Synopsis: A young woman’s fateful decision in 1960s China reverberates across space and time into the present day. When the laws of nature inexplicably unravel before their eyes, a close-knit group of brilliant scientists join forces with an unorthodox detective to confront the greatest threat in humanity’s history. (Courtesy Netflix, 2024)
The Cast:
Jovan Adepo as Saul Durand
John Bradley as Jack Rooney
Rosalind Chao as Ye Wenjie
Liam Cunningham as Thomas Wade
Eiza González as Auggie Salazar
Jess Hong as Jin Cheng
Marlo Kelly as Tatiana
Alex Sharp as Will Downing
Sea Shimooka as Sophon
Zine Tseng as Young Ye Wenjie
Saamer Usmani as Raj Varma
Benedict Wong as Da Shi
Jonathan Pryce as Mike Evans
Ben Schnetzer as Young Mike Evans
Eve Ridley as Follower
Production Credits:
Executive Producers / Showrunners / Writers: David Benioff, D.B. Weiss, Alexander Woo
Executive Producers: Bernadette Caulfield, Rian Johnson, Ram Bergman, Nena Rodrigue, Qi Lin, Jilong Zhao, Xiaosong Gao, Lauren Ma, Brad Pitt, Jeremy Kleiner, Dede Gardner, Rosamund Pike, Robie Uniacke
The Episodes:
Season One Episode Guide (Netflix)
1-01 Countdown--03/21/2024
In 1960s Beijing, intellectuals are being tortured for their teachings. When astrophysics student Ye Wenjie suffers a horrifying loss, her faith in civilization is tested, and her desire for vengeance is stoked. In the present day, science seems to be broken as experiments all over the world start to fail. A group of young Oxford scientists, nicknamed the Oxford Five, must figure out why. When reality itself starts to play tricks on them, the door to chaos inches open.
Written for the screen by: David Benioff & D.B. Weiss & Alexander Woo
Directed by: Derek Tsang
1-02 Red Coast--03/21/2024
Our group’s most gifted physicist, Jin Cheng, is drawn into a virtual reality game, in which a mysterious and hostile world is ravaged by a catastrophic climate. Meanwhile, her close friend Auggie Salazar, a nanotech genius, is tormented into self-sabotage by strange apparitions. Someone or something is trying to manipulate them — but why? Back in the late 1960s, in an astrophysics laboratory in the mountains of northern China, an aggrieved Ye Wenjie studies, observes, and waits...until the time comes to take the future of the planet into her own hands.
Written for the screen by: Rose Cartwright
Directed by: Derek Tsang
1-03 Destroyer Of Worlds--03/21/2024
Underground forces are sowing destabilization and deception. Meanwhile, an increasingly VR-obsessed Jin discovers the cost of her curiosity as she unlocks the next level of the game — with harrowing consequences.
Written for the screen by: Alexander Woo
Directed by: Andrew Stanton
1-04 Our Lord--03/21/2024
The Oxford Five are floored by a shocking death close to home. Meanwhile, investigators locate a cell of underground extremists whom they suspect of terrorizing the scientific community.
Written for the screen by: Madhuri Shekar
Directed by: Minkie Spiro
1-05 Judgement Day--03/21/2024
If Jin’s fears are true, humanity’s global civilization is in danger. This is no time for equivocation or half measures. Humans
must act decisively and swiftly to survive. After Auggie reluctantly plays a pivotal role in a major top secret operation alongside Raj and Wade, aliens announce their presence to the whole world with a single chilling gesture.
Written for the screen by: David Benioff & D. B.Weiss
Directed by: Minkie Spiro
1-06 The Stars Our Destination--03/21/2024
Jin steels herself for a new mission. It has been six weeks since the aliens, known as the San-Ti, announced their impending arrival. Some people are terrified. Some are apathetic. Some are skeptical, and deep fake theories run rampant. The United Nations calls for global unity and calm. Wounded and reeling, our core Oxford friends regroup in a house by the beach. Jin enrolls in the defense effort and proposes a radical plan.
Written for the screen by: Alexander Woo
Directed by: Minkie Spiro
1-07 Only Advance--03/21/2024
Life is not a fairy tale, as Will Downing knows too well. But a part of him still believes in happily ever after. A great technological leap forward changes the meaning of death for a select few, while Auggie tries to take back control of her life and work. Saul Durand has a strange conversation with Ye Wenjie that may prove more significant than it seems.
Written for the screen by: David Benioff & D. B. Weiss
Directed by: Jeremy Podeswa
1-08 Wallfacer--03/21/2024
Theoretical physics comes naturally to Jin. But theory is easier than action. Saul is saddled with a responsibility he feels ill-prepared to accept. As the San-Ti watch everything we say and do, humanity enters a daunting chapter that will unfold across centuries.
Written for the screen by: David Benioff & D. B. Weiss
Directed by: Jeremy Podeswa
