Extrapolations

Extrapolations is a sci-fi series that tries to explore the consequences of climate change on human society and relationships. However, it fails to deliver a compelling story or engaging characters. The protagonists are one-dimensional and lack any depth or development. They act according to clichés and stereotypes, without any personality. The script is poorly written and full of plot holes, inconsistencies and logical flaws. Some scenes are so awkward and embarrassing that they make you cringe. The only redeeming qualities of this series are the cinematic scenery and the technical gadgets. The production values are high and the visual effects are impressive. The gadgets are creative and futuristic, but they cannot save this series from being a disappointment.'

This is a series on a topic of great controversy. Extrapolations takes a close look at the near future of the world based on extrapolating current environmental data into potential future numbers. What might these environmental changes do to humans, animals, insects, plants? What could sea level changes mean? What will increased temperatures do to human life. What will happen to the air we breath. What new medical conditions could develop? The series only provides episodes of stories depicting these questions. The were a couple of weak episodes so couldn't give it a 10. The final episode did a good job of making a statement about what the developers of the series want you to take from it. If you are an environmentalist, you will likely love it. If you believe climate changes is a hoax, you may want to skip this one.

What's the intent with this series? Initially, it seemed like it was designed mainly as a cautionary tale of what could happen in coming years if governments and mega-corporations continue doing what they're doing now, as the average planetary temperature continues to rise, causing all sorts of environmental havoc.

But at some point, this series morphs into just another sci-fi anthology, with very loose ties between episodes, and only a tangential link to the topic of climate change.

As the 'cautionary tale', the show was rather preachy, even for someone who is on board with the idea of a global crisis. And as the more standard sci-fi, there's nothing we haven't seen before -- and executed with far more panache, as in series like Black Mirror.

Some very big name actors have joined this project, but even they can't save what is, in total, a rather mediocre mini-series.

Not terrible, but not nearly as good (nor as powerful) as one might have hoped.

I shut lights off when I leave rooms, I conserve water, I recycle. Yet in the time it takes me to write this review, 20 of the world's worst polluters will contribute more to global warming than my household could in my entire lifetime.

Series like Extrapolations are trying to convey an important message. It has an all-star cast, well-developed characters and multi-faceted storylines, but ultimately, what is a series like this hoping to achieve? The average person can only do so much, yet we're expected to shoulder the burden that belongs to the world's most powerful.

I appreciate the intention of series like this one, but ultimately for me it misses the mark. I can't stomach the anxiety of being told things are horrible while doing my level best to be a good steward of our planet. I wanted to like this series but found it discouraging and tone deaf at best.

This series had a lot of potential and to be fair, it missed and achieved some of it.

The first episode is pretty preachy when it doesn't have to be so direct. They did some good world building but should have set up the story differently with better imagery and subtlety. The second episode by contrast has a much better vibe and feels exactly like what the rest of the episodes should have been, more or less.

Overall, it is worth a watch. At times it made me cringe because some of the writing was so cheesy. At other times I was impressed at how they showed some direct and indirect impacts of climate change on people's lives. It made me pretty emotional at times.

They need to make more movies and TV series like this. Using this series and the book Ministry for the Future could be a good foundation.