The first episode of the MGM+ series, Earth Abides, shows viewers a strange, empty world, rife with massive themes of isolation, survival, and hope against the backdrop of unimaginable devastation.
A reimagination of a story with the thread of societal disintegration for the new generation based on George R. Stewart's 1949 novel by the same name, Episode 1, titled "Alone," introduces the grim post-pandemic scene where most of humanity was wiped out, and Ish, the protagonist, has to wander through a dead world.
Surviving in Solitude
With Ish, portrayed by Alexander Ludwig, living a secluded life in a remote cabin studying rock formations, his solitude turns to misfortune when he gets bitten by a rattlesnake, almost rendering him incapable of doing anything. After an excruciating struggle with the venom that lasted about three weeks, he woke up to have the world changed beyond redemption. A pandemic of catastrophic proportions wiped out nearly everyone on the surface of this earth while this has been going on above his head in delirium, leaving him all by himself on a ravaged earth.
As he walks to the clearer cities, he sees an entire eerie terrain of open and rotting areas. From there, he finally comes across disused cars, rotten bodies, and seriously silent roads. He also reads a signboard announcing the death of mankind. The accumulation of loss is compounded by the last text message from his mother, falling at a time when he could not read it, thus making it a connection to a life gone. Hence, unlike apocalyptic tales like The Walking Dead or Last of Us, there are no external threats like zombies or monsters in Earth Abides, but all about the psyche and philosophical impacts inmates face as they are alone totally.
Directly, Ish's battle is not for survival against physical threats, but rather for survival during the collapse of human civilization. Each time he tries to create self-importance in the life he has emerged into, he finds it impossible to overcome the profound space left by what humanity has lost.
Flickers of Hope and Humanity in Earth Abides Episode 1
In pursuit of companionship, Ish travels to Las Vegas, where he finally comes across two other survivors. They are holed up in a hotel, using alcohol to drown their sorrows, resigned to waiting for the inevitable blackout before ending their lives. Learning to inspire them to leave the city and seek a future beyond the one found in the room, Ish's efforts are of no avail; their despair is unshakeable, leading to one of the most heartrending tragedies where he wonders whether hope is futile.
On the other hand, the episode takes a soft turn when Ish discovers a stray dog, whom he names Lucky. That pal becomes a symbol of survival and companionship for Ish. Lucky encourages him to embrace life by learning meaningful routines and acquiring the tools necessary for a long-term successful existence in this barren new world. Ish goes to the library to collect survival guides and textbooks to prepare for rebuilding and enduring.
The episode would end on a surprise note of hope. While settling into his solitude, Ish notices smoke rising from a distant house when Lucky notices it first and starts barking. This indicates that Ish is not alone in this world. This might redefine further episodes in which Ish's struggle with relating to others may take center stage in rebuilding civilization.
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Earth Abides sets itself apart from typical post-apocalyptic stories by emphasizing internal conflict and resilience over external threats. The grim tone of Episode 1 effectively conveys the emotional weight of humanity’s collapse while offering glimpses of hope through Ish’s journey. With its focus on survival and rebuilding, the show promises to explore profound questions about what it means to persevere in a world without society.
Earth Abides episode 2, "The Space Between," will be released on Sunday, December 8, 2024, at 9 p.m. ET on MGM+
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