Helix S1Ep7 ‘Survivor Zero’ Review

Jeri Ryan’s spectacular entrance as Constance Sutton, a Ilaria Corporation bigshot, was a welcome addition to what has been a restrictive character roll over the first 6 episodes. Her character changes the dynamics of pretty much every relationship. Suddenly Hatake does not seem to be all that bad, though his personal motivation stay unknown. Major Balleseros also knows Ms. Sutton as is evidenced by their sexual contact after she beats him up. And despite Alan’s escapades with Sarah he also falls into Sutton’s orbit when she manages to deftly influence him by suggesting that she needs him to find a cure. However, this episode tops all that up by revealing that the Ilaria corporation intends to use Narvik A/B virus and its potential cure to reduce the worldwide population and remain in control of the rest. With all this Helix is finally switching into higher gear with its back plot, though it reminds me far too much of Resident Evil. I think for most fans the plot of the devious pharmaceutical company planning on taking over the world may be considered ‘jumping the shark’ as it is only episode 7.

Daniel Aerov’s reunion with his sister was well done and it spoke volumes about his integrity when he confronted Hatake about the child kidnapping that have been perpetrated. However, isn’t his betrayal of his step-father in just one episode not too much? Anana also keeps on intriguing the viewer, her personality and mannerism remind me a lot of Ana Lucia (Michelle Rodriguez) from Lost. And though Major Balleseros remains a manipulative creep he does seem to have established a genuine rapport with Anana. I can see this relationship develop as a potential backdoor for Balleseros into freedom after Sutton has him imprisoned.

Jeri Ryan as Constance Sutton just rocks, though I wonder is she could be as good a bad-girl as Michael Emerson was a bad guy. However, the show may have lost some of that ‘suspense of disbelief’ that is so vital when we saw her grind down her teeth using a powered tool. Her immense physical strength is an indicator that not only Hatake, Aerov and Julia have superpowers. Though besides Julia it does beg the question how they managed to get it. As Sutton is shown to be much stronger than even Hatake I would like to know what the rules are for these superpowers.

The Lost vibe doesn’t end there either. Hatake’s trip to level R and later Constance’s and Allan’s botched attempt at finding Julia remind me a lot of the treks that occurred between the beach and whatever place the characters needed to go to next. The last scene of the episode shows a break out of infected people from Level R into the rest of the base, though I wonder how they can escape through the elevator roof when Level R is presumably downstairs. I guess I must have missed something. For many fans this episode will mark a welcome change in pace, but they must all be wondering whether the show will burn itself out after just one season like so many others.

Score; 8.3 / 10. A refreshing new episode that sets everything into a high gear though it’s still a bit rough around the edges.