Season 10, Episode 1: Astrophage

In 'Artemis', Andy Weir crafts a story set in the late 2080s in the lunar city of Artemis. The protagonist, Jasmine 'Jazz' Bashara, is a young woman who works as a porter and part-time smuggler. When Jazz is offered a lucrative opportunity to sabotage a rival business, she finds herself entangled in a complex conspiracy involving corporate and criminal interests. The novel explores themes of science, technology, and the socio-economic dynamics of a lunar society, characteristic of Weir's meticulous research and engaging storytelling style.

Cloud Atlas is a polyphonic compendium of interlacing but nonlinear parables. The book consists of six nested stories, each read or observed by the protagonist of the next, progressing in time through the central sixth story. The narratives range from the journal of a 19th-century American notary to the post-apocalyptic memoir of a herdsman, Zachry. Each story breaches time and space, linking through various characters and events. The novel combines elements of metafiction, historical fiction, contemporary fiction, and science fiction, showcasing Mitchell's dynamic use of language and literary styles. The book explores fundamental questions of reality, identity, and the universal themes of human predation and redemption.

In 'Project Hail Mary', Ryland Grace, a high school science teacher, awakens on a spaceship with no memory of how he got there or his mission. He soon discovers that he is the sole survivor of a desperate mission to save Earth from a microorganism called the Astrophage, which is threatening to cause a new ice age. As Ryland regains his memories, he encounters an alien named Rocky, and together they work to solve the scientific mystery and save their respective home planets. The story blends science, humor, and heart, exploring themes of survival, discovery, and unlikely friendships.

The Martian tells the story of astronaut Mark Watney, who is presumed dead and left stranded on Mars after a fierce storm. With limited supplies, Watney must draw upon his ingenuity, wit, and spirit to subsist and find a way to signal to Earth that he is alive. Meanwhile, NASA and a team of international scientists work tirelessly to bring 'the Martian' home, while Watney faces numerous challenges in his quest for survival. The novel is praised for its blend of science, humor, and suspense.