about making teens happy, sex, sex, sex, oh you're a 15 year old boy and like woman? here's some more sex.Not enough? fine let's make every woman on this show a prostitute.70 year old man?No Problem here's a 25 year old blonde for you!, This entire show is complete garbage, every possibleI suppose going from The Wire to this will have an effect on my review, none-the-less.This show is about making teens happy, sex, sex, sex, oh you're a 15 year old boy and like woman? here's some more sex.Not enough? fine let's make every woman on this show a prostitute.70 year old man?No Problem here's a 25 year old blonde for you!, This entire show is complete garbage, every possible Cliché in the book is used.Honestly this is just eye-candy, just sit back with a 70 IQ and i'm sure you'll enjoy this, heck you'll even love it...Oooo pretty colors...sparks...yay...sex...sex....… Expand
  32. jt1948
    Dec 17, 2014
    1
    I thought the first two episodes were ok. The last one was complete junk. Without any logical conclusion to the 3 part series. In total -- A waste of time.
  33. nickjmac
    Jun 25, 2015
    10
    This is a wild show that takes many crazy plot twists to keep the audience intrigued and guessing where the story will go next. I got plenty of pleasant surprises and watched the entire first season in 2 days and will be seriously disgruntled if it doesn't find a new platform to continue on or if syfy doesn't revoke its cancellation. I haven't seen a sci-fi thriller series this fun since fringe.
  34. SchroederRock
    Nov 4, 2015
    9
    I'm noticing that critics are judging Ascension on the pilot episode. First off, who's not doing their job and rating a series based on a singular episode? Second, why I didn't get to this show earlier is beyond me. Ascension is some kind of blend of fantasy and sci-fi. The casting is seemingly spot-on, with each character more intricate than they first appear. The drama unfolds quickly,I'm noticing that critics are judging Ascension on the pilot episode. First off, who's not doing their job and rating a series based on a singular episode? Second, why I didn't get to this show earlier is beyond me. Ascension is some kind of blend of fantasy and sci-fi. The casting is seemingly spot-on, with each character more intricate than they first appear. The drama unfolds quickly, but it seems to be the result of the first season only being 6 episodes. That, for me, was the biggest detractor of Ascension - the tease of an incredible show unfolding before me without only an appetizer to go off of before the (hopeful) main course that could/should be season 2. Time will tell, because Syfy has no plans to continue the show on their network. Someone else will have to pick it up if Ascension is to continue onward.… Expand
  35. psyberdelic
    Aug 9, 2015
    5
    Well... It could be worse... interesting premise but little things like gravity and where is it coming from make the people on board seem like they ain't too bright... i believe they're supposed to be scientists but even rudimentary thinking should let them know they aren't off the planet... The whole "below decks" business seems contrived as well...
  36. eagleeyeviking
    Sep 8, 2016
    7
    Despite an abundance of uninteresting characters and a weak mystery, Syfy's Ascension delivers smart and thrilling sci-fi with a refreshing retro feel.
  37. Boongabongava
    Feb 16, 2015
    10
    This show is absolutely amazing, from the very start it was captivating and showed many new surprises along the way. It is my new favourite show and I cannot come up with a negative comment about it. I am hoping and looking forward to more episodes. Props to the writer, director, astonishing actors, and all others to do with this series, love it!!
  38. avi_2727
    Jun 21, 2015
    10
    Amazing show with twists and turns and the all around concept that could be taken a lot further than it was. Wish it had a season 2. The characters had a lot of interesting turns and would have liked to see them developed a bit further. All around it was one of the best shows I've seen and left me hanging wishing itd continue.
  39. whammami
    Jul 2, 2015
    9
    Very good, but not for the average IQ viewer, this thing is too smart to stay on TV that is why there is no second season. It caters more to a smarter audience which usually exists in the Netfilx viewership. Hopefully Netflix picks it up.
  40. Broyax
    Jan 9, 2017
    0
    Encore une idée alléchante sur le papier, devenue une série débectante dans la réalité. C'est tellement nul à chier que ça devrait être interdit, qu'on devrait les poursuivre en justice, au moins pour insulte à l'intelligence et foutage de gueule éhonté. ça se traîne comme une limace, c'est écrit avec les pieds et c'est aussi excitant qu'une feuille d'impôts. Même Derrick est plusEncore une idée alléchante sur le papier, devenue une série débectante dans la réalité. C'est tellement nul à chier que ça devrait être interdit, qu'on devrait les poursuivre en justice, au moins pour insulte à l'intelligence et foutage de gueule éhonté. ça se traîne comme une limace, c'est écrit avec les pieds et c'est aussi excitant qu'une feuille d'impôts. Même Derrick est plus palpitant que cette daube intergalactique.… Expand

Awards & Rankings

37
#37 Most Discussed TV Season of 2014
44
#44 Most Shared TV Season of 2014

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
56

Mixed or average reviews - based on 14 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 14
  2. Mixed: 12 out of 14
  3. Negative: 0 out of 14
  1. St. Louis Post-Dispatch
    Reviewed by: Gail Pennington
    Dec 17, 2014
    63
    The characters are well-enough developed in the early going.... As the story deepens, though, it also becomes so complicated that it threatens to squeeze out marginal fans of the genre.
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  2. TV Guide Magazine
    Reviewed by: Matt Roush
    Dec 15, 2014
    70
    The less revealed about the story the better. Let's just say that if you make it to the end of Monday's introductory chapter, you'll very likely feel compelled to see where else this unusual space/soap opera is heading.
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  3. New York Daily News
    Reviewed by: David Hinckley
    Dec 15, 2014
    60
    The dialogue only occasionally gets "Star Trek"-ish, and the special effects are nothing special. But it’s not a bad story, it moves well and you don’t have to wait a hundred years for the conclusion.
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