Who is the commander of the crew in the Martian?

Commander Melissa Lewis: More Than Just a Captain in “The Martian”

Okay, so you’ve seen “The Martian,” right? Or at least read the book? Then you know things go sideways fast for the Ares 3 mission. And at the head of that mission, trying to keep everything from completely falling apart, is Commander Melissa Lewis. She’s not just some cardboard cutout captain; she’s a complex character facing impossible choices.

In the movie, Jessica Chastain nails the role. Lewis is a U.S. Naval officer—a Submarine Warfare officer, believe it or not—with a serious background in oceanography and geology. Talk about a well-rounded resume! That mix of skills is exactly what you need when you’re leading a team exploring the Acidalia Planitia on Mars. The Ares 3 crew is a diverse bunch: Lewis, Watney, Martinez, Johanssen, Beck, and Vogel. Each one brings something unique to the table, from Watney’s botany skills to Martinez’s piloting chops. They’re a finely tuned machine…until everything goes wrong.

And boy, does it go wrong. A massive dust storm hits, and in the chaos, Watney gets clocked by flying debris. Presumed dead, he’s left behind. Can you imagine the weight on Lewis’s shoulders? She has to make the call to abort the mission, to save the rest of her crew. It’s a brutal decision, but what else could she do in that situation?

That decision haunts her, you can see it in Chastain’s performance. As a military officer, her job is to bring everyone home. It’s ingrained in them. And these aren’t just colleagues; they’re a team who’ve spent years training together, relying on each other in the ultimate isolation of space. They’re practically family.

So, when NASA figures out Watney’s alive, it hits Lewis hard. The crew, still heading back to Earth, find out, and they don’t even hesitate. They vote, unanimously, to turn around and try a rescue mission. Forget what NASA says – they’re going back. That’s the kind of loyalty Lewis inspires. It’s a crazy risky plan, bending the Hermes beyond its limits, but they’re willing to do anything to get their guy back.

The rescue itself is edge-of-your-seat stuff. Lewis pulls off some serious piloting, improvising a maneuver to slow the Hermes down and grab Watney. It’s a testament to her skill and her never-give-up attitude. She’s the one who reaches out and pulls him to safety. Talk about a leader!

But Lewis isn’t just about tough decisions and daring rescues. There’s a lighter side to her, too. She’s got this thing for 70s music, especially disco. It becomes Watney’s personal hell because it’s the only music he has access to on Mars. It’s a funny little detail that makes her feel more real, you know? Even in the face of incredible pressure, she’s still just a person with her own quirks and tastes. And that’s what makes Commander Melissa Lewis such a compelling character. She’s not just a commander; she’s a leader, a friend, and a survivor.