Over the course of July, I binged the Apple TV series 'Servant.' This M. Night Shyamalan series started in 2019 and is currently in its third season. M. Night’s reputation for creating stories with supernatural plots and unsettling attributes immediately drew me to the show. The series follows a couple living in Philadelphia who are taking care of their “baby,” Jericho. My reason for putting the baby in quotation marks is because the baby isn’t an actual human. Instead, the couple is looking after a doll that is substituting for a real-life child. This already deranged scenario is intensified when a mysterious babysitter, Leanne, is hired to help take care of the “baby.” A lot about Leanne’s background is unknown, but throughout the series, some disturbing things about her and the couple are revealed. I do not want to reveal much of the storyline because it is definitely worth watching.
I wanted to dig into the music choices in the series. Without revealing too much, Leanne comes from a very orthodox background, one that does not believe in listening to music. In one of the episodes, Leanne says something along the lines of “[She] shouldn’t listen to music. [She is] not supposed to do anything that makes [her] feel good.” As the series progresses, Leanne begins to develop as an individual. In the first season, when Leanne is new, there is no real music involved in the episodes. There are some eerie background instrumentals, but no singing, no melodies, no harmony. Once we see more of Leanne and her personality in the second and third season, real songs are introduced, many by the artist Saleka. Saleka is featured in the second and third season of ''Servant,' distinctively in scenes with Leanne. Saleka’s songs include true song structure (intro, verse, chorus, bridge, etc.) and seeks out true emotion from the characters. The songs are delicate, yet emotional; they show a new side of Leanne to the audience. Saleka’s single “One More Night,” featured in 'Servant’s' third season is one of my favorites.
Listen to "One More Night."
Image originally used at Rotten Tomatoes.
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