The Pasithea Powder review
Captain Sophie Green deleted Jane Gonzalez’s number. She has to ask for it again when she spots a scientist who’s supposed to be confined to another planet. Jane’s reply is brief, polite and dismissive. That’s the opening of Jackie Hedeman and Molly Olguín’s queer sci-fi thriller, where a drug that can change memories gives two estranged friends a reason to talk again.
What a message can give away
Sophie spends most of that first message sounding angry before she admits she’s frightened. By “Live From The Telescope,” it’s Jane leaving a message from a balcony while an agent watches from below. Jane describes him raising his coffee in greeting and says she’s using her hair to cover her face so he can’t read her lips. The everyday detail makes the surveillance feel more intrusive. It also tells you how much Sophie has come to matter to someone who began by addressing her as “Captain Green.”
Find the story in the episode list
Start at “You Are Mistaken” in Episodes & Scripts. The numbered installments sit among teasers, Q&As and specials, and the episode titles have separate links to the scripts. I’d keep the script handy if the names of the planets and delegations start to blur. For another queer story built around messages, Love and Luck uses voicemails for a much more domestic romance.
Yutaan designed the logo.
Anabel’s take
Give it three episodes. The thing I wanted to know after Jane’s first reply was why Sophie still expected an honest answer from her. By the balcony scene, I was waiting to see which of them would admit they wanted the other to call back.