In the year 1989 in Quebec, Canada, waves of energy called a coronal mass ejection or CME wreaked havoc on the power grid for 12 hours. These CME's are the result of an explosion on the surface of the sun which has released powerful bursts of electromagnetic energy into the solar system.
The astronaut in the ISS is named Tom, likely referencing David Bowie's character 'Major Tom', who dies in space.
Liv Tyler's last episode. Deadline reported in September 2020 that Liv Tyler exited the show "due to circumstances related to family and travel during the pandemic." Tyler was reportedly living in London with her partner and children at the time and was commuting between London and Los Angeles, where the series films. When the pandemic disrupted film production in March 2020, the filming of Season 2 was postponed until October 2020, and travel restrictions made it difficult for the actress to go back and forth. Writers decided not to recast Tyler, leaving open the possibility for Michelle to return.
The opening scene and the following scenes involved in that area were filmed in San Pedro, California. This show takes place in Austin, Texas.