Constellation Episode 6: The 5th episode of “Constellation” on Apple TV+ showed Jo learning the truth about the tapes from Denmark. The Bang siblings told her about the ‘ghost tapes,’ one of which includes Jo’s speech. Later, on her way to their cabin, Jo learned a shocking detail about Alice’s past – she cannot speak Swedish, unlike the girl on the tape. It opened her to the possibility of their alternate selves.
Now, “Constellation” episode 6 takes place in a world where Jo dies and Paul returns from space. Alice firmly believes her mama is alive, which worries Magnus. Paul tries to make peace with his new life when the CAL mission doesn’t exist.
Spoilers Ahead
Constellation Episode 6 “Paul is Dead” Recap:
“Constellation” episode 6 begins in space before the tragic collision accident. Paul (William Catlett) works on the CAL machine and speaks with Henry (Jonathan Banks) on the ground. While he provides new details about their mission, Jo (Noomi Rapace) speaks with Alice (Rosie/Davina Coleman) on a video call. Jo speaks in Swedish, and Alice responds in the same language. Suddenly, something hits their space station, and Jo loses her balance. Moments later, she hits a glass and starts bleeding. Other astronauts do everything to keep the situation under control. Paul tries to stop Jo’s bleeding.
On Earth, Magnus (James D’Arcy) and Alice learn about Jo’s unfortunate death. Magnus tries to help Alice accept the truth. However, Alice remains restless. At night, she hides in a cupboard, while checking on more information about Jo’s mission. Magnus fails to make Alice manage her expectations. After he leaves, she imagines a person walking toward her, holding a torchlight. But the minute she opens the door, the person disappears. The next day, Alice tells Paul’s daughter – Wendy (Sadie Sweet), that her mama will return home. Magnus worries that Jo is living in a fantasy world and is afraid to accept that Jo is not coming home.
What happens to Paul’s research for CAL?
Paul starts searching for the CAL machine but cannot find it. He asks Yazmina (Sandra Teles), Audrey (Carole Weyers), and Ilya (Henry David) to pass on information about this NASA experiment. To his surprise, none of them know anything about it. Once they leave, he stays in the company of Jo’s dead body. A while later, he hears Jo breathing, which terrifies him. He finds it hard to believe. In the following hours, he senses more signs that make him feel that she is alive. He speaks with the ground operatives and then carries Jo’s body to another side of the station.
While holding the hand of the heavily lacerated Jo, he suddenly sees her alive. The next moment, he returns to reality. Eventually, he proceeds with his return mission, while leaving Jo’s body in the space. On Earth, he senses that many things are not how he remembers them. For starters, he calls his wife – Frida, and she corrects him. Her name is Erica, not Frida. A similar incident happened with Jo when she returned to the alternate world. Later, Paul goes to visit a tree planted in Jo’s honor. While paying his respects, he notices Jo on the other side for a brief moment. Jo also saw Paul in her alternate universe.
How does Alice cope with Jo’s absence?
While Paul receives a warm welcome, Jo remains in space. Alice believes that her mama is still alive. Later, she confronts Magnus for leaving Jo up in space. It upsets Paul, who mishandles the matter. Since the ground operatives told him to move Jo’s body in the space, he does not consider it his fault. Back at home, Alice opens boxes sent from their well-wishers, which makes her angrier. Magnus notices that and feels sad he cannot help with her frustration. His therapist believes a ceremony like a funeral would make Alice accept the truth of Jo’s death.
How does Paul handle his new reality on Earth?
Paul finds it difficult to contend with his new reality on Earth. During a conference, Frederic (Julian Looman) makes him feel even more guilty about leaving Jo in the ISS. So, Paul starts talking about the latest phase of the Cold Atomic Laboratory experiment. But neither his associates nor the senior operatives know what CAL is. Back home, he goes through old videos of the Apollo 18 mission—the one Henry was a part of. According to them, Henry was the only astronaut who returned to Earth.
After hearing this, Paul meets Michaela (Chipo Chung) and questions her about Henry and the CAL experiment. He remembers Henry assigned him to work on this mission. Michaela notes that Henry doesn’t work in NASA and his whereabouts are unknown. She also does not know anything about the CAL machine or Henry’s contribution to it. It frustrates Paul, and he takes out his anger on Erica & Wendy.
Constellation Episode 6 “Paul is Dead” Ending Explained:
What happens at Jo’s funeral?
Magnus arranges Jo’s funeral, hoping it will also help Alice accept the truth. Paul, Erica & Wendy arrive at their house to attend it. He cannot get over his guilt for leaving Alice alone. Erica helps him process his emotions. Eventually, at the funeral, Paul meets Alice. Suddenly, they both notice Alice looking at them. In that world, Jo and Magnus come to help the screaming Alice. Meanwhile, Alice, at the funeral, calls out her mama’s name. So, Magnus feels that they need a change of weather and plans to travel somewhere. Alice says they should go visit Jo’s cabin. Although hesitant at first, Magnus agrees.
What does Paul learn about Bud Caldera’s life?
The next day, Erica wakes up to find Paul not in the bed. Michaela shows up at her doorstep and warns her about Paul’s unstable mental state. She expects Paul to receive treatment for his ‘astronaut fatigue.’ Meanwhile, Paul reaches Bud Caldera’s Los Angeles apartment. He knocks on the door and asks for Henry. Bud says he does not go by that name anymore. But that isn’t the only different thing in this world. Bud says an accident killed his two associates on the Apollo 18 mission. He was the only survivor who returned. However, according to Paul’s understanding, Henry had repaired the damage caused by that accident and became a hero. So, no one died.
Paul keeps speaking about Henry, whom he knows. It annoys Bud, who tells Paul to leave his apartment immediately. Paul expects answers and, thus, refuses to leave. So, Bud shoots his gun, probably killing Paul. On the other hand, Magnus drives Alice toward Jo’s cabin. Despite the heavy snowfall, Alice insists they walk to the cabin. Magnus still cannot make Alice accept Jo’s loss. Later at night, Alice wakes up to the sound of a car outside the cabin. She walks toward the window and notices Jo walk out of the car. As seen in the earlier episode, Jo reached this cabin with Alice, who cannot speak Swedish.
