Kindred

Let me start by saying that i haven't read the book, but after watching this mini-series, i plan to. Kindred is heartbreaking, stomach turning and sadly, a look back at our violent past. As much as some have tried to erase our ugly past, it's still there and always will be. And if we don't stop and try to learn from it, we're doomed to repeat it. For me the most horrific moment was the sadistic, cold venom that came from a child, no doubt learned from everyday practices.

Kindred isn't an easy watch, but it should be a necessary one, especially with the recent waves of antisemitic hatred on the rise. I hope we learn the important lessons before it's too late.

Generally I enjoyed it because I was intrigued by the storyline and time travel concept and I would definitely watch following seasons if they came out because it ended on a cliffhanger. But I have to admit that Dana annoyed me. I felt that as someone who is black and fully aware of the history of slavery included the common practices that occurred at the time, she was very reckless and either naive or plain stupid with a lot of her decisions without thinking about the possible repercussions for others. I also didn't understand why she didn't stay more close to Kevin fully well knowing that she was his only way out of the plantation. There were just plain reckless a lot of the time. But besides that, good acting on the whole and I look forward to a season 2. But better writers are needed. Too many stupid choices made. Frustrating at times to watch.

Unfortunately, the show falls far short of the book. It isn't that it made changes. It's that the voice feels far removed from that of OEB. The themes it tries to explores feel, at times, heavy handed, and other times, not fully disected. It's so sad that the first adaption of OEB's work, and likely her most prolific, should feel so middle of the road.

I don't quite understand why the story was so heavily changed. Little of the dialogue feels taken from the book, and it sadly is not for the better. Tge result is a story that fails to fully grasp what made the book so exceptional even as we approach it's 50th anniversary.

This is one of the most original and shows from the recent past. Additionally, the topics it touches upon are super current and it addresses social issues like racism, privilege, misogyny, illiteracy... It shows so well how cruel people and a society at large can be but also complicates everything by allowing the audience to understand the matter of fact mindset of people who behave terribly towards other humans.

The acting is solid. (The protagonist's looks and behavior resemble somewhat Viola Davis. It's like a younger version of her. Would be cool to see them both in the same movie as siblings, mother and daughter or same person at different ages!) The plot makes sense and is super tense and interesting... Word in the press is the makers are shopping the show to other streaming services and I really hope someone picks it up and the shops continues. In the meantime I am going to read the book. First session is supposedly only the first third of the book and I must find our hours it continues.

I've read the book at least 5 times. Can't put it down each time. At first, I was disappointed in the series for its MANY deviations from the book. And I agree with another reviewer about Kevin's character. However, I did enjoy the series, and I'm hoping for a second season. With that ending, there must be another season or 3. I think the basic premise has been met and the ground work has been laid to really tackle the issues addressed in the book. If you haven't read Kindred, by Octavia E. Butler, get it today. It's the kind of book you can't put down and makes you really think. I hope the series can have that element.