Summary

FINAL is the seventh episode of the Alien Stage series.

It showcases the final round of the ALIEN STAGE competition between Luka and Till, two highly skilled oponents. The episode shows Till's declining mental state as the performance goes on, up until his loss where he is shot moments after finally making contact with Mizi following her disappearance. It ends with Luka and Hyuna's re-encounter.

Commentary^[1]

The FINAL is the first episode to have two competitors of equal level going against each other. It shifts from the other parts of the series by truly encapsulating the survival show aspect. Because of that, the music in this episode is not as emotionally-driven, instead focusing equally on Luka and Till's musical abilities and the performance itself.

Luka did not consider Till serious competition, just like in his round against Mizi. Till fell apart quickly against Luka's provocation. Luka watched the Round 6 performance, finding foolish the way they succumb to their own emotions when, in reality, they're strong for trying to connect with others under the Segyein's inhumane oppression.

Hyuna's plan didn't seek to rescue Till from the stage. Because of that, Mizi, with no regard for her own safety, brushes off Hyuna and goes after him, as she also sees Till as her family.

Till doesn't know Mizi very well; in many ways, Till is still pure, and his crush on Mizi just goes to show how he is a young boy going through his first love. Mizi is more of an idealized figure for Till, while Ivan is someone who he shares a profound love-hate relationship with, with many complex emotions involved.

Trivia

• The colors in Till and Luka's earpieces represent different things: green for calm, orange for nervousness, and red for mental breakdown.^[2]
• Although Till is the underdog and Luka's fans clearly overwhelm the audience, their final scores are quite close.^[2]
• Till's emotional intensity spikes when he finally sees Mizi in the crowd, while Luka's increases seeing Till become more aggitated at the same time.^[3]

References

[1] Behind the Scenes of FINAL ROUND

[2] F I N A L | Alien Stage

[3] Alien Stage Album VOL.2