excellent and unique story about time travel and time paradox... BUT
time travel stories are one of my favourite genres and i can confidently say, this one is one of the better ones out there - mindbenders like tenet being the bar. so, if you like the genre, definitely go watch it - even though the ending might need some extra untangling.
for this review, i think it is important to point out, that when watching sci-fi or time travel, personally, i don't mind, having to dive a bit into some physics or rewatch certain scenes to be able to check for plot holes or because i didn't get it completely the first time around. so it's kind of part of the fun (discovering plot wholes is not, though ;)) same with this series: (despite it not really tackling the whole theory thing in detail) with some confusion along the way, i did have to rewatch, but it still earns a higher rating on my list. because, from a very unique perspective, grid takes us on a journey to face an underlying, yet easily overlooked, side effect of a reality, where time travel would be an actual thing. and not in a forseeable manner, which speaks for the quality of the approach.
starting out, we follow a time travel time line with a certain goal, that then experiences complications, followed by more time travel. even if kind of formulaic, since well written, executed and acted, that alone makes this already up until ep 8 an enjoyable show, but also not outstanding. so far the story is stylish, consistent, understandable and gripping.
however, meanwhile and without the audience realizing a more unexpected culmination of the show is building up to a turn of events and revelation of the underlying message in the last two episodes.
yes, i did rewatch the last ep a few times to understand the plot fully but do not rate it as a deal breaker in and of itself. yes, it is a really well played surprise. and yes, i think it is crucial to leave the ending open like that to deliver the core of the message. so, generally speaking, story telling wise, well done.
BUT... no, i don't think the audience's confusion in the end is justified as it's not an effect of potential knowledge gaps or creative thinking challenge. or in other words, it doesn't motivate to consciously decipher the message or the scientific grounds. it's simply due to messy execution on creator's side. in addition, when we want to follow through with the show's revelation in all consequences, it kind of opens up a pandora's box. but then it just doesn't. like, the idea is total fun, but the moment the turn of events in the final ep happen - this very second - the story ACTUALLY becomes super unmanageable, since in reality the possibilities explode to, like, a gazillion, in the blink of an eye :) BUT... the creators choose to ignore :/
my take: respect, for the idea, consistency and effort to have given it a good run. it's a well enough ride, to confidently recommend it to genre-savvy fans. even though it does fall too short to be up there with the mindblowing, excellent ones.
for this review, i think it is important to point out, that when watching sci-fi or time travel, personally, i don't mind, having to dive a bit into some physics or rewatch certain scenes to be able to check for plot holes or because i didn't get it completely the first time around. so it's kind of part of the fun (discovering plot wholes is not, though ;)) same with this series: (despite it not really tackling the whole theory thing in detail) with some confusion along the way, i did have to rewatch, but it still earns a higher rating on my list. because, from a very unique perspective, grid takes us on a journey to face an underlying, yet easily overlooked, side effect of a reality, where time travel would be an actual thing. and not in a forseeable manner, which speaks for the quality of the approach.
starting out, we follow a time travel time line with a certain goal, that then experiences complications, followed by more time travel. even if kind of formulaic, since well written, executed and acted, that alone makes this already up until ep 8 an enjoyable show, but also not outstanding. so far the story is stylish, consistent, understandable and gripping.
however, meanwhile and without the audience realizing a more unexpected culmination of the show is building up to a turn of events and revelation of the underlying message in the last two episodes.
yes, i did rewatch the last ep a few times to understand the plot fully but do not rate it as a deal breaker in and of itself. yes, it is a really well played surprise. and yes, i think it is crucial to leave the ending open like that to deliver the core of the message. so, generally speaking, story telling wise, well done.
BUT... no, i don't think the audience's confusion in the end is justified as it's not an effect of potential knowledge gaps or creative thinking challenge. or in other words, it doesn't motivate to consciously decipher the message or the scientific grounds. it's simply due to messy execution on creator's side. in addition, when we want to follow through with the show's revelation in all consequences, it kind of opens up a pandora's box. but then it just doesn't. like, the idea is total fun, but the moment the turn of events in the final ep happen - this very second - the story ACTUALLY becomes super unmanageable, since in reality the possibilities explode to, like, a gazillion, in the blink of an eye :) BUT... the creators choose to ignore :/
my take: respect, for the idea, consistency and effort to have given it a good run. it's a well enough ride, to confidently recommend it to genre-savvy fans. even though it does fall too short to be up there with the mindblowing, excellent ones.
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