![]() Episode 5, “Clara,” officially introduces the mythical character played by Cecilia Balagot to the show via flashbacks, an exhaustive diary, and an eerily lifelike portrait. Problem is that Clara has been AWOL and neither the Dispatchers nor the audience have actually gotten confirmation that she’s even real…until now. According to a helpful film reel at the Elsewhere Society, participants in this grand alternate reality game must track down Clara, the young architect of Divine Nonchalance and the key to spreading Elsewhere’s principles of beauty and whimsy throughout the world. Through four episodes of AMC’s trippy Dispatches from Elsewhere, our core four heroes have been tasked with an important mission. In an era where Peak TV provides endless choice, however, this eccentric, ten episode journey may test the limits of the slogan found on the series’ posters: “This show is for you if you believe there must be more.The following contains spoilers for Dispatches from Elsewhere episode 5. Others may watch just to listen to Grant, who could hypnotize viewers just reading Monopoly rules. Segel has certainly established a strange world which seems to borrow aspects of everything from Twin Peaks to Terry Gilliam’s “Brazil” or even “Jumanji.” It seems at home on AMC, a network with a legacy of shows about people trying to find themselves, from Don Draper to the dudes on Lodge 48. The series may be of most interest therefore to those who study Jungian psychology, or are former cult members, or insomniacs. Dispatches from Elsewhere is like cracking open Peter’s noggin and watching the crazy trip that’s going on inside his head. He’s very unplugged during those sessions, devoid of true emotion while occasionally mouthing thoughts both mundane and profound. ![]() Occasionally in the series, Peter visits his shrink. Elsewhere’s fab four (l-r): Lindley, Segel, Benjamin and Field As Janice, she’s a rather dowdy empty-nester who we learn is on the verge of losing her husband of over 30 years. He’s the most stylist - and least patient - member of this quartet.įinally, there’s multiple Oscar and Emmy-winner Sally Field, this group’s resident aunt. He plays Fredwynn - that’s right, Fredwynn - who’s obsessed with the game aspects of the pursuit. The quirky casting continues with André Benjamin, a.k.a. Simone’s budding relationship with Peter is among the more intriguing aspects of Dispatchers early episodes. Lindley is a trans actress, and her character walks too close to the wild side at one dark point in the pilot. Joining Peter on the streets is Simone played by relative newcomer Eve Lindley. Judging by the many out wandering the streets of Philadelphia, where this is set, it’s a growing segment of the population. His kooky cult seems to prey on lost souls. He plays mysterious Octavio Coleman, esq., seen on screens before a mustard-coloured background like a less glitchy version of late ’80s TV curiosity Max Headroom.Ĭoleman, head of the creepy “Jejune Institute,” stares directly at viewers and tells us we’re all Peters looking for more meaning to life. Besides Segel, who plays bored, isolated office worker Peter, there’s always welcome Richard E. Dispatches from Elsewhere is like a human board game, where players pick up clues off posts or off TV screens and venture among a community of fellow seekers also struggling to find the meaning of life.Ĭasting is the most interesting part of the series. ![]() The title card, set on a Quiji board, sets the tone. ![]() This series, inspired by a 2013 documentary, is sort of a trippy, heightened version of Segel’s search for himself if David Lynch had been along for the ride. Segel explained to TV beat writers last January at the TCA press tour in Pasadena that he bolted Hollywood for “Elsewhere” these past five years in order to find himself and reboot his mojo. The pilot episode was also written and directed by the 40-year-old actor. The AMC drama, which airs Monday nights, was created by, and stars How I Met Your Mother player Jason Segel. ![]() Dispatches from Elsewhere is one weird mother of a series. ![]()
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