The costuming for Kirsten was a great non-sequitur. She bundled her cold-weather L.L. Bean jacket and snow hat over her Shakespearean garb. So as they trek through the episode, in ever more clearly treacherous circumstances, including outdoors in the snow, she had an adorable waddle with a little pouf skirt, a bright jacket, and a wool hat sticking straight up. Sometimes from the back she looked like a little Russian doll. Perfectly out of sync with the coming end of the world.
Jeevan and Kirsten are sublime. Locked me right in.
I love how Kirsten is a little bit frightened/concerned basically the whole time from when we meet her at the theater all the way until they get to Frank's apartment building lobby. Then she acts totally relaxed and happy ("Hi, Uncle Frank"). She's an actress, so she knows how to lie and play the part that's needed in that moment.
It’s Thursday, 2/3. I watched episode 1 last night. Read the comments after watching. Haven’t read the book. (Just noticed I’m still doing the double-space following a period.... A sign of old age, I understand.)
Anyway, I’ve been mulling things over a bit and here are some thoughts, in no particular order.
Saw something somewhere about the virus being a swine-flu – LOVED that the opening shots are of boars running wild in what turns out to be the dilapidated theater. And what was that one munching on? Did it have hair?!?! YIKES.
Loved Tim G’s very artsy-fartsy observation of the Wyeth visual (impressive, Tim!), which I didn't get until it was pointed out.
As others have mentioned, I, too, generally love the cast, acting, and photography. I’m drawn in and want to see where the story goes. LOVED realizing when Jeevan and Kirsten are at the 1st El station (Washington/Wabash) that they’re in Chicago, where I grew up. And quickly recognized other Chicago locations, especially Lake Point Tower – a beautiful building that’s fascinated me since childhood. But that leads to a few nits that I have to pick. Was an apartment on the 44th floor of a glass tower really the best choice to hunker-down and “barricade” for the end of the world? How quickly did the power go off? That would certainly impact the storage of food, ability to cook/prepare food – AND, perhaps most importantly, wouldn’t they also have lost water (including in the bathroom...)? Did they really stay there 80 days? However, there’s enough otherwise compelling in this 1st episode that I’m willing to forgive these perceived errors. Maybe more will be explained about their survival at Lake Point Tower. Or not. It may be one of those things to just let go of.
Noticed the use of red in some shots that I’m not sure was only coincidence. For example, the shot of Jeevan on the train, looking out the window at the back of the car, on the phone with his sister telling him to get to safety and barricade. A visual clue of anxiety? Anyone else think the red was intentional?
I've only watched the episode once, and for shows like this I tend to watch each episode twice - once just to let everything flow and to get the general vibe of the piece, and a second time with a critical eye. Big picture stuff in no particular order: the casting is great, top to bottom. Hamish Patel and Matilda Lawler, to be sure. But Gael Garcia Bernal and Tina Sircar are fantastic too (between this and Collateral we get both "hey, Vicky" and "hey, Nate" moments).
There are strong Leftovers and even Lost vibes (the plane crashing and the meta comic book in particular).
I love the camera work, especially the time-jump shots and the drone shots, but there are lots of little moments where the camera lingers just right.
The astronaut reminded me of Last Man on Earth, which I get lots of people didn't like but I did.
I am glad you picked this series. I have been meaning to read the book, but this just forced me to start with the tv show. I always enjoy post-Apocalyptic things, and my favorite book of all time remains The Stand, so it will be fin to see how this compares.
I enjoyed episode 1 and was pleasantly surprised it took place in Chicago. Having lived there for 13 years, I am always a sucker for things that are set there.
My main impression (in addition to what has been covered in the comments about the great casting and interesting camera work) was that I had a lot of anxiety about where Kirsten’s parents were and how bad it would look for him to be found with her. As a parent, I was also freaked out at the idea of not knowing where my child was if the world was ending like that.
My favorite thing was the look on Kirsten’s face when he lied to her and said her parents said it was ok for her to go with him. It was so complex. I think she knew he was lying but realized he was a better option than going it alone.
One small thing - I laughed out loud that his coat and iPhone would still have been in the theater seat when he finally went back to get them. No way. Not in Chicago.
