Dispatches from Elsewhere: The Creator

April 24, 2020 2:54 PM - Season 1, Episode 9

Simone, Peter and Janice explore new interests, while Fredwynn finds it hard to let go.

"Unless this is your first experience with a limited-run episodic, which we all know that it is not, you would assume that we are rapidly approaching the end of our journey together. But you would be wrong. While our time together is drawing to a close, we are, as we've always been, in the middle of our story."

Dispatches From Elsewhere is all about the love, as the story enters its final chapter (Liz Shannon Miller for TV/AV Club; rating: B)

We’re close to the end of this narrative, but Dispatches From Elsewhere still wants to throw in some more twists. About a year has passed since the death of Janice’s husband and Peter and Simone’s disastrous date, but Peter has used the time to really commit to self-improvement—and his newfound daring has put him into a new realm of danger.

Fredwynn plays the role of narrator tonight, because, as we learn in this episode, the continued mystery surrounding Clara has led to a new level of obsession for him. That said, the first half of the episode is largely devoted to Peter and Simone, as their nascent relationship gets the opportunity to bloom after Peter demonstrates a real effort to prove his interest in growing. While his attempt at putting on a magic show is a total bust—never a good sign when your escape act gets interrupted by a pick-ax—it still wins over Simone’s heart, and the two of them eventually manage to reconnect.

Bonus link: Piaget's theory of cognitive development (Wikipedia)

posted by filthy light thief (2 comments total)

I loved Fredwynn’s opening monologue, especially referring to the show as “a limited-run episodic...but we all know it isn’t” or words to that effect. The implication being, as I took it, that the show is intended to run at least another series. I have no idea if there will be another series, though.

Anyway...This episode could have easily stood as the opening episode of a new series, with its “One Year Later” setting (as announced in the headline of the newspaper being read next to Peter.) It was nice to see both Peter and Simone expand their worlds. I’m not entirely sold on Peter’s growth, as he just seems like the same awkward, reserved guy, but now he does magic tricks. But, it was nice to see them back together.

The development with Fredwynn, though, really sends things off in an unexpected direction.
posted by Thorzdad at 2:17 PM on April 25, 2020

Andre Benjamin is so good. It was a gut-punch when Fredwynn couldn't remember his last name.
posted by under_petticoat_rule at 2:05 PM on July 1, 2020