Station Eleven Rewatch: Episode Three
“... And escape. Then adrift in a stranger’s galaxy for a long time. But I’m safe now. I found it again. My home.”
This post contains spoilers for the third episode of Station Eleven, but no spoilers for future episodes. You are invited to share your thoughts in the comments below, or in the chat. You’re also invited to join me for a Zoom discussion tomorrow (Wednesday, 12/4) at 8pm ET. We’ll be talking about the first five episodes—which means I have some work to do. There will be another Zoom on 12/18 to discuss episodes 6-10. All paid subscribers are invited. Keep an eye out for the Zoom link in the chat.
One of the amazing things about art is its ability to serve as a mirror to whatever might be going on within our lives. I once heard that a story is a sense-making device. Which suggests we tell stories, and perhaps engage with stories, to make sense of the world around us. Sometimes we’re just looking to get lost. We want entertainment or distraction, a break from everything that we’ve been living. There are other times though, we experience something very different from escape. Our actual stories stay with us the whole time. We end up feeling found and less alone. Watching Episode Three on the heels of conversations I’ve been having, the show held up a mirror.
While it’s not the time or place to unpack Jamie’s love life, let’s dive into this episode. (Also, I’m sorry if that third-person made you cringe.)
Subtitle
I went with the first words that we hear in Episode Three. This passage continues to unfold—see subtitle of previous post—and the quote is among my all-time favorites. I’m talking tattoo-worthy or at least a poster.
A Part That I Related To
“The subject of your work is a person. Not a spaceman. He’s alone. Not unhappy. Adrift. A bit exhausted. But his heart is warmer and lighter than they realize… because he wears a suit for protection.” —Arthur
Upcoming Small-Group Conversations:
Election Grief Revisited - 12/6
The Holidays Are Hard for Me - 12/12
Moments I Noticed
“Why are you here?”
I love the way Arthur asks Miranda this. There is a softness, a vulnerability to it.