Some Netflix original series can feel like they struggle to reach the standard 8 episode count in a season. It's possible that some of the shows that the streaming giant releases could be even better if they were to shorten the length of said season, aiming for tighter episodes with better pacing. Luckily, Jupiter's Legacy is not such a show and continues to build upon the earlier mysteries and questions that it has presented. As Jupiter's Legacy heads into its last 3 episodes of the first season it's clear that the show is ramping up the tension and the stakes. Both of the timelines for the story are coming to a head and even starting to connect in some ways, making some of the more disparate elements appear to be part of a greater picture.
It's highly interesting to see in episode six the ways in which the characters interact with each other and the way that they deal with some of their struggles when the Utopian is not around. While episode 5 was a deeper look into Sheldon's personal thoughts and feelings toward the present-day heroes and the code he's worked so hard to uphold, it's also clear from his choice of therapist (a former supervillain) that he does not trust anyone fighting on the same side of justice as he is enough to let them fully in. He's notably tried to keep himself separate from the other heroes while at the same time imposing a strict rule over them. The sixth episode of the season takes a look at the heroes within this world during a time when Sheldon is away and highlights the growing strain of actually trying to uphold the code in the face of an increasingly dangerous modern world.
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Events in the episode commence with an intimate scene between Sheldon and Grace that is cut short when Sheldon states he hears a meteor on a collision course with the Earth. He departs from their lovemaking and Grace is left to look over some newspaper clippings of Sky Fox as well as an old family picture. Her expression is that of a loving mother that wants her family to be together. She's clearly still in love with the man Sheldon is despite the difficulties that being the Utopian has brought upon their family.
This episode makes a smart move to have Grace interact with the other heroes within the Union without Sheldon's presence. It gives a better idea of why Sheldon's ideals are starting to not apply to the world that these heroes inhabit while also serving to better illustrate the growing rift between him and his wife. Sheldon believes that above all else the code must be upheld in order to preserve the integrity and sanctity of being a hero. Grace, however, sees that the day-to-day realities of the job are not only making it difficult to uphold this code, but also starting to make the younger generation feel unsafe when facing off against villains who are increasingly dangerous and do not adhere to the same code.
Grace first interacts with Brandon, who feels that since Blackstar there's a level of tension among the other heroes and out in the field. For this reason, he wants to get off of the family farm and back out to fighting crime with his fellow heroes. Grace reminds her son that setting a good example for others even when they don't follow suit is the right thing to do. Later on in the episode, Grace tries to tell younger heroes that want to get revenge for one of their comrades getting severely hurt that not doing so is about "doing the right thing," but Jay, one of the heroes, fires back at her that it's actually about not getting killed.
This is one of the most glaring holes in the code. The Utopian and Lady Liberty are extremely powerful, so refusing to harm or kill villains is an easier choice to make for them as they will typically come out of any encounter unharmed. However, for those who are not as powerful, such battles are much more of a life and death ordeal. What is the correct choice when a hero's own life is on the line?
Grace is once again challenged to uphold the code later in the episode. She finds Janna who has apparently been beaten close to death by Baryon. Jenna states that she didn't break the code. Enraged at seeing Janna in this state after following the code, Grace takes off to find Baryon, taking him to the ground she punches him repeatedly in the face before telling the cops to call the coroner. It was one thing when heroes were getting injured- that could be seen as an occupational hazard. However, as the heroes around them are now actually starting to die it's becoming increasingly difficult to stand behind an ideology that is actively growing more and more at odds with reality.
It's fitting that episode 6's contributions to the past storyline also deal with Grace having to support and defend Sheldon as well. The group actively tries to make their way to the island from Sheldon's visions and has to pay a large amount of money to convince a ship captain to take them out on their expedition as ships keep going missing in the same direction they're headed. Sheldon's having a difficult time acting normal as he's still seeing things and hearing voices. The crew also finds the last missing member of Sheldon's vision, a doctor who was with another crew that went missing in the storm. With mounting dangers and another intense storm brewing nearby, the crew begins to turn on Sheldon. Grace is able to calm both Sheldon and the crew long enough for them to make it through the storm, after which they find they have arrived at the island at last.
Episode 6 serves to show the importance of Grace in this series. She's the glue between the Utopian and the rest of the heroes. Grace also serves as an anchor to the Utopian, keeping him connected to his human side. She's been there for him since before he acquired his powers, and as the audience has seen, is a major factor in his origin. This episode shows how important Grace is to the Utopian while also showing the growing fracturing of their relationship in the present day. With two episodes left in the season it will be interesting to see how this relationship is tested as the code continues to get pushed further to the limit.
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