I agree with all that has been said about the lead actors in episode one, they are so good! I’ve already watched the series twice, listened to podcasts, bought the soundtrack, urged my family to watch. I will watch it again slowly, one episode at a time in order to participate here.
I think that your two viewing recommendations are spot on, Tim. If you can’t put everything aside in order to engage wholeheartedly, you will miss a lot. The show is slow paced and you need to slowdown as well to match it. (I hope that isn’t too spoilery.) Beautiful episode!
I was hooked the first time I saw Episode 1, but I had no actual idea what I was signing up for. To keep this Ep1-specific, my wife had an issue with the two Kristens' eye-color being different. Didn't bug me as much. Love this series so much!
I am so impressed by the comments here. I need to re-watch Episode 1 for a third time. You folks are so perceptive. I have so much to learn. Some things to me, well done, seem like magic: great writing, great poetry, great cinematography...
I have loved Hamish Patel since his performance in Yesterday (My mother is a huge Beatles fan).
The subject matter is definitely jarring. When I brought the show up to my wife and told her about it she refused to watch it. I didn’t start the show until tonight after I got the email on Friday.
I appreciate HBO Max bringing in actors like Tiya Sircar (who I’ve loved in every thing I’ve seen her in) who pull you right into the story during her limited time in the episode.
I look forward to what’s to come both on the show and in the discussion.
Boy, what a bummer. What absolute garbage. I think the roadmap for these horrible, portentous shows began with Heroes, that lamentable hothouse of unearned emotion and pseudo-significance. I was hoping that somehow I had simply failed to appreciate the quality programming that was eeking out but if this is any indicator of what’s out there, it’s a sad day indeed.
Totally implausible— from his running to the stage but NOT being a doctor, to $9,000 dollars for 4 carts of food, to a plane which would be an auto-pilot supposedly crashing because the pilot is sick, to the “smart” remarks coming from the stock “I’m 8 years old” sidekick.
It’s my mistake to expect more, I suppose, but as they say disappointment springs from the bosom of hope.
Adding to the great character development and casting- the panic attack scenes were really well done. As someone who has had a panic attack on the El (go figure), how quickly he shifted mentally and physically, the disorientation, sound mix changes, feel of being out-of-time brought me into Jeevan's state of emotion.
I didn't understand what he meant in the store about "now is usually when I would have a panic attack, like I planned it" - not sure if it was a throwaway or something more?
I wanted to read through all the comments (which I have now done) before adding my own. Here are my thoughts:
1. I may be in the minority here, but I actually like watching pandemic themed content despite rolling into year three of our own. It's interesting to me to see what they get right and what they get wrong (maybe it's my way of letting my rational brain displace my emotional brain so I'm not constantly in a state of despair). Two things jumped out at me in this episode: why are the doctors taking their masks off??? (is it so we can see the actor's faces to connect with them more, or just a whiff on the details?), and the food choices made when stockpiling at the store. I agree with others here in my appreciation of moving away from the mob/mass hysteria components (other than the overwhelmed ER, which is fitting).
2. Like others, I really liked the brief flash forward scenes of the overgrown vegetation of locations we see on day 0. I liked the observation here that the lush greenness of it all juxtaposes nicely with the day 0 images - wouldn't have articulated that on my own.
3. The actors playing Kirsten and Jeevan are amazing.
4. Loved the little bits of humor sprinkled through the episode (autocorrect saying the actor "diced" twice before getting it right, the way Jeevan tells his brother that the world was ending and then turns to Kirsten and telling her that he lied, etc.).
5. The big question hanging out there (among others): where's Frank?
Jumping in late Sunday because my wifi was out all day -- perhaps time to switch to Sonic! -- but I rewatched it again, third time, and I'm going to be just a broken record about Patel and Lawler as Jeevan and Young Kirstin. I mean, I would argue that the first hour is carried, almost in its entirety, by Hamish Patel's fantastic performance (and obviously the writing) so that we understand him immediately (he's funny, empathetic, afraid, anxiety-filled, smart, and...you name it). Chef's kiss to all of that. I mean, I've posted this sentiment TWICE so I'm clearly moved by how important that was to set the hook.
Absolutely loved Station Eleven, in fact, this and Halt and Catch Fire have made me a huge fan of Mckenzie Davis.
I don't want a pin or a card — I want a damned decoder ring and to be shown the secret handshake...
