Magna Mater

The pilot script covers the initial launch of the Magna Mater. The ship’s owner, London Mercer, a tech tycoon in the mode of Elon Musk, convinces his childhood friend, Martin Danbury, a retired ferry captain and hero of the 9/11 boat lift, to serve as captain on this maiden voyage. Martin’s heart really isn’t in it, he is still tormented by his 9/11 experiences. He’s also troubled by his deteriorating marriage to Candace and London’s obvious play for her. Immediately after launch, a massive solar flare hits the earth, knocking out all global satellite communications, followed by a large asteroid crashing into the ocean. The giant wave that results nearly engulfs the ship. Martin overcomes his reticence and the old skills begin to return; he springs into action. However, discontent amongst the crew and passengers threatens to boil over. The crew went on strike just before the asteroid hit. At the same time, committed environmental activists staged a demonstration. With no propulsion and no way to contact anyone beyond the ship, everyone wonders if there has been some sort of apocalyptic event. For the foreseeable future, they are all in this together and they are all they have. In order to survive, they will have to learn how to get along. Envisioned as a limited series, with six or so episodes, each episode will touch on a different theme, focusing on different sets of characters, until they finally regain contact with the outside world and are rescued, all of them changed in some way or another.