Countdown

**Countdown** is the premiere episode of season 1 of *The Astronauts*. This episode premiered in a one-hour block with the show's second episode, "Day 1."

## Premise

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> 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.
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## Plot summary

The episode starts by introducing us to Samantha Sawyer-Wei watching TV about the Odyssey II Launch Mission in 3 days to space, in the background Molly and Mission Commander Rebecca Sawyer are arguing either or not Rebecca should go on the mission she reminds Molly that this is good for her and Samy, then exits the room leaving Molly in despair. Later on Samantha is picking out a bar from Matilda interrupted by Elliot telling her to come hang out with them, forced to come with them. Samy and the others are discussing how space creatures are not real, Elliot then Argues with Doria that his dad Griffin Combs tells him that they are real, Doria tells him that even if his dad is Griffin combs she still doesn't believe him. Martin Reminds Doria that their cabs are here, and they need to give their dad his backup keycard Elliot tells them that their dads keycard can get them on site and shift changes at *10:15 PM* and the launchpad should be clear by the time they get there*. Will* suggests that this is a chance that we can get towards the site might be enough to get to the ship. *Doria* suggests that we go to the ship to take photos on it, *Martin* Reminds them that the way to ship requires different security. Elliot claims that Samy knows how to get on to the ship, however, Samy doesn't want to go on it.

Elliot manages to convince Samy then they rush towards the site. They manage to get past the gate and make a break for the ship. Elliot tries to pick the lock but Martin see guards are coming. Samy manages to pick the lock they get towards the ship door and make it in. Until the mysterious Matilda launches and welcomes everyone aboard Odyssey II. She then starts to question them and ask why are they here, after getting and inaccurate answer Matilda then activates the 20-minute launch sequence and seals all doors. Back on *Ground Crew Lind Bellows* hears that Matilda is configuring launch settings then rushes towards *Mission Control. Niles* manages to turn on the ship cameras and see his daughter and son. Doria explains that we did not touch anything and it activated on its own. Linda then orders them to sit tight while she orders Matilda to stop the launch sequence, which is completely ignored by Matilda. Back on the ship, Elliot and Martin are trying to pry the door open. Samantha takes a panel off the wall then heads up to command center. Will then asks why she is doing this, Samy explains that she's been practicing under her mother since she was 5. Back on *Mission Control,* Lind orders a team to ascend the rocket, pry the door open, and get the kids out of there. Lind reviews the situation and sees Samy at the controls, Lind tells Samy to stop what she is doing, Samy ignores her and Lind realizes Elliot is aboard the ship and Griffin will be upset. Meanwhile and Team ascends the walkway and pulls out a lighter to get the door open.

Later, back on Ground Crew, Griffin is notified by Lind that there is something going on the rocket, Lind tells him there is a software glitch and Matilda is being hacked. Rebecca Griffin and Connie rush towards Mission Control. Back on the rocket Samantha is trying to stop the launch, Elliot sees the team leaving, Lind ordered the team to leave because they are out of time, Samy is still trying to stop the launch while Doria is telling her to stop what she is doing, Samy reminds her that if they launch they are dead, Elliot tells her that his dad won't let that happen. Will tells them to leave her alone and let her do what she is doing, Lind tells Samy once again to stop doing what she is doing, Samy deceives her. Rebecca arrives at mission control Lind tells her to stop her daughter from doing what she wants to do. Rebecca activates the COMM and tells her to stop, She asks if Molly is there too. Rebecca tells her that she is on her way, Samy reminds her about what happening, Rebecca then agrees with and tells her to keep doing it. Will then heads up to the command module . Back on Mission Control, Niles tells Griffin that Matilda's been hacked. Griffin tells Niles to take Matilda offline, but he can't. Back on the ship Samy tells everyone to strap in and head up to the module. Niles tells everyone that's it, and they ran out of options, Elliot tells his dad that he is scared but Griffin tells him for now he has to be brave, and he will be home soon. The countdown is now at 5, Samy tells everyone to brace for lift off, the rocket has launch and is flying up to space.

## Cast and characters

Starring:

* Miya Cech as Samantha "Samy" Sawyer-Wei
* Bryce Gheisar as Elliot Combs
* Keith L. Williams as Martin Taylor
* Kayden Grace Swan as Doria Taylor
* Ben Daon as Will Rivers
* Paige Howard as Matilda (voice)

Co-starring:

* Ryan Robbins as Griffin Combs
* Erica Cerra as Connie Rivers
* Bethany Brown as Rebecca Sawyer
* Garfield Willison as Niles Taylor
* Nathalie Boltt as Lind Bellows
* Diana Bang as Molly Wei
* Albert Nicholas as Charlie Collins
* Nina Solberg as Tech 1, with CAPCOM in Mission Control
* Lou Ticzon as Tech 2

Additional cast:

* *tba* as Lomax, an engineer

## Trivia

* This is the first episode of the season and series.

## Navigation

* 1.01 **Countdown**
* 1.02 Day 1
* 1.03 Day 3
* 1.04 Day 21
* 1.05 Day 33
* 1.06 Day 34
* 1.07 Day 73
* 1.08 Day 76
* 1.09 Day 84
* 1.10 Day 85

## External links

* Countdown on the Internet Movie Database

## References

1. ↑ Zap2it listings. Retrieved on November 9, 2020.