Refuse x Last Resorts is another Bad Idea “Double Shot” that goes into a central theme. In this case it’s how the difficulties of modern life can make it harder for self-love. These stories despite their opposing endings, make complementary sides on living twenty minutes in the future.
Refuse x Last Resorts Outlines
In Refuse by world builder Matt Kindt, an amnesiac woman wakes up on a beautiful alien world from Marguerite Sauvage’s pen. It’s starts as a pretty typical survival story with foraging and a couple of animal companions; that is until she comes across a spaceship she makes surface. On the ship, our protagonist finds a message from someone who has given up on life. It’s a rather compelling message on how a need for connection can end up helping a lot. Because once the protagonist comes back to civilization, the reader has a chance to reexamine everything.
But then there’s Last Resorts by social satirist Mark Russell. In that piece, readers meet Cyrus Garvey a down-on-his-luck layoff needing a vacation. Despite the cartoony aesthetic Adam Pollina uses in a Jetsons tribute, there’re some relatable aspects too close to home. When the vacation service turns out to be using its customers information in clone form to make money, Cy tries to find a way to help his clones.
Why Self Care Is So Hard Tomorrow
Refuse x Last Resorts bring up the difficulties of self care in modern times. Amid rising social issues like content consumption and other shortcomings, trying to stay simple is hard. Because in addition to the legal side, there are also mental and spiritual sides of an argument.
In Refuse, readers find arguably the most extreme back-to-the-land lifestyle from the protagonist’s situation. I mean the city she comes to is so busy nobody seems to notice what’s above or below. If the state of the protagonist’s apartment building says anything, there’s not a lot of care going around. The message the protagonist finds practically feels like a suicide note from all of these conditions. Plus with no one left to care for, it’s hard to live on.
Meanwhile Last Resorts goes into how people are willing to exploit themselves for an escape from reality. From failed relationships, dead-end jobs, to rental woes, everybody could use a break even if they don’t have the money for it. Just for example, I have friends who use different gmails for streaming trials to experience exclusive content. But when these escape fantasies take advantage of people’s need for something better, self-worth problems emerge.
Are Escape Fantasies Meant To Be Cheap?
One of the main themes of this double shot is to challenge the commodification of escapes. Refuse‘s protagonist goes through a year long stay on another planet. After building a sustainable life for herself, the protagonist makes friends with a couple animals. But the lettering of Dave Lanphear makes the interactions between the protagonist and message eventful as this is the first time the protagonist speaks. As is the case with a real world hermit, a need for human connection is essential and propels the protagonist forward. Even if it means the city looks kind of dull and lifeless.
Unfortunately neither Cy or his roommate Robin get a sublime experience. Despite gaining awareness of Last Resorts’ numerous violations, they react with anger and paralysis. If anything Cy’s plan to free his and others’ information comes across as a vain rebellion fantasy. It actually echoes the climatic scene from Fight Club and people’s reaction to it. Compare this to Robin who just wants to escape the insanity by taking the path of least resistance. Ultimately, these are both just fantasies corporations let people indulge in for their benefit.
Self-Love Leads To Altruism In Refuse x Last Resorts
Despite the polarizing outcomes of Refuse x Last Resorts they tell a compelling theme of loving yourself. While loving others before yourself is the usual, there’s something romantic about learning to love again. Or at the very least reflect on how that love affects others.
Cy in spite of the setbacks he faces comes to terms with his narcissism. Upon seeing how his indulgence put his clones (and Robin(s)) in bad positions, Cy has an easier time self-reflecting. Too bad things don’t end up well for him or Robin shaken out of her paralysis.
Back on the Refuse protagonist… we will be going into spoilers! The protagonist tries to find the source of the message and speak with its maker before something bad happens. Only to turn out that the message is from her pre-amnesiac self who actually ran away from her home planet. Apparently the protagonist lost her daughter to something and didn’t have anything to hold onto. Thanks to her year long survival quest however, the protagonist now has the confidence to thrive. Which brings home a powerful message about how altruism is linked to self care.
Conclusion
Refuse x Last Resorts is probably going to be a very memorable Bad Idea with its narrative synergy. Amid people’s uncertainties for the future, there’re plenty enough prospectives that can leave us isolated with our self-loathing. Also there’s a good chance that even after coming to love ourselves, we’re going to mess up. But there is always a chance that taking the time to reflect on ourselves can help us care for others. This Double Shot gets 9/10.