The costuming for Kirsten was a great non-sequitur. She bundled her cold-weather L.L. Bean jacket and snow hat over her Shakespearean garb. So as they trek through the episode, in ever more clearly treacherous circumstances, including outdoors in the snow, she had an adorable waddle with a little pouf skirt, a bright jacket, and a wool hat sticking straight up. Sometimes from the back she looked like a little Russian doll. Perfectly out of sync with the coming end of the world.
Jeevan and Kirsten are sublime. Locked me right in.
I missed all the great suggestions you had for me. I'm glad you are back.
I love how Kirsten is a little bit frightened/concerned basically the whole time from when we meet her at the theater all the way until they get to Frank's apartment building lobby. Then she acts totally relaxed and happy ("Hi, Uncle Frank"). She's an actress, so she knows how to lie and play the part that's needed in that moment.
It’s Thursday, 2/3. I watched episode 1 last night. Read the comments after watching. Haven’t read the book. (Just noticed I’m still doing the double-space following a period.... A sign of old age, I understand.)
Anyway, I’ve been mulling things over a bit and here are some thoughts, in no particular order.
Saw something somewhere about the virus being a swine-flu – LOVED that the opening shots are of boars running wild in what turns out to be the dilapidated theater. And what was that one munching on? Did it have hair?!?! YIKES.
Loved Tim G’s very artsy-fartsy observation of the Wyeth visual (impressive, Tim!), which I didn't get until it was pointed out.
As others have mentioned, I, too, generally love the cast, acting, and photography. I’m drawn in and want to see where the story goes. LOVED realizing when Jeevan and Kirsten are at the 1st El station (Washington/Wabash) that they’re in Chicago, where I grew up. And quickly recognized other Chicago locations, especially Lake Point Tower – a beautiful building that’s fascinated me since childhood. But that leads to a few nits that I have to pick. Was an apartment on the 44th floor of a glass tower really the best choice to hunker-down and “barricade” for the end of the world? How quickly did the power go off? That would certainly impact the storage of food, ability to cook/prepare food – AND, perhaps most importantly, wouldn’t they also have lost water (including in the bathroom...)? Did they really stay there 80 days? However, there’s enough otherwise compelling in this 1st episode that I’m willing to forgive these perceived errors. Maybe more will be explained about their survival at Lake Point Tower. Or not. It may be one of those things to just let go of.
Noticed the use of red in some shots that I’m not sure was only coincidence. For example, the shot of Jeevan on the train, looking out the window at the back of the car, on the phone with his sister telling him to get to safety and barricade. A visual clue of anxiety? Anyone else think the red was intentional?
I've only watched the episode once, and for shows like this I tend to watch each episode twice - once just to let everything flow and to get the general vibe of the piece, and a second time with a critical eye. Big picture stuff in no particular order: the casting is great, top to bottom. Hamish Patel and Matilda Lawler, to be sure. But Gael Garcia Bernal and Tina Sircar are fantastic too (between this and Collateral we get both "hey, Vicky" and "hey, Nate" moments).
There are strong Leftovers and even Lost vibes (the plane crashing and the meta comic book in particular).
I love the camera work, especially the time-jump shots and the drone shots, but there are lots of little moments where the camera lingers just right.
The astronaut reminded me of Last Man on Earth, which I get lots of people didn't like but I did.
I am glad you picked this series. I have been meaning to read the book, but this just forced me to start with the tv show. I always enjoy post-Apocalyptic things, and my favorite book of all time remains The Stand, so it will be fin to see how this compares.
I enjoyed episode 1 and was pleasantly surprised it took place in Chicago. Having lived there for 13 years, I am always a sucker for things that are set there.
My main impression (in addition to what has been covered in the comments about the great casting and interesting camera work) was that I had a lot of anxiety about where Kirsten’s parents were and how bad it would look for him to be found with her. As a parent, I was also freaked out at the idea of not knowing where my child was if the world was ending like that.
My favorite thing was the look on Kirsten’s face when he lied to her and said her parents said it was ok for her to go with him. It was so complex. I think she knew he was lying but realized he was a better option than going it alone.
One small thing - I laughed out loud that his coat and iPhone would still have been in the theater seat when he finally went back to get them. No way. Not in Chicago.
