After rekindling her connection to her creator, Mother finds herself distracted by intense feelings she didn’t know she was capable of having, unaware that Marcus, Sue and the Mithraic are closing in on the settlement.

Last week, I shared my hopes that the show would shift up a gear or risk being too ponderous, and that has happened to some degree, though it’s still in no great rush to get where it’s going. With the recent news that it has been renewed for a second year, this helps manage expectations around where we’ll be in three more episodes’ time.

Marcus has discovered that Mother is plugging into the ship’s computer, and doing so makes her vulnerable. A trap is set, and she’s temporarily disabled, allowing the children to be rescued. But, as anticipated, her maternal instincts kick in, and she’s soon fighting to be free. Of greatest interest is Mother’s ability to recognise who Marcus really is, and she appeals to him to set her free – they are both on the same atheist side.

The children have been rescued, but are they any happier now that they’re being controlled by the religious beliefs of their parents? Campion does not wish to be indoctrinated into Sol, fighting back against baptism. And this is the moral issue at the heart of the show – which is the best support for the children that will lead them to becoming the best adults (and survivors)?

Verdict: A show of big ideas that would still benefit from an injection of something. As we hit the final third of this launch season, there’s everything to play for. 7/10

Nick joy