The Commons

The Commons is a thought-provoking science fiction drama series released in 2019 on the Australian streaming service, Stan. The series is a unique blend of dystopian and utopian themes, painting a riveting vision of a future shaped by advanced technologies and escalating climate change, while also poignantly exploring the ethical dilemmas these disruptions evoke.

Set in a near-future Australia, the series resonates with current realities: rising sea levels, a swelling refugee crisis, and emerging biotechnologies that pose both hope and horror. It is a riveting, character-driven exploration of a potentially not-too-distant future that references some of the most pressing socio-political and environmental issues worthy of our attention today.

The central character of the story is a gifted neuropsychologist, Eadie Boulay, portrayed by Joanne Froggatt (Downton Abbey). Eadie embodies a selfless yearning to make a significant positive impact in her worryingly plausible world. She is deeply committed to her work, specializing in technology that facilitates a direct communication path with the subconscious mind, known as 'In-Sight'. Her compassionate and empathetic approach to her patients is mirrored in her personal life where she keeps striving to create a better world for her future child.

Eadie and her husband, Lloyd, played by David Lyon, are fervently trying to have a baby in a world where reproduction is not only a personal endeavour but a societal one due to the ever-looming climate crisis. Their persistent attempts to conceive against tremendous odds serve as a tense narrative thread throughout the series.

The Commons unravels a world where advancements in the bio-tech field with the likes of 'designer babies' meet the necessities borne out of climate change, hinting at moral and ethical dilemmas. The narrative extends to the broader society, showcasing the complexities of navigating a world in the throes of ecological challenges as it presents drought-affected landscapes, flooded coastlines, and socio-economic divisions, driven by climate-induced migration. The series does well to connect the larger environmental catastrophe with the intimate portrait of a couple's struggle for a life that feels incredibly personal yet undeniably universal.

It also delves into the extremes of both altruism and human selfishness, revealing the dichotomies inherent in society and individuals' responses to fear and uncertainty. At the same time, the show touches upon the contentious implications of scientific advancements, tackling areas like gene editing, artificial intelligence, and controversial biotechnological innovations, all within a drastically evolving world shaped by climate change.

But more than just a gloomy vision of what may lie ahead, The Commons is also a testament to human resilience and aspiration, wrapped in a narrative that is as emotionally engaging as it is intellectually stimulating. Primarily, through Eadie's unwavering desire to bring life into the world, and through the overarching storyline of a society grappling to find equilibrium amidst widespread socio-ecological tumult.

Furthermore, the series stands out with its female-centric storytelling. Eadie represents the kind of strong, determined women who, despite facing enormous trials, remain relentless in their pursuit of something profoundly significant. Additionally, the show features a powerful performance from Rupert Penry-Jones as a charismatic but chillingly resolute CEO of an ominous biotech company.

The Commons offers an affecting vision of the future with its dystopian themes and raises numerous thought-provoking questions about our present. It creates a believable near-future scenario and depicts a foreboding look at where humanity might be headed given the current global environmental crisis mixed with rapid technological advancements.

In essence, The Commons offers a narrative that is part speculative fiction, part environmental crisis thriller, integrated with a deeply personal story of hope, fear, love, and ambition. It's a character-driven drama that successfully marries a personal struggle with the fight against a larger, climate-changed canvas. The visual effects are impactful without being over the top, the performances are excellently nuanced, and the writing subtle yet haunting, posing questions that linger long after viewing. It's an intelligent and absorbing show, with a message that holds relevance in today's world. While the series is dramatic, imminently watchable, and occasionally terrifying, it is also, fundamentally, deeply human.