“Russ witnesses the unusual evolution of animals in north Texas.”

Location: Amarillo, TX

“Morningstar” is an episode about evolution. Russell’s character has gone through his own evolution of personality and now he appears to be evolving “closer” to nature. Throw in the carnivorous horses and impending birth of a child conceived after The Fall, and the theme runs through the entire length of the episode.

In this episode:

• Says that “The world was changing”
• Documents the changes with polaroid pictures
• Calls them the “beautiful but humbling reminders of mankind’s insignificance.”
• Realizes that his vision was better
• Russ becomes more attuned to Nature
• Suspects that “everything was undergoing a deeper transformation”
• Discovers carnivorous, predatory horses
• Learns that Amarillo had become a “war zone” between the Marauders and the Cartel
• In Amarillo, is discovered by a woman who calls Russ, “The Walker”
• The woman’s name is Gwen Blackwell – a neonatal doctor
• They head to a woman who had a baby due “any minute”
• The baby is the “first one conceived after The Fall”

Russell’s Journal:

• Describes how he heads south to north Texas to avoid frigid temperatures
• Passes through some towns known, before The Fall, for things like exorcisms and Bigfoot
• Reconts his own thoughts about what the newborn baby might be like — and what effects The Fall might have on it

What’s fascinating about “Morningstar” is its approach to the changing world that exists after The Fall. It’s a smart decision to begin exploring how nature itself would be affected — and humanity along with it. Russ suspects that his improved senses might be genetic, but one has to wonder if it isn’t simply a case of mind-over-matter. In other words, gaving finally cast off his dependency to technology, and having become reliant on the world around him for survival. It’s possible that at least some of Russell’s newfound awareness is due simply to him being more open to the smells, sounds and experiences of nature.

Also worthy of note is the title, “Morningstar.” Is it a reference to creation mythology? That’d fit because the episode seems to present the world as being “reborn” or “recreated” after The Fall — a point underscored by the upcoming birth.

Topics: Sci-Fi, Web Reviews
Filed under: Afterworld

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