Infiniti

This series is brilliant not only for the amazing storyline, but the scenery of the Steppe and Kazakstan, I can't find out where it was filmed, and maybe it's a substitute place but you certainly get the idea of a vast landscape, some of it damaged by previous nuclear testing and still radioactive. There are also amazing scenes of planet Earth taken from space. Infiniti is definitely recommended. I didn't worry too much about some of the difficult accents as subsequent narrative made it clear. Great acting from all the cast, really strong female leads too. I feel a bit sad it has ended, perhaps they'll give us a second series. It does require your full attention though (no looking at your phone) and I would describe some of the dialogue as "spare" - that is there are few long explanations about what is going on, you have to work it out for yourself, but after a while you will. Loved it.

I don't know whether this was an unusually high budget production for a European series in this genre, or whether the cinematographers and set crew just made strong stylistic choices allowing exceptional work within their resources, but the end result is a seamless cinematic piece of work. At various times scenes reminded me of S. O.2001 in it's sparse beauty, at other times of unusually realistic sci fi, while the terrestial action in Kazakhstan is wide screen panoramic arthouse.

The action unfolds slowly enough to allow the viewer to drink in the atmosphere of the locations and keep dialogue at a natural pace but not so slowly that it becomes art for art's sake. The narrative isn't always spelled out in all caps and if you approach it paying the same low level of attention needed for a lot of TV, you're likely to miss cues. The central conceit of the story might not necessarily be all that groundbreaking or climactic, but the execution is so good that it papers over a few cracks.

Alshinov in particular delivered a charismatic performance here, although to be fair, there's nothing sub par about the entire cast. Hopefully we'll see more of him and the team who made this production.

I love shows that transport you into new realms and artfully mix genres. But this is nothing like any Star Trek episode. With fantastic acting and an obvious big budget, it spins a carefully unraveling mystery that mostly takes place in the wilds of Kazakhstan. The filmmakers should be congratulated for taking a narrative risk and stepping out of the box to create a unique, absorbing series.

Really, the production is great. Great shots, great sceneries, nice settings. Most of the actors do an OK job with the script and dialog given, but the cop lead actor stands out for me as a doing a really, really good job.

Now: I was quite intrigued at the first episode. I don't mind the pace, I don't absolutely require fast action to enjoy a story; but I really want a thought-out story. This one isn't. The "twists" and the mystery are OK even if generally predictable, but the binding of the elements is sloppy, as if imagined by adolescents and written for adolescents. I'm between 6 (above average) and 7 (less than good), but I give it a 7 because most of the crew members (apart from the script writers) did a good or very good job.

It's a slow burner, no doubt about that, but a very well developed project until the fifth installment when the bubble bursts and from then on, it's just formalities.

I do not know anything about the French female lead, but her Kazakh counterpart is excellent with his film noire like behaviour, sad, disillusioned and basically broken. The story develops slowly but becomes compelling overtime. The production value is excellent and the camera work is quite spectacular sometimes. I adore that the home video style shaky camera work is absent all together.

All in all, this is a good show - if you a sci-fi fan.