Your 6.5.19 Playpen

Game of Thrones may have been HBO’s popular darling, but I’ve just finished watching two of the most impressive shows HBO has ever put out there, both of which were far more satisfying productions.

• Chernobyl is simply incredible.  This five-part series is a drama, not a documentary, so while its attention to recreating the era is impressive, it’s not slavishly devoted to the entire truth.  Details have been modified to make for better viewing, but the essential truth of the story is there.  And that essential truth is both horrifying and compelling to watch.  The horror is not just in watching what the nuclear accident wrought, nor is the herculean effort to prevent an even larger disaster all that is compelling.  The best and strongest part of the story Chernobyl eloquently tells is the day-to-day horror of living with the consequences of a rigidly authoritarian society.  If you’re trying to impress upon someone an appreciation for living in a free country, don’t shove them at a hack like Hannity.  Plop them in front of Chernobyl and leave them to understand what they have.
• I’ll be honest with you.  While I was excited to hear the news that HBO had approved making a Deadwood movie wrapping up the loose ends the series’ untimely demise left remaining and encouraged by the early words coming from the actors about the script, I still had concerns about whether they would be able to pull it off in a condensed format.  I am here to tell you Milch indeed stuck the landing.  (Yeah, it’s a little ironic he accomplished something in two hours that the GOT writers couldn’t in six episodes.)  Deadwood:  The Movie is brilliant in every way you might expect if you’re as big a fan of the series as I am.  Okay, the plot isn’t much (although plot wasn’t really a big deal for the series, when you think about it), but the dialogue and the attention lavished on the characters, major and otherwise, shines.  The story is a reflection on the passage of time and the toll it takes on people, which is a brilliant use of the real world time span between the end of the series and the movie.  The acting is compelling; Olyphant, in particular, gives the best performance of his career.  One thing I’ll say is that while it’s offered as a standalone story, it’s far more enjoyable if you’ve watched the three previous seasons.  In any event, it’s not to be missed — especially Ian McShane’s final words, which constitute one of the great closing moments in the history of television.

Speaking of Olyphant, this is a little story that has to be shared (WARNING:  minor spoiler alert):

… and Seth confronting Hearst in the thoroughfare with Dan and Johnny backing his play. After the first few takes of the latter scene, director Daniel Minahan gave Olyphant freedom to try alternate versions of Bullock’s scripted reply to Hearst threatening to come for him: “Expect you will, Senator.” Olyphant tried a few that neither of them liked as much as the original line, then noted that if this was Justified, Raylan would say, “Let me know, Senator. I’ll circle the date.”

Perfect.  Reminds me of this line from Justified:

Add your takes in the comments and try to be mindful of others who haven’t seen either yet, but intend to.  If you can’t avoid discussing something that’s a spoiler, at least warn the rest of us before you post your thoughts.

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