The Eternaut Ending: Who Controls the Apocalypse?

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Warning: Major spoilers for The Eternaut ahead.

In the midst of summer, a surprising sight – snowfall. This innocent beginning sets the stage for “The Eternaut,” Netflix’s captivating science fiction saga that proves to be far more epic than it initially seems, even after finishing all episodes of season 1.

Soon enough, it becomes clear that the enigmatic snowfall lethal to anyone who comes into contact with it also causes technology to malfunction. Consequently, the remaining individuals must swiftly unravel the mysteries at hand if they hope to endure for any length of time.

In and of itself, this situation would be challenging enough, but when bizarre insect-like beings start raining down from the heavens, it becomes clear that this unusual weather is merely the prelude to something far more ominous. It appears that a massive extraterrestrial onslaught has commenced, affecting countless individuals beyond Buenos Aires, the city where our story unfolds.

Drawing inspiration from Héctor Germán Oesterheld’s Eisner Award-winning comic, “El Eternauta” stands as a seminal piece in the genre that has long been sought after by Argentine filmmakers for adaptation over the years.

As a follower eagerly diving into the Netflix adaptation, it’s crucial to recognize that the initial six episodes only scratch the surface of this intricate tale. If spoilers don’t deter you, here are some insights into the unfolding narrative.

The Eternaut ending explained: Who or what really caused the apocalypse?

In the very beginning of this captivating series, I found myself aboard a vessel with comrades as Buenos Aires first plunged into darkness. It wasn’t until the fifth episode that I reappeared, surprisingly showing up at Alfredo’s residence – a sanctuary where my parents, Juan and Elena, had taken refuge along with their companions.

It seems there’s a puzzle here. How was Clara able to return from the boat without any assistance, and why is she denying her initial presence on that boat?

In a chilling turn of events, I found myself in a mall where Clara’s erratic behavior was just the beginning. She had a meltdown later on, but it wasn’t long before it seemed like she wasn’t alone in her strangeness. Whispers about people losing their minds and lashing out at others began to circulate, and then, tragedy struck when my friend Lucas mysteriously disappeared overnight. To add fuel to the fire, three masked gunmen started indiscriminately shooting everyone at the mall without uttering a single word. It was a terrifying scene that left me questioning reality itself.

The episode concluded as the last shooter, still alive, re-entered the sewers and encountered a cluster of extraterrestrial insects. Remarkably, these creatures did not attack but instead parted ways to allow him passage. This could imply that the shooters, including this one, were under the control of the aliens.

In the final episode of The Eternaut, Juan converses with one of the women who assaulted him in the previous installment. They are positioned before a mural brimming with various motifs that have either been previously depicted or will soon be featured in the series, such as a beetle, a gas symbol, a train, and many others.

Ever since the first snowflakes began to fall, Juan has been experiencing peculiar dreams or visionary episodes. It’s not merely a matter of him being stressed out; something far more significant seems to be unfolding here, and I’ll elaborate further at a later time.

Working alongside the military personnel who saved people from the mall, Juan, Alfredo, and Lucas decided to utilize a train to break down a barricade and explore an abandoned building in the city center. Their aim was to transmit a message of hope across the area for anyone who might still be alive.

Once the mission succeeds, they opt to stay in the structure for the evening and indulge in a friendly card game, much as they did initially, when the first flakes of snow began to fall.

Apart from the fact that this game often ends unfavorably, there comes a point where Lucas inexplicably loses control and stabs Omar in a shocking act of violence. Despite initial impressions, Omar had been showing positive changes, but this behavior is completely unexpected and uncharacteristic of Lucas.

I dash after my maniacal friend up to the rooftop, only to discover him ranting about bugged phones as he teeters on the edge. Here, our band of friends also spot a massive, eerie blue glow radiating from the stadium in the distance. For a moment, Lucas’ lips curve into a faint smile before his expression turns vacant, and then, tragically, he plunges off the roof to his demise.

Juan and Alfredo weren’t given a moment to grieve or understand the situation, as a band of individuals carrying torches were seen rushing towards the building. Alongside Omar and another helper, they attempted to slip away quietly, fearful that the approaching crowd meant them harm. However, an additional volunteer joined them, but unfortunately, he turned against them and revealed their position to the others.

The situation becomes tricky, yet all manage to return to the train safely without a scratch. However, as the others return to their base, Juan chooses instead to explore the mystery unfolding at the stadium.

The train conductor accompanies him, and both of them navigate through a bustling street filled with people and insects moving in unison. It appears they have organized themselves into some sort of collective force, behaving synchronously as if guided by an invisible hand.

At last, the origin of the light becomes visible, along with the likely controller of all present. What we observe, however, is merely a silhouette – yet it’s unmistakably a new form of extraterrestrial life, possessing an unsettlingly large and inhuman number of fingers, suggesting control over everyone.

At that instant, Juan understands for the first time why his daughter has been behaving oddly. The scene transitions to her, intensely focused, practicing shooting back at the base camp.

Did you recall the time when they found an unusual lump on Clara’s skull? Perhaps, this anomaly could be the tool the alien utilized to influence Clara and others, compelling them to obey its commands.

What could happen next?

Given the massive cliffhanger and lots of story left untold, it’s quite likely that Netflix may greenlight another season for The Eternaut.

In a conversation with Forbes, actor Ricardo Darín expressed excitement about the upcoming second half of “The Eternaut”, hinting at even greater heights yet to come: “I have a feeling we’re going to reach new peaks!

If it is indeed the case, let me share a potential direction the narrative might take, provided it remains faithful to its original content. Be advised, significant plot points ahead may be considered spoilers.

If that’s correct, here’s where the tale could head next, given it sticks closely to the source. Be warned: Major spoilers lie ahead from this point.

In this comic book, the peculiar extraterrestrial character is called “The Hand,” yet it’s actually manipulated by a group of aliens that the main character casually identifies as “Them.

In the subsequent phase of their scheme, they intend to entice the army into a deadly predicament, one in which they would be annihilated by monstrous creatures called “Gurbos”. With assistance, Juan manages to detonate the dome and flees moments before international forces launch a nuclear strike at Buenos Aires, aiming to thwart the invading aliens.

The infiltration persists, yet, as aliens entice the remaining humans towards “zones without snow,” which they have strategically established as traps, their scheme continues. Eventually, Juan and his kin succeed in commandeering a spaceship; however, he accidentally pushes random buttons, propelling himself into another dimension, leaving his family behind.

As time goes by, the character known as “Eternaut” develops the ability to traverse through different time periods and eventually arrives in Buenos Aires slightly prior to when the invasion starts.

Ultimately, Juan finds himself back with his loved ones within a consistent time cycle, explaining the peculiar dreams he experienced during the initial season of Netflix’s remake. Since he truly has experienced everything previously.

In the final scene, as Juan proposes, these supposed glimpses into the future are, in reality, recollections of a future he had experienced previously.

At the conclusion of the comic book, Juan contemplates crafting his own story based on the events that transpired, effectively tying up loose ends in an intriguingly self-referential manner. However, it may be a stretch for this series, but here’s to hoping there are enough episodes produced to honor the original work.

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2025-05-01 13:34