Based on the novel “Earth Abides” by George R
After months of isolation, Isherwood “Ish” Williams learns that most of the world has fallen into a mysterious disease. Yet despite his instinct for further isolation, Ish leads the charge to develop a new civilization. Stuart.
Featured on Korman Productions’ Deep Dive TV Podcast: Earth Abides on MGM+ Deep Dive Episode 1 “Alone” with Dave and Stacey (2024)
As someone who read Earth Abides 20-25 years ago and remembers the book fondly, I was pleasantly surprised to see how a show was made. There’s always a bit of trepidation when this happens, as you hope they stay true to the book and live up to your visual expectations, knowing that it’s hard for a movie or series to live up to what you imagined when you read it. – With that in mind, I’m looking at the first episode with a bit of a bias, but I’m trying to see this as both a “new” and a “new” story as well as a welcome callback to one of my favorite books in the “Dystopian/Post Apocalyptic” genre.
The setting is different from the book
The book is set in and written in the 1940s, while the show is modern, so the technology and overall “feel” are in the spotlight. Post-Covid, there’s room for some good pandemic storytelling. The pacing is understandably fast, and especially fast to accommodate the character development and overarching plot of the first episode of a miniseries.
Looking forward to more
Episode 1 successfully creates an engaging story that seems to honor Stewart’s themes. It invites fans of the book and new viewers alike to consider humanity’s place in a changed world. So far, the acting is good, the production and effects seem decent, if a little sparse (you’d expect car pileups, etc.).
Check out our December schedule for more!
“One Hundred Years of Solitude” is one of the biggest TV and streaming premieres this month.