Chernobyl (TV Mini Series) Open Wide, O Earth (2019) User Reviews

Hard to find the words.

[groverallover · 10/10 · 21 May 2019]

The acting and the writing are so pitch perfect that you forget you're watching a miniseries and actually feel like you're watching real life.

As a 15 year old boy in 1986 I have memories of this in the news but here I am at 49 really learning about the tragedy that was Chernobyl.

Amazing miniseries.

Cementing itself as one of the finest shows of our generation

[roloman-78606 · 10/10 · 21 May 2019]

Jesus, what an episode. The first two were quite fast paced and gave you the scale of the devastation, then they changed paced this episode to remind you of the impact on small scale(the individuals suffering). This is how you make quality, grade A television.

And the final scene. 5 minute prior the wife is sitting next to her husband holding his hand, and this point is driven home when they show the same husband being buried in steal and surrounded by cement. No common folk at the time understood the impact of this disaster and it's sickening.

This is one of those shows that somewhere in the back of your mind, you know you're watching one of the best shows ever made. But during the episodes, I just feel overwhelming existential dread. I had to stop this episode half way thru and go take a walk to make sure the sky was still there and the air was still clean.

One of the best episodes of TV I've seen in a long time.

[liederman · 10/10 · 21 May 2019]

Where to begin. This show is at the pinnacle of masterful filmmaking and this episode is truly jaw dropping. The visuals, acting, props and sets are all some of the best I've seen in ages and proves that you don't need over the top lavish imagery to emphasise the consequences of this catastrophe and the dread that comes with it. The bleak colour palette and haunting soundtrack is also incredibly powerful. Even a simple shot of concrete filling up a grave is incredibly powerful and honestly sends shivers down my spine. Additionally, this is some of the best use of makeup and prosthetics I've ever seen and those radiated bodies were more disturbing than most horror films! This episode also brings up incredibly complex issues with the Soviet Union and the problematic role of the KGB during this disaster. There are layers upon layers upon layers of depth and complexity here that I'm sure will be fully explored in the next two episodes. This is TV at its finest and has made me forget the disappointing ending to GOT. Can't wait to see where this goes next.

Masterful historical drama

[riccardomantio · 10/10 · 21 May 2019]

Haunting atmospheric hypnotic it's not often you watch a show and as it unfolds , you realise you are watching something very special . I must also add the fusion of despair horror camaraderie etc makes for a great of at times tough watch . Please watch a masterpiece in the making !

The Episode

[mustafarafee · 10/10 · 21 May 2019]

The Episode was quiet and terrifying and OMG the makeup is so great that I felt the pain of the firefighters...... all of these things makes it one of the best TV Shows I have ever seen.

Spectacular performance

[Piltil · 10/10 · 24 May 2019]

The living room or wherever you choose to watch this episode ceases to exist about 25 minutes into this episode. WE become the miners, we want to follow this shift-boss into certain death, just... because..

This is the most brilliant performance I have seen on screen. Alex Ferns interpretation of Glukhov is captivating to say the least. Seldom do one-liners or facial grins alone make the hair on your arm stand. This Glukhov will. Considering the year this happened, this man or any of these men could be your father, brother, your friend. It's amazing the way they portray silent and obedient bravery shown by these miners in 1986. There is something epic about this episode. Something beyond our everyday toils and troubles

Now you look like the minister of coal !!

[mpboylanjr-54038 · 10/10 · 21 May 2019]

A review from someone who actually viewed the episode first. Another great episode . The facts about the nuclear disaster are well known, and the aftermath is far worse than imagined. The people still do not know how badly the radiation will effect them, but the longer time passes the more they are seeing just how sick this is making people. The government decides to call on their comrades in the coal mining industry to help stop the reactor from leaking radioactive waste into the water table that will poison it pretty much forever around the whole country. Plans are in action to cool the reactor before it totally melts and kills the miners whom are pretty much doomed in the foreseeable future anyway. This is a spectacular mini series , and yet another award worthy one from HBO. Acting is incredible and the writing is great. Very informative and fact based.

Breathtaking

[samadabbasi · 10/10 · 21 May 2019]

After being devastated from the disappointing finale of you know which TV show, this episode really has cheered me up.

The acting was once again superb by everyone and the perfect cinematography makes it even more stunning and thought provoking. It literally makes you feel the situation of people effected by this in the real world, when the actual events happened.

