This series was recommended to me by my nephew so I took a look.
The episode soundtrack starts off with "You Want It Darker" by Leonard Cohen, a song that I actually own. The first time I heard it was on the series "Billions", season 3, episodes 3 & 4. I was so impressed with how that song fit into the story, I purchased it.
So as this episode began to unfold, there was an underlying sense of familiarity. The opening dialogue was extremely well written. No wasted words. Every sentence was expository and simultaneously drove the story forward. Something that only the best screenwriters achieve.
However, this story has not aged well. The series was produced in 2018 before the most recent revelations concerning the ICJ and the ICC came to light on the world stage, reducing the reputation of those institutions to a shadow of what they used to be.
Consequently, as the story continued to unfold my suspension of disbelief dissolved. It became more and more obvious that what I was watching - was absolute fiction.
Some commentators have criticized the acting but I thought the cast was superb. However, neither the fine acting nor the adept direction could solve the dilemma of a story jarringly out of touch with the prevailing consciousness of the world at large.
At this point in the series it has become crystal clear that we're watching a drawn out morality play. The only compelling drama that remains is: who will the filmmakers say are the good guys and the bad guys when this series concludes?
As is the case in an obvious morality play, the action is somewhat stilted and performative. For example, in this episode we see a self-righteous soldier who winds up causing an innocent person to be killed. MORAL: Don't be self-righteous - got it.
But as that scene was playing out there was a truck full of troops wearing blue helmets. And that ruined the premise for me. Because sentient beings know in real life there are no UN troops protecting anyone. So, once again, I was reminded that I was watching fiction.
No doubt, just a couple of years ago I would have rated this episode much higher. However, due to the subject matter, this series has not aged well. I will continue to watch. But imho, this story is past its prime.
The episode soundtrack starts off with "You Want It Darker" by Leonard Cohen, a song that I actually own. The first time I heard it was on the series "Billions", season 3, episodes 3 & 4. I was so impressed with how that song fit into the story, I purchased it.
So as this episode began to unfold, there was an underlying sense of familiarity. The opening dialogue was extremely well written. No wasted words. Every sentence was expository and simultaneously drove the story forward. Something that only the best screenwriters achieve.
However, this story has not aged well. The series was produced in 2018 before the most recent revelations concerning the ICJ and the ICC came to light on the world stage, reducing the reputation of those institutions to a shadow of what they used to be.
Consequently, as the story continued to unfold my suspension of disbelief dissolved. It became more and more obvious that what I was watching - was absolute fiction.
Some commentators have criticized the acting but I thought the cast was superb. However, neither the fine acting nor the adept direction could solve the dilemma of a story jarringly out of touch with the prevailing consciousness of the world at large.
At this point in the series it has become crystal clear that we're watching a drawn out morality play. The only compelling drama that remains is: who will the filmmakers say are the good guys and the bad guys when this series concludes?
As is the case in an obvious morality play, the action is somewhat stilted and performative. For example, in this episode we see a self-righteous soldier who winds up causing an innocent person to be killed. MORAL: Don't be self-righteous - got it.
But as that scene was playing out there was a truck full of troops wearing blue helmets. And that ruined the premise for me. Because sentient beings know in real life there are no UN troops protecting anyone. So, once again, I was reminded that I was watching fiction.
No doubt, just a couple of years ago I would have rated this episode much higher. However, due to the subject matter, this series has not aged well. I will continue to watch. But imho, this story is past its prime.