Chernobyl Ep 5 - Full Reaction

I recommend everyone that has seen this series to listen to the Chernobyl podcast. The writer of the show walks through each episode and breaks it down. Very interesting podcast if you want to learn more about Chernobyl, the real people involved in the accident, and the making of the show itself.

Xavier Sherman

If you are looking for another mini-series, I would suggest "Danger UXB" (1979). It is about disposal of unexploded bombs during WW2. The fuse types and solutions are real.

Charles Mills

One of the things that amazes me most about this miniseries is that it's writer/creator Craig Mazin had prior to this written screenplays for goofy (albeit hilarious) comedies like SCARY MOVIE 3 and 4, ROCKET MAN (not to be confused with the Elton John biopic of the same name), and THE HANGOVER: PARTS II and III. As for other miniseries recommendations, I'd like to suggest the Netflix series MANIAC starring Jonah Hill & Emma Stone. A trippy blend of comedy and drama combined within an alternative reality setting.

Jack the Narrator

True detective season 1

Robin

As a Navy Vet that worked with nuclear reactors, I'm impressed at how succinctly they were able to describe what went on inside the reactor and how the events unfolded in layman terms. I also have to add that your husband is a lucky man. You always look great, but wow! You are a fox with your hair up and those glasses. Really enjoyed your reaction to this, and am looking forward to watching all your content.

Krucifus

Trailer with English subtitles: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zd0bNSYIWnE

Gábor Árki

The trial in this episode just gave me a suggestion idea: A tanú / The Witness (1969). It's a political satire about communism and populist, authorizer regimes altogether and one of the best Hungarian movies ever made. The story is following a dike-reeve who is caught up in a political scheme and put into numerous positions (CEO of a swimming pool, amusement park, etc) just so in exchange they can ask him to "return the favour" and participate in a show trial as the star witness against his old friend who fell out of the favour of the communist regime. Even though it was financed by the communist regime in the '60s and was mainly mocking the Stalin-like Rákosi-regime the movie was banned and only surfaced a decade later.

Gábor Árki

The '94 version of The Stand won't be available on any streaming service. I can send you it on a flash drive though. lol

William Bryan

Cassie, I recommend you read the book "Midnight at Chernobyl: The Unknown Story of the World's Greatest Nuclear Disaster" by Adam Higginbotham. Higginbotham's award winning book provides so much detail. I highly recommend you read it Great reaction!

Dennis Donehoo

Hmm... But the only mention of like anything Communist related is the productivity quotas, nowhere else in the entire series is there anything related to the economics of the USSR. It is Authoritarianism, for if you think about it, if any of the dictatorships in Africa or Middle-East had nuclear reactors they would likely have been handled in the same manner.

Mikio

You are definitely correct. I feel that Isla Johnston not get enough credit though.

Björn Von Knorring

Rich Campbell

I vote The Stand (1994 version) as the next mini series

William Bryan

I believe there are still active reactors at Cherynobl. Ukraine still uses one or two of them. And they only finished containing it a few years ago. And if you're survived that Formin got a job with at a new plant, the three men convicted were seen more sympathetically by the Russian citizens years later as the truth that it really was more the design flaw that the was covered up. And tehre are survivors from the Bridge of Death. Several came forward after the miniseries.

Reed James

"Every lie we tell incurs a debt to the truth. Sooner or later that debt is paid." - Valery Legasov "Chernobyl" Not sure if he truly said this or not, but it is one of the most powerful statements I've heard in a film or miniseries. Regardless, its a truth we all need to deal with.

Jimmy Crackcorn

Cassie, Thank you so much for sharing your reactions to this amazing mini-series. As I write this post, I still have a lump in my throat from the final episode. It was amazing and I thank you again for sharing.

Patrick Reynolds

I've been fascinated by the Chernobyl disaster for probably 20 years. I couldn't wait for this series each week. If I remember correctly, it would air each week after the terrible season 8 of Game of Thrones. I believe there are some inaccuracies in this series, and some will dispute that Dyatlov was really as horrible as portrayed here. Paul Ritter, the actor that played Dyatlov, sadly passed away earlier this year. Overall the show was superbly done and I loved watching it again (for the third time) along with you.

Justin Schuller

good stuff. this show did a great job showing the rot of communism and how it is the absolute worst way to govern a people. let us never see it anywhere else than where it's last lingering today

MetallicOpeth

That was really good, really enjoyed it all. Thank you for doing this series, really enjoyed watching it again.

Mr. Killeverything

Add me to The Queen''s Gambit faction. Very engaging central character. And no, you don't have to know anything about chess to thoroughly enjoy this 7-episode series.

