“Future Echoes” and “The End” are two episodes of a show that take the audience on an unpredictable journey through space. In “The End,” a sentient computer reminds the hero, Lister, that everyone he knows is dead, setting the tone for a future that feels half-mad and barely in control. This sense of ramshackle wooziness continues in “Future Echoes,” where the crew of the ship find themselves stuck in a time loop after passing light speed.
As the crew grows steadily loopier and surreal events unfold, Lister encounters his future self and sees the children he will eventually father. Throughout it all, Craig Charles does an excellent job as the straight man, serving as a relatable audience surrogate in the midst of all the weirdness. The best science fiction elements come to life in these episodes, showing how space and space travel can drive people to the brink of insanity, even under the best circumstances.
In “The End,” Lister’s encounter with his future self is both heartwarming and unsettling. He sees himself as a successful writer with two beautiful children, but also realizes that he has made some questionable choices along the way. As he grapples with this newfound knowledge, he must decide whether to change course or stick to his original path. Meanwhile, “Future Echoes” finds the crew struggling to make sense of their situation as they repeat themselves over and over again. They begin to lose touch with reality as they become increasingly obsessed with finding a way out of their time loop.
Overall, these episodes showcase the unpredictability and surreal nature of the show, with a mix of humor and mind-bending concepts that keep the audience engaged and entertained. With eccentric characters and outlandish scenarios at every turn, “The End” and “Future Echoes” set the stage for a series that promises to keep viewers on edge
