Station Eleven: Season 1/ Episode 6 “Survival Is Insufficient” – Recap/ Review (with Spoilers)

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New information about David leads you to question his intentions, especially after Kirsten seeks him out to finish what she started.

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Aired	12/30/2021
Network	HBO Max
Directed By	Helen Shaver
Written By	Sarah McCarron
Introduced This Episode
Sayid	Andy McQueen

Recap

The Aftermath – Kirsten, Alex, Sarah, Sayid, Katrina

After Gil’s tragic death, all Kirsten can think about is Alex, so she ventures to the fork in the road, hoping she may see her there, but the truth? Alex was thrown off Kirsten’s horse and spent the night crying with Katrina. Someone who advocates for Sarah and the rest to stay at Pingtree, but Sarah would rather move on. So, she sends up flares noting how many are accounted for, and then heads to the fork in the road.

As she does this, Sayid tries to keep Kirsten from pursuing David, but to no avail. With graves made for everyone, including her, she sees what David did as declaring war, and she is going to cut the head of the snake.

The Museum of Civilization – Brian, Sarah, Dieter

With Kirsten gone and it raining heavily, the original idea was to wait for the musicians and Kirsten and then head to the next stop. However, then Brian, with someone else, who has a shotgun, shows up, and it seems the actors of the Traveling Symphony will be heading to the Museum of Civilization! A place we know as the Severn City Airport.

There we see the rest of the troupe, who seem to be relatively happy, but one thing which raises a red flag is Sarah’s health. She seems weak, likely from recent trauma, and with her glasses broken, her sight is minimal. However, the lack of an inhaler appears to also be a factor and thus causes her to collapse and Dieter to scream out for help.

The Real Threat To The Traveling Symphony – David, Kirsten

Kirsten eventually meets up with David within a day, and she finds herself surrounded by the Undersea children. But with her knowing Station Eleven and recently reading it, she can recite the prophecy for safe passage and even gets to be close enough to kill David.

However, with him presenting the idea the true threat is the Museum of Civilization? Kirsten lets him live for while she can’t say for sure if he is playing her or not, with Sarah’s broken glasses and a letter, it does seem possible.

But, the truth is that maybe David just wants to destroy his old gaming device with the history of the world before or, with the Red Bandanas trying to make a comeback, protect his children and the area from those militarized meth heads. Who, by the way, kill one of David’s older followers and have Kirsten surrounded.

Things To Note | Question(s) Left Unanswered

Things To Note

• Miranda’s death is confirmed (or assumed) by David

Question(s) Left Unanswered

1. It’s noted David has been building up the Undersea for ten years – what did he do during the rest of his time on his own?
2. With David forgetting parts of the story, what changes has he possibly made?
3. So, David didn’t order the murder-suicide on Pingtree? It was one of the kids? Which one and how was that handled afterwards?
4. Will we see Clark, Elizabeth, and Miles with the show heading back to the airport?
5. Why did Brian leave and return to the Museum of Civilization?

What Could Happen Next

1. Though it is doubtful, Kirsten could be killed

Review

Highlights

The Potential of Kirsten Dying

Considering Jeevan is likely dead, and he was set up to be the lead, can you imagine Kirsten dying? Yes, it would mean David would have to step up, which I’m iffy about, but with this being a limited series, we know it isn’t forever. There are 4 episodes after this, and with how the show jumps around, maybe 2 might have David front and center.

Yet, Kirsten dying would double up on the need to recognize no one is safe and this post-pandemic world remains post-civilization too. The worst of the worst, held back by governments and shame, have no bridles or fences to cage them in. They can harm freely, gather together and takeover places, and be as cruel as they want to.

So while we would miss Kirsten, the chaos which would come after would create a notable end.

The Prophet And The Museum of Civilization

While we know David isn’t to be trusted, how much of what came of the attack of Pingtree was him or not deserves to be questioned. He blames a follower, who seemingly was trying to assume a leadership role, but was that a lie? Also, the way he paints the Museum of Civilization, is that based on his experience, after they killed a survivor, or how they became? For who knows what happened between Miles, Elizabeth, and Clark over 20 years? Never mind if all three are still alive.

Plus, when you factor in how they may react to David, formerly Tyler, now all grown up? That will be a sight to see.

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