Amazon Prime’s “Night Sky” Is A Bold and Original Sci-Fi Mystery [Review]

FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO HAVE NOT YET SEEN NIGHT SKY, THIS IS A NON-SPOILER REVIEW FOR ALL EIGHT EPISODES OF SEASON ONE.

Amazon Prime is coming back with a vengeance to try and make a name for itself in the streaming world.  They have struggled in the past with creating serialized genre series that will keep audiences clamoring for more, only succeeding here and there with hits like The Boys and Wheel of Time.  But, with their recent success with Outer Range and now, this series Night Sky… They are beginning to really find their groove with the sci-fi genre.  Only time will tell if audiences fall for this little gem of a show, but I really hope they do, because after watching all eight episodes of Season One… Night Sky is just scratching the surface of what it has in store for viewers.

WHAT IS NIGHT SKY ALL ABOUT?

The series centers around Franklin and Irene York, a couple who years ago discovered a chamber buried in their backyard which inexplicably leads to a strange, deserted planet. They’ve carefully guarded their secret ever since, but when an enigmatic young man enters their lives, the York’s humble existence is quickly upended, and the mysterious chamber they thought they knew so well turns out to be much more than they could ever have imagined.

HOW ARE J.K. SIMMONS & SISSY SPACEK?

The series is anchored by two deeply felt, outstanding performances by Academy Award-winners Sissy Spacek and J.K. Simmons.  The acting legends create such a genuine and compelling couple in Franklin and Irene York… Partners whose bond with each other knows no bounds and their love radiates off of the screen in such a touching way.  It is so refreshing to see older performers like Spacek and Simmons be given such prominent and meaty roles as the ones they get to inhabit in Night Sky, and it just goes to show that there are important stories to be told for anyone in any age bracket.  

HOW IS CO-LEAD CHAI HANSEN?

The other main lead of the series is Australian-Thai actor Chai Hansen, who I was unfamiliar with before watching this show, but he makes a real impact here.  The mysterious stranger Jude, whom the Yorks find passed out in their space bunker… is the key to unlocking the mysteries of Night Sky.  And Hansen holds the many secrets of this series close to his chest, slowly unveiling the many different facets of this character in a methodical way. 

This isn’t the easiest character to play because we aren’t given many nuggets of information about him from the get-go, just that he is possibly dangerous and is not being upfront in the information that he knows.  The audience is constantly being torn back and forth on whether we can trust Jude or not, but Hansen is so utterly likable that we are more than willing to give him the benefit of the doubt… just as Irene does, in the show.

DOES THIS SHOW KEEP YOU GUESSING?

I went into Night Sky completely blind, without even watching a trailer and I have to say, I am so happy that I did.  It’s been a while since I’ve thrown myself into a show, and I really had no idea what to expect from.  And this puzzle box of a series left me never knowing what was going to come next, there are so many twists and turns in season one that I think audiences will be left without any choice, but to stay glued to their screens for the next episode.  One thing I will say though is that this series does throw a lot of supporting characters and side plots at you… and you will be left wondering what their purpose is to the overall arc of the show.  And that does lead me to one of my big issues with Night Sky.  

WHAT ARE SOME THINGS THAT DON’T WORK?

While we have our main plot that revolves around the Yorks and Jude, we also have another storyline running parallel with theirs that revolves around an Argentinian mother and daughter, Stella and Toni.  As the first season ran its course, I couldn’t help feeling that every time the show switched gears to follow these two, that it lost steam.  I was so captivated by what was going on with Franklin, Irene, and Jude that the sudden shift in the narrative, would leave me feeling frustrated. 

It doesn’t help, that as an audience, you are not really sure how and why these two characters are important to the story for most of the season.  You know that somehow these storylines are going to converge, but it’s not until Episode 7… that those pieces start to really come together.  And then when they do, you’re left with more questions than you are answers.

There are also a couple of random plot threads revolving the York’s nosy neighbor Byron who is running for city council and whose suspicious of what they are up to, as well as one about a klepto nurse named Chandra who steals her patient’s belongings… that don’t feel integral to the overall narrative.  You’re left wondering what the point of these characters is, and even though the writers do attempt to create reasons for their existence, these plotlines feel more shoehorned in as a matter of convenience to further the story along… rather than actually being truly important.  I honestly wish that some of these ideas were scrapped, and it would have made this season feel less convoluted and more streamlined. 

COULD THE DIALOGUE USE SOME WORK?

And before I jump into why I think Night Sky is such a special show… I have to acknowledge the fact that the scripts can be really lacking at times.  The dialogue can be extremely silly. Especially lines delivered by the York’s granddaughter played by Kiah McKirnan, for some odd reason.  I’m not sure if it’s the actress’ delivery or the stilted dialogue or a little bit of both… but, almost every time she spoke it just felt awkward.  And the scripts can leave much to be desired… As if the writers are still trying to figure out the real potential of this concept.  

And for me, that’s okay.  Because the concept is so brilliant and rife with possibility.  There are so many incredible series out there that had a bit of a rocky first season… But, because all of the building blocks were as strong as they were, the writers were finally able to pull it all together to create something great in subsequent seasons.  And I absolutely see that happening with Night Sky.  

IS THIS JUST THE BEGINNING OF SOMETHING MUCH BIGGER?

We have a leading trio of performers that have created three fascinating characters. Ones that I can see myself following and falling for even more in years to come.  And we have a concept that is so intriguing. With an absorbing mystery that feels like it’s just scratched the surface of unlocking its many secrets.  Like who The Guardians and what exactly are they sworn to protect?  And what is really out there on that forsaken desert planet?  Hint: We get a glimpse of it in the finale.  And finally, what do Jude and his father have to do with this whole conspiracy?  

So, to be real, does this first season deal with some growing pains?  Most Definitely.  But, I am 100% down to continue on this ride… To get to see what this Night Sky has left to unveil to us.  Because whatever it is, I feel like it’s going to be really good. 

Night Sky will be streaming on Amazon Prime Friday, May 20th, 2022.

For more Reviews, make sure to Stay Tuned to That Hashtag Show!