‘Dispatches from Elsewhere’ Recap: ‘Janice’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

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If you take a moment to think about it, modern society has done a fine job of outlining how people should live their lives. Because it’s an outright expectation that we go to college to learn about the world and get a taste of independence, and while we are doing all of that; we should also be finding our passion in life. So that when we graduate, we can pursue said passion full tilt and stop at nothing to get it, and once we achieve our dream, we can settle down and start a family and make new memories as we bask in the wonder of everything we’ve earned through hard work and determination and dedication, and there is a grand reason as to why this is so important.
 
Because there is going to come a day when we will depart this life for whatever waits beyond and when we reach those final moments, we should be able to look back on the life we’ve lived and feel nothing but joy. For we did everything on our bucket list, and there is no unfinished business to follow us into whatever afterlife we believe in, and well, that is quite the lovely way to live one’s life. But as we begin that grand journey, we quickly come to learn that life doesn’t quite work that way. In fact, it is chaotic and messy and sometimes our hopes and dreams have to be set aside to deal with the surprises that have dropped into our laps. And it just so happens, that this strange duality when it comes the reality of life, and our vision of how to lead it, served as the focal point of last night’s episode of Dispatches from Elsewhere.
 
For ‘Janice’ took the time to explore Janice’s life and all of the ups and downs that she’s seen over the years and it just so happens that her journey outright embodies the chaos of the universe. For every plan that she ever made never quite came to fruition. Instead she took the time to dedicate herself to her darling Lev in ways that only the bravest of people can handle. And while she is clearly content with how her path has gone, it was imperative that this episode challenge the audience and in turn Janice, in an important manner. By asking her and in turn the viewer, as to whether or not rolling with the punches and shifting our life around for others, when we had such grand designs for our own future; is acceptable or not.

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​Thankfully, the answer to that question is a resounding yes, but how the story got to that answer is what made it so impactful and special. Because in this particular tale, Janice was able to use The I.D.E.A. device that we’ve heard so much about at the Jejune shareholder meeting, after she and Peter and Simone snuck in to find Fredwynn. And while she was in the virtual environment that this device creates, she was able to come face to face with her younger self and be challenged by the Janice of yesterday, since the younger iteration of herself was supremely disappointed with the path now taken. But older Janice held firm to her decisions in life and made it clear that sometimes we have no choice but to take the hand we’ve been dealt. Because sometimes sacrifice is necessary, especially when it involves people that we love dearly.
 
Yet as this series is wont to do, it had plenty more for the audience to ponder upon outside of its central theme. Because the grand reveal that the Jejune Institute and the Elsewhere Society are in cahoots, leaves one to wonder exactly what the end game is here for our characters and this dynamic story. And it seems to be that for some reason, Coleman is using his vast resources to teach the characters (and the viewer) some important lessons on life and it would seem that in Janice’s instance, the message is clear. In that; it’s okay to make compromises as we go, as long we remember to put ourselves back on track when the time is right. For we still have to live and indulge in what truly makes us happy and Janice’s journey serves as a fine reminder, that it is never too late to make that happen.
 
If anything, this was just another impressive episode from what is clearly, a brilliant and well-thought out series. Because it takes some seriously solid writing to embed a message that profound into a story this entertaining and Jordan Harrison and Jason Segel, who wrote this tale, deserve our thanks for giving us such a beautiful story and also, serious credit needs to be given to Sally Field as well. For she put on an acting clinic in this story, the kind that definitely brought tears to one’s eyes with the emotion she was able to project. But what matters most when it comes to this tale, is that it also serves to remind us, that life doesn’t end when tragedy strikes, and it is up to us to find the balance. And it was equally as refreshing to see the story inform the audience, that there isn’t a specific time frame in making that happen. Either way, this series continues to impress, and it should be interesting to see what relevant life message awaits us next week, when Fredwynn steps into the spotlight. Until then.

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