Earth Abides on MGM+ starts its scary story of survival and strength with Episode 1— which takes viewers to a world where society has fallen apart after a terrible global pandemic. This episode does a great job of setting the tone for the series. It shows how lonely Earth would be after the end of the world, but it also gives us a little hope for what’s to come.
Earth Abides Episode 1 Recap
Ish (Alexander Ludwig), the show’s main character and a geologist, starts his day by studying rock formations near a cliff by himself in a remote cabin. When a rattlesnake bites him— though, his normal day turns into something dangerous. Ish tries to stop the venom from spreading quickly through his body because he is scared. Just barely makes it back to his cabin before passing out and falling asleep.
A few days later, Ish wakes up feeling weak and lost. A few men try to check on him, but he can’t answer because of his condition. When they finally leave, Ish falls back into a feverish sleep while his body fights the poison. When Ish finally gets stronger, he starts his journey back to civilization. When he gets there, he finds that the world he knew has changed forever.
A Ghost Town
Ish feels more and more uneasy as he drives toward the city. The streets look eerily empty; there are no signs of anyone being there. When he finds a dead body outside of a store and a bunch of abandoned military vehicles nearby, it confirms his worst fears. A terrible truth is shown on a billboard: a pandemic has killed everyone.
Ish is scared and runs home to find his family. He can’t help but think of the simple “We love you” message he missed from his mother as he looks for signs of life. When he finds his parents’ house frozen in time—his hopes are dashed. The fact that there is rotting food on the table and his parents’ bodies on it shows how far the pandemic has spread. Ish buryes his parents in the yard because he is so sad. He then goes to find other survivors.
A Weak Link in Las Vegas
Ish’s journey takes him to Las Vegas, where the streets are empty. In a casino, he meets a man and a woman who are still alive. They tell him they met by chance in the city. Even though the survivors know the same terrible truth, they have accepted what will happen. They talk about how they are going to end their own lives when the power goes out in the casino. Ish begs them to think about staying alive, but they don’t seem to have any chance.
Just as Ish is leaving the casino, he hears two gunshots, which means they have died tragically. Ish is very sad about their deaths, which makes him want to give up. As he carelessly speeds down an empty road, a stray dog pops up out of nowhere and wakes him up. Ish adopts the dog and gives him a name after finding comfort in having it as a friend.
Ish goes to a library to get help because he is more determined than ever. Before he starts the long journey, he reads books on how to fish, use solar power, and stay alive in other ways. When Ish moves into a new house with his dog, he starts making a routine to keep things feeling normal. But being alone in a world without people hurts him and makes him wonder why he is still alive.
A Shine of Hope
Ish is startled one morning when his dog barks at something outside. As he looks around, he sees smoke coming from a nearby chimney. This is a clear sign that there is another survivor nearby. This new information gives Ish hope again and sets the stage for the next part of his journey.
Earth Abides Episode 1 is a moving look at loneliness, strength, and the human spirit, with lots of ups and downs in terms of emotions. The story moves forward with the promise of connection and the search for meaning as Ish gets ready to face a new reality.
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Where Was Earth Abides (2024) Filmed?
Earth Abides Episode 2 Recap: “The Space Between”
