Excellent. I didn't expect a good adaptation from Netflix, given its history of failures, but they did it. A 70-year-old comic had to be updated, and it's fine. The original story is a classic that particularly portrays the fight against fascism, and in its second version, against the Argentine military government. For audiences far removed from the social, cultural, and historical spheres of Latin America, it's probably difficult to identify with the plot or historical events like the Malvinas argentinas War. But a story that goes from - to +, and ends on a high note with pure science fiction is worth it, even for the most demanding audiences. It's highly recommended to read the original comic to get a taste for it. I can't wait for season two... I hope it doesn't take two years!
Some clarifications for the non-Latin American/Hispanic public. SPOILERS 👇
In Argentina, guns aren't sold the same way they are in the US, for example. Access to the legal market is almost nonexistent. That's why certain individuals don't want to pick up a gun, because it's abnormal in such a society, and it goes against their principles, in Elena's case, because she is a medical doctor.
Distrust isn't common around everyone; neighbors know and greet each other, and generally, coexistence is good; it's not a generally defensive society.
Many situations are impossible to translate, much less behaviors. What may seem strange is the common way of behaving in these countries. Things are taken for granted, obvious, and there's no need to express them; just act or think about them/reflect. Silences are normal and have their meanings depending on the context.
In Buenos Aires, it has only snowed twice in its entire history, and obviously not in the summer. Originally, they think it might be asbestos from the burning power station, but they quickly realize that the shiny snow is the cause. There is no other reason, and there can be no other reason. In the original comic, they realize it just as quickly.
For a character to leave even with the possibility of death, is part of human irrationality, and they must keep that in mind at all times. Humans in these situations are not rational.
The beetles originally appear in the comic, as do the other creatures. The design is very similar. Keep in mind that this comic was written in the 1950s and translated into several languages. It's a precursor to science fiction, not an imitation. It existed 70 years before and is very faithful to the original work.
The slow pace in the first four episodes is due to the psychological foundations being established, where the characters adapt to what is happening and feel paranoia taking over. Then everything speeds up.
The secondary narratives that seem pointless will later be resolved in what will be the second and final season. Remember that this is an already known work, and a comic book; not everything is given to the viewer.
P. S. Claiming that those who positively rate the series are likely relatives of the actors is deeply disrespectful. You may not like it, but that doesn't mean you should dismiss something because you simply don't understand it or don't like it. This is a work that has waited decades to be adapted, with a huge fan base, and above all, because it has a very distinctive idiosyncrasy from the Río de la Plata region, and because it is loved by millions of Argentinians. P. S. 2. Watch it with subtitles and stop complaining about the dubbing. We watch American movies all the time, and we don't complain.
