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| Will Forte |
Welcome to a new column called Channel Surfing, in which I sporadically look at current TV shows and talk about them. These are not ones that I care to write weekly recaps for and are instead reflections either on the episode, the series, or particular moments. This will hopefully help to share personal opinions as well as discover entertainment on the outer pantheon that I feel is well worth checking out, or in some cases, shows that are weird enough to talk about, but should never be seen.
When assessing popular trends in media, there's an unhealthy fixation with wanting to make post-apocalyptic literature, films and TV shows. The Walking Dead is AMC's highest rated show thanks to loyal viewers while movies like This is the End revels in a different kind of tragedy. In fact, it seems like everyone wants the world to end in such an unhealthy way. However, there's the prototype hero that comes with each adaptation that isn't all that interesting. It is the hero who wields a weapon and knocks down baddies at the drop of a hat. He is the one who survived because he is masculine and has the survival skills of which we all envy. He is... boring.
The fact of the matter is that the further into the technological age that society gets, the less likely the demographics can be properly depicted as heroes. What if there wasn't anything to really fight and that it was simply a matter of survival? Or better yet, what if there wasn't anything? It seems doubtful that the powers would be used to rebuilding society since as a singular human, reproduction is impossible. In fact, this explains the anarchic brilliance that comes from the odd new Fox show The Last Man on Earth, which tackles post-apocalyptic America in the most realistic way imaginable.
Meet Phil Miller (Will Forte), who is titular lead that bums around Arizona while building Jenga towers and talking to volleyballs. He is somewhat slovenly and doesn't really have the know how to fix plumbing or anything significant. It isn't known why he survived in the series' first two episodes, but it doesn't matter. In terms of an introduction, there's nothing more indicative of what type of show this will be than him rolling a car down a ramp simply for it to collide into another one. This is a show meant to do those things that happen when humans are unsupervised and are allowed to break anything that they want.
What works most impressively well is that the first episode in particular is almost entirely a one man showcase for Forte. While there's plot points that develop towards the end that set up a more tolerable premise without damning the show's name, the first episode reveals the complexities of the simple minded individual. He doesn't know how to survive, yet he does. He finds fun in destruction and fixes all his problems crudely with duct tape. As mentioned, he also talks to volleyballs in a Castaway-esque situation that delivers some doses of laughter. With only an arbitrary flashback to his past, this series feels like it will benefit greatly from its limitations.
As stated, there is a third act reveal in the first episode that adds new layers. Kristen Schaal stars as the last woman on Earth, and for that purpose ends up having to be Phil's spouse. She still holds onto the taboos of regular society, such as stopping at stop signs and having clean living conditions. Their inability to connect makes the situation all the more frustrating and endearing in ways that benefit the show, even if the second episode isn't as successful. The mismatched couple is bound to get into some crazy adventures along the way.
However, what makes The Last Man on Earth such a bold and interesting show is that it will hopefully change how we see post-apocalyptic culture. The supernatural elements are fine, but it has robbed the concept of a simpler concept. It could allow for an odd reflection on society and the many problematic elements through comedic moments. Forte and Schaal are likely going to be a top notch duo for the remainder of the season. Of course, what makes the show even more fascinating is the fact that it doesn't seem plausible that it will last. While there will hopefully be twists ahead, there doesn't seem like there's promise of this series reaching 100 episodes.
Still, it is a great vehicle for Forte fans who wish to see him creatively use his leisure time and communicate with a woman who cannot say tomato properly. In the first two episodes alone, it manages to become a compelling vision of a least desirable future by stripping away anything flashy or overtly interesting. It is a minimalist show akin to old school westerns with contemporary architecture. The only question now is if it will manage to remain as good or even get better than where it started.
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