‘Constellation’ Recap: ‘Through the Looking Glass’

3/20/2024

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Rosina/Davina Coleman as Alice in Episode 107 of ‘Constellation’ – ‘Through the Looking Glass’. (Photo Courtesy of Apple.)

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the Penultimate Episode of ‘Constellation’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.

If there is one particular scientific concept that ignites our imagination in ways we never thought possible, it would have to be the multiverse. Because the thought that there are endless worlds out there where unique iterations of us exist, really is something quite powerful and mind blowing and yes, our brains do indeed ponder upon the endless possibilities. Where perhaps we are some kind of a hero on another world, or the celebrity we dreamed of when we were younger or where perhaps… we are happily in our dream job and thriving because we always knew we would be good at it.

Which makes the concept fun, and it is so unique in nature that it is beginning to become more mainstream in science fiction storytelling. But what we rarely think about when it comes to the multiverse, is the sheer fact that for every amazing life we could lead in other worlds, there would be other versions of us that suffer. That might have fallen down upon hard and scary times or found their way into addiction or are struggling with the choices we’ve made. Wherein perhaps, they could be pondering upon just living our lives, giving rise to all kinds of wild paradoxes in our minds and in the concept and that’s why this week’s episode of Constellation on Apple TV+ is so important to this growing subgenre of science fiction storytelling.

For ‘Through the Looking Glass’ takes the time to remind us that perhaps the grass isn’t always greener on the other side, and that a voyage through the multiverse could potentially be devastating to our mental health. Especially when we come to realize we don’t belong. As evidenced by what happened to Jo in this tale. For in this story, she finally came to understand that in another life, in another world, her fate was that of Paul’s and that left her stunned and helped her to realize that she was indeed in the wrong place and surrounded by nothing that she could connect with, including this iteration of Alice.

Rosina/Davina Coleman and Noomi Rapace as Alice and Jo in Episode 107 of ‘Constellation’ – ‘Through the Looking Glass’. (Photo Courtesy of Apple.)

Which prompted her to have an honest talk with her ‘alternate’ Alice and ponder upon how best to find Jo’s real world and other life, which in turn brought forth a fascinating push in the cold. Where Alice’s from two worlds faced trouble, one another and the truth about the multiverse and their alternate lives. Giving rise to a fascinating ‘what if?’ style of story, where the show explored in great detail, what we might do in this instance and how devastating the truth about a multiverse could be when we realize how radical our lives could be elsewhere. Which made for a powerful tale, one that truthfully spoke to a concept that we rarely see stories in this vein speak to.

In that, while it sounds cool to go to another world and see our faces on a billboard for a movie, our world is where we belong. Because it is here that we have ties, have family, people that love us in some capacity, and to deny ourselves all of that, would be a crime. One that would leave us beside ourselves and in a tough place. Which makes this episode, quite philosophical in nature as well, since those are elements that speak to what matters most in life (in any universe) and what we should really be fighting for at all costs. All wrapped about in one trippy and magnificent story that kept us captivated with every surprise involving two worlds fighting to keep hold of family.

But of course, this episode kept balance regarding such concepts in play by having the Caldera boys switch places at an inopportune moment, giving rise to a reminder of how hard it is to appreciate the life we have when the going gets rough, and well… all of these elements made for one brilliant episode. One that set the stage for resolution regarding what comes next for Jo’s voyage through the multiverse, after giving us so much to ponder upon regarding a concept we only see as fun and aloof. Since this episode is proof positive that multiverse stories can be dramatic, powerful, and emotional, and less fantastical, and it will be interesting to see how that truth will be applied to the end of the journey during next week’s finale. Until next time.

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