Thoughts on Chernobyl 2019 TV HBO Series

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the HBO series "Chernobyl," exploring its realism, historical accuracy, and the broader implications of nuclear safety and accidents. Participants share their thoughts on the series, its dramatization, and related themes in science fiction, as well as personal reflections on nuclear incidents.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants express admiration for the realism of the "Chernobyl" series, questioning which details are factual and which are dramatized.
  • Others argue that while the series is engaging, it should not be taken as a historical account, citing deviations from actual events for dramatic effect.
  • There is a discussion about the absence of nuclear weapon accidents, with some questioning the statistical implications of this observation.
  • Some participants note that there have been significant nuclear accidents, such as the Goldsboro incident, which challenges the notion that no accidents have occurred.
  • Reflections on personal experiences related to nuclear incidents, including emotional impacts and historical context, are shared by participants.
  • Some express interest in other sci-fi media that explore themes of nuclear accidents or extraterrestrial life, indicating a desire for varied narratives in the genre.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the accuracy of the series or the implications of nuclear safety. Multiple competing views remain regarding the interpretation of nuclear accidents and the portrayal of historical events in media.

Contextual Notes

Limitations include varying definitions of what constitutes a "nuclear weapon accident" and differing perspectives on the historical accuracy of dramatizations in the series.

Who May Find This Useful

Readers interested in the intersection of historical events and media portrayals, as well as those exploring themes of nuclear safety and science fiction narratives.

cube137
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Does anyone watch the Chernobyl tv series? https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7366338/

It has such realism you would think it's right in the scene.

Imdb rated it 9.6 out 10.

Did all those details in the series actualy happened? Which part is dramatization?

It made me think deep into the night.

Do you know any sci-fi movies or tv series like it that deals with nuclear weapon accidents?

Our Earth now has enough nuclear weapons to destroy the world 10 times over.

It's odd there was not a single nuclear weapon accident. Statistically, at least one should happen by now.

So something is not right. Unless someone watching over Earth to make sure this doesn't happen?

We have savages on a planet with itchy fingers on the nuclear button. It's ok if all are savages and Earth is expendable, but out of the population are number of souls with genuinely good heart. So perhaps Earth is worth saving at all in the eyes of the galactic society?
 
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I'm not sure whether you can say nothing happened with all those sunken nuclear plants on subs! And I wouldn't bet that nothing had happened only because we do not know. The galactic society, so there is something like that, and not merely alien microbes, is far away anyway and likely not interested.
 
fresh_42 said:
I'm not sure whether you can say nothing happened with all those sunken nuclear plants on subs! And I wouldn't bet that nothing had happened only because we do not know. The galactic society, so there is something like that, and not merely alien microbes, is far away anyway and likely not interested.

Maybe those concerned are regenerates living with us? Does anyone know of any movies where former androids or slaves of aliens who came here centuries ago were on their own and meddling with human affairs for their own sakes. I am so bored with Thanos now as the story is already predictable..so need other kinds of sci for entertainment To get in the mood read this book too..treat it as sci fi https://www.amazon.com/dp/1544822197/?tag=pfamazon01-20
 
cube137 said:
Does anyone watch the Chernobyl tv series? https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7366338/

It has such realism you would think it's right in the scene.
I have been watching the show. I have enjoyed it but more as a disaster film rather than a documentary.
It is interesting, but like a lot of TV I would not take it as history. Here is a NY Times review of it which points out where it deviates from history. At least one character was created (for dramatic effect), the actions of various people were altered (for dramatic effect), the smoke was more and dark rather than light) also for dramatic reasons.
 
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cube137 said:
It's odd there was not a single nuclear weapon accident. Statistically, at least one should happen by now.
Odd how? What does "statistically" even mean in this context?
 
cube137 said:
It's odd there was not a single nuclear weapon accident.

That depends on your definition of a "nuclear weapon accident". There were a lot of accidents with release of radiactive materials and in the 1961 Goldsboro nuclear accident a multi-megaton bomb was very close to an accidentally detonation.
 
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I've seen the previews and it looks really well done. This is one of those stories you kind of hate to watch because you know how it turns out. I had a professor in college who lost a daughter from it and it was very heart wrenching listening to her speak about it on the anniversary.
 
DrStupid said:
That depends on your definition of a "nuclear weapon accident". There were a lot of accidents with release of radiactive materials and in the 1961 Goldsboro nuclear accident a multi-megaton bomb was very close to an accidentally detonation.
And it isn't an actual "wonder". Nuclear weapons are static configurations, whereas nuclear power plants are highly dynamic. This is a bit as if someone wonders that he had never had an accident with his car in the garage.
 
cube137 said:
Does anyone watch the Chernobyl tv series? https://www.imdb.com/title/tt7366338/

It has such realism you would think it's right in the scene.

Imdb rated it 9.6 out 10.

Did all those details in the series actualy happened? Which part is dramatization?

It made me think deep into the night.

Do you know any sci-fi movies or tv series like it that deals with nuclear weapon accidents?

Our Earth now has enough nuclear weapons to destroy the world 10 times over.

It's odd there was not a single nuclear weapon accident. Statistically, at least one should happen by now.

So something is not right. Unless someone watching over Earth to make sure this doesn't happen?

We have savages on a planet with itchy fingers on the nuclear button. It's ok if all are savages and Earth is expendable, but out of the population are number of souls with genuinely good heart. So perhaps Earth is worth saving at all in the eyes of the galactic society?
No but I will.
The whole thing was terrifying at the time.
I saw an excellent docudrama of the incident staring Ade Admondson a few years back.
I was too young to understand the 3 mile island incident.
 
  • #10
pinball1970 said:
I was too young to understand the 3 mile island incident.
I remember a graffiti in a subway station after Chernobyl which read: "Harrisburg : Chernobyl 1:1"
 
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  • #11
fresh_42 said:
I remember a graffiti in a subway station after Chernobyl which read: "Harrisburg : Chernobyl 1:1"
Yes there is humour in everything if you look hard enough, at the time though it was horrible.
Restrictions on grazing animals in parts of the UK due to fallout were only lifted in 2012 and we did not get the worst of it.

The employees and firemen at Chernobyl who stayed to try and fix it, knowing they were receiving potentially lethal doses of radiation, were unbelievably brave.
 
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  • #12
fresh_42 said:
I remember a graffiti in a subway station after Chernobyl which read: "Harrisburg : Chernobyl 1:1"
I should expect a mathematician to remember a ratio in just about anything however
 
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  • #13
I am super eager to get into this series. It's really getting some amazing reviews and critical acclaim. Some referencing the quality similar to The Wire which is awesome. I notice at PF we're getting some activity with Chernobyl threads.
 

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