5 reasons why you must watch Chernobyl | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Entertainment

Everyone's Talking About 'Chernobyl,' So Here Are 5 Reasons Why You Must Watch It Too

"Chernobyl" is the history of the nuclear disaster in the north of Ukraine in 1986.

353
Everyone's Talking About 'Chernobyl,' So Here Are 5 Reasons Why You Must Watch It Too

In This Article:

I love to spend some of my free time watching TV shows. The last one I enjoyed was "Chernobyl." I knew already it is a great mini-series. All my friends recommended to me; they were right. It is a piece of art. Even though it is based on a real-life-event, you are in suspense all the time.

"Chernobyl" is the history of the nuclear disaster in the north of Ukraine in 1986. The truth is I knew about this incident, but I did not know all the details. This show tells the full story since the moment of the disaster until two years later.

This TV show is so good that the only complaint I had read is that the characters speak in English when, in real life, everyone spoke in Russian. However, I was listening to "Chernobyl Podcast," and they explain why they decided to keep speaking English.

Here are my five reasons why you must watch this show.

1.    History lessons.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s9APLXM9Ei8

Having the chance to entertain and learn at the same time is almost impossible. We have the feeling that learning only comes with boredom. "Chernobyl" is an excellent example of how TV could be used to teach. It is not the same as reading about a nuclear disaster and its consequences (which included the deaths of thousands of people) than watching how this nuclear accident happened. I have learned with the show. You will finish the last episode, thirsty for knowledge.

2.    Performances.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s9APLXM9Ei8

The cast of "Chernobyl" is impressive. I think that all of them did an incredible job. Jared Harris as Valery Legasov as the principal character is incredible. I hope he will win some awards because his interpretation is impeccable. Jessie Buckley as Lyudmilla Ignatenko, the wife of Vasily Ignatenko, is another character I like. Even though her decisions are not the best, Buckley played this character with perfection. All of the actors and actresses did an excellent job.

3.    Production.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s9APLXM9Ei8

I always love how TV shows and films are capable of copying an entire time and place. In this case, you feel as if you were in Ukraine in 1986. The production of "Chernobyl" is so well done that the 1986 we lived in the US was not the same than in the Soviet Union. In the beginning, the perception of the show is in the 60s or 70s; the reason is the Soviet Union worked hard to be in the first place in technology and sports, but they were a closed society. They were not updated with the fashion trends of the rest of the world.

4.    Direction.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s9APLXM9Ei8

The direction is perfect. You can feel the radiation, the emptiness of the city, the heat of the disaster, the pain of the victims, the fear of the people to the government. The miners are a hit; their personalities and their dirtiness are terrific. The truth is that the direction makes you understand the tragedy in a profound way.

Another asset is the dialogs. I love how they explain scientist fact and vital information in the conversations. It seems natural even though they are talking about nuclear physics.

5. Shows the truth about communism.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s9APLXM9Ei8

In this story, the Russians are not the bad guys; it is the communism. For everyone who thinks the communism is a good idea (in 2019), you must watch this show. Communism only has given us sadness and death. It is a nightmare.

The big tragedy in "Chernobyl" is not only the nuclear accident (which occurred because of a sequence of the state's bad decisions); it is a fact that the communist government tried to hide the disaster. As a consequence, many people were exposed to the same radiation as forty nuclear bombs. Also, you can see how the workers at the plant were afraid of expressing their point of views, how the state machine chose the wrong people to supervise a nuclear plant and how they delivered false information.

Another critical number of Soviets had to sacrifice themselves to clean the area because their politics did not want to request international help.

You also can say, "it was not the communism per se; the bad decisions were from a dictatorial state." My answer to that is: there is not a democratic communist government in history.

"Chernobyl" only has five episodes. You can get some time and enjoy a piece of art, and there is more material you can find. One of the most important is "Voices from Chernobyl: The Oral History of a Nuclear Disaster" by the Belarusian Nobel Laureate Svetlana Alexievich.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Entertainment

Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

These powerful lyrics remind us how much good is inside each of us and that sometimes we are too blinded by our imperfections to see the other side of the coin, to see all of that good.

68815
Every Girl Needs To Listen To 'She Used To Be Mine' By Sara Bareilles

The song was sent to me late in the middle of the night. I was still awake enough to plug in my headphones and listen to it immediately. I always did this when my best friend sent me songs, never wasting a moment. She had sent a message with this one too, telling me it reminded her so much of both of us and what we have each been through in the past couple of months.

Keep Reading...Show less
Zodiac wheel with signs and symbols surrounding a central sun against a starry sky.

What's your sign? It's one of the first questions some of us are asked when approached by someone in a bar, at a party or even when having lunch with some of our friends. Astrology, for centuries, has been one of the largest phenomenons out there. There's a reason why many magazines and newspapers have a horoscope page, and there's also a reason why almost every bookstore or library has a section dedicated completely to astrology. Many of us could just be curious about why some of us act differently than others and whom we will get along with best, and others may just want to see if their sign does, in fact, match their personality.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

20 Song Lyrics To Put A Spring Into Your Instagram Captions

"On an island in the sun, We'll be playing and having fun"

3252
Person in front of neon musical instruments; glowing red and white lights.
Photo by Spencer Imbrock on Unsplash

Whenever I post a picture to Instagram, it takes me so long to come up with a caption. I want to be funny, clever, cute and direct all at the same time. It can be frustrating! So I just look for some online. I really like to find a song lyric that goes with my picture, I just feel like it gives the picture a certain vibe.

Here's a list of song lyrics that can go with any picture you want to post!

Keep Reading...Show less
Chalk drawing of scales weighing "good" and "bad" on a blackboard.
WP content

Being a good person does not depend on your religion or status in life, your race or skin color, political views or culture. It depends on how good you treat others.

We are all born to do something great. Whether that be to grow up and become a doctor and save the lives of thousands of people, run a marathon, win the Noble Peace Prize, or be the greatest mother or father for your own future children one day. Regardless, we are all born with a purpose. But in between birth and death lies a path that life paves for us; a path that we must fill with something that gives our lives meaning.

Keep Reading...Show less
Health and Wellness

10 Hygiene Tips For All College Athletes

College athletes, it's time we talk about sports hygiene.

7366
Woman doing pull-ups on bars with sun shining behind her.

I got a request to talk about college athletes hygiene so here it is.

College athletes, I get it, you are busy! From class, to morning workouts, to study table, to practice, and more. But that does not excuse the fact that your hygiene comes first! Here are some tips when it comes to taking care of your self.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments