The Dark Side of the Moon
Four humans just saw what no one ever has, but some people still can't see what everyone else already knows about them.
We’re making history this week.
Artemis II is carrying four astronauts the furthest into space any human has ever gone. These are the first humans to ever take in a full view of the far side of the moon.
I say “dark side,” even though technically it’s just as lit as the rest of it (and I’m pretty embarrassed I didn’t know that until this week).
It’s just a side of it we never see from here - kind of like people. There are parts that stay hidden, and not everyone is willing to admit they even exist.
People love a good redemption arc, don’t they? Stories are full of them:
Anakin Skywalker
Severus Snape
Steve Harrington
Loki Laufeyson
Tony Stark
Theon Greyjoy
Jaime Lannister
Negan
Ebeneezer Scrooge
They all came from different worlds, but each of them hurt people in some form or another.
But eventually, they all experienced a life-changing redemption arc, which is probably why we remember them- we like believing people can change.
But that redemption didn’t come from time passing or halfhearted apologies.
It happened when they finally owned their bullshit.
And that’s the commonality I’m talking about this week: Pride, and what happens when someone refuses to let go of it.
In Loki, Season 2, Loki Laufeyson finally becomes vulnerable enough to admit, “I’m scared of being alone”. He acknowledges his craving for attention and belonging.
But in the end, he embraces an eternity of solitude to save everyone he loves as well as the entire multiverse.
Tony Stark’s redemption began in a little cave in Afghanistan. The arms-dealing narcissist suffers a near-fatal injury from his weapons and now can no longer ignore the consequences.
He shuts down manufacturing at a massive personal cost. He takes ownership and vows to be a better steward of his tech. And in the end, he sacrifices himself.
Eager for a father’s approval (that would never come), Theon betrays the Starks, kills innocents, and seizes Winterfell. His redemption was brutal, but he earned back the Starks’ trust.
In the end, he gave his life to protect Bran, the future king (which was a bullshit choice for king, but that’s a different conversation).
Negan goes from ruthless dictator to remorseful anti-hero. Scrooge evolved from a bitter miser into a benevolent man.
In every story, the character has their own ‘come to Jesus’ moment where they finally admit the uncomfortable truth of who they are. Not only is that painful, but it’s also very humbling.
And for people who refuse to see themselves as anything but right, justified, and ‘misunderstood,’ they tend to think that moment doesn’t apply to them.
Instead, they insist that ‘moving on’ is enough.
It isn’t.
