What's awesome about it: How to explain Siberia. I've seen it described as "Lost meets Survivor." Initially (through most of the first episode in fact) you might think it's just a reality show about a bunch of random people surviving in the wilderness for a cash prize. However, by the end of the first episode, when one of the cast members dies, you realize that this is a scripted show using the reality show format. More deaths, strange occurrences, and eerie events pile up, the cameras rolling the whole time, the "cast" doing one-on-one interviews, some picking up faster than the others that strange things are going on. As the cast searches for answers, schemes and "plays the game," and uncover clues and mysteries.
Despite some early episode awkwardness, eventually the show finds its footing and becomes a decently scary horror show with strong performances (most from first-time stars, the cast was picked to be full of newcomers who wouldn't be recognizable to audiences), twists and turns, great use of the landscape, and surprisingly poignant moments. The characters all seem like normal people trapped in a bizarre situation, and act accordingly, some staying strong, some breaking down, some lashing out, etc. The premise is so intriguing, I'm amazed more tv shows haven't tried this format.
Now this show ends on one nasty cliffhanger. The status of the show has been in limbo for years now. If you can't stand unanswered questions, this isn't a show to get into as its fate is unknown. We get just enough answers to the major questions, such as "is this real or fake" or "what happened that night they blacked out" or "what was the thing in the woods?" or "where did that spear come from?" So you're not just left with no idea what happened at all, you have SOME answers ... but you want MORE.
Whittling down the characters was really difficult for me. Everyone is fantastic, I agonized over my choices. Eventually I chose: Sabina - former Israeli soldier. Seems like a stoic badass at first, reveals some intense backstory later on that explains her attitude. One of the most useful and competent members of the group, the person you'd want on your side when stuck in the woods and scary stuff started happening. Here's a gifset of her. Daniel - a sweetie. Generally decent guy, tries his best to work together with people and help people when they get into trouble. Average Everyman, viewpoint character to several major plotlines and character reveals. Burgeoning romance with Irene. Irene - another sweetie. Becomes one of the most useful characters when she reveals she knows archery, and helps hunt deer in the woods, impressing everyone. Wounded and damseled later on, but still an important character. Burgeoning romance with Daniel. Sam - initially I was worried about this guy, he seemed like the gruff older white man who'd become the team leader. But he didn't. He turned out to be a complex character who was more surrogate father to the younger characters and loyal second-in-command to the stronger personalities of the group. Here's a pic post for him.
Where to find: 1. You can buy the DVD set on amazon or stream the 11 episodes: https://www.amazon.com/Siberia/dp/B00I01PGKA (You could also poke around less reputable sites, I've seen it around, not that I endorse such things of course.)
3. Here is the trailer, which spoils A LOT of things. If you have any interest in this show at all, I recommend just watching the show. At 11 episodes, you'll go through it pretty fast. The trailer spoils some of the twists, but here it is: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sfgZqTr_hOA
no subject
What's awesome about it:
How to explain Siberia. I've seen it described as "Lost meets Survivor." Initially (through most of the first episode in fact) you might think it's just a reality show about a bunch of random people surviving in the wilderness for a cash prize. However, by the end of the first episode, when one of the cast members dies, you realize that this is a scripted show using the reality show format. More deaths, strange occurrences, and eerie events pile up, the cameras rolling the whole time, the "cast" doing one-on-one interviews, some picking up faster than the others that strange things are going on. As the cast searches for answers, schemes and "plays the game," and uncover clues and mysteries.
Despite some early episode awkwardness, eventually the show finds its footing and becomes a decently scary horror show with strong performances (most from first-time stars, the cast was picked to be full of newcomers who wouldn't be recognizable to audiences), twists and turns, great use of the landscape, and surprisingly poignant moments. The characters all seem like normal people trapped in a bizarre situation, and act accordingly, some staying strong, some breaking down, some lashing out, etc. The premise is so intriguing, I'm amazed more tv shows haven't tried this format.
Now this show ends on one nasty cliffhanger. The status of the show has been in limbo for years now. If you can't stand unanswered questions, this isn't a show to get into as its fate is unknown. We get just enough answers to the major questions, such as "is this real or fake" or "what happened that night they blacked out" or "what was the thing in the woods?" or "where did that spear come from?" So you're not just left with no idea what happened at all, you have SOME answers ... but you want MORE.
Whittling down the characters was really difficult for me. Everyone is fantastic, I agonized over my choices. Eventually I chose:
Sabina - former Israeli soldier. Seems like a stoic badass at first, reveals some intense backstory later on that explains her attitude. One of the most useful and competent members of the group, the person you'd want on your side when stuck in the woods and scary stuff started happening.
Here's a gifset of her.
Daniel - a sweetie. Generally decent guy, tries his best to work together with people and help people when they get into trouble. Average Everyman, viewpoint character to several major plotlines and character reveals. Burgeoning romance with Irene.
Irene - another sweetie. Becomes one of the most useful characters when she reveals she knows archery, and helps hunt deer in the woods, impressing everyone. Wounded and damseled later on, but still an important character. Burgeoning romance with Daniel.
Sam - initially I was worried about this guy, he seemed like the gruff older white man who'd become the team leader. But he didn't. He turned out to be a complex character who was more surrogate father to the younger characters and loyal second-in-command to the stronger personalities of the group.
Here's a pic post for him.
Where to find:
1. You can buy the DVD set on amazon or stream the 11 episodes: https://www.amazon.com/Siberia/dp/B00I01PGKA
(You could also poke around less reputable sites, I've seen it around, not that I endorse such things of course.)
2. Here is the theme song, which I think is eerie and cool, and really looks like it's a reality show theme: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TJ41hEUPYr0
3. Here is the trailer, which spoils A LOT of things. If you have any interest in this show at all, I recommend just watching the show. At 11 episodes, you'll go through it pretty fast. The trailer spoils some of the twists, but here it is: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sfgZqTr_hOA
4. Here are some gifsets of the show's cinematography: http://ksniasolo.tumblr.com/post/87480077857
http://ksniasolo.tumblr.com/post/78077581298
http://ksniasolo.tumblr.com/post/87756791522