I agree with all that has been said about the lead actors in episode one, they are so good! I’ve already watched the series twice, listened to podcasts, bought the soundtrack, urged my family to watch. I will watch it again slowly, one episode at a time in order to participate here.
I think that your two viewing recommendations are spot on, Tim. If you can’t put everything aside in order to engage wholeheartedly, you will miss a lot. The show is slow paced and you need to slowdown as well to match it. (I hope that isn’t too spoilery.) Beautiful episode!
I was hooked the first time I saw Episode 1, but I had no actual idea what I was signing up for. To keep this Ep1-specific, my wife had an issue with the two Kristens' eye-color being different. Didn't bug me as much. Love this series so much!
I am so impressed by the comments here. I need to re-watch Episode 1 for a third time. You folks are so perceptive. I have so much to learn. Some things to me, well done, seem like magic: great writing, great poetry, great cinematography...
I have loved Hamish Patel since his performance in Yesterday (My mother is a huge Beatles fan).
The subject matter is definitely jarring. When I brought the show up to my wife and told her about it she refused to watch it. I didn’t start the show until tonight after I got the email on Friday.
I appreciate HBO Max bringing in actors like Tiya Sircar (who I’ve loved in every thing I’ve seen her in) who pull you right into the story during her limited time in the episode.
I look forward to what’s to come both on the show and in the discussion.
Boy, what a bummer. What absolute garbage. I think the roadmap for these horrible, portentous shows began with Heroes, that lamentable hothouse of unearned emotion and pseudo-significance. I was hoping that somehow I had simply failed to appreciate the quality programming that was eeking out but if this is any indicator of what’s out there, it’s a sad day indeed.
Totally implausible— from his running to the stage but NOT being a doctor, to $9,000 dollars for 4 carts of food, to a plane which would be an auto-pilot supposedly crashing because the pilot is sick, to the “smart” remarks coming from the stock “I’m 8 years old” sidekick.
It’s my mistake to expect more, I suppose, but as they say disappointment springs from the bosom of hope.
Adding to the great character development and casting- the panic attack scenes were really well done. As someone who has had a panic attack on the El (go figure), how quickly he shifted mentally and physically, the disorientation, sound mix changes, feel of being out-of-time brought me into Jeevan's state of emotion.
I didn't understand what he meant in the store about "now is usually when I would have a panic attack, like I planned it" - not sure if it was a throwaway or something more?
Also, RIP to Jeevan's girlfriend
I wanted to read through all the comments (which I have now done) before adding my own. Here are my thoughts:
1. I may be in the minority here, but I actually like watching pandemic themed content despite rolling into year three of our own. It's interesting to me to see what they get right and what they get wrong (maybe it's my way of letting my rational brain displace my emotional brain so I'm not constantly in a state of despair). Two things jumped out at me in this episode: why are the doctors taking their masks off??? (is it so we can see the actor's faces to connect with them more, or just a whiff on the details?), and the food choices made when stockpiling at the store. I agree with others here in my appreciation of moving away from the mob/mass hysteria components (other than the overwhelmed ER, which is fitting).
2. Like others, I really liked the brief flash forward scenes of the overgrown vegetation of locations we see on day 0. I liked the observation here that the lush greenness of it all juxtaposes nicely with the day 0 images - wouldn't have articulated that on my own.
3. The actors playing Kirsten and Jeevan are amazing.
4. Loved the little bits of humor sprinkled through the episode (autocorrect saying the actor "diced" twice before getting it right, the way Jeevan tells his brother that the world was ending and then turns to Kirsten and telling her that he lied, etc.).
5. The big question hanging out there (among others): where's Frank?
Also, just going to leave this here: Did anyone catch the directorial nod to Andrew Wyeth?
Jumping in late Sunday because my wifi was out all day -- perhaps time to switch to Sonic! -- but I rewatched it again, third time, and I'm going to be just a broken record about Patel and Lawler as Jeevan and Young Kirstin. I mean, I would argue that the first hour is carried, almost in its entirety, by Hamish Patel's fantastic performance (and obviously the writing) so that we understand him immediately (he's funny, empathetic, afraid, anxiety-filled, smart, and...you name it). Chef's kiss to all of that. I mean, I've posted this sentiment TWICE so I'm clearly moved by how important that was to set the hook.