‘Echos’ Recap: ‘Die Party’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the series premiere of ‘Echos’.
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One thing that we can all agree upon, is that modern mankind lives quite the storied life. Because we are surrounded by technology that makes our lives easier in just about every way imaginable and we also live in relative comfort and safety. Wherein we can pursue our dreams at our own leisure and feast upon fine food and basically do whatever the heck we want if the opportunity is there. But while it is quite the time to be alive, our ability to live in comfort does place us in something of a bubble. One that removes us from some important facts about our world. Specifically, that not everyone is afforded the same opportunities and blessings as the rest of us.

In fact, we are so shielded and lost from that important reality that it tends to shock us when the universe takes the time to remind us of it, but it is critical to have those reminders come into play. So that we don’t ever forget how lucky we are and so perhaps we can be inspired to help those in need and really, that sharp wake-up call and uncomfortable aspect of our world is top of mind today, because they serve as several of the focal themes present in the new Sundance Now series, Echos. Which is a series that plunges us into the world of the haves and have nots, by having those worlds collide. A feat that ‘Die Party’ accomplishes by introducing us to some happy go lucky and privileged siblings named Max and Nellie. For they are well-to-do and use their status and standing to just live life to the fullest, to the point where they have no qualms spending their evenings following the party and wherever it takes them.

Which is what they are doing on this fine night that we are spending with them. For the hottest party in town, an underground rave, requires their presence and well… it doesn’t take long for this celebration of music and the moment to take quite the turn. One where a horrible fire breaks out, leaving three people missing… including Max. Which of course, motivates Nellie and her bestie Janosch to do whatever they can to retrieve him and that’s where this examination gets underway. Because it becomes clear to both the audience and Nellie that there is a whole world beneath their feet, one where comfort and leisure don’t exist for the homeless population that is struggling to get by and those same people have knowledge about Max’s whereabouts and may be at their breaking point when it comes to their world being invaded by excess and influencers. As evidenced by the body that washes up on a riverbank, one that just so happens to be one of the missing three.

Which is a plot that is clearly setting the stage for a grand examination of wealth inequality and class warfare, with lives hanging in the balance and that alone makes this series premiere a fascinating watch. Since it says so much about our world in a subtle and fascinating manner all while raising the stakes. But what’s amazing is that this show has more to dive into than just its central theme. For there are a lot of secrets in this world, since Nellie’s mother is clearly up to something of concern at work and Max might have been in over his head as well. Since there is a police officer on the hunt for him and she is ready to do whatever, it takes to get the answers and resolution she seeks and really, all of these elements make this a worthwhile and engaging story. One that is relatable and infuriating and painfully realistic thanks to its dynamic and unique characters.

Since we feel as though we already know them or have known someone like them, and their journey is only going to open up all kinds of powerful storytelling through and through and well, this series deserves a big round of applause for finding out a way to explore its central themes in such a unique and subtle manner and for providing us compelling mysteries to keep our attention as well. Because we really are eager to know what secrets are being kept from Nellie, and of course, we are also invested in whether or not her brother will survive this ordeal and the wrath of people who are through being seen as shadows instead of people, and that means… we simply need to continue the journey and see where this brilliant and powerful story is going to take us. Until next time.

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