Watchmen (HBO) Discussion Thread

[D.T.]

Yes! You mentioned you might start this next, excellent. There's a really fun site that's a companion, definitely worth reading:

Peteypedia

Read more at HBO.com.

www.hbo.com

Each "file" coresponds to an EP, so as you might imagine, reading ahead == spoilers
[automerge]1587821902[/automerge]

My question is, was there this much emphasis on race relation conflicts in the source material? I don’t remember that. What do you guys think about that without turning it into a PRSI discussion?

It's very present, even if it's sort of just part of the background foundation. I mean, the whole idea of who's in power / moral authority, factors in race, gender, politics - lots of references to Nazism, backstories in the supplemental Watchmen material often references the KKK, the old team has duties like helping to curtail, "black unrest".

So while it may not be the plot itself, it's a pretty conspicuous concept throughout the book. The series kind of flips things a bit, it's very clever in taking the those ideals present in the background, and amping them up, and I can't go into additional details because this is getting dangerously into spoiler territory.

 

[Huntn]

Yes! You mentioned you might start this next, excellent. There's a really fun site that's a companion, definitely worth reading:

Peteypedia

Read more at HBO.com.

www.hbo.com

Each "file" coresponds to an EP, so as you might imagine, reading ahead == spoilers
[automerge]1587821902[/automerge]


It's very present, even if it's sort of just part of the background foundation. I mean, the whole idea of who's in power / moral authority, factors in race, gender, politics - lots of references to Nazism, backstories in the supplemental Watchmen material often references the KKK, the old team has duties like helping to curtail, "black unrest".

So while it may not be the plot itself, it's a pretty conspicuous concept throughout the book. The series kind of flips things a bit, it's very clever in taking the those ideals present in the background, and amping them up, and I can't go into additional details because this is getting dangerously into spoiler territory.

Interesting reading! One thing I seem to have lost was a statement I read in related HBO Watchman articles that of the original Watchmen, only one had super powers Dr. Manhattan. All the others are gifted individuals in some cases masked individuals, in several cases work for law enforcement, or brilliant and seemingly psychotic- Adrian Veidt, aka Ozymandias. Lady Trieu is a mysterious and interesting character. The name at least has a real historical basis.

Rorschach was a character that screamed to have special powers, especially in the movie where the patterns in his mask swirled over his face, if I am remembering correctly.

List of Watchmen characters - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Watchmen_characters#Lady_Trieu

Lady Triệu - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[D.T.]

Rorschach was a character that screamed to have special powers, especially in the movie where the patterns in his mask swirled over his face, if I am remembering correctly.

That was a mask, made from a heat/body reactive material (that was created by Dr. Manhattan).

He just a "regular guy"

 

[Huntn]

Having watched Episode 5, Looking Glass‘s origin story is really interesting along with the reveal about 7th Kalvery, and the truth behind the giant alien squid attack (Which I already knew from cannon). This episode really opens up the story and I think I’ll be sad that it’s over in 4 episodes. It was so good, I’ll probably start over from the beginning, now that I am acclimated.

I realize that those unfamiliar with Watchmen might think this is a just crazy, silly story and while they might be right, beyond eccentric, it may just be brilliant. Ask me in 4 episosdes... don’t bother I’m sure I’ll tell you! 😝

This kind of makes me want to watch the movie, while acknowledging that without a giant alien squid attack, something is seriously missing from that version.

This is a good source to read episode recaps:
‘Watchmen’ Episode 5 Recap: Through The Looking Glass

‘Watchmen’ Episode 5 Recap: Through The Looking Glass

An origin story, and a strong dose of nostalgia.

www.forbes.com

A positive review:
Watchmen’ Review: Damon Lindelof’s Spectacular HBO Series Is Equal Parts Insightful and Exciting

‘Watchmen’ Review: Damon Lindelof’s Spectacular HBO Series Is Equal Parts Insightful and Exciting

HBO's stunning sequel series wrestles with big questions about American identity without sacrificing big-scale entertainment.

www.indiewire.com

!

 

[D.T.]

and the truth behind the giant alien squid attack (Which I already knew from cannon).

We finally got to see this filmed, and it was __amazing__!

 

[Huntn]

This reply was moved over to PRSI due to the subject matter.

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/racism-as-part-of-the-plot-in-hbos-watchmen.2233387/

 

[Huntn]

​

Spoilers
Ok finished Season1! They accomplished a lot in 9 episodes. I realize this will not be everyone’s cup of tea, but in my humble opinion, this was some brilliant, highly creative story telling. At the beginning of the series, it’s a lot to absorb, but it achieves clarity makes sense as the season progresses. If not familiar with cannon, it takes place 30 years after the original story, and even the giant squid is explained. Outstanding character back stories. They managed to introduce a time paradox about why Hooded Justice murdered Judd Crawford. You just don’t usually see the mix of writing, music, and imagery turn into an almost perfection of a story.

This is an interesting opinion about the season, maybe series final. The author says the series was entertaining but missed the mark of the original story. Honestly, it’s hard for me to judge that.

‘Watchmen’ Finale Recap: Plot Twists Are No Substitute For Depth

Entertaining, but as deep as a swimming pool.

www.forbes.com

Questions

• Where did Cyclops leadership go, obliterated?
• Where did Dr. Manhattan’s powers go, the ones that were taken from him? Are they somewhere other than the egg in Angela’s kitchen.
• Do you think Adrian Veidt should have been arrested, after all he saved the world more than once.
• Does anyone think watching the movie would be worthwhile?