Mingo Wayama

Thanks for sticking through to the end, Cassie; even though it’s not an easy watch it is very powerful, and most everyone finds themselves affected by it. Also, I genuinely love that even in the grim and emotionally heavy series like Chernobyl, you’re still on the lookout for a love story, that honestly added cheer and hope to my day!

Christopher B.

John Adams (2008) is another great HBO mini series.

G

Show trials started in the 1930's in the Soviet Union, and the prosecutors and jury has already seen the "evidence" and make their verdict and there are no defense for the defendants. The entire court proceedings is all a show for the public, hence the term "show trial". The prosecutor is even higher ranking than the judge, which is why he is the one reading up everything and had to nod to the judge that it was okay to hold a break etc. The show takes the liberty of using the characters from the show for the trial, and uses it to explain the nuclear science for the viewer. In the actual trial it was not Legasov presenting evidence, but 10's of scientists that helped gather the evidence and they were more technical and scientific. At the point of the trial Valery Alekseyevich Legasov had already been voted out of the Kurchatov Institute and was sitting in his home in Moscow unemployed. The story of Valery Legasov is just even more tragic in real life, as it was sometime when he was sitting there at home WITH HIS WIFE AND DAUGHTER that he decided to record his full memoirs, as he had lost all faith in the Soviet system. He likely never saw Boris Shcherbina in person after February 1987 (about 1 month before the trial).

Mikio

Hard to believe but Boris Shcherbina actually had to deal with TWO massive disasters during his time on the Council of Ministers. In December 1988 a 6.8 earthquake struck in Armenia (at the time, Armenia was still a socialist republic within the USSR and not an independent country). The area where it struck was filled with cheaply made and unsafe buildings and several small cities were completely leveled, killing up to 50,000 people. Shcherbina was said to be responsible for convincing Gorbachev to invite in foreign relief missions - to ask for help, in other words, which as this show made clear wasn't typical Soviet behavior. His death may have been caused by radiation or it may not - doctors weren't allowed to list radiation as causes of death on death certificates after Chernobyl. This miniseries won a boatload of awards. Stellan Skarsgard won a Golden Globe for his performance as Boris. He's a Swedish actor whose natural voice is quite different from the one he used for Boris. Several of his children are also actors, including Alexander Skarsgard (TRUE BLOOD) and Bill Skarsgard (IT - he played Pennywise the clown). Skarsgard gave a humorous acceptance speech at the Golden Globes, here is the clip (about a minute long): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sD1yqfR2wC0 Glad you enjoyed the series, was a lot of fun revisiting it with a newbie.

Patrick Flanagan

That would be my suggestion too. Don't think there are any reactions to it on YouTube.

Patrick Flanagan

Cosign. Fantastic miniseries.

Patrick Flanagan

The huge dump yard of vehicles they drove past is there in real life, it is all the equipment used to deal with the clean up, as it is all contaminated. 100's of trucks, busses, excavators and even military helicopters have just been dumped there since the late 1980's to decay away.

Mikio

Norma Rae - 1979, would be a nice companion type reaction; where the workers make a change for the better against the status quo.

Allen Bond

For a short series reaction, can I suggest the UK version of Broadchurch? If you're interested in murder mystery/detective stories, it's a quality one!

Uncle 'Traveling' Matt

I would suggest "From the Earth to the Moon". Another HBO series produced by Tom Hanks and a perfect follow-up to "Apollo 13" (which I also highly recommend if you haven't seen it).

Agrippa

I tell everyone of my friends that hasn't seen it to do themselves a favor and watch it. As for new miniseries to watch, I'm sure many will suggest "Generation Kill" which is also a great series about the 2003 invasion of Iraq. I would also suggest the miniseries (on Hulu I believe) called "The Looming Tower" that traces the series of events in the late 90s that eventually led to the 9/11 attacks. Amazing reaction as usual!

LuMarq

I'd like to suggest The Jinx. It's about a murder with one of the biggest Oh My ending I've ever seen. The man, Robert Durst, is on trial now for one of the murders he suspected for. Tossing it out there. Wonderful finale reaction to this one Cassie, puts it all together.

softshoes

+1 for The Queen's Gambit. This show caught me completely by surprise, and I loved it! Excellent acting, writing, direction, and music! If for no other reason, see it for Anya Taylor-Joy's amazing performance.

Ron

So glad you reacted to this Cassie. I’m glad you enjoyed it. I have another recommendation for you. Dr. Death with Joshua Jackson from Dawson creek. A true story and it’s only 8 episodes so it won’t take you very long. Just a suggestion. Have a great night.

brooke atkins

Can really recommend ”The queens gambit” on Netflix. You will love it. You don’t need to know about chess before watching.

Björn Von Knorring

Great content! Great reaction!

Krusty “Topher”

The Hatfields and McCoys is great. It stars Kevin Costner and Bill Paxton. It's 3 episods/parts.

Carlos Hurtado