It is an episode that reveiles the core of the series more than the previous ones. The child expects something extraordinary to happen, to prevent the grandpa from dying. As you grow up, you face death calmly, and continue having your breakfast.
19 Reviews
Poetic
TheKing221 July 2020
With a very skilled cast and perfect writing this episode is the most intriguing and intense. Great sets and paste. this episode takes the genre to a next level. So believable and yet so out of this world.
The artwork is stunning (where is this sphere? It should be in a museum)
There is nothing to compare it to.
The artwork is stunning (where is this sphere? It should be in a museum)
There is nothing to compare it to.
You Can Always Find Light, In The Dark.
wandernn1-81-6832748 October 2020
Warning: Spoilers
So here we have Russ, watching YOUNG BOY COLE playing ...
Cole asks Russ, What do you do underground?? Russ tells him that they prove impossible things are possible. That's what they do , 'underground'.
Then they find this ECHO SPHERE. Apparently it 'echoes' your voice and predicts how long of a life you will live. Or how many more years you will live anyway. For COLE, it echoes 7 times, so probably 70 more years. For Russ, no echo at all. So he's going to die soon.
Then Russ goes around setting up preparations for his Death. He offers the leadership position of the LOOP to Loretta. He spends even more time showing things to young COLE.
+1 Star for the relationship Russ has with young Cole
Getting older is not always easy. As we start to realize how fragile life really is. And Russ is realizing it here. Russ has some sort of attack as he goes home. The next morning Jakob tells COLE that Russ has been taken in to the hospital, which I guess is also underground. COLE decides to take it on himself to break into the underground, and will try to help RUSS. After all, Russ did tell COLE that all things are possible down there, didn't he??
+1 Star for the bravery of COLE trying to help with Grandpa.
COLE is about to touch the TOTAL ECLIPSE, WHEN LORETTA stops him. COLE demands to visit with RUSS, and RUSS IS obviously not himself.
RUSS has some sort of out of body Cosmic Encounter with the TOTAL ECLIPSE..., or did it just absorb him?
Well that's very sad. 4 Ep's in, and Rod Serling dies??? They put Russ's URN on bookshelf. They have a WAKE, where young COLE is obviously very sad.
COLE goes back to the ECHO SPHERE, and does that again at the end, and we see phases of life that COLE will go thru. Again, a very touching EP. And I already miss Russ!!
7/10
Cole asks Russ, What do you do underground?? Russ tells him that they prove impossible things are possible. That's what they do , 'underground'.
Then they find this ECHO SPHERE. Apparently it 'echoes' your voice and predicts how long of a life you will live. Or how many more years you will live anyway. For COLE, it echoes 7 times, so probably 70 more years. For Russ, no echo at all. So he's going to die soon.
Then Russ goes around setting up preparations for his Death. He offers the leadership position of the LOOP to Loretta. He spends even more time showing things to young COLE.
+1 Star for the relationship Russ has with young Cole
Getting older is not always easy. As we start to realize how fragile life really is. And Russ is realizing it here. Russ has some sort of attack as he goes home. The next morning Jakob tells COLE that Russ has been taken in to the hospital, which I guess is also underground. COLE decides to take it on himself to break into the underground, and will try to help RUSS. After all, Russ did tell COLE that all things are possible down there, didn't he??
+1 Star for the bravery of COLE trying to help with Grandpa.
COLE is about to touch the TOTAL ECLIPSE, WHEN LORETTA stops him. COLE demands to visit with RUSS, and RUSS IS obviously not himself.
RUSS has some sort of out of body Cosmic Encounter with the TOTAL ECLIPSE..., or did it just absorb him?
Well that's very sad. 4 Ep's in, and Rod Serling dies??? They put Russ's URN on bookshelf. They have a WAKE, where young COLE is obviously very sad.
COLE goes back to the ECHO SPHERE, and does that again at the end, and we see phases of life that COLE will go thru. Again, a very touching EP. And I already miss Russ!!
