The Island

After a binge watch of Dark I came across this and thought what the hell - another German series that maybe as good

But it is a very slow burn show

The first 5 episodes are spent setting up the characters, families, connections, rivalries, love affairs and so on

There is an introduction to the virus early on but doesn't really feature in the show again (bar some news reporting) til episode 6 where it then becomes the focus of the episodes

Having finished filming in December 2019 this was a very opportune series for what the world has experienced in the past 6/7 months

They keep calling the disease "pigeon flu" implying it is in the corona virus family like SARS, covid-19, etc but clearly the physical symptoms and high mortality clearly show it is a hemorrhagic fever like Ebola. On an island it would have been very possible to isolate and contain the infected but that would have not allowed the later extreme plot events. There are some interesting subplots and intriguing characters however, certain decisions made by major characters strain credulity and one character's particularly heinous action is very unbelievable given the person is not a sociopath. There are other characters who attain measures of personal redemption. All in all it is an OK apocalyptic story but it is clear that the plot was designed all along to achieve a certain ending for certain characters and set the stage for a second possible series..

Remember when we weren't sure, does the mask protect you or protect them?

This how transports you to the uncertainty that surrounded the beginning of the current pandemic. Is that a sin, is it a sin to enjoy this dramatisation? I am not sure, but.

An average of 7 is a crime for this show. For sure, this needs to be watched when you are ready with regards to the pandemic, I imagine many negative scores relate to those who are not ready. Incredible to see current events foreshadowed so accurately. Very high standard of acting, dialogue, script. Believability waned slightly towards the end but we want an exciting show non? Laughing and rooting for characters in the closing stages.

Highly engaging and did Not get boring as some suggest!

Up until episode 6 Sløborn goes strong with convincing character and story build-ups (although there's a few too many different storyarcs), and does especially well with introducing the main issue - a deadly pandemic - quite in quite subtle tones, focusing more on societal reaction and the slowly growing awareness towards the virus, instead of throwing in right into your face. Thing is: everything that was built up before is drawn through the mud during the last two episodes, where the tone of the Series changes radically, nobody in the writers room seems to care about inherent logic anymore, but just throws one wanna-be drastic moment after the other into the plot. It's actually really painful (not in a good way) and even cringey to watch in the end - especially because of the fact that it had so much potential in the beginning.

Episode 1-6: 7-7.5/10 Episode 5: 4/10 Episode 6: 2/10

No idea why it has sci-fi listed in the description as it is not sci-fi, it is just a drama/thriller. Thought it was a good effort though. No idea when it was filmed but quite relevant as it based around a growing global pandemic. Not familiar with any of the actors but thought there was some decent performances. Hope they do a season 2.