Yakamoz S-245

I didn't realize until most of the way through that this show was set in the same universe as "Into The Night". Until that point, I was thinking that it was a copy of that show, except on a submarine instead of a plane! Once the events in this show crossed over, and I had the "Oh!" moment, it all made sense and enjoyed it more.

But that's the problem--the story felt too much like a copy (and the same soundtrack?). Similar plot resulting in predictable characters and predictable outcome. It didn't really make good use of the submarine as a plot device, nor explore different characters or dynamic. Instead, we're led down the same path, with same human motivations, with characters that are very thinly developed. The story tries too hard to make a plausible beginning, more so than Into The Night. And clearly, the show's creator has an axe to grind with NATO, so the story universe is focused in Europe, and by its extension, Turkey. It seems to be self-limiting, given that the sun's destructive impact (however implausible, as it may be), affects the whole world.

Still, I can't recall more than one show based in the same story universe but in different languages/ethnicities, so perhaps that's pretty unique. And, this essentially serves as the third season of Into The Night, so I am looking forward to the fourth season (whatever the title may be called).

I give it 6 because despite the ridiculous characters, this series still urge my curiosity and make me watch it till the end.

The series don't really have a meaningful new story (since we already grasp the story about the sun and everything from Into The Night). I just finished it and I can't recall a meaningful conflict, all I remember is the stupidity of the characters and unnecessary arguments here and there. We definitely can understand that everyone who's stuck in such apocalyptic situation won't be able to think clearly, but dang, the characters refused to listen to each other and it pissed me off, a lot. I tried to be neutral but i have to admit on the last several episodes, the scientist group are getting more annoying. For those who hates the submarines group in the first few episode and drop the show, i advice you to try finish the show and see how messed up the scientist group is. They're supposed to be smart but they refused to listen to other possibilities just because of what? Loyalty? They're too naive. It's okay to have several people in the group being that dumb, but the whole group? Come on. They also blamed everything on the submarine groups while most of "bad thing" that happened were mostly at their fault. Some people in the submarines group are annoying too, but at least they still have some logical people there, who's willing to listen to others.

So yeah, several "accidents" in the story can be solved, if only the scientist and the submarines willing to communicate with each others. But then again, we won't have stories if all of them are that smart. And maybe that's what the writers want? To make us frustrated? If that's the purpose, then good job on that.

The only think that push me to finish this was my curiosity, will the characters stay stubborn till the end, or there will be some character development? The answer lies in the last 20 minutes lmao. That's when they realised their stupidity, and that's when we get a glimpse of "new plot" for the next season/sequel. On the next sequel (which I guess the casts will be the mix between Yakamoz casts and Into The Night casts) i guess they'll finally start to figured things out together in more reasonable way.

Plot

After disaster strikes Earth, a marine biologist on a submarine research mission must fight to survive with the crew as a conspiracy comes to light.

Cast

Wasn't familiar with anyone, but I'll say that everyone under performed and there was no standout members of the cast.

Verdict

I quite enjoyed the companion piece Into The Night (2020-2021) and thought it was a fantastic premise however I become frustrated at it being yet another show that was cancelled prematurely and was left a pointless watch with no ending. Learning of Yakamoz S-245 before this realization I was very excited at these two intertwined shows and was very much looking forward to watching it.

Into the Night being Belgium made and this being Turkish was a real surprise, what a curious turn of events I thought as I booted it up and waded back into the universe where the sun has turned fatal.

The characters were bland, the cast even blander I watched disappointed but still gripped and fascinated where it was all going to go. Inferior to Into the Light it was still watchable however I had this nagging feeling that this would become another casualty to the awful cancellation trend we've had going for years now and I was right.

Into the Night and Yakamoz S_245 make up a fantastic concept and a solid story, but with no ending for either what's the point? I like them, but I'd advise nobody waste their time.

Rants

I'm a movie guy more than a television guy and always have been but as time goes by that's becoming more and more of a thing. Television in my opinion is in a bad spot, let's compare.

TV shows used to have 20-24 episodes per season TV shows now have 6-10 episodes per season

TV shows used to have a new season per year TV shows now often have 2-3 years inbetween seasons

TV shows used to rarely get cancelled without an ending TV shows now are more than likely to get cancelled without an ending

And now on streaming services we're often still waiting a week per episode and watching adverts?! It's like we're regressing.

The Good

Incredible concept Well made for the most part

The Bad

Weak cast Bland characters It has no ending...

In fact, this is Season 3 of Into the Night (so you ought to watch that first). Only slightly better than the first 2 seasons.

First off: If you did not like Into the Night you will probably not like this. The negative reviews here are complaining about the exact same issues that Into the Night has. In other words, you cannot judge this series on that, seeing as you cannot make a third season without adopting the same premises.

Yes, there are some plot holes. Yes, there are some scientific inaccuriacies. Yes, some characters behave unrealistically.

But... this is not exactly rare, especially for Netflix productions. You have to buy into the premises of the universe, otherwise watch a documentary and don't bother with fiction.

As far as apocalyptic movies concerns this is far better than the bulk of Hollywood productions.

The international aspect of 'Yakamoz' and 'Into the Night' are excellent. Most of the actors are above average. Effects and production seem tight and professional. It has a tolerable pace and not too many filler scenes.

I especially enjoy how it paralells Into the Night. This is innovative and I suspect will become more common in the future. We get different angles of the same story.

In Yakamoz the characters are more mature. In Into the Night few seem to understand that life is precious and cooperation is primary to survive. This was my biggest beef with Into the Night, that they behave petty and isolationistic to a degree that none in their shoes would do considering the circumstances.

The psychology is somehwat cleaned up in Yakamoz - so the deaths that occur are more circumstantially legitimate from the context of the plot, rather than killing each other one by one like in Season 1 and 2.

There is not much humour in the series, but the few instances of it are subtle and intelligent.

Season 1 was better than Season 2, but Yakamoz as Season 3 has raised it back up. So I have high hopes for Season 4. It would not surprise me if we then get the Russian story as another spin-off.

The thriller aspect is not as strong here as in Season 1, but there are some chilling scenes - like the Spanish cannibals (although it's completely unrealistic that people delve to this after a few weeks).

We also get some unanswered questions from the previous seasons here, like who bombed the planes. And some new mysteries: How many other enclaves of survivors? Who's the officials who were communicating in Into the night - like the U. S. base? What's really going on in the Indian Ocean?

All in all a good effort that may become better with further seasons. Usually stuff gets worse with each season, but if they keep fixing the weaknesses of previous seasons and stick to this spin-off angle where the seasons dove-tail with each others stories - I have high hopes.

This series won't write history, but it is not trash either. Rather it is highly binge-worthy and will keep you entertained.

PS! Neither of the seasons should be watched dubbed! For some reason the voices are lower when dubbed - but far worse: some of the voice actors are horrible and detracts from the story. In fact, the dubbed version sinks it a star or 2. I suspect those negative reviews who complain about the acting have actually been intellectually lazy and avoided the original languages.

With the plot of sun killing everyone and scientists group together with military, there is plenty of 'natural drama' that would be created from that. Scientists goal would be on trying to figure out what happen, military would be following rules and survive, which would create conflict. But instead we have a series where most people on both sides have the emotional maturity of a spoiled 15-year old. There is scheming, screaming, exaggerated suspense that populate the storyline more so then the 'sun is killing everyone'. As many people mentioned, it almost seems like a season 3 of Into The Night from a different perspective. There is very little to root for and with all the scientists you would think there would be one 'logical' person in the grouping, but alas, everyone is pure selfish emotion, all the time. Did I mention the manufactured drama?