dothancore

I didn't expect much, but after the first couple episodes, it really got my interest. It is an excellent show, fascinating script, great acting/chemistry, beautiful Russian countryside scenery, and realistic periodical background. Granted, watching it with subtitle was not easy, but it didn't take away the brilliance of the show. I think it'd be much more well-known and popular if the show is on Netflix, such underrated gem!

The music/sound is extremely loud, to the point that it overwhelms character's dialog 70% of the time, I have never seen anything like this. I thought it was just me, but I saw quite a few reviews complaining the same thing. It makes an already overly-convoluted plot even harder to follow. At certain point, it starts to feel that the director is making it complex for the sole purpose of complexity. It doesn't really make the story more interesting or engaging.

9/10 for S1, 5/10 for S2

Season 1 was edgy, tense, exciting. It has beautiful cinematography, supported by great acting, twisted story line, and plenty suspense. I didn't read the book, but still thoroughly enjoyed the show. It was a big winner for Netflix.

All of which has changed with Season 2. It felt like just another tired Sci-Fi flick we have seen a million times. Not sure what happened.