Staying up almost involuntarily to binge The Queen’s Gambit on Netflix, and reveling in the beauty of every bit, reminds me of an essential truth for anyone who seeks to create indelible experiences: following a story through twists and turns, and truly committing to every part of it, is one of the most satisfying ways to live temporarily outside yourself. We come to concerts and go to movies and read books and write things and paint and explore museums and play games and do all sorts of things so our lives can become more fully realized. Bravo to the filmmakers, and bravo to Carlos Rafael Rivera, the composer of this marvelous score and one of LA’s own.
This story didn’t go the way I thought it would. In fact, the reason that I haven’t watched the series before now is that I thought it would be too dark and hard to handle for my pandemic-beleaguered psyche. In fact, the opposite is true. Watching these characters struggle and continue and find some sort of resolution is thrilling, and I can’t wait to get out there and overcome something of my own this weekend.
Although the arts are sure to be hampered for months to come, we are heading toward reopening. My hope is that we all come out of this long period of stagnation and newness and foreign states of being with a renewed sense of purpose. Art is essential, and everything we create needs to thrill our audiences in some direction or other. Find that, and realize it is fully as you possibly can. Can’t wait to see what you’re All coming up with.
