ScreenFish

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unity

Mars S2E1: Unity Can Be A Good Thing

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(photo credit National Geographic)

Just when you thought the adventures of the International Mars Science Federation (IMSF) were completed upon finding life on the red planet, it?s time for a new season of drama!

Mars was one of the highest rated shows on National Geographic last year, prompting six completely new episodes of the hybrid drama/documentary (Mondays @ 9 PM/8 CT).? I?m thrilled, and after watching the first episode of the second season, think the show has chosen a fantastic topic to explore: How do two groups of people co-exist on a new world with completely antithetical hopes, dreams, and plans?

Set five years after the end of the first season, much has changed for the group of scientists calling the planet home. The declaration that life exists on Mars (at the end of Season 1) turned Olympus Town into a reality and brought more scientists to the planet for research. But they knew it was only a matter of time before science brought about industry wanting a lucrative place in the terraforming of the planet, not to mention lots of money. It comes in the form of Lukrum Industries, run on Earth by Roland St. John (Esai Morales), an enterprising businessman, and led on Mars by Kurt Hurrelle (Jeff Hephner), who eschews standard convention and pushes as many boundaries as possible, often stepping over them with absolutely no remorse.? The IMSF, now led by Amanda Richardson (Cosima Shaw) from the first season, is hesitant to create any partnership with Lukrum. She makes the decision to help even though the mining company arrived completely intent on using the good graces of the scientists to provide them with water and electricity.? This frustrates the commander Hana Seung (Jihae) and the rest of her staff, who anticipate difficulties going forward.

It seems the drama portion of the show has been ratcheted up a notch, as we begin to see the struggles of the main characters manifest themselves. Robert (Sammi Rotibi) is tired of not putting his skills to use (having built the city); Spanish Mission Specialist Javier (Alberto Ammann) feels that his love, French doctor Amelie (Clementine Poidatz) has lied to him as she reveals she?s leaving in a few months due to losing her mind; and the Russian biologist Marta (Anamaria Marinca) is frustrated that there have been no other scientific discoveries in five years.? Add in the act-first-and-apologize-later mentality of Lukrum, and things are going to boil over at some point.

(photo credit: National Geographic/Dusan Martincek)

I?ve always appreciated how well the documentary portions of Mars have meshed with the dramatic ones, and this season is no exception.? It does feel like there?s less documentary, but I somehow don?t feel bothered by that fact. The first episode relates the situation on Mars to drilling for oil in the Arctic?there?s nobody around; it?s dangerous; and simply existing is a goal at times.

The ending of the first season of Mars was, in my opinion, way too abrupt. Thankfully, Executive Producers Ron Howard and Brian Grazer seem to have fixed that problem in the opening episode, leaving the viewer with a cliffhanger regarding if unity is even possible with the two groups.? Here on Earth, we have enough tensions and challenges for a lifetime?between countries, between companies, between individuals.? Paul encouraged the one of the New Testament churches to ?[b]ear with each other?and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love,?which binds them all together in perfect unity? (Colossians 3:13-14 NIV). If only these words were put into action, perhaps we could start the process of restoring relationships, which can lead to so many other good things.

I know the folks on Mars could use this advice.? Otherwise, the animosity and tension is going to possibly spiral out of control.? We?ll have to find out.

‘Mully’ Trailer Highlights Humanitarian

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Mully is a docudrama based on the life of Dr. Charles M. Mully. Mully will be shown in select theaters nationwide for three consecutive nights, October 3, 4, and 5, via Fathom Events.

Dr. Mully is often referred to as ?the father of the world?s largest family.? Having been abandoned at the age of 6 himself, Mully has dedicated the past twenty-seven years, along with his wealth and resources to rescuing abandoned children in the slums of Kenya. His own story of surviving insurmountable odds and becoming one of the most respected humanitarians, is an inspiration to the young children he rescues.

Dr. Mully and his wife Esther formed?Mully Children?s Family?(MCF) ? the world?s largest family ? in 1989 to provide for the children whom they rescued.

Here is the trailer:

As the trailer begins, there is darkness. We can assume it is Mully rescuing a child, but it could also easily be a 6-year-old Mully being rescued. The darkness continues, until the trailer introduces the Mully Children?s Family, and the screen becomes much lighter.

The filmmakers are using the tension between dark and light to communicate the difference Mully makes in the lives of over 2,700 children ranging from newborns to 23-year-olds. He who was once fatherless, has become a father to thousands.

Dr. Mully is a light of hope in the darkest of night for so many. ?We are one family,? he says in the film. The theme of oneness plays out in Paul?s letter to the Ephesians. For Paul, the coming together of Jews and Gentiles in community symbolizes the power of the gospel. There is unity in the Body of Christ. Dr. Mully?s life has focused on rebuilding lives of thousands of vulnerable children at risk, teenage mothers, victims of gender based violence, and marginalized communities. In this space, we are one, he communicates. In this place, there is unity.

Visit the Mully movie website to learn more.