It was only last year when I picked up Generation Red and peeked into Erica, Alan, Trish and Denver’s world on their Martian base. What struck me instantly was the relevancy of isolation, feelings of boredom and the need for human connection that we universally experienced only a few years ago. When looking into the show I found that it had been written in 2019 and performed in January 2020. Right before the world had changed for us all.

I was blown away with how well Alexander Attea could nail the experience of what it’s like to be isolated from the rest of the world before it happened. To only be able to see a few trusted friends and family, doing our best to stay sane from intense boredom. We were lucky enough to at least go outside and sit in the shade and play in the grass, our heroes do not get that luxury.

As our young Martians stave off boredom, they bicker and argue about what life is like on Earth. Not knowing that a lot of what they see in movies and shows aren’t necessarily indicative of reality. With facts getting buried with opinions and feelings, it’s easy to want to plug your ears, close your eyes and be blissfully unaware of what is happening around you. But at what cost? 

Space Travel is something I’ve contemplated a lot about, and the future of humanity. How will we continue on as humans if we continue to destroy our planet? Will we be capable enough to send people on Mars? How will they handle the isolation and stress 141 million miles away from all the people they ever knew? The realization that, as humans, we’re “really alone out here” sitting on a rock spinning in space under the threat of extinction. It's important to realize that all we have is each other, and in the moment where it counts, will we “saddle up” and do the right thing despite our fears?