Photo Credit: Syfy
When I talked to Z Nation star DJ Qualls earlier this week, he spoke a great deal of how the focus in upcoming episodes was going to be on Citizen Z and how the isolation at the North Pole was affecting his mind. DJ has always done a spectacular job in everything that he has been in, and so, while I knew this arc would be good, little did I know it would end up stealing the entire freakin’ show.
We have already seen in episode two “Fracking Zombies” how desperate Citizen Z is for companionship, even if it means risking his own life. He could have been killed trying to save the sled dog, but in his eyes, it was worth it. So, now he has a furry friend to chat with even if he can’t talk back, but in last night’s episode, we see that it doesn’t seem to be enough.
Citizen Z is sifting through the NSA archives trying to find information on the people he has been talking to on Garnett’s (Tom Everett Scott) team. He is able to find Garnett’s bio, and while he couldn’t quite remember Addy’s (Anastasia Baranova) full name, he still was able to find her Facebook page (not quite sure it was actually Facebook, but you get my point).
Addison Carver AKA ‘Addy,’ age 26, student. Believed to be accompanying patient zero to Mount Wilson regarding Operation Bite Mark. Status — single. I mean, status unknown. What a tomato. — Citizen Z
A tomato? Ha! DJ had said in the interview that Citizen Z would eventually develop feelings for Addy, and while this is the first we’ve seen of it, it’s pretty clear it’s love at first sight. Of course, the big question is given the fact that Citizen Z is at the North Pole, how in the heck could a relationship between the two even work? Well, this guy is a computer whiz, has all the time in the world, and so, if you can’t have a real relationship, then just create a fantasy one on your own.
What we see next is disturbing to say the least, but also so sad. Citizen Z sets up a Facebook account himself, sends Addy a friend request, and she immediately accepts. WTF? Did Addy figure out a way for them to actually communicate? Then, they start to chat and from the conversation, it sounds like they had known each other for years:
How are things at the North Pole? — Addy
Awesome. Beautiful aurora today. How’s your day going?– Citizen Z
Oh, kind of lonely. Nice to have someone to talk to — Addy
I know the feeling, gets lonely here too. Keeping an eye on the planet keeps you busy though — Citizen Z
I feel safer just knowing you’re there. You seem so cool. I wish I could meet you in person — Addy
Super busy but I’m sure that could be arranged. What are you doing right now? — Citizen Z
You know, same old, same old — Addy
At this point, the scene widens out, and then it hits you — Citizen Z isn’t having a conversation at all. He’s just talking to himself and switching back and forth between two screens and keyboards, providing the responses for both himself and Addy.
Well, I should let you go. I’m sure you’re busy keeping an eye on the world and all — Addy
Yeah, got a hungry dog here that I should go and feed. Nice talking to you. Hope we get to meet someday — Citizen Z
I’d really like that. Good night, sweet prince — Addy
Good night, fair lady — Citizen Z
Oh. My. God. This is so depressing, so sad, but also so good. Think about it. This guy has been stuck all by himself for over year, and now, he likes this girl. His situation right now makes a real relationship out of the question, so what can he do? DJ had said that they were going to explore the consequences of long-term isolation, and this is definitely one of them. Wow.
Not to mention, DJ Qualls just nailed this scene. He made Citizen Z real and authentic. You could feel his pain and loneliness, you understood him, and by the time the end of the episode rolled around, you wanted to reach through the television screen and just give this guy a hug. I don’t know who ultimately made the decision to cast him for this role, but whoever it was, they deserve a big gold star because he’s perfect for it. This character, as well as the story line, is definitely one of the best things about this show, and so, I hope they will continue to build on it as the season goes on.
Z Nation airs on Fridays at 10/9c on Syfy.
