Tales from the Loop

Sometimes I’ll review a TV show!

For years I’ve been a fan of Simon Stålenhag’s work.  His stories will appear on my Pinterest feed constantly and in other places.  This is one of my favorite pieces.  Much can be told in one picture.  There’s intrigue here and I want more.

Simon has published three books with the first titled “Tales from the Loop,” set in an alternate world in the 1980s-90s taking place in Sweden.  Weird technology has taken its grip into the landscape and strange occurrences happen.

Last week while on Amazon Prime much to my surprise and delight, I saw a trailer for a new series…

An eight part series titled “Tales from the Loop” is based on Simon’s fantastic world building. Yes, please!  Imagine Black Mirror combined with Twilight Zone and a narrative running throughout. Yeah, I watched all the episodes already.

Throughout the show Simon’s art can be seen…

The show takes place in Mercer, Ohio where it’s home to the Mercer Center for Experimental Physics. It is nicknamed the Loop, as it houses a subterranean particle accelerator.  Russ Willard, played by Jonathan Pryce, is the founder of the Center.

The Willard family consists of Russ and his wife Klara, their son and daughter-in-law, and their sons Cole and Jakob.  They’re not in every episode but they feature prominently throughout.  It’s a surprise when others that interact with the Willards get their turn in the spotlight when an episode features them. Even afterward we might see them again, a reminder that their story isn’t quite finished.

In “Stasis,” May finds an object in the water while fishing. Some things are best left untouched.

Gaddis gets what he wants, but at a price in “Parallel.” He fixes a tractor, and it takes him to an alternate world.

“Home” is the last episode and it is devastatingly sad as it is beautiful. The concept of time is both a blessing and a curse and it’s portrayed well here.

The stories make you think and ponder long after they’re over of love, loss, hope, regret.  One might think the Loop is at the heart of things.  Yes, but it’s how the people react to the changes that are out of their control. The minutiae of how and why things happen due to the Eclipse are glossed over and it works. Let’s get to the heart of the matter, which are people’s hearts and the choices they make in unbelievable circumstances.

Uncertainty is prevalent in the world today. “Tales from the Loop” reminds us that tough choices will be made and we’ll be fine.

For more on Simon’s work…

https://www.simonstalenhag.se/