7/10
A welcome return to form
Rachel_H_Ambler9 April 2020
After the very lacluster 3rd episode "Stasis", Tales of the Loop episode 4 "Echo Sphere" is a wonderful, gentle and bittersweet tale of life, and coming to terms with death.
The SF elements are very much muted here, and this allows the story of Cole, and his Grandpa Russ, to come very nicely to the fore.
The episode for me captures the very essence of the show, that the Loop may be the core of the town, but it's the humans who live and work there that bring it life.
Most excellent and a happy return to form for this interesting little show. More please!
The SF elements are very much muted here, and this allows the story of Cole, and his Grandpa Russ, to come very nicely to the fore.
The episode for me captures the very essence of the show, that the Loop may be the core of the town, but it's the humans who live and work there that bring it life.
Most excellent and a happy return to form for this interesting little show. More please!
Absolutely wonderful. The last scene broke me.
jneiberger-11 August 2020
This series has been pretty dang fantastic, so far. This episode was a little slower and a bit different from the others, but it reaches a little deeper than the others. It is deeply touching and thoughtful.
The last scene really got to me. I'm going to have to take a break before I watch the next episode.
The last scene really got to me. I'm going to have to take a break before I watch the next episode.
"Remember, you can always find light in the dark."
classicsoncall17 February 2022
Warning: Spoilers
This is a bittersweet and melancholy story in which young Cole (Duncan Joiner) must force himself to come to grips with the impending death of his grandfather (Jonathan Pryce). Knowing that Russ was the founder of The Loop, it seemed odd that the character would be removed from the series at the halfway point, but this is an unconventional program, so not entirely surprising. Cole takes his grandfather's advice to heart when the elderly man told him that his work at The Loop was to make the impossible possible. However, this is one task that is beyond the capabilities of The Loop or any of Cole's family members. The grandfather's reassuring words to Cole (in my summary line) can only somewhat soften the pain he feels. The remainder of the story plays out like a chapter in most people's lives, as the grandfather eventually passes, there's a time for mourning, and a time to move on.
Just as in the prior episode 'Stasis', I couldn't help wondering about the character of Cole's older brother Jakob (Daniel Zolghadri). If the events of the second story in the series titled 'Transpose' are to be believed, one still has to hold that the body of Jakob is occupied by a friend named Danny. Early in this story, when Cole tries to enlist Jakob to help save Russ, he leaves frustratedly when Jakob offers no comfort. As Cole heads off to The Loop, the blue robot, which presumably has the 'real' Jakob's personality, watches him with empathic concern. I have to believe the essence of Jakob is still in there and will somehow return to the character over the remaining chapters.
Just as in the prior episode 'Stasis', I couldn't help wondering about the character of Cole's older brother Jakob (Daniel Zolghadri). If the events of the second story in the series titled 'Transpose' are to be believed, one still has to hold that the body of Jakob is occupied by a friend named Danny. Early in this story, when Cole tries to enlist Jakob to help save Russ, he leaves frustratedly when Jakob offers no comfort. As Cole heads off to The Loop, the blue robot, which presumably has the 'real' Jakob's personality, watches him with empathic concern. I have to believe the essence of Jakob is still in there and will somehow return to the character over the remaining chapters.
Beautiful
evandergrift-8252710 August 2020
Powerful.
W011y4m530 September 2020
Warning: Spoilers
"Echo Sphere" is sci-fi at its most purest. Unlike the previous 3 episodes, the story doesn't concern itself with anything too complex or convoluted; here, the show just uses a very basic premise to strip back the narrative in order to explore one simplistic central theme; grief - & henceforth, whatever complexities divulge from that topic are solely emotional - enriching the very human drama present throughout - unrelated to the overarching plot. Therefore, each progression is natural, evolving organically as director Andrew Stanton uses his unwavering focus to masterfully craft each scene beautifully until it forms a moving installment which feels more like a short feature film - akin to Spike Jonze's "Her" - than just another episode of a (thus far) decent series.
