In this episode of The Biollywood Podcast, the Executive Director of the Bipartisan Commission on Biodefense, Dr. Asha M. George, and Research Principal, J.T. O'Brien, discuss the novel Project Hail Mary (2021) by Andy Weir.

Premise:

Set in the near future, it centers on school-teacher-turned-astronaut Ryland Grace, who wakes up from a coma afflicted with amnesia. He gradually remembers that he was sent to the Tau Ceti solar system, 12 light-years from Earth, to find a means of reversing a solar dimming event that could cause the extinction of humanity. The story follows two storylines, each told chronologically, starting with the story on board the spacecraft Hail Mary where Ryland Grace regains his memory in bursts. This story is frequently intercut with flashbacks revealing earlier events leading up to the launch of the Hail Mary

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Project Hail Mary Ratings:

• Relevance to Commission Recs: 4.5/5
• Scientific Accuracy: 4.5/5
• Scenario Development: 5/5
• Entertainment Value: 4.5/5
• Success of the Imagination or Creativity: 5/5
• Shock/Surprise Value: 4/5
• Government Policy: 3.5/5
• Portrayal by Actors: 4.5/5
• Direction: 4.5/5
• Production: 4/5
• Overall Average Score: 4.4/5

In this episode of The Biollywood Podcast, the Executive Director of the Bipartisan Commission on Biodefense, Dr. Asha M. George, Research Principal, J.T. O'Brien, and Policy Principal Robert Bradley, discuss The West Wing S05E20: No Exit (2004).

Premise: After a black-tie dinner, the President and his staff are locked down inside the White House when a foreign substance is detected inside.

Learn more about the Bipartisan Commission on Biodefense here.

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Email us with recommendations on what to review next: biollywood@biodefensecommission.org

The West Wing S05E20: No Exit Ratings:

• Relevance to Commission Recs: 4/5
• Scientific Accuracy: 3/5
• Scenario Development: 4.5/5
• Entertainment Value: 5/5
• Success of the Imagination or Creativity: 3.5/5
• Shock/Surprise Value: 2/5
• Government Policy: 4/5
• Portrayal by Actors: 5/5
• Direction: 5/5
• Production: 3.5/5
• Overall Average Score: 4.05/5

In this episode of The Biollywood Podcast, the Executive Director of the Bipartisan Commission on Biodefense, Dr. Asha M. George, and Research Principal, J.T. O'Brien, discuss Alien: Romulus (2024).

Premise: While scavenging the deep ends of a derelict space station, a group of young space colonists come face to face with the most terrifying life form in the universe. Romulus takes place after the events of Alien (1979) and before the events of Aliens (1986). The film was written and directed by Fede Alvarez and produced by Ridley Scott.

Learn more about the Bipartisan Commission on Biodefense here.

Follow us on X (@Biodefensecomm), LinkedIn, and Facebook for more updates.

Email us with recommendations on what to review next: biollywood@biodefensecommission.org

Alien: Romulus Ratings:

• Relevance to Commission Recs: 4/5
• Scientific Accuracy: 4/5
• Scenario Development: 5/5
• Entertainment Value: 5/5
• Success of the Imagination or Creativity: 4/5
• Shock/Surprise Value: 4/5
• Government Policy: 1/5
• Portrayal by Actors: 4/5
• Direction: 5/5
• Production: 5/5
• Overall Average Score: 4.1/5