Ascension

This six-part Syfy-aired Canadian miniseries takes place on a starship embarked on a century-long journey to the far corners of the universe. Nearly 50 years into the expedition, a homicide occurs—the first ever on the craft. An investigation into the crime begins to tear away at the mission's social fabric, revealing a number of secrets and contradictions surrounding the truth behind this extraordinary intergalactic voyage. Mixing equal parts soap opera, thriller, and sci-fi with an unexpected bit of social commentary regarding birth control efforts (necessary to maintain the starship's population at 600), Ascension is certainly not lacking in ambition, but too often the production feels as if it is going in circles with its escalating levels of conspiratorial plotting, violent fighting, heavy-breathing emotional angst, and mumbo-jumbo pseudoscientific prattle. Not since Mel Brooks's Spaceballs has outer space seemed so silly, although Brooks was playing for laughs while Ascension is unintentionally funny. Extras include a behind-the-scenes featurette. Not recommended. (P. Hall)