An Absolutely Remarkable Thing

Initially believed to be an art installation in the heart of New York City, the Carls are an extraterrestrial being that simultaneously show up on the streets of 64 major cities across the planet. Though they seem to be a group of separate entities, it becomes clear that the Carls are somehow one intelligence. Carl resembles a Transformer, and his patchworked black and silver metal armor behaves unlike any other metal in existence—the first hint of his extra-terrestrial origin.

For most of the narrative, Carl’s nature, purpose, and origin is completely unclear. He becomes a mirror for the projection of humanity’s darkest fears and highest hopes. On one hand, April’s fans look to Carl with hope and inspiration. On the other hand, Peter Petrawicki’s Defenders see Carl as a potentially invading and threatening force. Eventually, it is revealed that the Carls can indeed communicate, have capabilities that transcend that of any human, and intentionally chose April and continue to save her from death when letting hundreds of others perish.

When April gives Carl the elements he requests through the Freddie Mercury Sequence, he gives her an infectious Dream world full of puzzles that reflect a deep understanding of human culture and require the most obscure skills and knowledge sets. This ensures that the puzzles can only be solved through collaboration. What first seems like a group project for humanity becomes a test for the Carls to observe.

The presence of the Carls is more telling about the nature of humanity than of the foreign origin of the Carls themselves. When placed in comparison to the extra-terrestrial, human beings find themselves best when functioning as a collective whole that values the differences of each unique individual. In April’s final Dream, the Carl’s reveal that after observation they have found mankind to be beautiful. Though the Carls disappear after the sequence is solved, his impact on humanity’s understanding of itself perseveres. 

April and Maya’s best friend Andy Skampt is a skinny, awkward young guy with pale skin. When April and Maya first meet him in junior year, he seems to be more confident than he should be. However, his unique perspective and eye for making something unmarketable marketable makes April see him differently. Though he has been in love with April for many years, he never makes a move and is content with the friendship dynamic between the three. Because Andy records a podcast with his roommate, he is the person April calls when she first finds the Carls.

While April is obsessed with fame for the attention and popularity she craves, Andy is more enthralled by the pieces that come together to make media. He views entertainment as a work of art to be appreciated and respected and isn’t happy with April’s disrespect for it. However, he doesn’t discourage April from taking action that could lead to even more fame. At times, he is a voice of reason and is able to draw the line where April does not. His attempt to attack Martin Bellacourt on July 13 proves Andy to be a brave, passionately protective friend.

Andy narrates the events after April’s apparent death. He becomes an inspirational speaker who preaches April’s message around the world when people desperately need to hear a voice after the disappearance of the Carls. 

Maya is April’s closest friend and long-term girlfriend. Even with April’s cold attitude, Maya never fails to be supportive. She proves time and time again to be a voice of reason, and she is the only person who truly knows and understands the real April. While she is caring and understanding, she isn’t afraid to tell April like it is and call her out on her mistakes. Even after April leaves her without a second thought, Maya does not hesitate to help with the Dream in any way she can.

Unlike April, Maya does not care for fame. Her appreciation for art is deep and doesn’t require acknowledgement or attention. Though her webcomic about anti-capitalist cats is a success, she keeps her project a secret. She does the same after becoming one of the first people to solve multiple Dream sequences, further showing how she doesn’t care about getting credit for something as long as other people can enjoy or benefit from it. While April’s appreciation for the Carls and the Dream is so she can retain her fame and stay connected to the narrative, Maya appreciates how the Dream encourages people from all over the world to work together. She is able to appreciate the Carls for what they are revealing to humanity about its collective nature in ways not many others do. 

A tall, red-headed materials scientist and graduate student at UC Berkeley, Miranda reaches out to April the night the New York Carl video gains popularity. Miranda is intelligent to the point of genius and proves to be an expert in more areas than one. She is the first person to point out the impossible nature of Carl’s physical properties, she figures out the Freddie Mercury sequence within minutes, and she single-handedly manages the Som as its CEO. Though Miranda is star-struck by April’s presence and believes herself to be nothing more than a star in April’s orbit, she comes to care for April as a friend.

Petrawicki is a political pundit who becomes a bestselling author after writing the first book about the Carls called “Invaded.” He is the voice of the Defenders movement, which preaches fear and distrust of the Carls. He spreads the idea that the Carls are an intrusive and threatening force and doesn’t agree with the President’s message to remain calm and hopeful. He calls April out on being foolish in initiating contact with the Carls and spreading a potentially dangerous and invasive infectious Dream. He doesn’t hesitate from using vicious techniques to bring April down on national television, including calling out her sexuality.