The makeup and SFX team need THE HIGHEST AWARDS

[fshardlow · 10/10 · 30 May 2019]

Honestly, if you've seen the episode, you know what I'm talking about. Utterly disturbing sights to see. Utterly incredible effects and makeup, shockingly dark and realistic.

the most uncomfortable hour of television ever

[maxglen · 9/10 · 21 May 2019]

The show up to this point had already been unflinching with it's depictions of the events of Chernobyl but this episode is the emotional peak of the show thus far. this episode follows 2 separate sides of the story, the recruitment of the miners and the irradiated firemen and power plant workers in Moscow. the miner's story although tragic in it's own right, 100s of men given 6 weeks to mine out what all together ends up being hundreds of meters by hand in the worst of conditions imaginable all the while irradiating themselves, somehow ends up being a story of hope. The men are steadfast in their duty and walk into the danger with spirits high, almost every scene with them is inspiring and sometimes even enough to put a smile on your face. On the other hand we finally see the true extent of radiation poisoning, and it's more devastating and haunting than I could have possibly imagined. The makeup in these scenes is incredible, the best I've ever seen in fact. Each time I saw one of the victims I thought like it couldn't get any worse and I couldn't have been more wrong. This show was already not for the faint of heart but this episode pushes even the toughest to their limits I think. Once again the series continues to be outstanding in all aspects, acting, writing, cinematography, effects, costumes, props... the lot. I feel extremely lucky to be able to see this masterpiece unfold week by week as it airs. I'm giving "Open Wide, O Earth" a 9.7 out of 10

A Fantastic Episode - A Masterpiece in Every Way

[EpicBlender · 10/10 · 21 May 2019]

There are so few shows that are put together so perfectly and in a way that completely grips you and keeps you glued to the events unfolding. Everything from the writing, directing, acting, editing and set design is done so beautifully and accurately. This episode portrayed the authenticity of the aftermath of what happened to the firefighters and any and all who were at the disaster site. Every scene is as gripping as the previous. Also, as a person who escaped Czechoslovakia in 1968, Chernobyl shows how the insane asinine Soviet system worked and how the KGB was everywhere and watched everything. The actors and actresses are 100% in character and bring validity to every moment. This episode showed us how people die from acute radiation exposure and it is done in a way that show remind us all what our nuclear world can be if we as a society forget its unstoppable power. Fantastic work on this episode and an amazing miniseries!

Breathtakingly horrifying

[oasis1 · 22 May 2019]

This is 10/10 quality and has been in all 3 episodes. Stunning! Absolutely stunning

Open Wide, O Earth

[Prismark10 · 7/10 · 5 June 2019]

This is the episode where the grim realities of Chernobyl are exposed. The firefighters who went in and became exposed to the high levels of radiation.

We see Lyudmilla caring for her husband. At first he was playing cards with his colleagues in hospital. By the end his body has broken down, the cells ripped apart.

I knew of the stories that the Soviet authorities buried some people in lead coffins entombed in concrete. In this episode we see it.

Ulana goes to the same hospital in Moscow to find out why the reactor exploded. She needs to talk to some of the people who were there before they die.

Legasov tells Boris that they are fortunate. They will die of terminal cancer. Both men have a grudging respect for each other. Yet in this world the KGB circle around everyone.

The make up was gruesome as we see people in different stages of their radiation sickness.

There was also gallows humour from miners bought in to dig underneath. Alex Ferns led his men stark naked as they dug in the searing heat with radiation all around. His men dirtied the suit of the minister of mines, so he would look like them.

Mediocre

[dcc-05474 · 5/10 · 27 May 2019]

I was not very satisfied with this episode. It was repetitive and slow, not at all how I like and I know a lot of people agree with me. I felt like it's lost it's novelty already. There was some scenes that left me bored and others that left me rolling my eyes. I've lost interest in this show already.

Terrific

[matiasbockerman · 10/10 · 24 May 2019]

This is eye opening series. Very horryfying, and scary with stunning directing and acting. This very episode was maybe too disturbing, but sometimes truth is. Highly recommended to everyone, but spesially those who don't know anything of this horryfying disaster. Very well done HBO.

We're Still Wearing the Hats...

