The constant cutting back and forth between the pandemic and the post-pandemic gets tedious, and I think too much time is being spent on character backstories that don't matter in the post-pandemic present.
I get it, we need some backstory, but is spending half an episode on characters who die in the pandemic worthwhile?
Switching back and forth between now and then is all the rage. I think Lost was one of the first long-running shows which did this a lot, from memory. I may be wrong but it has influenced a lot of ideas since. It's a good way to appeal to a larger audience by not concentrating on the basic premise of the show, and also fill out the expectations of running time per episode.
shareThe timeline switching got annoying and I gave up on the show at episode 4. I may go back to it some day.
shareThis is a device to introduce information about a character when you need to know it, instead of way before or after because people might be watching weekly, or they might be watching other shows at the same time, or they might just not have a great memory.
The thing that gets me about this show is how "alternative" they all are. There's no computer programmers in this group, or cops, or soldiers, or doctors, or insurance agents, etc, they are all kind of weird drama types.
I started out irritated at this, especially that Jeevan character whose actions are baffling, but I am intrigued and interested enough to keep watching.
One question I have is are the people left immune to the super-flu, or the super-flu has just burned itself out?
I don't think the timeline jumping is a narrative device for people with bad memories, I think its a more deliberate artistic kind of technique.
I sort of got used to it or at least tolerated it because the performances have been so good.
Most of the characters are literally drama types, so its not unreasonable there's not much character diversity.
a device to introduce information about a character when you need to know it
shareI agree totally. Flashbacks are a tool to be used for a specific purpose.
But even then, they need to be done in a way that's clearly understood, and not convoluted or arbitrary, just for 'style' intentions.
I enjoyed the outbreak, during and post pandemic. I found from year tow and onwards a bit uneven and boring.
shareI don't think it would be the same if they had not done that.
It was a strain on the brain for sure trying to remember who
someone was and what they did, and where we last saw them.
But that suspense and concern is all the more powerful when
they come back. This series was an awesome piece of work.