As someone who has always been fascinated by the human condition and the myriad ways it responds to unexplained phenomena, I found myself utterly captivated by BBC’s new series, The Listeners. The premise, much like HBO’s The Leftovers, delves deep into the complexities of human nature, exploring how a shared experience can unite and divide us simultaneously.
It’s fascinating how diverse interpretations can arise from a single incident or experience, giving rise to various communities that may prove beneficial or detrimental. An earthquake, a shooting, a disease, an emotion – most often, individuals look towards science, common sense, political intrigue, religious beliefs, or scapegoats for explanations. HBO’s less-known series, The Leftovers, brilliantly illustrates this phenomenon, demonstrating how arrogance, power, fear, and misunderstanding can lead to distinct responses to the same event and create various communities in its wake. Similarly, a new BBC series titled The Listeners, adapted from Jordan Tannahill’s 2021 novel, explores similar themes but focuses on a specific group of people in a similar manner.
The series titled “The Listeners” made its debut with the initial two episodes at TIFF, revolving around an enigmatic sound that only certain individuals can perceive. Director Janicza Bravo ingeniously employs sound design as a significant element to alienate an English school teacher from her social circle and subsequently connect her with a group and its elusive leader. In times of unexplained occurrences, we instinctively turn to others for clarity. Although the first two episodes fail to disclose the origin of the mystery, they subtly suggest the peril of suppressing one’s inner voice in pursuit of comprehension.
Stop, Hey, What’s That Sound
Claire (Rebecca Hall), who’s a school teacher, keeps hearing a strange buzzing sound that no one else seems to notice. Her husband, Paul (Prasanna Puwanarajah), and daughter, Ashley (Mia Tharia), don’t hear it. Worried, she visits doctors for tests but everything checks out fine. However, she experiences unexpected nosebleeds and is very stressed due to this mysterious occurrence. Could the source be the nearby towers or power lines? No one seems to know, but Claire becomes determined to find answers. Sadly, as the buzzing noise grows more erratic, it’s creating an artificial gap between her and her loved ones.
In the classroom walks Kyle (Ollie West), a solitary student who struggles with persistent background noise. To counteract it, he listens to music. This is someone who validates that Claire isn’t going mad. However, dealing with her student of the opposite sex presents a tricky predicament for Claire. She yearns to silence the commotion or identify its source, but how can she bond with Kyle and investigate together without raising eyebrows? Bravo offers us this intriguing dilemma, leaving viewers on edge as they anticipate discovering the source of these mysterious noises while hoping their lives don’t suffer the consequences.
Rebecca Hall & Ollie West Carry The Listeners
In Bravo’s favor, the first two episodes offer a skillful blend of revealing the mystery while deepening our insight into the personal connections it touches upon. Hall delivers a richly layered portrayal of Claire, driven by her quest to unravel the enigma haunting her mind. West displays evasiveness with Kyle, hinting at shared objectives. They both carry out sound level measurements around town, finding comfort in their mutual solitude. As the episodes come to a close, West’s motives remain unclear, and it may be that Claire will need to account for this at some point.
In episode two, Claire and Kyle encounter a collective of individuals experiencing the same mysterious occurrence as them. This group is headed by Omar (Amr Waked), who believes the source of this sound lies in some celestial frequency. However, there’s a wide range of theories among these people. One individual suspects it’s tied to the deep state government, while others dismiss Omar’s ideas and call for external investigation. Despite their differing opinions, they all share a common bond: the enigmatic sound that binds them.
You’ll Have to Wait for Answers, but You’ll Want To
There’s also the question of those who departed from this group and why their departure isn’t disclosed. Instead, these questions are presented in a manner that’s not overpowering or confusing to the audience. In essence, there’s just enough intrigue here for a limited series to thrive if developed fully. With just two episodes aired so far, predicting where The Listeners is headed and what topics it will delve into can be challenging.
You might find yourself naturally curious about why only some individuals can perceive the sound while others can’t, the backstory of the listening group, and if there’s a rational explanation (other than Tinnitus) for this recurring phenomenon. The first two episodes of The Listeners may not provide a clear storyline, but they certainly offer enough suspense, mystery, and compelling performances to keep you engaged. Stay tuned for updates on where and when to catch The Listeners.
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2024-09-19 03:03