At its beating heart though, this is far more poetic & impactful than the rest because finally, we have something truly relatable; "Tales From The Loop" drops the spectacular, fantastical elements & shows us a reflection of our own perceived reality that we can see ourselves in - grounding the narrative in something tangible as it chronicles the individual struggles people endure as they mentally process the news of a terminal diagnosis in someone they love. There are a variety of different coping mechanisms depicted (some more effective & healthier than others) & outstanding cinematographer Ole Bratt Birkeland manages to capture scenes in a truly evocative way - as death is more than dying; it's a constant absence - that he mindfully ensures to visualise. We consequently see the multiple stages people endure; anger, denial, despair, acceptance etc. Following this tragedy which culminates to form a somewhat bittersweet celebration of the grandfather's life & how precious a substance time retrospectively is as an investment for all of us - being the only irreplaceable commodity on the planet.
Refreshingly, there are no plot twists or cheap, gimmicky cop-outs either - reaffirming the meaningful lesson intended to be taught here; death is as inevitable as life - so savour it while it lasts because it's a finite resource we must appreciate.
At its beating heart though, this is far more poetic & impactful than the rest because finally, we have something truly relatable; "Tales From The Loop" drops the spectacular, fantastical elements & shows us a reflection of our own perceived reality that we can see ourselves in - grounding the narrative in something tangible as it chronicles the individual struggles people endure as they mentally process the news of a terminal diagnosis in someone they love. There are a variety of different coping mechanisms depicted (some more effective & healthier than others) & outstanding cinematographer Ole Bratt Birkeland manages to capture scenes in a truly evocative way - as death is more than dying; it's a constant absence - that he mindfully ensures to visualise. We consequently see the multiple stages people endure; anger, denial, despair, acceptance etc. Following this tragedy which culminates to form a somewhat bittersweet celebration of the grandfather's life & how precious a substance time retrospectively is as an investment for all of us - being the only irreplaceable commodity on the planet.
Refreshingly, there are no plot twists or cheap, gimmicky cop-outs either - reaffirming the meaningful lesson intended to be taught here; death is as inevitable as life - so savour it while it lasts because it's a finite resource we must appreciate.
If every episode had been like this, the series would have been epic
ginger-11127 August 2020
The thematics are excellent in this episode. There's no moral dilemma, no wasted downtime, just a very relatable story of a boy and his grandfather. The symbolism is well done without being over the top and this story sets Cole up for the rest of his growth in the following episodes.
The huge difference between father and son is subtly demonstrated in just a couple of short, simple scenes. The causes for this difference is revisited in later episodes.
The final scene is a huge reward and even more meaningful when looking back from the end of the series.
Fine storytelling that hits a soft spot if you're ever had to let go of someone you love and trust that life goes on without them.
The huge difference between father and son is subtly demonstrated in just a couple of short, simple scenes. The causes for this difference is revisited in later episodes.
The final scene is a huge reward and even more meaningful when looking back from the end of the series.
Fine storytelling that hits a soft spot if you're ever had to let go of someone you love and trust that life goes on without them.
Pointless
treborbasset21 June 2021
This isn't sci-fi. Really slow pacing, and barely any story. An old man dies. That's it. Genuinely, there is nothing more to the plot. I'm confused why they even made this episode. I can think of no reason to give any more stars. What a waste of 50 minutes.
The link between sci-fi and real life.
Hildr1 February 2021
This episode led me to write my first review here (this being it).
A beautiful return to the genre folded into 'real world' relatable emotion. The weird and fantastical is but a side quest in this episode, giving way to a touching story of love, loss, missed opportunity and the passage of time.
It brings the viewer into the tale, to empathise and create a bond that makes this seem less otherworldly.
The cinematography is stunning, the final scene is incredibly moving.
All in all, so much more substance than episode 3. Enjoyably so.
A beautiful return to the genre folded into 'real world' relatable emotion. The weird and fantastical is but a side quest in this episode, giving way to a touching story of love, loss, missed opportunity and the passage of time.
