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Watchmen (HBO)

TruthBTold

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TruthBTold Grand Master

TruthBTold

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HBO launched a new series this past Sunday and I liked the first episode. It had the feel of its Years and Years series in that though it was allegedly futuristic it still had many contemporary elements to it. I had no prior knowledge of the source material of the program so I do not know if it kept close to the Watchmen material. I also was not familiar with the incident that begins the program and was horrified when I discovered that it depicted something that this nation should really be ashamed of. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tulsa_race_riot At any rate, it attempts to give a realistic depiction of that incident. As in Years and Years, it then jumps ahead to an entirely different future but one which still contains many of horrifying aspects that were shown in the opening. Masking plays an important aspect in the new society and it is chilling. I found one of the more horrifying aspects are the depiction of a law enforcement that has been given vast new powers (e.g., being masked while enforcing laws, torture) to enforce the law against an equally reprehensible portion of society. Regina King seems to be the lead actor in the series so far and she is great (tho I have liked her in a lot of things). So, I will see if the series can keep up the interesting elements while at the same time making it a little more comprehensible.

 

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poolboy48220 Grand Master

+ poolboy48220

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Watchmen is a classic graphic novel. The movie didn't do it justice but to be fair, I don't see how it could within the two or three hours movies usually take; lots of interwoven stories, jumping between different eras, etc. The series is a sequel after the events of the movie/graphic novel, to the best of my knowledge it's not based on any previously published material. It's interesting that Alan Moore, co-author of the original, is not credited at all in the series; the other co-author, Dave Gibbons, is part of the team putting on the series. I suspect Moore refused to have his name associated with it, he'd said the graphic novel was 'unfilmable'.

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Kevin Slater Grand Master

Kevin Slater

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I'm really liking it so far. Not sure I'm following it all that well, or catching onto what I'm meant to be, but I like shows that keep me confused while entertained. The dialogue is sharp. And Jean Smart just appeared. The only other place I've ever seen her was Fargo, where she was excellent, and she was great in episode three here as well. Looking forward to seeing here this goes.

 

Kevin Slater

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Kevin Slater Grand Master

Kevin Slater

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I found one of the more horrifying aspects are the depiction of a law enforcement that has been given vast new powers (e.g., being masked while enforcing laws, torture) to enforce the law against an equally reprehensible portion of society.

 

I'm not sure they were given that power; I think those actions may just be rogue. What did strike me is the limits on their power, however. Their guns are locked until they call into HQ to unlock the arms remotely.

 

I think this is clearly a dystopian universe, but as opposed to most dystopian work, it's not that the right has taken over but here the left came into power (in the form of a many-term president Robert Redford) and the conflict comes in the right's response to that. Interesting.

 

Kevin Slater

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MidwestCoastal Mentor

MidwestCoastal

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I'll just open with...

 

GIANT-METALLIC-BLUE DILDO.

 

It may be helpful to watch the movie to understand some of the references of the show. Only two characters from the movie have shown up (so far) in the TV show, but I needed the refresher on some of the relationships the show has referenced.

 

I don't want to cause any spoilers here.... but a few questions...

 

  • Jeremy Irons appear to be under 'house arrest'? Because of what his character did in the movie?
  • What's the giant statue in Tulsa all about? Looks like its going to be talked about in future episodes...
  • What happen to the US flag? Movie uses 50 state flag, but talks about Vietnam becoming the '51st State'. Sister Night/Angela Abar/Regina King mentioned being born in Saigon. More American empire building in the time after the movie?
  • Squid/Giant Squid references?
  • When did Nixon leave office? And its been Redford ever since?
  • So all the cities damaged in the movie, were actually damaged? They really don't reference that in the TV show (yet)?
  • Owl in a cage? Is someone else in prison?

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José Soplanucas Grand Master

+ José Soplanucas

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I'll just open with...

 

GIANT-METALLIC-BLUE DILDO.

 

It may be helpful to watch the movie to understand some of the references of the show. Only two characters from the movie have shown up (so far) in the TV show, but I needed the refresher on some of the relationships the show has referenced.

 

I don't want to cause any spoilers here.... but a few questions...

 

  • Jeremy Irons appear to be under 'house arrest'? Because of what his character did in the movie?
  • What's the giant statue in Tulsa all about? Looks like its going to be talked about in future episodes...
  • What happen to the US flag? Movie uses 50 state flag, but talks about Vietnam becoming the '51st State'. Sister Night/Angela Abar/Regina King mentioned being born in Saigon. More American empire building in the time after the movie?
  • Squid/Giant Squid references?
  • When did Nixon leave office? And its been Redford ever since?
  • So all the cities damaged in the movie, were actually damaged? They really don't reference that in the TV show (yet)?
  • Owl in a cage? Is someone else in prison?

 

Do not read this if you care about spoilers

https://collider.com/watchmen-adrian-veidt-explained/

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big-n-tall Grand Master

big-n-tall

Posted
Posted (edited)
I'll just open with...

