The post-apocalyptic genre is saturated with bleak visions of humanity’s downfall, often focusing on the brutality of survival. HBO’s Station Eleven, however, offers a strikingly different take. Released in 2021, and gaining renewed attention on streaming charts as noted by MSN, the limited series distinguishes itself not by dwelling on the horrors of a global pandemic, but by exploring the enduring power of art and community in its aftermath. It’s a high watermark for post-apocalyptic science fiction, one that HBO hasn’t yet surpassed, according to MakeUseOf.
Station Eleven, Where the Apocalypse Isn’t So Bad
The premise is familiar: a devastating flu virus wipes out approximately 99% of the world’s population. But where many post-apocalyptic narratives immediately descend into chaos – think the relentless grimness of The Walking Dead, which continues to churn out spinoffs even eleven seasons after its initial run, or the desolate wasteland of Fallout – Station Eleven takes a more nuanced approach. While elements of danger and hardship are present, the show largely focuses on the world that emerges after the initial collapse, some twenty years later.
Central to the story is Kirsten (Mackenzie Davis), a young actress who survived the pandemic as a child. She now travels with the Traveling Symphony, a group of actors and musicians who perform Shakespearean plays for scattered settlements around the Great Lakes region. This isn’t a story about rebuilding infrastructure or fighting for dwindling resources; it’s a story about the fundamental human need for connection, meaning, and beauty, even – and perhaps especially – in the face of unimaginable loss.
Science, Fiction, and Art
The show’s title refers to a self-published comic book, Station Eleven, which becomes a touchstone for several characters, particularly Kirsten. The comic serves as a reminder of the world that was, and a source of comfort and inspiration in the new reality. As the narrative explores, art isn’t merely a distraction from suffering; it’s essential to survival. The series poses a critical question: at what point does simply surviving become insufficient, and the need for something *more* takes over? The answer, according to Station Eleven, is almost immediately.
This emphasis on art is reflected in the show’s aesthetic. Unlike the muted, grey palettes often associated with post-apocalyptic settings, Station Eleven embraces color and vibrancy. The world isn’t necessarily *better* after the pandemic, but it’s different, and the show visually communicates that difference.
Station Eleven Tells Its Story in a Unique Way
Station Eleven’s narrative structure is as distinctive as its thematic concerns. The story unfolds across multiple timelines, jumping between the early days of the pandemic, the immediate aftermath, and the world twenty years later. We are introduced to Arthur Leander (Gael García Bernal), a famous actor whose on-stage death coincides with the virus’s arrival, and his connections to several key characters. His first wife, Miranda (Danielle Deadwyler), is the creator of the Station Eleven comic. His second wife, Elizabeth (Caitlin FitzGerald), and son, Tyler, find themselves navigating the new world in their own ways, eventually establishing a community at an airport transformed into a self-sufficient enclave.
Pay Attention or Be Confused
The show’s non-linear storytelling requires close attention. The constant shifting between timelines and perspectives could be disorienting, but it ultimately serves to reveal the interconnectedness of the characters and the ripple effects of the pandemic. It’s a show that rewards active viewing; scrolling through your phone during key scenes is likely to leave you lost. This deliberate complexity will likely appeal to some viewers and deter others.
Station Eleven is Bingeable
But Just Barely
With ten episodes, each approximately 50 minutes long, Station Eleven falls into the category of series that can theoretically be finished in a single sitting, as MakeUseOf points out. However, the show’s emotional weight and intricate plot suggest a more measured approach. Spacing out the episodes over a weekend or a week allows for greater absorption and appreciation of the story’s nuances.
The series is based on Emily St. John Mandel’s 2014 novel of the same name. The timing of the show’s release in 2021, amidst the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, added an extra layer of resonance, although work on the adaptation began prior to the outbreak.
Further Watching
While Station Eleven is categorized as science fiction, its core focus is on the human condition. For viewers seeking more hard science fiction, Apple TV+ has emerged as a strong contender, offering a range of thought-provoking series. The platform boasts mind-bending sci-fi dramas, hilarious sci-fi comedies, and critically acclaimed series that often fly under the radar.
