It's Summer and We're Running Out of Ice

HBO | Air Date: October 20, 2019

6.0	USER SCORE Mixed or average reviews based on 60 Ratings

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majblackburnOct 21, 2019

Perfectly matches the moral ambiguity of the graphic novel. In that, we "followed" Rorschach, a grievously flawed individual as he attempted to unravel 'we-have-to-burn-the-village-to-save-it' plot hatched by know-it-all New World OrderPerfectly matches the moral ambiguity of the graphic novel. In that, we "followed" Rorschach, a grievously flawed individual as he attempted to unravel 'we-have-to-burn-the-village-to-save-it' plot hatched by know-it-all New World Order types. In the 80s, when the cold war nationalism made moral choices unambiguous Watchmen made a profound statement for the semitones of real life. Today's reality is no less unambiguous, but instead of opposing nations bristling with nuclear weapons, in American politics, we find an internal "cold war" between the "red team" and the "blue team." Today's Watchmen echoes the ambiguity of the original, with the battle, rather than an external "alien" threat, is an internal struggle. Again, neither side is entirely virtuous: white supremacists are in open rebellion, but are confronted by a brutal and anti-democratic police state.

This is no "liberal fantasy" and it certainly isn't "fan service." There are certainly some themes that have been trodden quite a bit recently -- Man in the High Castle and Handmaid's Tale are similar dystopian imaginings, but in both of those, there is a clear "good guys" and "bad guys" -- even if the individuals on either team may be complex. In "Watchmen" we follow the State ruthlessly hunting down a terrorist organization, but are appalled at the ruthlessness, deception, propaganda and banal bureaucracy that are the means to that end.

The cinematography is stunning, acting is quite good and the detailed world-building gives me hope for the series. I just hope the same thing doesn't happen as I saw in Lost. I loved the first few episodes, but halfway through the first season I could tell they were just "making ish up as they went along." I told all my friends it was a waste of time and they would be disappointed, and was sad to find that borne out. I'm optimistic that HBO will deliver on the promise of this series in a way ABC never could.… Expand

3 of 9 users found this helpful36

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MFTOct 28, 2019

It's kinda perplexing how people are rating this show lower only because they think they are being attacked by a some sort of the "left propaganda". In the actual episode there is a somewhat dystopian more violent future with overreachingIt's kinda perplexing how people are rating this show lower only because they think they are being attacked by a some sort of the "left propaganda". In the actual episode there is a somewhat dystopian more violent future with overreaching government, tv censorship, police brutality and god know what other horrors. If anything it makes you hate that future, hate that government and you could easily say: "Hey, that's what happens when liberals get into power!". How is that propaganda one way or the other? It's a fantasy. It's just a god damn show, with a dark setting, somewhat reminiscent of the current world affairs with some of the roles reversed and taken into extreme. It's not that different from any dark superhero show out there. All in all it feels like some people didn't even watch it or forgot the concept of sci-fi all-together, or perhaps trying so hard to get offended that they are associating themselves with characters too much. It's not the American politics that ruin this show - it's the people who can't forget them for a moment and enjoy themselves without hurting their feelings, both left and right.… Expand

1 of 3 users found this helpful12

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LamontRaymondOct 21, 2019

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Wow, I was super impressed by this first episode, but i was CRUSHED when the Don Johnson character was killed off before we could really get to know him. I'm glad they focused on the 1921 Tulsa massacre, as it seems that not too many folks are aware of that piece of history. the style is impeccable, and the acting is really solid so far. I'm looking forward to how this develops. And I trust Lindeloff, especially after how he handled The Leftovers, one of my favorite shows of the last 10 years.… Expand

2 of 8 users found this helpful26

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TheBraveFencerOct 22, 2019

Pretty good so far. I went in skeptical but the pace was nice and the world-building done well. Only gripes I have is with that guy wearing a panda helmet and a couple of the Oklahoma songs hung around for too long.

Besides that: SisterPretty good so far. I went in skeptical but the pace was nice and the world-building done well. Only gripes I have is with that guy wearing a panda helmet and a couple of the Oklahoma songs hung around for too long.

Besides that: Sister Night and Red Scare show a lot of energy on-screen. Looking Glass is the proper spiritual successor of *you know who* here, not the 7th Cavalry like so many are suggesting.… Expand

2 of 8 users found this helpful26

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PeterSantOct 22, 2019

"Watchmen" is a story that really catches the eye so that no detail is lost.
Damon Lindolof It has opened a new universe of vigilantes, bringing in new characters and adding their touch to a dark USA haunted by racism. The premiere of the"Watchmen" is a story that really catches the eye so that no detail is lost.
Damon Lindolof It has opened a new universe of vigilantes, bringing in new characters and adding their touch to a dark USA haunted by racism. The premiere of the series kept me euphoric from the beginning of the episode to the end credits.
It really is one of the best series that debuted in 2019.… Expand

2 of 9 users found this helpful27

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onpoint27Oct 21, 2019

Longtime fan of the comics. I loved the worldbuilding and the universe 30ish years after the original story. People saying it is too political should probably go watch Avengers. Watchmen is built on dissecting American politics and history.Longtime fan of the comics. I loved the worldbuilding and the universe 30ish years after the original story. People saying it is too political should probably go watch Avengers. Watchmen is built on dissecting American politics and history. Also, people saying that it's a "liberal fantasy" seem to be outing themselves as complicit with white supremacy. Anyway the level of detail is uncanny. Every moment of the show, from the interrogation in the pod, to the radio show on in the car hint at possible plotlines and mysteries. Between Lindelof's work on The Leftovers and the world building in this episode I have complete faith that this will be one of the best shows this year. I'll end on the note that opening w/ the Tulsa massacre was genius and I hope it sheds much more light on the event. Everyone should go do more research on it.… Expand

2 of 9 users found this helpful27

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JohnRoflsOct 20, 2019

Absolutely visually stunning. Amazing cutaways and some of the best scene transitions that have graced the small screen in many years. It would be hard to top the entertainment value provided here. The storyline is not fan service. It doesn'tAbsolutely visually stunning. Amazing cutaways and some of the best scene transitions that have graced the small screen in many years. It would be hard to top the entertainment value provided here. The storyline is not fan service. It doesn't focus on the original set of characters from Watchmen. But this is one hundred percent how this should be. The last story has been told to it's natural end. It is picking back up during a new interesting period of time in an extension of the universe that was started in Watchmen. Despite the inevitable hate and flaming this episode will introduce, putting aside impossible expectations and impossible to please individuals in general, this is a legitimately enjoyable episode.… Expand

2 of 10 users found this helpful28

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runborisrun1Oct 21, 2019

Great introduction to the modern setting. Lots of great call outs and knew characters.

1 of 6 users found this helpful15

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