Wow! Your essay is jam-packed with the breadth and density, and the many uncomfortable contradictions, that oppress the characters and their worldviews in 86. I also appreciated your unique diagrams to visualize these larger systems of influence, choice, and propoganda--I love seeing (and making) bespoke images like that!
You've clearly refined your thoughts on this series, and that meticulous attention and care shines in how you expand and contract from the inner- and outer-worlds of the characters. I particularly loved the section where you outline the limits of Lena's misunderstanding of the type of "humanity" and compassion she can offer her squad. They don't need her ideals and polished moralizing: they need resupplied and a clear exit strategy.
The evolution of truly listening and responding to the needs of others is what Lena's turn emphasizes. Power structures may not fall immediately from these small actions, but if even a single other person sees this edifice shake in place from your own radical empathy, a message can spread. Minds can change, then novel words, tools, and countermeasures can follow. Sometimes, utilizing the privilege and status we have to break rules is the only path to ensuring trust is leveraged toward the truer task: restoring connection through reform, not adhering to psychically damaging propaganda, either internally recycled, socially mandated, or both.
Thank you for such a stimulating, all-encompassing look at this show! I'm more convinced than ever to get to the final episode.
🥹 Thank YOU so much for the thoughtful and insightful comment! We are so happy to have had the opportunity to write and share this piece...and do the diagrams! (I really love a good diagram.) It's really wonderful to hear that it landed so well.
We appreciate it! 💜
Now I recall that you had commented previously that you hadn't finished it the first time around due to all the difficult feelings about what was happening in the world. And unfortunately, here we are again. I also hope that you will find the opportunity to finish this series. There is so much more even beyond this post! maybe we'll have to write another. 😉
Wow! Your essay is jam-packed with the breadth and density, and the many uncomfortable contradictions, that oppress the characters and their worldviews in 86. I also appreciated your unique diagrams to visualize these larger systems of influence, choice, and propoganda--I love seeing (and making) bespoke images like that!
You've clearly refined your thoughts on this series, and that meticulous attention and care shines in how you expand and contract from the inner- and outer-worlds of the characters. I particularly loved the section where you outline the limits of Lena's misunderstanding of the type of "humanity" and compassion she can offer her squad. They don't need her ideals and polished moralizing: they need resupplied and a clear exit strategy.
The evolution of truly listening and responding to the needs of others is what Lena's turn emphasizes. Power structures may not fall immediately from these small actions, but if even a single other person sees this edifice shake in place from your own radical empathy, a message can spread. Minds can change, then novel words, tools, and countermeasures can follow. Sometimes, utilizing the privilege and status we have to break rules is the only path to ensuring trust is leveraged toward the truer task: restoring connection through reform, not adhering to psychically damaging propaganda, either internally recycled, socially mandated, or both.
Thank you for such a stimulating, all-encompassing look at this show! I'm more convinced than ever to get to the final episode.
🥹 Thank YOU so much for the thoughtful and insightful comment! We are so happy to have had the opportunity to write and share this piece...and do the diagrams! (I really love a good diagram.) It's really wonderful to hear that it landed so well.
We appreciate it! 💜
Now I recall that you had commented previously that you hadn't finished it the first time around due to all the difficult feelings about what was happening in the world. And unfortunately, here we are again. I also hope that you will find the opportunity to finish this series. There is so much more even beyond this post! maybe we'll have to write another. 😉