Television

„The Beatles Anthology“ / „Severance“ / „Pluribus“

Another thing I’m enjoying is the newly remastered Beatles Anthology presented here in America on Disney+. These were originally aired sometime in the 90s and present a Beatles eye view of the band through the entire 10 year span of their career. While Paul and Ringo, the two living Beatles at the time it was made, had the most say, there’s enough footage of John and George, so that they get their fair share as well. I haven’t seen these for decades and was pleasantly surprised by how well-made they are and how good they look due to Peter Jackson’s incredible remastering magic. He also edited them so they’re not quite the same as the originals, but I don’t think the differences are that noticeable. There is a new ninth episode, which is all new, culled from some of the extras from the original DVDs as well as unseen archival footage. I haven’t gotten there yet, but I’m enjoying this very much. Giles Martin did an amazing job re-mixing these through a highly evolved  process that separated the various instruments so that he could really get a hold of them.  Listening to these, one doesn’t hear any of that, the result being it sounds like the music as you remember it,  but Way better. Giles has got to be one of the best people out there doing these forensic remixes. And the guy’s got good taste.

Lastly, I’ve been delving into some smart sci-fi. There’s not much in that department to see despite the major releases that keep coming down the pike. In fact, the best sci fi movies today aren’t even movies. Being a fan of the genre, I’ve watched a number of things this year, but the ones that are the most intriguing to me happen to be on Apple TV. 

The first one, Severance,  has been around for a few seasons,  and takes the viewer down a rabbit hole that is frightening, humorous, and surreally allegorical. I’m not going to go into the plot here because it’s so convoluted. I’ll just say it reminds me a great deal of Philip K Dick, who described his work not as sci-fi but as “metaphysical fiction.” I think Severance owes a great deal to PKD, because like the author of Blade Runner, the show’s creators are far more interested in the philosophical and psychological questions that arise than any fat fetched science behind the Deux ex machina that the premise hinges on. This is the opposite of a typical American action film. There are very few if any chase scenes and most of the action is entirely cerebral. The show is also emotionally compelling. There are a few ringers in the cast  such as Christopher Walken, John Turturro, and Patricia Arquette, but all the players are strong, as is the almost cinematic direction and look of the series. 

Lastly, there is Pluribus, Vince Gilligan’s (of Breaking Bad,) first foray into sci-fi. This series also reminds me of PKD in the best way, because, as he once said in an essay, entitled “how to create a world that doesn’t fall apart in one day”, whenever he wanted to present a metaphysical/existential issue he would just make up a device so that his characters would have to respond to it, as their reality begins to crumble around them.

I guess this is one of my favorite devices because it’s a great portal into mayhem and wonder, terror and bewilderment, philosophical meanderings, and sometimes,  but not always, healing and redemption.

Pluribus turns an old sci-fi trope on its head. I really don’t want to say anything because anything I say further about this show is a spoiler and it’s just too good to spoil. I will say this though – unlike so many movies that have used the tropes alluded to here, it takes a sharp left turn and after an episode or two one realizes this is like no other sci-fi show we’ve seen. A lot of profound questions about the nature of humanity and identity are posited, but even to mention one would be saying too much. 

Rhea Seaborn, who was the brilliant costar in Better Call Saul, the prequel to Breaking Bad, is perfectly cast in the role of a smart writer with a chronic chip on her shoulder, who is thrust into a completely changed world. She is magnificent in this role. I hope it leads to more leading roles for this extremely gifted  actor. 

These are just a few things that soothe my soul and give me temporary solace, or at the very least offer consolation in the form of distraction in a world gone mad.

Brian Whistler