In the dystopian retro-futuristic version of 1999, an unprecedented earthquake tore America in half and left " The Scar", in the depths of which are hidden mysteries that will change humanity. From the general chaos and disintegration rises "The Heart" corporation, which takes a global primacy in all fields, from politics and economy, through science, to the media and entertainment. Crime, violence, and the struggle for survival reign on the streets of American cities, while "The Heart" ruthlessly exploits the situation. Alan Ritchson is a member of the privatized police whom the investigation puts in a situation to choose between participating in a brutal cross-country car race for life and death in which, in the absence of oil, vehicles run on human blood, and becoming fuel for one of the vehicles.
During the thirteen episodes of this SF action-adventure, we follow the transformation of a morally correct cop and his imposed race partner from complete opposites into a team that, with a lot of turbulence, successfully overcomes all obstacles. Christina Ochoa is captivating in the role of a post-apocalyptic femme fatale, and Colin Cunningham has become my favorite villain from the very first moment he appeared on the screen. If for nothing else, Colin should be reason enough for you to give this crazy ride a chance. The characterization is excellent and, in addition to the leading trio, brings us many other interesting characters, among which stand out Alan's partner from police days and Christina's younger sister, as well as several very interesting sociopaths and psychopaths who participate in the race.
The series is basically an action-adventure with an SF premise, but it is imbued with dramatic and horror elements. The characters are diverse, mostly eccentric, which provides a handful of black-humored comic-relief moments. The dialogues are nothing special, although they have their brighter moments, and the strongest trump of the series is the visual aspect. Sex, drugs, and rock and roll in all its glory, explicit violence and mutilation at every turn, and the retro vibe of B production of the seventies and eighties bought me from the very beginning. The series is reportedly canceled, but don't let that deter you. The unexpected finale of the first and only season leaves the possibility for the series to continue, but at the same time it rounds the story quite nicely and, in my opinion, any continuation would be redundant.
8/10
