{"id":43756,"date":"2021-12-17T20:45:51","date_gmt":"2021-12-17T20:45:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/graziamagazine.com\/us\/?post_type=articles&p=43756"},"modified":"2021-12-17T20:45:51","modified_gmt":"2021-12-17T20:45:51","slug":"hbo-maxs-station-eleven-is-fantastic-but-can-you-handle-it","status":"publish","type":"articles","link":"https:\/\/graziamagazine.com\/us\/articles\/hbo-maxs-station-eleven-is-fantastic-but-can-you-handle-it\/","title":{"rendered":"HBO Max\u2019s \u2018Station Eleven\u2019 Is Fantastic, But Can You Handle It?"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Philippine
Philippine Velge and Mackenzie Davis in HBO Max’s Station Eleven<\/i> (Photo: Ian Watson\/HBO Max)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A deadly new airborne virus is spreading rapidly! Sound familiar<\/a>? It\u2019s happening in real life and also on HBO Max\u2019s stunning new apocalyptic drama, Station Eleven<\/em><\/a>! Ugh, right? As my good friend texted me when I mentioned that I was binging the screeners earlier this week, Pandemic<\/a> TV? No thank you!<\/em><\/p>\n

Except\u2026Station Eleven<\/em> is really good. Like, really<\/em> good. Critics are calling it uplifting and cathartic. \u201cIt\u2019s a work that celebrates humanity by celebrating humanity\u2019s drive to create,\u201d raves<\/a> The New York Times<\/em>\u2019 James Poniewozik. It\u2019s \u201chands down, the best new show of the year,\u201d according to<\/a> Vogue<\/em>.<\/p>\n

Based on Emily St. John Mandel\u2019s 2014 novel, the series essentially splits its action between two timelines: the years leading up to and immediately following a devastating flu pandemic that kills all but one in every 1,000 people on earth; and 20 years after as humanity soldiers on. Mackenzie Davis plays the show\u2019s hero, Kirsten, who is an eight-year-old child actor in Chicago when the flu hits. Two decades later, she\u2019s still acting, but now with a band of Shakespearean performers known as The Traveling Symphony who travel the Great Lakes region putting on plays for the various settlements.<\/p>\n

\"Gael
Gael Garcia Bernal and Caitlin Fitzgerald in HBO Max’s Station Eleven<\/i> (Photo: Warrick Page\/HBO)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Yes, there are dangers in this new world, but this isn\u2019t The Road<\/em> or The Walking Dead<\/em>. There are no cannibals or zombies stalking Kirsten and her friends. Station Eleven<\/em> isn\u2019t interested in the degradation of humanity in times of crisis, but in its flourishing and resilience. You know that Mr. Rogers quote about looking for the helpers? That\u2019s what this show does. Kirsten and the Symphony travel the countryside entertaining the communities they encounter. They bring joy and catharsis through their performances. They help.<\/p>\n

Everyone in this world has had to struggle to survive, but more often than not they encounter people who are willing to help, communities that are welcoming, that know that they are stronger when they work together than when they try to fend only for themselves. It\u2019s the few loners in this adaptation of Station Eleven<\/em> who fare the worst, whose humanity is most at risk; it\u2019s being welcomed back into the brotherhood of man\u2014or the sisterhood or the otherhood<\/a> of us<\/em>\u2014that saves them.<\/p>\n

\"Prince
Prince Amponsah and Mackenzie Davis in HBO Max’s Station Eleven<\/i> (Photo: Ian Watson\/HBO Max)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Are there moments that echo the tragedies of the past two years? Definitely. Is this show an eerie glimpse at a possible future? Maybe. But if what you\u2019re dreading is more trauma porn and nihilism, that\u2019s not what this show is about. Station Eleven<\/em> shows us that when the worst thing happens, it\u2019s still possible to find hope. You\u2019ve been through a lot the past couple years; we all have. But I think you can not only handle this post-apocalyptic pandemic show, it may even bring you hope.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":29097,"featured_media":43757,"template":"","format":"standard","categories":[38,16,3925],"yoast_head":"\nHBO Max\u2019s \u2018Station Eleven\u2019 Is Fantastic, But Can You Handle It?<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"More post-apocalyptic pandemic TV? No thank you! Except\u2026HBO Max's Station Eleven is really good! 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