Which Side of The Board?

I have started this blog with four review types: movie review, video game review, comic book review, and novel review. Choosing these types wasn’t a random decision. Those are the platforms that I am inspired by, but tv-series…Tv series are not a medium that I have enjoyed. I have watched tons of movies. However, I only prefer to follow animated shows such as “Avatar: The Last Airbender”, “Castlevania”, “Samurai Jack” etc…Life action series rarely evokes a feeling inside me. Most of the time, I feel tired and bored while looking at the screen in the episode of “Prison Break”. The reason for this remains a secret. Then, discovering the miniseries opens a new folder in the center of my mind. First, I have encountered with series called “Chernobyl”. Chernobyl is a spectacular show that heavily focuses on a scientist who searches how the nuclear center has been exploded. There are only six episodes or less maybe, but in the end, the audience can get the same satisfaction as finishing an incredible drama. In other words, it is a movie split into six episodes. Visual effects and acting are excellent compare to other tv shows. The last episode is also well written by summarizing the main message of the show: “I once would fear the cost of the truth now I only ask what the cost is of lies.” Basically, shocking and genuine scene I have never seen before. When I turn off my laptop, I immediately ask myself: “What is the cost of finishing ‘the Chernobyl’? Would I sail a different land where is as beautiful as this one?” I have trusted to my instincts and hit on the land of “The Queen’s Gambit”. The most fascinating show I have witnessed in my quarantine life.

The difference between “The Queen’s Gambit” and “The Chernobyl” is the former focuses on the event as its plot whereas the latter chooses his main protagonist to lead the story by her decisions and actions. The fundamental of storytelling: let your character move the story. An orphan girl who is a genius chess player may be sounded boring, but you should know that Beth Harmon who is portrayed by Anya Taylor Joy is an entraining person. I always love to watch and analyze the characters I found a sense of myself. Beth Harmon is one of those fictional characters. Why? Because I am a remarkable chess player? Not a bit close…. My chess adventure ends in my high school years. My best friend and I tried to play in a break. He waited for my next move for fifteen minutes by thinking that I would come up with a masterstroke or move. Instead of coming up with a great move, I asked him how could I move one of the knights. Then how I am supposed to be with Beth Harmon? Both Beth and I devote ourselves to be the perfect figures for the field that we are passionate about. Sometimes our perfectionist approach may break the beauty of our work, but it also drives us to improve ourselves constantly. On the other hand, the differences between me and Beth are more significant than similarities. I will explain this issue in the terms of Aristotle’s theory of the pleasure of intellect and bodily pleasure.

Aristotle suggests that people gain happiness in two separate ways: happiness we get by using our mind and happiness we get by the needs of our bodily desires (tasting, touching, drinking, etc.) Also, Aristotle warns his followers to keep these two sides of pleasures in balance. Otherwise, one of the sides of pleasures will be in extreme level and the other side will be lacking. This means that people will suffer from both sides. In the situation of Beth is located in a high level of intellectual pleasure. Furthermore, the bodily pleasures of Beth are nearly at a level that is closer to the ground. Most of the time in the show, she just focuses on learning how to play chess like collecting all the strategy books, analyzing them without taking a nap, and testing her new skills on her chessboard. On another side, she fails to understand social necessities and the truth of life. At least, I can comprehend my social surroundings better than Beth herself. Her step-mother advise her to enhance her skill by seeing things that Beth have never seen before. I can emphasize what she has thought. Probably something like “What a waste of time…”. On the opposite, it is the essential contribution Beth needs. Staying away chess for a while and opens a door to start seeing things will assist her to think and examine everything. Only reading books and closing the other senses will block the possibility of developing.

Queen’s Gambit in the perspective of the character development is insanely well-written. As I previously mentioned Beth is a character who merely cares about playing chess due to her talent. Step by step this character chooses to be aware of her weakness and commence to practice them. She explores new areas in cities, listens to a child whose goal is to become a world champion at an early age, and realizes chess is only a small part of the world. This does not subordinate the importance of chess for her but helps her to see all the angles in her reality. For me, the biggest question of the show is whether this character would turn mad, or figure out how to manage two sides of the coin. I am not going to spill out the answer! You should watch it.

In conclusion, Queen’s Gambit is a show which includes a brilliant chess player and her life. However, “chess” in this tv show is a vehicle for moving the show. The real story is a gambit of a girl who likes to play chess and would sacrifice everything, especially her mental health, for becoming the best. You can get inspired by watching the story of Beth Harmon and understand the importance of keeping everything in balance like all things should be ?

Farewell until the next review…
Y.O.K

Note: I also think what will be the next topic and I have two options: One is about a vampire pandemic and a man’s depression in that dystopia. The other one also contains a deathly virus that infects an innocent family and you are their new member of the family. Your purpose is to get out of the mansion as soon as possible.