[andie74439 · 10/10 · 13 June 2019]

Its hard to find the words sometimes. There is so much about this particular episode that broke me in so many different ways. The search for the unanswerable question 'Why did this happen'. I cannot even begin to imagine trying to wrap your mind around the statements given by those on the scene while watching them literally decompose in front of you. Watching a family member at they're bedside comforting them with a touch that is deadly. The unfairness and the tragedy of the helpers being torn apart by an invisible force they fought to protect people from. The bravery of the miners who cared not for their safety by abandoning wearing protective clothing that may or may not have extended their lives followed by the small levity of 'what? We're still wearing the hats'. Everyone who fought to stop an absolute calamity from becoming something even more unthinkable (and that's difficult to imagine given the visuals here) by sacrificing themselves without question. Its a debt the world can never repay. Moving, disturbing and awe inspiring.

Stunning

[denniyquellhorst · 10/10 · 20 May 2019]

Simply amazing. Do not find any words to describe this episode right at the moment. It is making the series whole as I never seen it before in the entire history of series. The acting once again on the highest level possibly, especially the visual effort was astonishing. All in all, a flawless episode of an amazing series so far. Hope, the last 2 episodes reach the exact limit or even go ahead.

The Miners....

[KatieL214 · 10/10 · 26 May 2019]

There are no words to describe the emotions experienced while watching this series. The scenes with the miners really gutted me though.

Incredible show never have I watched a show and thought this deserves oscars

[jamesraymondwallace · 10/10 · 22 May 2019]

People moaning about the English accents why not everyone knows the story to the degree this show is telling it the science behind it the attempted cover upps the sacrifice people made to save millions of people is incredible outstanding acting writing ect just enjoy how good this show is with the truth it tells turning into one of the best shows I've watched

the final scene

[dalexandrupopescu · 10/10 · 21 May 2019]

The final scene of the episode is brutal and brilliant at the same time. The atmosphere created in the series is incredible close to the reality of that time in any east European country. A very sad reality that is, based on lies and fear.

Open Wide, O Earth (#1.3)

[ComedyFan2010 · 10/10 · 8 June 2019]

This episode keep us with an excellent portrayal of Chernobyl tragedy. The scenes with the dying plant workers were just painful to watch. And Lyudmila staying with her dying husband just made one cry. A very powerful episode

This is huge, epic, the events will live with you.

[Sleepin_Dragon · 10/10 · 28 November 2019]

Another captivating episode, this will have you not just engrossed, but enveloped in the events. Once again you feel the oppression and the atmosphere, all in all it is incredible. The whole story is incredible, and fascinating, but The Miners story is one of the most incredible aspects, captivating.

Sometimes you get a show in a generation that leaves its mark, it's sticks with you forever, this follows Our Friends in the North and Broadchurch, something I will never forget.

The acting is unbelievable once again, the performances are stellar. The special effects will make you feel genuinely uncomfortable. 10/10

Scary and horrifying disaster!!!

[cruise01 · 6/10 · 21 May 2019]

Chernobyl

Episode 1.03 (3 out of 5 stars).

This episode focuses with the government trying to come up with another solution trying to stop the radioactive material from going deep in the soil that will affect the countries water supply. The idea of having miners dig through a tunnel so they can apply some material compound beneath Chernobyl to prevent it from going deeper. Meanwhile, Emily Watson's character is investigating the cause of the explosion in Chernobyl which the government is trying to keep quiet.

It is a slow moving episode. Characters talking about solutions and the impact of the disaster. It is also one of those haunting sad episodes seeing the survivors at the hospital. Suffering from the radiation effects. And the staff trying to contain the people affected by it. It can be tough to see. Seeing people suffer and isolated and this tragic event being true is tough to see.

Worst episode thus far, snoozefest.

[tequila3434 · 3/10 · 21 May 2019]

This episode took 3 steps backwards from the first 2. A lot of unnecessary scenes and forcing emotion out of the viewer. A lot of it felt really phony. This was by far the worst episode. Very boring scenes as well as poor acting. Let's hope the rest of the season is better because this was a complete snoozefest. The person I watch it with fell asleep about 35 mins in which is unheard of. Don't expect much other than filler.

Unbelievable

[stephenl-09393 · 10/10 · 21 May 2019]

As disappointing as game of thrones was HBO throws this absolutely magnificent tv miniseries our way. Horrific and beautiful episode. Can't believe this is a true story