As a comet hurtles towards Victorian Earth, a young astronomer faces bias and prophecy as she and a reformed womanizer struggle to help others inform the world of the pending disaster all the while preparing their own, perhaps futile, life after impact.

SYNOPSIS:

Based on Omega: the last days of the world (1894) by Camille Flammarion

Overview

Today, we have ways to save humanity from such a fate. In their time, they had none.

An astronomy graduate deals with an intolerant world as she makes her way through the scientific community on the verge of the 20th Century. Coming from a once prosperous, antebellum southern family, and inspired by Madame Curie, she betters herself through scientific discovery. A philandering English playboy poses as a suitor but pursues her as another conquest. But as she and others warn the world of a comet impact, he begins seeing in her a true desire for humanity he long abandoned. As doomsday approaches, they both make plans to survive, and make better, the world to come.

Case/Why Now

Basking in the advances of the 21st Century, we still face a hatred of scientific achievement. Even by those who have access to, and owe their existence for such. Hatred of the messenger leads to distrust of the message. In 1895, we can understand -to a point- the prevalence of such ignorance. Today we have no such excuse. Many people, including those in positions of power, attempted to stymie well intended and science-backed methods to fight COVID. Excuses such as “government control” and “fake news” are based on conspiracy theories no better than those peddled by flat-earthers. Our protagonist in The Omegas face the same ignorance over a hundred years ago. Sadly, and in many ways, nothing has changed.

Comps: Don’t Look Up, Deep Impact, Melancholia

Plot

In 1890, JENNIFER JACKSON (23), Vasser graduate and researcher at the Harvard Observatory, working to prove herself as an astronomer, discovers a new comet and calculates it may come close to the Earth. The observatory’s director then tasks others to firm up the projected path.

Attending a reception for Harvard’s commitment to women’s studies (if not suffrage), she meets friend and former graduate ROBERT BASS (26), and his English friend HENRY GILL (25). New to America, his playboy reputation has yet to proceed him. Listening to her speak, he’s smitten, but his goal is another conquest. She agrees to dine with Robert and him when they return from NYC. Days later, she’s summoned by the Director. They tell her the comet will in fact strike the Earth. Sworn to secrecy, they will continue observations and calculations.

Urged to maintain a normal routine, Jennifer dines with Henry, Robert and his younger sister as they regale the ladies with their travels. She drinks more than normal, is unsociable, and chastises both men for wasting time. Henry volunteers to see her home safe where he attempts to console but seduce her. Knowing the comet may end her young life, she contemplates sex with him. Recovering her discretion, she suggests the approaching doom without revealing details. Her tears and morning touch him. He gets her home without incident.

He cannot deny his attraction to Jennifer and visits her before leaving Boston. Unknown to him, she and others will be off to NYC to announce the comet and impact. At a train station, the evening paper announces the comet. Henry returns to Harvard, showing Jennifer and other astronomers the paper.

The news is met with fear, prophecy and skepticism. When it’s revealed a woman made the discovery, some see it as a ploy to advance suffrage. No one can predict what will happen. The scientists, including Jennifer, urge governments to prepare. While not causing widespread panic, many resist survival measures or to discredit it. Others take advantage. Calculated to strike near the Mediterranean, the Pope refuses to leave Rome. Many of all religions go there to attend the “Ultima Massa” (Final Mass). Meanwhile, a group of wealthy men, inspired by From the Earth to the Moon, create a gigantic cannon to blast the comet apart before impact. They hit, but fail to stop it.

All the while Robert helps Jennifer spread the message, spending his own money. The two head to London: she to be nearer to study the event; he to ask his father to help. Skeptical, he admonishes Robert, refuses to use his wealth and disinherits him. Here, Jennifer discovers Edwards’s philandering past, and questions his sincerity while preparing what may be her last astronomical observations.