Goodbye My Damaged Home
Episode 7 of Station Eleven begins with Kirsten suffering the effects of being poisoned. As she steps into a dark doorway within her vision, we cut back to the early moments of the pandemic. A blackout washes across the city as Jeevan reflects on how spring will see everyone fighting against one another, desperate for food. For now, Jeevan, Frank and Kirsten all hunker down and make the most of their tough situation. Of course, this much older Kirsten watches all of this unfold from afar, returning to old memories she’d kept hidden away. Jeevan and Frank try to put on a brave face, knowing that Kirsten’s parents are no doubt dead. Even worse, tensions between the two adults fester as we learn Frank was actually a heroin addict before all this. Jeevan is concerned that he’ll relapse but Frank is confident he can get over this. However, they’re more preoccupied with the news, which confirms that TV broadcasts are imminently about the end, radios will be next…but the internet will go on. Jeevan turns off the TV, and as a quiet moment of reflection dawns on the group, Kirsten does her best to pick up their spirits. She begins singing a Christmas song for them both. Thankfully it’s not Mariah Carey, which is a massive bonus. There’s also a really nice rapport that builds between Frank and Kirsten during these moments. The days continue to tick by and the pair bond over Station Eleven and music. Specifically, Frank starts rapping, dancing about in the apartment. Unfortunately all of this is the calm before the storm, especially as the temperature continues to plummet outside. Jeevan is the voice of reason here, and as the trio sit with coats and masses of scarfs on some time later, they realize they need to leave thee apartment. First though, they act out Kirsten’s play, which has been written up in its entirety over the course of 60+ days. Midway through the performance, a survivalist appears holding a knife, forcing them to relinquish the apartment to him. While Jeevan surrenders and prepares to leave, Frank apologizes to Jeevan and decides not to go. A fight inevitably breaks out, with Frank stabbed for his troubles. Jeevan does manage to stop the intruder, hitting him numerous times in the head. Frank, unfortunately, dies from blood loss, bleeding out on the floor. With nothing else to stay for, Jeevan and Kirsten pack up their gear and leave.
The Episode Review
Station Eleven has been a real topsy-turvy series and if episode 5 was a bit of a lull, this chapter perfectly exemplifies the best this has to offer. The quiet, reflective tone allows for much deeper character growth, understanding what actually happened between Frank, Jeevan and Kirsten at the apartment. The inclusion of this 7 episodes into the show though, rather than actually depicting this nightmare in a linear fashion and understanding why Kirsten is so reserved and cautious, is an odd one to say the least. Understanding the hostility of this world, and slowly seeing that strip away for a more docile and peaceful land – if the Traveling Symphony is anything to go by – in the future would have made for a much more interesting series and not feel as disjointed as this felt at times. In fact, these “bottle episodes” – like the Miranda flashback and this chapter – are easily the strongest of the whole show and I wish Station Eleven had done this a little more than it currently has. Either way, Station Eleven has been an enjoyable watch, although it’s far from the best post apocalyptic series out there.
