Beacon 23 Review: End Transmission and Adamantine (Season 1 Episodes 7 and 8)

Beacon 23 Season 1 Episodes 7 and 8, “End Transmission” and “Adamantine,” sees Aster and Halan making tough, narrative-altering choices while QTA closes in on them. The finale is a notable step up after an unfocused first season that tries to do too much and answers very few questions. 

For example, we still don’t understand what The Artifact is or how it serves the story. Secondly, what the flippin’ heck does “QTA” stand for? Thirdly, how did part of Halan wind up in The Artifact? Sure, Season 1 answers some questions (especially with Season 1 Episode 6, “Beacon Twenty Three”), but we’re left with countless more in its wake. 

“End Transmission” culminates in Bart taking his own life, which feels strange given Bart’s significance to the plot. He’s central to the story, giving a voice to Beacon 23. He is the connective tissue between Aster/Halan and the residents who came before them. 

Maybe this is a move to expand the narrative beyond the titular beacon in Beacon 23 Season 2. Regardless, his “passing” is surprisingly stirring and poignant. While the writing is flawed, one thing this series executes successfully is fleshing out Bart as a character. It raises interesting discussions regarding AI and its place in our future. Wade Bogert-O’Brien delivers vocal work as Bart that almost feels human — fully realized, nuanced, and emotional. 

“End Transmission” and “Adamantine” bring the talents of guest stars Jess Salgueiro and Daniel Malik into the fold as Saldana and Finch, respectively. We can’t help but be drawn to them despite only appearing in two episodes. Both actors offer compelling, layered performances of two members of a little-understood organization who throw themselves into the cause. They also boast excellent chemistry. 

Additionally, Lena Headey and Stephan James deliver serviceable performances — not show-best, but their chemistry and consistency as performers add intrigue and entertainment to the story. Headey, in particular, is sharp and witty as Aster, the reluctant “hero” who really wants to commune with some space rocks. Don’t we all? 

As for the story, it moves steadily in both episodes. There are bursts of action here and there, which could’ve been better choreographed, but it helps break up the sections of dialogue. This reviewer was particularly excited to see a space battle. However, it didn’t quite live up to expectations. Here’s hoping Season 2 delivers on that front. 

It’s nice to see the series spend time developing Aster and Halan’s complex dynamic. So far, this season has felt like, “Let’s hop from beat to beat, action to action, while avoiding, you know, relationship development.” While Bart is the heart of the beacon, Halan and Aster’s bond grounds everything in reality. What’s even better is that the writers never forced them together romantically. Their relationship feels more profound than that. It’s a shame Aster dies in the final moments of “Adamantine.”

While Aster’s death is shocking in the moment, in retrospect, it feels like a cheap move to kill off a series lead. An expected one, to be sure. It’s formulaic — you spend time cultivating this character and building on their connection with another. Then, you take them out. Without Aster, exploration of The Artifact feels pointless. After all, we’ve spent the whole season emphasizing her importance in the narrative and her direct tether to the “silicate,” as Harmony calls it. She seemed to have the most plot armor. 

That said, this reviewer isn’t ready to write off Beacon 23 entirely. There’s the possibility that the writers will revive Aster in Season 2, especially with the existence of AI and Aleph in this timeline. Fingers crossed.

The Season 1 finale proves this series has so much potential as long as it doesn’t get caught up in its own mystery. We see glimmers of that potential, from this stellar cast’s magnetic performances to the occasional twists. As mentioned above, so much of this season felt unfocused, bewildering, and simultaneously slow while moving like a freight train. It tries to cram everything under the sun into eight episodes while exploring too many philosophical threads. 

What is this series trying to say? Is it solely about AI? Is it about Stockholm syndrome? A meditation on humans and our need for companionship? The argument of mortality versus immortality? Who knows. It’s most likely all of the above. Regardless, here’s hoping Season 2 reels it in a bit and feels more focused. 

Stray Observations: 

• “I find your lack of faith troubling” is 100 percent a Star Wars nod. You probably can’t change “troubling” to disturbing” without inviting an onslaught of litigation from Disney and Lucasfilm. 
• Jess Salgueiro is a sci-fi queen. Besides having an iconic role in The Boys, she also had a plum part in Season 4 of The Expanse. 
• I can’t picture Season 2 without Lena Headey. That said, there is a teaser. (And an April 2024 release month!) Headey briefly appears, so perhaps we’ll see her in some capacity. Although, I’m assuming she’s relegated to a recurring guest star. Her performance was one of the only strong points in Season 1. We need more Aster.
• Speaking of characters, here’s hoping we see more of Saldana and Finch. Their story and dynamic are fascinating, thanks partly to Salgueiro and Malik’s performances. 
• Aleph, give us the hair care routine. Apparently, even transcendent beings with nothing but time can grow luscious locks. 
• My money’s on Aleph finding a way to revive Aster, transforming her into a transcendent being like him. Perhaps this is wishful thinking, though. I wonder if the Aster we saw in that peach dress is The Artifact. Maybe that will be the key to bringing her back to life. 

What did you think of these episodes of Beacon 23? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

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Beacon 23 Season 1 is now streaming on MGM+. 

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