The foundations for these kind of series is to create another society. Such a society is created with a) an environment and b) a culture. And that is exactly where it went double wrong.
A) The architectural choices are interesting. Too often production designers rely on high tech, blue glowing goodies. But they fail to create a real world. Beside a market in a low class neighbourhood, there are no stores nor is there any sign of a delivery system (should people not have to shop but government disperses item). There are just some functional buildings and some housing as you also get in a computer game where you have to build a society and then go to war. Nor are there citizens going about there business. How can you believe a builing is a hospital if no extras are going in or out? Streets are empty and deserted ( and not intentionally). It doesn't feel like a real city at all.
B) As mentioned earlier, the second aspect of creating a society is creating a culture. I am not referring to the points system but the way of behaving, talking,... Besides things specifically written in, it is as if noone seems to be affected by this way of live. They all behave too contemporary. The belgian/netherlands mix doesnt work either.
It is common to do coproductions. Not only can you apply to two subsidy jars, you also have a bigger target audience. Belgian and Netherlands culture is quite different. And both parties can be very irritated by just the sound of the different accents. I find that the mixture they created does not work. If there would be a future where there is more mingling, habits and language would have rubbed off on one another as well.
This problem could have been fixed by director and actors working closely together to create such a society, but apparently everybody just practiced their lines and did minimal prep.
In short the series was made by people who love scifi but do not realise what it should be build upon: a credible fantasy.
The pacing is, especially in the beginning, a challenge, but i did find myself wanting to find out how it would evolve.
The most fascinating thing is that this is presented as the future where in a certain country this is already in practice.
A) The architectural choices are interesting. Too often production designers rely on high tech, blue glowing goodies. But they fail to create a real world. Beside a market in a low class neighbourhood, there are no stores nor is there any sign of a delivery system (should people not have to shop but government disperses item). There are just some functional buildings and some housing as you also get in a computer game where you have to build a society and then go to war. Nor are there citizens going about there business. How can you believe a builing is a hospital if no extras are going in or out? Streets are empty and deserted ( and not intentionally). It doesn't feel like a real city at all.
B) As mentioned earlier, the second aspect of creating a society is creating a culture. I am not referring to the points system but the way of behaving, talking,... Besides things specifically written in, it is as if noone seems to be affected by this way of live. They all behave too contemporary. The belgian/netherlands mix doesnt work either.
It is common to do coproductions. Not only can you apply to two subsidy jars, you also have a bigger target audience. Belgian and Netherlands culture is quite different. And both parties can be very irritated by just the sound of the different accents. I find that the mixture they created does not work. If there would be a future where there is more mingling, habits and language would have rubbed off on one another as well.
This problem could have been fixed by director and actors working closely together to create such a society, but apparently everybody just practiced their lines and did minimal prep.
In short the series was made by people who love scifi but do not realise what it should be build upon: a credible fantasy.
The pacing is, especially in the beginning, a challenge, but i did find myself wanting to find out how it would evolve.
The most fascinating thing is that this is presented as the future where in a certain country this is already in practice.