RMO Day 21 - Tales From The Loop
Unfortunately, I have more or less done with the regular series I had been watching. Anita had started watching Korean drama. Not my cup of tea. The seasons for Picard and The Blue Book were also done. Then I stumbled on a new series just been released last weekend, called “Tales From The Loop”.
After watching the pilot, I just could not stop. The cinematography and set design were just amazing.
How do I describe the series?
Apparently, it was based on a role-playing tabletop game by the same name, which I am not familiar with all. This was then developed further for television by Swedish artist Simon Stalenhag. The series was set in the 80s, about a community in Middle America with that atmospheric Swedish countryside feel, where most of the occupants work for a mysterious tech company which is doing research in an underground complex. Very secretive and they produce products which were almost impossible, ahead of its time.
The individual episodes play out like Twilight Zone but interconnected and each playing on a central ethical issue. What would happen if you can transfer your soul to another person? What would you do if you know when you are going to die. What would you tell a younger you? What if you can stop time? I am on the fifth episode, and after each one, I had to sit down to digest them. Heavy stuff ...
It was great art. And great entertainment. Pastel colours, atmospheric soundtrack, and mesmerising from the start. The season has eight episodes by different directors. One of the directors was Andrew Stanton of Pixar - the brain behind WALL-E and Toy Stories, as well as directing two episodes of Stranger Things. The finale was directed by Jodie Foster. Highly recommended ... And it is included in Amazon Prime Video.