What's Up - Your guide to what's happening in Fayetteville, AR this week!
Issue link: http://www.epageflip.net/i/1472111
T2 WHATS UP! July 3 - 9, 2022 TV FEATURE BY DANA SIMPSON TV Media H uman beings are constantly seeking answers. Whether ontological, theoret- ical, practical or, most recently, viral, one of the only things that we know for sure is that, as a society, we know very lit- tle. The new Showtime series "The Man Who Fell to Earth" has been capitalizing on that feeling of curiosity and help- lessness since its April 24 pre- miere, though the crux of its story is far from new. Tune in for its first-season finale when it is released Sunday, July 3, on Showtime and Paramount+. The series, based on Walter Tevis's 1963 science-fiction novel of the same name, stars Academy Award nominee Chi- wetel Ejiofor ("12 Years a Slave," 2013) as K. Faraday, an alien who leaves his own plan- et, Anthea, behind in search of answers. Soon after he crash- lands in the oil fields of New Mexico, viewers learn that Far- aday's own planet is on the brink of total destruction, and the only way he can save it is by reaching out to the one woman on Earth who can save his species. Enter Justin Falls (Naomie Harris, "Moonlight," 2016). Justin, described by Show- time as "a brilliant scientist and engineer," is the woman whom Faraday seeks for help. Clearly a caring soul, Justin has her own issues that need to be faced before she can come to grips with her new role as the savior of another world. As she and Faraday team up, they soon realize that neither of them can move forward with saving his planet until they have saved Earth. Now, the concept of an alien falling to Earth and signalling a dark destiny is hardly unchart- ed territory. Similar plots can be seen in everything from "The War of the Worlds" (orig- inally by author H.G. Wells, circa 1897) to the Superman stories and more, but what makes "The Man Who Fell to Earth" unique is the humanity — humanity not just found among Earthlings (for lack of a better term), but also within the main character himself, who viewers know is not hu- man in the biological sense. As the leading characters settle into each other's compa- ny, Justin soon realizes that, while she may want to help, she might not be equipped to handle the gravity of this un- usual situation. Recoiling from Faraday and The Mission, Jus- tin resumes her place at the head of her own family in or- der to offer them protection and security from the world(s) beyond. That plan, however, only lasts so long, as Faraday struggles to proceed without her and her own philanthropic nature gets the better of her. Without getting into too many spoilers for those who have not yet tuned in (the whole series up until now is available to stream on Para- mount+ should one wish to binge it before the finale), the duo have their work cut out for them. As The Mission leads their personal and planetary dreams into the world of Big Tech — perhaps the strangest Bentonville Acupuncture 5 x 5 continued on page T10 Chiwetel Ejiofor in "The Man Who Fell to Earth" Fallen hero www.nwaonline.com Did you know those images are available for purchase? IT'S EASY! Just go to nwaonline.com, click on "Photos" in the top menu bar and use the search to fi nd the photo you want. Then just click "Purchase" for sizing options. You can also have the image put on a coff ee mug, mouse pad, key tag, holiday ornament and more! Did you see a photo in our newspaper or on our website that you would love a copy of? Check it out!