The show starts in a post-apocalyptic setting, with 100 teens being used as guinea pigs to see if the Earth is habitable, while the rest barely cling to life in the Arc, a collection of merged space stations.
You have to give this show more than the first two episodes before you make a final judgment. Episode three has an event that demonstrates that it's not a fluffy teen show. Although the 100 kids just party, fuck, and quarrel in their initial time on Earth, starting episode four they turn their attention to sensible survival things like food and defenses. If you still don't like the show by episode five, it's probably not for you.
If I offended you with one bad word in the previous paragraph, then this show is not for you. Also, it's not a show for young teens or older prudish viewers. In this show, a ~33 year old scores easily with a ~16 year old girl. One teen girl has been with three guys by the end of season two. There is a bit of lesbian teen girl action. Teens are murdered by teens. Making immoral decisions to survive is a constant theme.
The character development is quite noticeable. Some "evil" characters become good. Some "good" characters become evil. It's appropriate, given the difficult circumstances they face. Over time, cartoony one-dimensional characters morph into complex interesting people.
Many commenters point out the beautiful female cast members. The star, Eliza Taylor (Clarke), reminds me of Reese Witherspoon in appearance. She's gorgeous and yet eclipsed by the beauty of costar Marie Avgeropoulos (Octavia), who rightfully gets the lion's share of drooling from the teen boys in the show. Then there is Paige Turco, who plays Clarke's mother. She's 49 years of total hotness, and she's also a very experienced and skilled actress. Holy cow, 49. Lindsey Morgan (Raven) looks her age (24 years old), and I think she's supposed to be 18 on the show, so she takes me out of the immersion a bit. Of course, Clarke and Octavia are played by shockingly old actresses as well.
On top of that, there are at least three cast members who played major characters on Battlestar Galactica.
The science seems really weak, but maybe I'll change my mind as I learn more. I was skeptical of the acid fog, but then the show gave a logical explanation that satisfied me.
All in all, it's a good science fiction show and not the teenybopper show that it seems to be initially.
Disclaimer: I've only read the Six of Crows duology and loved it.
I really liked this series. It melds the Shadow and Bone book series with the Six of Crows, both written by Leigh Bardugo and taking place in the Grishaverse universe.
It manages to make its own identity through good story line, fast pathing, interesting characters and settings and beautiful sceneries.
I thought the first half of the season flowed exceptionally well, but some of the later episodes were a bit disappointing for me.
Pros:
- Visually stunning. Costumes, scenery and special effects are delightful.
- Cast is on point. Really loved Kit Young as Jesper and Jessie Mei Li as Alina.
- The world is well thought and fleshed out.
In between:
- Pathing is very fast, not many moments were you can pause and think about what's happening.
- Story is original, but nothing never seen before.
- Matthias and Nina storyline feels rushed and unnecessary for this first season. Actually, most of the Six of Crows storylines have little to no impact on the overall scheme of things in season 1, and just acting as a stepping stone for season 2.
Cons:
- Some scenes are VERY dark and it's difficult to see what's happening.
- Some plot points could have had more explaining, mainly the Morozova's beasts storyline, which I thought were kind of a deus ex machina.
All in all a very enjoyable watch, extremely bingeable and satisfying.
I recommend to all fantasy fans.
8/10
Deserving of high praises and top rating
"The Uncanny Counter" (2020) Season 1 was a live-action adaptation of the webtoon ("digital Korean manhwa") entitled "Kyeongirowoon Somoon" (2018) by Jang Yi. It stars Jo Byung Kyoo, Yoo Joon Sang, Kim Se Jeong, and Yeom Hye Ran, as the Counters--people who hunts evil spirits.
The multiple story arcs were well thought out and I was amazed with how these different stories perfectly fit together in the end which brought out the best in the characters and the moral lessons of the series. The casting and acting for the four lead characters were so good it was as the audience witnessed a true story.
The music, overall production, editing, and directing, were all superb. The choreography in the fight scenes were not lacking and were not overdone, simply fitting for four ordinary individuals to do; otherwise it would have been unrealistic.
Finally, and it is rare to see this in most Asian dramas, they ended the series properly leaving an option for a sequel or a new season. Stories should not be sealed--leaving no room for the audience to create their own continuation, which in turn also leaves no room for an official sequel.
Since it was already announced that season 2 was given a green light, it further proved the importance of ending a series with room for the future. Well done. I will be waiting for season 2.
