In the fallout from the last episode, Ash is ostracised by her fellow bandits and struggles for redemption and acceptance, while a parasite runs rampant jumping from crew member to crew member.

This episode is set predominantly on the Hemlock. There are moments that remind us of Alien and Firefly’s “Objects in Space”, but the continuing narrative arc is well-served by a shipboard episode at this stage.

Savannah Steyn deserves a mention for her performance as the deeply conflicted Ash, who is only now beginning to realise that her old life may have been based entirely on lies and deceit. Her decision to sacrifice herself to save the crew demonstrates how far her character has travelled on her personal journey from Commonworld elite to desperate fugitive.

Thomas Turgoose is given a chance to shine in this episode. He is a cowardly lion, loveable but scared witless. As he is infected with a parasite, he becomes a rabid monster with an unquenchable bloodlust but once the parasite is removed, he must cope with the consequences of his infected actions. His performance is full of guilt and self-awareness. He is a decent man and provides balance in a crew of misfits.

Eleanor Tomlinson’s usually super-confident Candy has collapsed at the loss of her family at the hands of the Commonworld but is shocked into sobriety by the events unfolding aboard the ship and we see her medical training finally put to good use. This is a far more layered performance in contrast with her earlier episodes.

Having mostly enjoyed this episode, one thing grates as the series progresses and that is the use of pop music. Here we are presented music by The Shirelles and Martha and the Vandellas. As when Phil Collins’ “Another Day in Paradise” popped up in a previous episode, it takes the viewer out of a carefully crafted future world and breaks their concentration. It is an unnecessary and perhaps unwelcome distraction.

Verdict: An effective episode presenting the strength and diversity of the ensemble, not heavily effects-laden and more rooted in human relationships allowing individual cast members to shine and an interesting love triangle emerges as a portent of things to come. 7/10

Andy Evans