One of the best science fiction movies ever made.

Rating: 10/10 (28 September 2016)

The Three Acts:
The initial tableaux: The Ares 3 mission is on Mars. Its six astronauts are all busy when a major windstorm comes up. The crew has to bug out, and Mark appears to be lost in the windstorm. After the rest of the crew have departed, Mark revives. He finds the resources he needs for immediate survival, takes inventory, then engineers a way to make more food and water. On Earth, Mark's funeral was done with all the official flourishes.
Delineation of conflicts: Mindy is tasked with looking at the deserted landing site of the Ares 3 mission. She notices that Mark is likely alive, and drives the point home. Mark works toward establishing communications; Mark and NASA complete making their back and forth workable.
That accomplishment just makes the technical problems and the need for political decisions come faster. Mark is short on time, NASA has to generate options, and it all has to be funded. Teddy is continually walking a political tightrope, Vincent wants the best for the Ares program, Mitch wants the best for the crew that is currently in space. Bad luck shows up in devastating form, both on Mars and on the Earth. Everything has to be re-assessed and new plans have to be made.
Resolution: Will Mark be rescued?