‘Amazing Stories’ (2020) Recap: ‘Signs of Life’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

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When audiences settle in to watch or read about a story involving the loss of a loved one, and the resulting trauma that those left behind have to face and overcome, most of those stories tend to revolve around death and there is good reason for that. Because having someone we love deeply, pass away, is a profoundly powerful experience, one that definitely has an incredible impact upon our lives. But what is sometimes overlooked in storytelling, is the sheer fact that there are types of loss involving family members outside of that worst-case scenario. For sometimes family members leave our lives for vastly different reasons, leaving us rattled once they exit and it just so happens that the next episode of Amazing Stories, takes the time to examine one of those scenarios, with a fascinating twist of course. For ‘Signs of Life’ introduces us to a young woman named Alia who is struggling with the tough path that her life has taken. For six years ago her beloved mother, Sara, was involved in a terrible car crash. One that put Sara into a coma and left Alia drift in life.
 
For these two were thick as thieves before the accident and now all that Alia has to look forward to is a future where she’s far away from home and her pain, so that she can hopefully find some semblance of joy again. But a twist of fate changes her plans when Sara suddenly awakens one night. Making it seem as though the ‘amazing’ portion of this story was going to revolve around the road back from this kind of surprise and in many ways, that was the focus of this tale for quite some time. Since we were able to see some beautiful actions come forth from Alia thanks to quite the complication from Sara’s return to consciousness. Because she simply didn’t remember a thing about her life before the crash, and all the wonderful memories she and her daughter shared were nothing more than foggy images in her brain, and Alia went above and beyond to try and help her mother remember the life she left behind.
 
But really, the most intriguing portion of this story is seeing the emotional damage that Alia suffered as a result of losing her mother for so long. For in essence it broke her, and she slid into a pattern of self-destructive behavior the longer she had to carry this pain. And it was fascinating to see this series present the fallout of this level of trauma in the raw, all while reminding us of the difficulties that can come with trying to reconnect with someone, we haven’t spent time with, in years. Because people grow and people change. But while this made for some compelling drama and some powerful moments on Alia’s part, as she tried to navigate her feelings and the new challenges in her life, what would an episode of this series be without something fantastical to offer? And as it turns out, the twist in question was one that was present from the get-go.
 
Because Sara really wasn’t quite who Alia thought she was, and all of the odd quirks that she exhibited, the kind that come from accounts of reawakened coma patients exhibiting new skills and abilities after returning from their slumber, were related to the fact that some of kind of otherworldly being took over Sara’s body. And what this creature was hoping to do, was reunite with its own kind so they could return to their respective home. But all the kindness and unconditional love that Alia provided this alien with, left it wondering if leaving this body behind to die would be the right decision, especially when it took into account all the hardships that Alia had been through to this point. So, when the big moment arrived to return home, this creature spurned its own kind and met up with Alia; who was making the poor decision to rob her place of work, in order to quickly escape her pain and her life. But when the robbery went south, thanks a complication involving Alia’s boyfriend and the man he owed money to; this strange being from another world sacrificed itself in order to give Alia her mother back, granting them both a powerful second chance at life.
 
Which is, quite the happy ending when all is said and done since now mother and daughter can put the pieces back together and forge a life ahead as a family. But all alien twists and joyful moments aside, this episode really did feature some thoughtful and powerful moments. Because Alia’s struggle really was raw and genuine and it was wonderful to see a television series take the time to show us how trauma can indeed change the course of our lives if we allow it to. And the fact that it didn’t really offer up any easy fixes or answers in regard to the matter, only added to the grit of the story. But we would be remiss to not give this story credit for the alien twist as well. Because that was handled in smooth and subtle fashion and not revealing their origin or their purpose on this planet made for some wonderful intrigue. In the end, this was a solid episode for certain, one that definitely sucks you in and ignites your imagination, and you simply cannot ask for much more from a series that features the fantastical. Until next time.

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