‘The Peripheral’ Recap: ‘Pilot’ & ‘Empathy Bonus’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the series premiere of ‘The Peripheral’.
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One particular lesson that each of us learn the hard way, is that letting our escapes and our hobbies get the better of us is a bad thing. Simply because it motivates us to withdraw from the world and it encourages us to focus on fantasy and mindlessness over the important stuff we should be focusing upon, and it isn’t until we let a major bill slide or hurt those, we love with our isolation that we come to understand their danger and work to find balance instead. So, we can still enjoy that which helps us cope with the stress of life while staying present for those that need us. But what is truly fascinating about this lesson… is that it is becoming harder and harder to not let them take over.
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In part because the world is a rotten place right now and fills us with worry and concern about tomorrow. So much in fact that binging a whole show over the weekend seems to be the only way to cope with the dumpster fire that America has suddenly become and there appears to be little daily relief on the horizon. Since we have so many concerns about what is to come, which means that people are likely going to face new struggles with their escapes and reality as the world continues to fight to find balance. Leaving all of us to wonder… what our lives are going to look like as we try to find our own balance, and of course… what kind of new struggles will occur in a world where escaping is commonplace. If anything, those questions and concerns are top of mind today, simply because they are going to be explored in the new Prime Video series, The Peripheral. 

A feat that the show’s two-hour series premiere accomplishes, by taking us not too far into the future. For when we catch up with a woman named Flynne Fisher in 2032… she’s living quite the difficult life. For ‘Pilot’ and ‘Empathy Bonus’ reveals to us a world familiar to our own since it is suffering from struggles that we haven’t eliminated yet. Such as war and wealth inequality and soaring drug prices that make life saving drugs for her mother… almost an impossibility. Which is why she and her brother Burton take part in digital side hustles often. Wherein they can test equipment or play high stakes online games to make ends meet. But one day, a lucrative request from a developer to try their new and powerful peripheral changes Flynne and Burton’s lives forever. Not only because the money is great… but also because, this device is about to plunge this family into chaos and strife. 

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Which is quite the techno-thriller plot, one that just simply seems to speak to us needing to always steer clear of our obsessions. But the fact that this peripheral opens up doors to the future and avatars and all kinds of discussions on alternate realities, is what allows for this show to look at what the world might become with technology running rampant to save our mental health and the dangers that could from that. In that, it could do the opposite of providing an escape and instead create a prison for those who rely on these digital worlds to be free of their concerns and of course… who knows what kind of nefarious people would be willing to dig in and toy with others in this digital frontier. Making it clear that we as a people need to get our house in order before we worry about digital ones since the kind of chaos we deal with now, will probably spill over no problem.
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But all unique commentary on technology and escaping our world and those dangers aside, this is also quite the epic story through and through. One that features some stunning visuals effects courtesy of the tech present here and it even has plenty to offer the action hound in your life or the one that resides within you. Because both Flynne and Burton have to fight to stay alive and stay safe at times, and that leads to some powerhouse actions sequences. The kind that are intense and epic in nature and immediately have you rooting for the heroes of the story and the wonder of this series premiere doesn’t end there. Simply because… there’s depth and meaning to be found within this tale as well. Thanks to themes regarding family and what it means to us and of course… there are some observations on horrors of war. 

However, in order to sell the wonder and majesty of a cyber thriller like this and create that sense of awe and danger, a great cast is essential and that is present here. Since the supporting cast really do sell the rough world, they’re living within and truly, Chloë Grace Moretz steals the show as the series lead. Since she plays both a tough everyday woman just trying to get by, and a thoughtful hero, with a raw honesty you believe in. And she is a character that champions good and believes in a better world for her family and in the end, all of these elements make this a worthwhile watch. One that allows for you to either get lost in a cool techno-thriller or gives you something to chew upon and the best news of all, is that this adventure is only getting started, and it will be fascinating to see what other unique commentary and epic moments await us as season one continues along. Until next time.  

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