The worst part about this ordeal is that no one even realizes that Mark is alive. If they did, he might be a bit more optimistic about his chances. Instead, he sees no way out and loses hope immediately. Fortunately, this fear-induced funk doesn't last long.

Though he once hated them, Mark acts a lot like those hippies during his time on Mars. He composts—his own poop. He recycles—his own urine. He even uses solar energy. Going green has never felt so good!

That's a tall order. Learning how to farm was an important step in the development of civilization, and now Mark is trying to make the leap all by himself. If he can do it, he'll be one step closer to taming this barren Martian wasteland.