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WARNING! This article contains spoilers for Extrapolations
Although Apple TV’s Extrapolations primarily draws inspiration from real-world climate change phenomenons, its depiction of sci-fi horror has a lot in common with a classic Dr. Seuss story. After Extrapolations‘ first episode sets the stage for its overarching narrative by telling a fictional tale of the impact of rising temperatures, the series builds on it with each episode by portraying the consequences of climate change. Owing to its illustration of the spiraling impact of the environmental crisis, Extrapolations can seem borderline terrifying in some of its chapters.
However, despite all the elements of environmental horror combined with real scientific undertones in its storyline, Extrapolations gives viewers hope with the optimistic human core in all of its narratives. Even in some of its darkest arcs, where it discusses the geopolitical impact of climate change on third-world nations, Extrapolations ends on an uplifting note that reminds viewers how it is never too late to advocate for change. Considering this balance of terror and hope in Extrapolations‘ take on climate change, it almost seems reminiscent of a Dr. Seuss story.
On the surface, Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax seems like a fantasy comedy that chronicles environmental issues from a perspective suitable for children. However, a closer examination of its underlying themes indicates that its portrayal of environmental degradation in the hands of a business mogul is no less terrifying than that of Extrapolations. Both the Dr. Seuss story and the sci-fi TV show highlight how the mindless capitalization of useless but cleverly marketed products often proves detrimental to the environment in the long run.
While The Lorax‘s Once-ler wipes a forest clean to derive profits from a product nobody needs, powerful corporations in Extrapolations thrive by turning humanity’s environmental plights into moneymaking business endeavors. Even their overarching messages are similar since both stories not only seek to terrify and entertain an audience with their harrowing take on the conflict between environmental protection and economic growth but also inspire change. For instance, The Lorax reminds readers that “unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better,” while the Apple original TV show coerces that “we cannot give up and go home… we already are home.“
Most fictional climate change disaster stories jump straight to their meaty arcs where humans can do nothing but helplessly experience the dire consequences of their actions. Although entertaining, these tales fail to represent how the planet’s environmental decline is more of a domino effect that gradually unfolds over decades and decades before it ultimately reaches a tipping point. Like Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax, Extrapolations does not tread this path and allows audiences to view climate change from a long-term perspective, which, without compromising on the show’s entertainment factor, encourages immediate action because it highlights the potential difference one can make in the present.
