But it becomes an important cultural artefact after the collapse;as well as seeing in it echoes of her own experiences,it’s Kirsten’s sole connection to her life before and particularly to Jeevan,from whom she became separated when still a child. Leander also gave a copy to his son,Tyler (played as an adult by Daniel Zovatto),who interprets the comic’s story in an entirely different – and dangerous – way,which I won’t spoil here.
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As in the novel,from which showrunner Patrick Somerville(The Leftovers,Made For Love) describes this as an “aggressive adaptation”,the storytelling over 10 episodes is non-linear,jumping between characters pre-pandemic and post,and eventually revealing their connections. Memory,fate and the nature of time trouble almost every character,but hope is what keeps them going.
Fans of the book may not enjoy the changes (and some moments are overly sentimental) but the heart of this haunting,sprawling story (its impressive cast also includes Lori Petty,David Cross,David Wilmot and Caitlyn Fitzgerald) remains intact:art can be a unifying force,a way of connecting the past and present,and can offer transformative experiences,no matter what the exterior world has become. Art,says one character,is “civilisation”.
Station Eleven is available on Stan fromDecember 17. Stan is owned by Nine,the owner of this masthead.