The Astronauts - Day 85 (S1E10)
An unexpected development prompts doubts among the kids about returning home, and an unknown threat attempts to destroy the Odyssey before the astronauts can make their next move.
| Runtime (min) | 24 |
|---|---|
| Air Date | 2021-01-15 |
| Genres | Family, Sci-Fi & Fantasy |
| TV Rating | TV-PG |
| Network(s) | Nickelodeon |
Storyline
In the season finale of The Astronauts, the five young crew members aboard the Odyssey face their most critical decision yet as they approach the point of no return in their journey. An unexpected development raises serious questions about whether returning to Earth is truly the right choice, causing division and doubt among the kids. Each astronaut must weigh personal desires against the mission's original purpose and the safety of the group.
As tensions mount and the crew debates their next move, an unknown threat emerges that puts the entire spacecraft in jeopardy. The Odyssey itself becomes a target, and the kids must act quickly to protect their ship before they can proceed with any plan—whether that means heading home or charting a new course. The episode brings the season's central conflicts to a head, forcing the young astronauts to make choices that will determine not only their immediate survival but also their ultimate destination.
What parents say
Parents have noted that The Astronauts offers a refreshing take on space adventure programming for tweens and younger teens, praising the show for featuring young protagonists who must solve problems through teamwork and critical thinking. Many appreciate that the series balances science fiction excitement with age-appropriate stakes, avoiding graphic violence while still maintaining genuine tension and suspense.
Some parents have expressed appreciation for the show's emphasis on STEM concepts and the diversity of the young cast, noting that children of different backgrounds see themselves represented in leadership roles. Parents have also commented positively on the moral dilemmas the characters face, which spark meaningful conversations with their kids about responsibility, honesty, and the consequences of decisions.
A few parents have mentioned that the premise—children alone in space without adult supervision—requires some suspension of disbelief, but most agree that the show handles this setup responsibly. Parents recommend the series for families looking for science-themed content that encourages curiosity about space exploration while delivering engaging storytelling suitable for middle-grade viewers.
What kids learn
This episode teaches children about the weight of irreversible decisions and the importance of thinking through long-term consequences before committing to a course of action. The young astronauts' debate about whether to continue their journey or return home illustrates how major life choices often don't have clear right or wrong answers, and that reasonable people can disagree about the best path forward. Kids see that it's okay to have doubts and to reconsider plans when new information emerges.
The episode also reinforces lessons about crisis management and staying focused under pressure. When an unknown threat targets the Odyssey, the crew must set aside their disagreements and work together to protect their ship, demonstrating that survival sometimes requires putting personal preferences on hold. Children learn that leadership means making difficult calls even when you're uncertain, and that courage isn't the absence of fear but the ability to act despite it.
Additionally, the finale highlights the value of diverse perspectives in problem-solving. Each crew member brings different strengths and viewpoints to both the debate about their destination and the emergency response, showing kids that the best solutions often emerge when everyone's voice is heard and considered.
Parents' top 5 questions
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| What is the 'unexpected development' that makes the kids doubt returning home? | The episode presents the crew with new information or circumstances that challenge their original assumption that Earth is their only viable destination. This development forces each astronaut to reconsider what they truly want and whether the mission they started accidentally might have value worth pursuing. The specifics prompt genuine debate among the kids about duty, desire, and what constitutes the right choice when there's no clear answer. |
| What kind of threat targets the Odyssey in this episode? | An unknown threat attempts to destroy the spacecraft just as the crew is wrestling with their decision about the future. The episode maintains suspense about the nature and origin of this danger, requiring the young astronauts to respond to an immediate crisis while their larger debate remains unresolved. The threat serves to raise the stakes considerably and tests the crew's ability to function under extreme pressure when they're already divided. |
| Is this episode scary or too intense for younger viewers? | The episode does feature genuine peril as the Odyssey faces potential destruction, which creates suspenseful moments and raises the dramatic stakes for the season finale. However, the show maintains its family-friendly approach without graphic content or horror elements. Parents of sensitive children may want to watch together and be prepared to reassure kids during tense sequences, though the episode focuses more on problem-solving than fear. |
| Does the season end on a cliffhanger or is there resolution? | As a season finale, this episode brings the current story arc to a conclusion while addressing the major questions that have built throughout the season. The crew must make their decision about returning home and deal with the immediate threat to their ship. Parents should be prepared for the episode to resolve some storylines while potentially setting up future possibilities, which is typical for season finales of serialized shows. |
| What can I discuss with my child after watching this episode? | This finale offers rich material for family conversation about making difficult choices when there's no perfect option, and about how we decide what we truly want versus what we think we should want. You might ask your child what they would choose in the astronauts' position and why, or discuss times when they've had to make a hard decision with uncertain outcomes. The episode also provides opportunities to talk about teamwork during disagreements and staying calm in emergencies. |
Writing
Directing
| Season # | Episode # | Episode Name |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | The spacecraft Odyssey II is set to embark on a mission to retrieve a foreign object that could potentially save mankind, but the plan quickly goes awry when five untrained kids sneak aboard and are unable to stop the launch sequence. |
| 1 | 2 | Five untrained kids are accidentally sent into orbit when an AI-controlled spacecraft launches prematurely. The group must take control of the ship, and work as astronauts when they face a harrowing emergency onboard. |
| 1 | 3 | Tension on the ship rises as Elliott plants seeds of distrust about Will, whom Elliott suspects is collecting mission information for his reporter mother. Meanwhile, Samy works with Matilda’s inventor to probe the AI’s role in the accidental launch. |
| 1 | 4 | A small toy clogging the toilet leaves only one working bathroom as the kids work together to dislodge it. On Earth, tempers flare between the parents while Matilda's inventor devises a bold plan to hijack the AI. |
| 1 | 5 | Mission Control uploads a virus onto the Odyssey in an attempt to take control. Matilda fights back by shutting everything down, and the true vulnerabilities of the kids comes to light. |
| 1 | 6 | A small hole in the ship threatening the oxygen supply can only be repaired from the outside, forcing Martin to become the first kid to ever attempt a spacewalk. |
| 1 | 7 | With morale at an all-time low, Elliot takes it upon himself to rally the group with a team-building exercise involving using a high-tech camera to make a movie: a space movie. |
| 1 | 8 | Day 76: Mission Control implements a new plan of attack: unplugging Matilda from avionic control and transferring it to the ground. In the middle of this task, Samy has to undergo emergency surgery without the aid of a medical professional onboard. |
| 1 | 9 | Mission Control failed to transfer control to the ground, which means the kids are now driving the space craft. With only one day of training, the kids must steer a spacecraft into Venus's orbit without it burning up in the planet's atmosphere. |
| 1 | 10 | An unexpected development prompts doubts among the kids about returning home, and an unknown threat attempts to destroy the Odyssey before the astronauts can make their next move. |
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