It brings the viewer into the tale, to empathise and create a bond that makes this seem less otherworldly.
The cinematography is stunning, the final scene is incredibly moving.
All in all, so much more substance than episode 3. Enjoyably so.
Humanism at its best.
madSizzle12 May 2021
Probably the one that I've loved the most so far. Pryce, as well as the kid, are astonishing.
In a nutshell - the very first interaction with death of a loved one: what to do with it? How to find strength to go on, especially when you are that young and vulnerable?
A piece of cinematic poetry.
In a nutshell - the very first interaction with death of a loved one: what to do with it? How to find strength to go on, especially when you are that young and vulnerable?
A piece of cinematic poetry.
Broke me.
emanuelasmith6 July 2022
The series itself is great. This specific episode broke me in all the best places. I didn't realise I'd needed to have such a big cry for a while. Pryce has always been a superior actor, pair him with good writing and directing and there's nothing he can't do.
Devastating, in a Good Way
binz456 February 2023
Warning: Spoilers
This episode had me in tears the entire time. The idea of consciousness is something that's been heavy on my mind and this episode aided in that. Do we have a consciousness? And if so, where does it go after our body stops working and ceases to exist?
This episode was told so well, especially from the viewpoint of both Russ and Cole. The pain of grief is unparalleled, and while it was devastating feeling the grief of both characters, it made me feel at ease and okay with the knowledge that I'll die someday.
I think this episode tackled death and dying in a way that not many shows have been able to do. I felt intense empathy, which was mostly due to the way the show was put together. My favorite episode so far.
This episode was told so well, especially from the viewpoint of both Russ and Cole. The pain of grief is unparalleled, and while it was devastating feeling the grief of both characters, it made me feel at ease and okay with the knowledge that I'll die someday.
I think this episode tackled death and dying in a way that not many shows have been able to do. I felt intense empathy, which was mostly due to the way the show was put together. My favorite episode so far.
"An old man is dying and his grandson is upset about it."
shefchenko30 July 2021
The description perfectly captures what happens in this episode - nothing of consequence or meaning. This is not sci-fi, nor is it interesting. Why even include this? We know we can and will die. So? Include a sphere and call it a sci-fi I guess. Waste of your time!
What the?
covidnomad30 September 2021
Weak episode, not sci-fi
danjamz27 June 2020
Warning: Spoilers
This episode was no more than a rumination on death and contained virtually zero narrative, instead only a small collection of situations that were no more inspiring than a calming screensaver.
I can cope with this series' slow pacing and find it beautiful when there is a story being driven forward - then it becomes poetry. Alas, with this type of non-sci fi short story drama writing you learn nothing new about the characters and you learn nothing new about humanity.
I can cope with this series' slow pacing and find it beautiful when there is a story being driven forward - then it becomes poetry. Alas, with this type of non-sci fi short story drama writing you learn nothing new about the characters and you learn nothing new about humanity.
Most boring so far
TheTruthofItIs10 May 2020
"Tales from the Loop" S01E04 "Echo Sphere" was the most boooooring of the lot so far, especially with the continued sllllloooowwww pacing. I fell asleep twice again, had to rewind, rewatch, it's a chore and watching a show shouldn't be a chore. This fourth episode was really about the prosaic life of a grandson and his grandpa, ugh. I've been hanging in there hoping for better, more sci-fi, more Black Mirror, but instead I'm getting boring life stories from the 70s/80s. I've watched half the season and see no motivation for watching the back half. This series should've been condensed to 15-20 min short eps with much more impact. If Nathaniel wants to make pretty postcard scenery eps then he should've gone to National Geographic. The only thing this series inspires is sleep with its geriatric pacing. On to the next thing...
Sleepy time.
Nemesis429 June 2020
This episode was crap. A guy dies. Whoopee do. Boring. Still no explanation as to what the loop and the spherical object really are, why there are odd structures everywhere, and what the nature and cause of the many distortions of reality are.
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