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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User Reviews

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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. 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
  3. 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
  4. 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
  5. 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
  6. 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
  7. 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
  8. 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.
  9. 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
  10. 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
  11. 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...

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.
    Read full review
  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.
    Read full review
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