Missions

This French Sci-fi drama follows the first manned mission to Mars; as they arrive in orbit they learn that they were overtaken by a mission sent by an American concern. However contact with that crew is lost so our protagonists are ordered to investigate. They find what appears to be a survivor; he wasn't one of the American crew though... he appears to be Vladimir Komarov, a Cosmonaut who died re-entering Earth's atmosphere in 1967! Over the course of the series the crew, in particular Jeanne Renoir the ship's psychologist, try to find out who or what Komarov really is. They are also concerned about how they will ultimately leave the red planet.

If you want lots of action in your sci-fi this might not be for you but if you want intelligent and intriguing science fiction then this should keep you gripped. There may not be action but there is plenty of tension when various things go wrong. Things turn interesting when Komarov is found; there is a real sense of mystery about whether it is really Komarov or something else altogether. I liked how they incorporated the very real story of the first death in space into the plot. There are some weaknesses of course; particularly when a rather aggressive second US team arrives. The cast do a solid job; with Hélène Viviès standing out as Jeanne. The ending does leave things open for a second season; I'd certainly watch if one is made. Overall I'd certainly recommend this series to fans of the genre.

These comments are based on watching the series in French with English subtitles.

A great serial which keeps one hooked from one short episode to another. A great change from the US derivative-seen-it -all-before-adventure-of-the-week-drivel.

What irritates me about these films about missions to Mars is that they always arrive with a single module without having had any preparation, plan B, etc. Before going on a distant and risky mission like this, any minimally intelligent person would first send a ship to land and install a shelter and they would then send a mother ship with at least two landing modules. It's the minimum level of security, but all screenwriters fall into this trap, the same as FOR ALL MANKIND, MISSION TO MARS, etc.

This already discredits the entire story. I'm a Navy pilot and any soldier would not approve such a risky mission unless there was a war.

I liked this French Sci Fi series because it was mysterious, well done (for a supposedly small tv budget) and interesting. My major concern is if there will come more episodes after the final one, number 10, because the end of the show was relatively open in more than one aspect of storyline. So: Does anyone know if there will be a second season?! Please feel free to contact me about that via imdb. Thanks!

Watch this if you really enjoy a well developed sci fi series. There does not need to be lots of cgi or sex to make it good. Very different to standard shows which turn into soap operas or monsters of the week.