All Major Deaths in The Rig Season 1 Explained

Amazon Prime Video’s latest drama series, The Rig, featured quite a few deaths in season 1, because of the oil company Pictor’s deeds in the North Sea.

The first season continues to build up the tension, which finally culminates in a season finale involving all those at fault. The chaos led to the death of quite a few characters. While some of the deaths were a part of the direct consequences of the events of season 1, other deaths were collateral damage.

The Rig diverts from the usual theme of a sci-fi thriller, where the main characters fight an unknown, supernatural threat. The show is unique in the sense that the Ancestor is portrayed as a threat that many try to understand and analyze, rather than destroy. This gives the series a nuanced perspective and distinguishes it from other shows with similar themes.

However, we still had to say goodbye to some major characters in season 1. Here’s every death that took place in The Rig season 1 and the reasons behind each death.

Leck

Leck was the first one to die on the Kinlech Bravo. He was heavily affected by the emergencies on the oil rig. Alwyn later explained why Leck was so affected by the tremors, fog and blackouts. His past too has a role to play in his quick death after coming in contact with the Ancestor.

Though he had to stay in the shed, Leck stood in the helipad. This exposed him to the falling ash from the sky for hours, making him the crew member who remained in constant contact with the Ancestor’s spores.

Leck’s continuous contact with the ash, coupled with his past mental health issues triggered and eventually led to his death early in the series.

Alwyn

Alwyn was killed as a result of Baz channelizing the power of the Ancestor. Alwyn was introduced as the most caring and calmest crew member in the series. He cared enough to stand by Baz after he fell off the crane, and even followed him closely to the sea surface to bring him back to safety, despite the stand-by vessel approaching at full speed.

Eventually, it was not the collision of the two vessels that led to his death, but Baz channelizing the Ancestor’s powers. Baz pushed him into the water, resulting in his drowning.

Before dying, we see Alwyn vomiting green-tinted water. This means Baz and the Ancestor clearly had something to do with his death, given the strange greenish color of the water in The Rig season 1.

Garrow

Garrow died as a result of Pictor’s researcher, Coake’s plan. Coake tricks Hutton, Dunlin, and Murchie into believing that they can make Baz and Garrow fall asleep using the gas they spread. But little did the three know that the gas that Coake gives them is poisonous.

When they activate it, Garrow dies in front of their eyes. Despite Dunlin’s efforts, Garrow ends up dying, putting Coake’s plan into action. His death is the first one which isn’t accidental in The Rig season 1, and he dies despite the Ancestor’s help.

Dunlin

Coake’s plan required everyone to run away from the production module after activating the lethal gas. However, Dunlin is forced to stay in the production module to try to save Garrow. While Hutton and Murchie managed to reach the bridge, Dunlin remained inside.

Coake willingly closed the area and sealed it, leaving Dunlin to die as for him destroying the Ancestor was more important. Dunlin’s death served as a catalyst for Magnus to ditch Coake’s plan and follow his crew’s plan instead.

Baz

Baz’s death was a willing sacrifice he made to prove to the Ancestor that they mean no harm. Ever since he fell from the crane, Baz became closer to the Ancestor, and tried his best to protect him even if it meant going against his own teammates.

But Coake’s actions broke Baz’s connection with the Ancestor, which made him think everything was over. The enormous wave still destroyed the rig, but Baz sacrificed himself to send the Ancestor a message that they mean no harm, so that subsequent attacks on humans by the Ancestor could be avoided.

We’re not sure whether Baz’s sacrifice was worth it and had any effect on the Ancestor. Hopefully, season 2 will clarify that.

About The Rig

The Rig is a sci-fi thriller TV series created by David Macpherson for Amazon Prime Video. The series is directed by John Strickland and is the first Amazon Original filmed entirely in Scotland. The series was released on January 6, 2023, consisting of six episodes.

When the Kinloch Bravo oil rig crew is due to return to the mainland, a mysterious fog rolls in and cuts off communication with the outside world. The team will be driven to the limits of their endurance and loyalties, forced into a confrontation with forces beyond their imagination.

The series stars Iain Glen, Calvin Demba, Emily Hampshire, Martin Compston, Mark Bonnar, Mark Addy, and more.