The Peripheral Season 1 Ep 4 is the fourth instalment of a 2022 American science fiction cyberpunk drama streaming television series executive produced and created by Scott Smith. Produced by Amazon, it is based on the 2014 book of the same name written by William Gibson. Westworld creators Jonathan Nolan and Lisa Joy serve as executive producers, along with Athena Wickham, Steve Hoban, and Vincenzo Natali.
S P O I L E R S
Entitled “The Jackpot”, The Peripheral Season 1 Ep 4 is probably the most transitional chapter of the season thus far. In fact, probably more exposition than attempted before. This was probably needed as the lack of information was beginning to impede audience engagement. Thus, there is actually a considerable segment where Flynne is given a history lesson about the event called the Jackpot – an apocalypse that resulted in the future we see in 2100.
READ OUR ANALYSES OF THE PERIPHERAL.
Most crucially, The Peripheral Season 1 Ep 4 defines for us a ‘stub’ and a ‘polt’. The former is an altered past timeline caused by the meddling in the future. The technology that makes this possible is the property of the Research Institute (RI). A polt is a person from this altered past timeline who carries out the bidding of agents from the future. Both essential concepts to understand if a true appreciation of the series is to be achieved.
Flynne is shown dealing with the brain damage caused by the RI’s operative at the end of the last episode. However, despite her ailing health, it is clear that Flynne is becoming addictive to the future now and willing to take on the risks. In addition, what is also evident is that it seems possible still for Flynn’s timeless to be changed further, with the information available to her from the future. Which does make for compelling viewing moving forward. Recommended.
Watch The Peripheral on Amazon.
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