“Shelter” is episode four of season one of Extant.
In the previous episode, “Wish You Were Here”, after seeing and talking to someone who wasn’t there for several hours, Molly decided to leave with Director Sparks. Until Sam sent her a text message to get out of the car. She did and was picked up by John who had Ethan with him. They fled their home and John wants to know where Sparks was taking Molly. To quarantine, she thinks. But why take her there if it’s their baby? What are they covering up? Molly suggests that it’s to stop people from losing their careers. John says they will be found. Molly just needs a day to do the DNA test herself.
Sparks and Kern are in their house. Kern says the car has been found abandoned; Sparks that passports are upstairs and bank accounts haven’t been touched. Kern wants to know what priority they are talking about. Sparks will get back to him, and calls Yasumoto to fill him in. Yasumoto says that if Molly won’t come willingly, they’ll have to try another approach.
Two people are nervously waiting for someone, and that someone is Yasumoto. One tells Yasumoto that after 10 years they are close to replicating the meteor substance. The other heads into an enclosed room. He’s wearing a mask; the first, Sergei, says that there is no longer any damage to the skin but still possible damage to the respiratory system. Encouraging results. Yasumoto wants the second, Anton, to take off his mask. Both Anton and Sergei are worried by this, but Anton does. He looks fine. Until he collapses, bleeding from his eyes.
Molly, John and Ethan have arrived at the island where Molly’s father, Quinn, lives Molly says they will only be there for a day.
Sam is in an interview room and says she wants to go home now. She has to wait for Sparks. Sam requests the bathroom at least, and is then caught pouring Molly’s blood sample away. Sparks tells Yasumoto; Sam must know Molly is pregnant and was attempting to get the DNA of the baby. Yasumoto says his experiments have failed and time is running out. Probably because he’s dying. The answer may be in what Molly brought back with her. Sparks says Molly won’t stop until she gets answers. Yasumoto says she should be taken out of the equation. She’s done her part. Sparks says Sam will need taking care of as well. Yasumoto is confident Sparks will find a way.
At Quinn’s house, his dog suddenly starts growling at Molly, then bites her hand. Perhaps reacting badly to the baby, though Quinn suggests it’s perhaps because Molly hasn’t been home in six years. Molly thinks Ethan would like to play with the science equipment. Quinn doesn’t think she’s telling the truth. It sounds like their relationship is rocky and he has a drinking problem.
Kern tells Sparks that Molly has been traced. There is a team on standby. Sparks says they are to wait for now. Ethan and Quinn are on a beach; Quinn shows him how to skip a rock. Ethan fails the first attempt but the second is excellent. A strange man congratulates him. Quinn decides they should leave.
John is repairing the equipment to do the DNA test. He wants to know what they do when the baby is theirs. They have the baby. Both seem happy at the idea. Molly would like Quinn to take Ethan into town for dinner, so she and John can have some time alone. It’s been a crazy couple of weeks.
Meanwhile, what looks like some sort of operating theatre is being set up. One with restraints and armed men. Not a great sign.