TV Review!
“Brave New World” on Peacock Review by Suzanne 7/24/20
This is based on the classic novel. It’s been a very long time since I read it, but the series appears to be very different. It keeps some of the names of the characters, but otherwise, it’s been changed quite a lot. Both take place in the future, in London (called “New London” in the series), and they have the same type of dystopian society. However, the characters seem completely new, as is the plot. The names of the characters stay the same, and they still take the drug Soma, but that seems to be about it with the similarities.
In this series, set in a dystopian future, people are bred, not born, and they’re genetically modified to be different types of people in a caste society. People are labeled with A, B, C etc. A is the top type of person, an Alpha. They did mention that they’ve bred out emotions such as jealousy, yet how do you do that with a caste sytem? Also, they all have lots of sex with random partners.
The heroes of the show are Bernard (Harry Lloyd), Lenina (Jessica Brown Findlay) and John (Alden Ehrenreich). Demi Moore has a role as John’s alcoholic mother, Linda. Joseph Morgan (from “The Originals”) appears an Epsilon named CJack60.
Although Bernard is an Alpha, he’s dissatisfied with his life and what he sees going on with their society (which appears to be close to cracking at the seams). Lenina works at a hatchery (where they program babies), and Bernard is her boss. She, too, is dissatisfied. Bernard is ordered to go on holiday, so he takes Lenina with him. They visit “The Savage Lands,” which appears to be the only vacation spot (some Utopia)New . It’s in The United States, which apparently didn’t join the World Society. Everyone there is poor and looks/acts like trash (and is treated as such by the people from London). They put on regular shows for the vacationers where they show old-fashioned concepts like “monogamy.”
The show is a bit heavy-handed at times while they show how everyone is being brain-washed from birth. If soma works so well, why would they need a vacation spot at all? If it doesn’t work so well, then why are only these two dissatisfied? And how would going to “The Savage Lands” to watch a couple of lame plays be a worthwhile vacation, anyway? Hopefully, those type of questions will be explained in future episodes.
The original novel tackled subjects such as racism, sexism, and more. In this show, those things seem to no longer be an issue. Instead, the Alphas and Betas seem to look down on everyone else.
I know it sounds as if I didn’t like the series, but I do. I plan to watch more. I just wish it started a little better. The acting is very good. As scifi, I enjoy it.
MORE INFORMATION:
Based on Aldous Huxleyâs groundbreaking novel, the Peacock Original Brave New World imagines a utopian society that has achieved peace and stability through the prohibition of monogamy, privacy, money, family, and history itself. As citizens of New London, Bernard Marx (Harry Lloyd, âGame of Thrones,â âThe Theory of Everythingâ) and Lenina Crowne (Jessica Brown Findlay, âWinterâs Tale,â âDownton Abbeyâ) embark on a vacation to the Savage Lands, where they become embroiled in a harrowing and violent rebellion. Bernard and Lenina are rescued by John the Savage (Alden Ehrenreich, âSolo: A Star Wars Story,â âHail, Caesar!â), who escapes with them back to New London. Johnâs arrival in the New World soon threatens to disrupt its utopian harmony, leaving Bernard and Lenina to grapple with the repercussions.
Brave New World is produced by UCP, a division of Universal Studio Group, in association with Amblin Television. David Wiener (âHomecoming,â âThe Killingâ) executive produces the series and serves as showrunner. Darryl Frank (âThe Americansâ) and Justin Falvey (âThe Americansâ), co-presidents of Amblin Television, also serve as executive producers. Owen Harris (âBlack Mirror: San Junipero,â âBlack Mirror: Striking Vipersâ), who directs the first two episodes, and Grant Morrison (âHappy!â) also executive produce. Brian Taylor executive produces on the pilot episode.
Proofread and Edited by Brenda
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