The 13-part audio drama called “Derry’s New Direction” shares a lot in common with “Parasite” directed by Bong Joon-ho and “The Hunger Games” franchise from Suzanne Collins. The common denominator between all three is the exploration of social class through a Marxist lens.

Hunger Games, Because Reasons

The film adaptations of the “Hunger Games” books don’t really sell that the world they live isn’t earth. One of the few indicators that the story is set on a different planet with its own history comes from the clothing and wardrobe department for the film. Even then, film-only watchers of the young adult series probably won’t notice unless they knew the source material. It’s the uncanny valley, but with clothing.

A story doesn’t need to answer everything about its past. That way lies infinite madness. That said, when something explains why something is the way it is, there’s typically a reason for including it. In the world of “The Hunger Games,” a battle between districts to quell any future rebellion only works was one had already occurred. For “Derry’s New Direction,” no explanation is given as to why things need to be the way they are. While this isn’t necessary for the premise to work, some sort of reason would’ve been helpful. The only explanation for most of the story we’re given is that Derry is a megalomaniac because he’s old. Even later, the reason isn’t much better.

Derry’s Anti-Marxist Motivation

Speaking of Derry, his motivation for wanting to keep the status quo isn’t well thought out. It’s made stranger considering chapter eight has a scene where Derry performs a soliloquy explaining the history of the ship. In terms of characters and roles, having a scholar be the one in charge is both going against and with the grain for these types of stories with very blatant Marxist themes. In the real world for example, the thing that separates the ones in charge is capital. Since monetary value would be different in outer space than on earth, knowledge holds more power.

This puts Derry’s character and his role in conflict with what is expected. Still, as the saying goes, absolute power corrupts absolutely. And Derry is plenty corrupt. It’s the lack of believability that’s the problem. When Derry’s direction takes an unexpected turn toward Marxist revolt, those in charge have to deal with the grunt work for levels C and below. Boy are they not equipped to handle it.

Cycles of Trial and Error

Class struggle as described by Marx and those after him comes at ahead when the proletariat (working class) rise up to confront and overthrow those in power (bourgeoisie). Think the Russian Revolution during the First World War and how they became a super power over the course of about half a century. The crew on the ship in “Derry’s New Direction” go through the same struggle albeit with less bloodshed. It would’ve been easy to have them succeed on the first try. Derry’s manipulation of people using ideas like rising up above one’s station is implied throughout his tactic to stay in power. It’s gaslighting except the people being lit are the bystanders. This makes them distrust Navi and Jin because often the first thing you hear you believe is true. One need only look at their childhood for examples. The world being flat in the 15th century. anyone? It’s only until later you realize nobody thought that back then. Though, I can’t say the same for today.

It’s not until after the intermission episode where Navi and Jin — the ship’s former navigator and engineer respectively after their tiny uprising is crushed by the people they’re trying to help — have to climb back out of the metaphorical and physical prison meant to keep them down and contained. The journey to getting the other crew members on their side feels more functional than creative. A first draft idea that feels almost too simple to work. Ultimately, it does. Both for this instance and the story as a whole.

Rating:

Internally Consistent (8/10 Stars)