 

GIANT-METALLIC-BLUE DILDO.

 

It may be helpful to watch the movie to understand some of the references of the show. Only two characters from the movie have shown up (so far) in the TV show, but I needed the refresher on some of the relationships the show has referenced.

 

I don't want to cause any spoilers here.... but a few questions...

 

  • Jeremy Irons appear to be under 'house arrest'? Because of what his character did in the movie?
  • What's the giant statue in Tulsa all about? Looks like its going to be talked about in future episodes...
  • What happen to the US flag? Movie uses 50 state flag, but talks about Vietnam becoming the '51st State'. Sister Night/Angela Abar/Regina King mentioned being born in Saigon. More American empire building in the time after the movie?
  • Squid/Giant Squid references?
  • When did Nixon leave office? And its been Redford ever since?
  • So all the cities damaged in the movie, were actually damaged? They really don't reference that in the TV show (yet)?
  • Owl in a cage? Is someone else in prison?

 

The movie only showcases the main storyline from the graphic novel. I don't know if you have but read the graphic novel to better understand some of the small unexplained things that have popped up and some of your questions. All indications seem to show the tv show is based more on the book rather than the movie.

 

OK, possible speculative spoilers.

- In the 1st episode, there is a quick picture shown of what looks to be a blue man (Doc Manhattan) on a red rocky surface (Mars) in front of what looks like a house or mansion. I bring this up to answer your 1st bullet. I believe Adrian Veidt/Ozymandias is being held by Doc Manhattan on Mars. There are a number of clues besides that pic that make me think this. Dr. M created this area to keep Veidt captive and away from humanity. Now whether Veidt realizes he's not Earth, I'm not sure of. Veidt in the book wanted to cause a major disaster to end the cold war, even at the cost of a large number of lives. He was willing to destroy humanity to save it. In effect, he kidnapped scientists, had them create this giant alien space squid (which I believe the squid rain references) to use as the catalyst for humanity to ban together.

Edited by big-n-tall
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MidwestCoastal Mentor

MidwestCoastal

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Posted
The movie only showcases the main storyline from the graphic. I don't know if you have but read the graphic novel to better understand some of the small unexplained things that have popped up and some of your questions. All indications seem to show the tv show is based more on the book rather than the movie.

 

OK, possible speculative spoilers.

- In the 1st episode, there is a quick picture shown of what looks to be a blue man (Doc Manhattan) on a red rocky surface (Mars) in front of what looks like a house or mansion. I bring this up to answer your 1st bullet. I believe Adrian Veidt/Ozymandias is being held by Doc Manhattan on Mars. There are a number of clues besides that pic that make me think this. Dr. M created this area to keep Veidt captive and away from humanity. Now whether Veidt realizes he's not Earth, I'm not sure of. Veidt in the book wanted to cause a major disaster to end the cold war, even at the cost of a large number of lives. He was willing to destroy humanity to save it. In effect, he kidnapped scientists, had them create this giant alien space squid (which I believe the squid rain references) to use as the catalyst for humanity to ban together.

 

Totally need to re-watch 1st episode!

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poolboy48220 Grand Master

+ poolboy48220

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I had a long discussion with my sister about this yesterday, she asked if I was watching. I'm very familiar with the book and the movie, and I'd recommend reading the book (graphic novel) over watching the movie. (She hasn't read the book and was unaware of the movie). There are details in the book that did not make it into the movie that are referenced in the series. There are just flat-out differences between the book and the movie (no aforementioned giant squid in the movie, the major disaster is something completely different).

 

It digressed into a very enjoyable conversation about graphic novels in general. I recommended "Batman: The Dark Knight Returns" to her, and a few others I could have gone on for a longer conversation but I sensed she was exhausted with the topic :)

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poolboy48220 Grand Master

+ poolboy48220

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I had a long discussion with my sister about this yesterday, she asked if I was watching. I'm very familiar with the book and the movie, and I'd recommend reading the book (graphic novel) over watching the movie. (She hasn't read the book and was unaware of the movie). There are details in the book that did not make it into the movie that are referenced in the series. There are just flat-out differences between the book and the movie (no aforementioned giant squid in the movie, the major disaster is something completely different).

 

It digressed into a very enjoyable conversation about graphic novels in general. I recommended "Batman: The Dark Knight Returns" to her, and a few others I could have gone on for a longer conversation but I sensed she was exhausted with the topic :)

The sister is starting Dark Knight. I wrote her up a quick no-spoilers reader background guide; for example, when I read it originally, sometime in the late 80's, I had no idea who Jason Todd was. I have a nagging feeling there's one last bit I forgot to mention to her, but can't remember what it is.

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MartyB Mentor

MartyB

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I read someplace, can't remember where, that Looking Glass wasn't watching gay porn - it was an episode of "American Heroes". The gay relationship between Captain Metropolis & Hooded Justice was hinted at in the graphic novel, but nothing that explicit happened.

Watching Episode 5 never read the books but this series and the "gay" heroic figures depicted here are awesome and love the series.

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