Editor’s Note: This story is a part of The Ham, the annual spring satirical issue published by The Beacon. That means the story you’re about to read is a work of fiction where all names are changed. Any resemblance to real-life people, places or things is intended purely as satire, parody or spoof; it is not intended to communicate any true or factual information. Enjoy!
The comedic TV show, “Last Man on Earth,” has suddenly become one of gloomy prophecy.
It made its first appearance on March 1, 2015, and starts off with a terrible virus that spreads like wildfire across the globe, infecting everyone and ultimately resulting in death. Very little hope is had as no cure can be discovered in time. The main character, Mil Philler, just so happens to be immune and watches as everyone he knows struggles through the virus.
The plot seems to make the viewers question what they would do should they survive such an apocalyptic event. Would you fill a pool with your favorite beverage and drink it to the bottom? Would you venture out, collecting items you could have only ever dreamed of owning before? Would you turn the biggest house on your block into a sweet crib for you and yourself to hangout in?
We brought these questions to one of our own, Sendall Ktanislav, who, without hesitation and almost too much enthusiasm for someone of his mature age, said, “Like Mil Philler, I would go find the car from ‘Back to the Future.’ I would take advantage of no rules and play racquetball in the house. Who knows, maybe I’d even move out to Arizona.” It would appear, that Ktanislav would get along quite nicely with Mil Philler.
Where this show takes an icy turn isn’t until the third season when we go back to the beginning of the virus with a new character named Bamela Printon. These few episodes depict a world of chaos as fear of the virus spreads, stirring up panic as stores run out of supplies. Sound familiar? People are placed in quarantine. People only go out with masks, if not full out hazmat suits. It even shows people’s pets with masks! Those who can afford it, invest in underground bunkers meant to withstand some of the greatest disasters. People fear childbirth as trained individuals are either elsewhere or unapproachable.
We also see that political leaders are far from exempt from this virus as governments collapse and entire nations go dark. With current news of certain Asian leaders—cough, Kim Nung Kun, cough—it seems disturbingly accurate.
One message that can be taken from this jokingly realistic show is that we are never alone. One day, Mil Philler stumbles on some freshly cleaned women’s clothing hung up to dry. This, of course, leads Mil to the woman who washed the clothes and would later in the show become his wife. As the show goes on, more and more people find their way into his life, growing his family.
As we face these rough times ahead, with COVID-19 and everything that comes with it, it’s important to know that we do not have to struggle through this alone. Unless you’re someone stuck on a deserted island by yourself. Boom.
