'Dimension 404' Recap: 'Impulse'

Written by John Edward Betancourt

​THIS IS THE EMERGENCY SPOILER ALERT SYSTEM...YOU ARE ADVISED TO READ AT YOUR OWN RISK...

Perhaps the true wonder when it comes to watching Dimension 404, is the fact that the show simply keeps the audience guessing. You could be in for a high quality and fun science fiction tale when you tune in, or a dive deep into social commentary or hey...the show could just outright make you cry. The bottom line, is that there's always a wonderful surprise in the proverbial box when it comes to this series.

Which means, there was a certain sense of wonder permeating the back of my brain when it came to the season one finale of Dimension 404 as to what exactly the show would have in store for us. Would it try and top the powerful pair of episodes that preceded this one? Would it attempt to surprise us with something new? Well as it turns out, the series decided to bring together a 'best of' reel if you will, giving us the finest moments that season one has to offer, with a little apocalypse thrown in for good measure in the thoughtful episode, 'Impulse'. Now in this story, we are introduced to Val Hernandez, an everyday gal who aspires to be more. To her father, she's nothing more than a slacker in his eyes, but she has quite the future in mind, since she plans to become one of the top gamers on the planet under the moniker 'Speedrun', and unfortunately, in order to be the best, Val will do whatever it takes to win and the consequences that await her for such a choice...will change her life and the world, forever.

Now what I loved most about this particular tale, is the fact that it threw an incredible amount of curve balls our way, and every single of them worked. On one level, it's a parable about honesty and integrity. On another level, it's a coming of age tale in post apocalyptic America...but most of all, it's about fun. This is an episode that really doesn't take itself too seriously and that's not a bad thing. Because there are laughs to be had all over this episode, and much of the credit for the comic relief in this one goes to actor Kenneth Choi, who plays Kojima. Because no matter how dire the situation, or how serious a particular decision could turn out to be, Kojima is there, with food in hand to make us all smile and that's a welcome change of pace from the horrors that come about from the introduction of Impulse to the world.  

Which brings us back to Val's story, which is wonderful and engrossing because she goes on quite the journey. One minute, she's a rebellious and head strong teenager who will do anything and everything to get her way, and the next minute...she's a mother of three and a sheriff, and a survivor of the end of world and it's beautiful that this story took the time to remind us that sometimes...life finds a way to force us to grow up and do the right thing when necessary and while Val's story doesn't exactly end in the happiest of fashion, at least she finally figures out her place in the world and handles things like a true hero and I love that the show saw a grand opportunity to pepper in just a touch of social commentary when it comes to her story, all while giving us a fulfilling and fun story where you find yourself rooting for Val when all is said and done.

Sadly however, we have come to the end of the line for season one of this show and I won't lie, I'm a little melancholy over the fact that there's only six episode of this show to enjoy. It's been downright refreshing to not only see an anthology series return to the airwaves...but to see one as smart and and as relevant as this one, is downright magical. So, here's to hoping that Hulu gives this series a green lights for season two, with a bigger episode order for that matter as well, so we can all venture into the world of Dimension 404 once again and enjoy more dazzling stories, thoughtful concepts and downright fun at every turn. Until next time. 

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