Let's start by saying how disappointing it is that there are not more people watching Extant, reading about it and engaging in discussions.

We live in a world where if we are not given something absolutely amazing within the first hour of a new series, we want to give up. The payoff has to be quick and fast or we'll move on to the next big thing, which will likely also last a short time.

Each week the mystery has grown and in Extant Season 1 Episode 5 things have hit the pinnacle of freakiness. With such a big mind-frak occurring, you'd think we'd be left without answers. You'd be wrong.

Sparks and his buddies at the ISEA did laser the baby out of Molly and decommission Ethan. They also eradicated all instances of pregnancy hormones in Molly so that it was easy for people to say she was crazy. Given what they can do, I'm not sure why they didn't go the extra mile and wipe her memory, but maybe they are unsure of what was in her womb and decided to keep her brain free from harm.

That wasn't the case with Sam. While it would be easy to say Sam was acting as if she never knew about the pregnancy and potential cover up, even the fear of her brother being harmed couldn't have made her such an amazing actress. She really didn't know what was going on with Molly.

There was a lot of the episode where I was confused about what was real and what wasn't. Molly's brain did suffer a bit of trauma and seeing things like the juice moving while the room didn't -- I have no idea what that was about. It must be the energy source still messing with her.

Her coworker found a new filter to view the footage of Molly's time on the Seraphim. He called it Algorithm Danny 5. He saw what killed the worms on the Seraphim and Molly saw it move toward her, spore-like, and apparently impregnate her. 

Molly and John made sure she wasn't flat out bonkers thanks to the dog bite she suffered visiting Quincy in Extant Season 1 Episode 4. They were able to test the blood, find her pregnancy hormones; all that good stuff. John had his whiny moment when he realized he wasn't really the father after they saw the strange DNA in her blood, and I thought it might have been nicer for him to show some concern for her instead. I mean, ew, I have strange DNA coursing through my blood!

The baby, a boy, is living on its own, in a womb-like environment. It looks as it did in the sonogram -- like a human baby. But we know it's a lot more than that. 

The ISEA's attempt to squash Ethan also didn't pan out, as he somehow rebooted himself. Having Molly near was a catalyst for his waking, much to Julie's chagrin. Julie has no legs. In a very cool, yet total WTF scene, she was in the shower without them on a special chair. We still have no idea when in the future they are, but things have come a long way, baby.

Julie had a moment with John, angry that Ethan, who they created together, is now living with John and Molly as their own. I sense Julie turning on the couple down the road. She's rather cold, as was referenced after she had sex, so seeing things from Ethan's perspective won't be easy for her. We know she can't see them from John's. 

For now, John and Molly are together and on the same page. That may change. Things happen so fast and without warning. What else can the ISEA do? The "force" chose Molly, so perhaps it will protect her even now that she's not carrying the baby.

Harmon Kryger has been missing for ages. He was all up in Molly's face for a while, worried that she'd be found out and telling her to take care, but now he's gone. Did the ISEA get to him? Is he in hiding planning something else? Who knows? 

There was a great nod to Darwin's Origin of Species as that's where Molly hid her video feed of her lost time on the ship. That brings us back to the idea the force is trying to protect and save humanity to it can live on, or perhaps make the next big evolutionary leap. The way it travels, once it's here on earth, it shouldn't be too difficult to pass from body to body to infect anyone it wishes.

I'm loving Extant. I wish there was a do-over and people could jump back on board. I guess it's happened before, right? If you've missed any, jump on now. Watch Extant online via TV Fanatic. It's great fun and a good mystery. 

Which are you more afraid of?

Carissa Pavlica is the managing editor and a staff writer and critic for TV Fanatic. She's a member of the Critic's Choice Association, enjoys mentoring writers, conversing with cats, and passionately discussing the nuances of television and film with anyone who will listen. Follow her on X and email her here at TV Fanatic.