The Creators of ‘The Boroughs’ on That Big ‘E.T.’ Easter Egg

The latest Netflix series, The Boroughs, has been making waves for its eerie atmosphere and sci-fi mystery. A standout element is the show’s bold move to incorporate an unexpected Easter egg – one that pays homage to a classic film from decades past. In the opening scenes, Dee Wallace, star of E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, battles a mysterious intruder in her home.

At first glance, this nod to fans seems like a clever way to connect The Boroughs and E.T. However, upon closer inspection, it’s clear that this Easter egg is more than just a nostalgic throwback. It’s also a deliberate attempt by the showrunners to establish a story reason for everything in the show – including the mysterious home invader and Dee Wallace’s character, Grace.

In an interview with Deadline, The Boroughs creators Jeffrey Addiss and Will Matthews explained their thought process behind the sequence. They needed to create a narrative that justified every element in the show, from the home invader to Dee Wallace’s character. But what’s striking is how they used this opportunity to pay homage to E.T., not just as a nod to fans but also as a means of setting up the sci-fi mystery.

The use of nostalgia can be a double-edged sword. On one hand, it creates a sense of familiarity and continuity between stories. On the other hand, it can also feel like a cheap trick to lure in fans without adding much substance to the plot. The Boroughs creators seem to be walking this fine line.

By using Dee Wallace and her character, they create a sense of tension and foreboding from the very beginning. It’s a bold move that pays off in terms of engaging the audience and setting up the mystery. However, there’s always a risk with Easter eggs: will it feel like a gimmick or a genuine attempt to create depth between stories?

The fact that Dee Wallace’s character is living in the same house as Sam (Alfred Molina) at the start of the series raises more questions than answers about the extent to which The Boroughs is trying to create continuity with E.T. Is it simply a nod to fans, or is it actually serving a narrative purpose? Only time will tell how this plays out in the long run.

The use of nostalgia as a narrative device can be a delicate one. When used correctly, it creates a sense of continuity and depth between stories. However, when used incorrectly, it can feel like a shallow attempt to appeal to fans without adding much substance to the plot. In The Boroughs’ case, the creators seem to be using nostalgia in a way that’s both bold and calculated.

The Boroughs is now streaming on Netflix – for better or worse. Will its use of nostalgia pay off, or will it feel like a shallow attempt to appeal to fans? Only time will tell how this plays out in the long run.