The second episode of "La Palma," titled "Take-off," continues the gripping narrative of a volcanic threat looming over the island. The episode picks up with Marie waking up in the hospital, where she learns that Haukur is in an induced coma due to gas inhalation, and the others did not survive. This sets the stage for a series of events that highlight the tension between scientific urgency and bureaucratic hesitation.
Marie and Alvaro find themselves at odds once again over whether to inform the public about the impending volcanic threat. Alvaro fears that the institute might lose credibility if they "cry wolf" again, as happened in 2021. Marie, however, insists on the importance of public awareness, drawing from her personal experience of losing her parents in a tsunami in Thailand. This debate underscores the ethical dilemma faced by scientists in balancing the need for public safety against the risk of causing unnecessary panic.
As Marie and Alvaro present their findings to the government, they encounter resistance from the mayor, who is concerned about the potential for mass panic and the economic impact on the island. Alvaro tries to persuade the mayor to set up a meeting with the government to present the data, hoping for a more informed decision-making process.
Meanwhile, the Frederick family's vacation takes a turn for the worse. Their plans for a hike are thwarted by news of gas emissions and the closure of mountain access. The family dynamics are further strained when Frederick and Jennifer have a heated argument after Jennifer learns that Frederick had lost Tobias the previous day. This conflict is overheard by their daughter, Sara, who is already dealing with her own emotional turmoil.
Sara, feeling overwhelmed by her parents' fight and her own romantic disappointment, decides to leave the island and buys a ticket to Madrid. She calls her uncle Jens, who works at the Foreign Affairs Ministry, for financial help. Despite Jens's advice to wait, Sara insists on leaving, only to find herself on a plane that encounters an ash eruption shortly after takeoff. The plane crashes, and Frederick and Jennifer rush to the airport, only to learn that survivors are being taken to the hospital.
Back at the institute, the scientists observe an increase in tremors, indicating the imminent eruption of ash. Alvaro orders Anna to ground all planes, but the notification arrives too late for Sara's plane. After an unsuccessful meeting with government officials, Alvaro urges Anna and Marie to leave the island with their families, while he stays to monitor the situation.
Marie, however, faces another challenge when she receives a call from her brother Erik's phone and rushes to a local bar to pick him up. Mistakenly believing that Erik is being arrested, she ends up accidentally punching a police officer and is arrested herself. This adds another layer of complexity to the unfolding crisis, as Marie's personal and professional responsibilities collide.
"Take-off" is a compelling episode that weaves together the personal struggles of the characters with the escalating volcanic threat. The episode highlights the challenges faced by scientists in communicating critical information to the public and the government's reluctance to act in the face of uncertainty. As the volcanic activity intensifies, the characters' relationships are tested, and their survival instincts are pushed to the limit. The episode ends on a cliffhanger, leaving viewers eager for the next installment as the situation on La Palma continues to deteriorate.