The Queen's Gambit

[edwin drood]

Ok, it's 4 years old, but I'm new to Netflix. It is the best TV I've seen in years. Wonderful framework using the game of chess, fantastic design of costumes and hair styles and an early exploration of authorities using mind and mood controlling drugs.

If you've not seen it, a brief synopsis:
Young Beth Harmon, 9 years old, father unknown, is orphaned when her mother commits vehicular suicide. Beth is committed to a Kentucky orphanage where the children are daily given a blue pill, presumed to be Librium, a popular anti-anxiety pharmaceutical in the early 1960's.

One day while doing chores in the school basement she sees the custodian studying a chess board and she asks about it. Turns out she's a chess prodigy and soon begins winning local chess tournaments. She's adopted at age 15 and new step mom shares Beth's addiction to Librium.

The story progresses as Beth matures, deals with the adoptive parents and seeks to become the best chess player in Kentucky, the USA, and the world.

Anya Taylor-Joy is brilliant as Beth. Worth the short viewing time.

[George Zipp]

I just went thru it a second time and it was as great as the first. Such a pleasure to view. From her early childhood to the end and all that happens between. My favourite moments are when she beats players who have no clue who she is or who don't respect her because she is female, or because she doesn't have a rating.

I've seen some rumours that there is going to be another season. I'm not quite sure how that works but I'll watch whatever it is.

[edwin drood]

I just went thru it a second time and it was as great as the first. Such a pleasure to view. From her early childhood to the end and all that happens between. My favourite moments are when she beats players who have no clue who she is or who don't respect her because she is female, or because she doesn't have a rating.

I've seen some rumours that there is going to be another season. I'm not quite sure how that works but I'll watch whatever it is.

I don't know about a second season. It's based on a novel by Walter Tevis, who died 40 years ago. Some stories, I think, should just stand on their own...

[George Zipp]

I just went thru it a second time and it was as great as the first. Such a pleasure to view. From her early childhood to the end and all that happens between. My favourite moments are when she beats players who have no clue who she is or who don't respect her because she is female, or because she doesn't have a rating.

I've seen some rumours that there is going to be another season. I'm not quite sure how that works but I'll watch whatever it is.

I don't know about a second season. It's based on a novel by Walter Tevis, who died 40 years ago. Some stories, I think, should just stand on their own...

No idea it was based on a book. To the internet I go. Hope to have it before Sunday night. Have a long flight. Thx.

I have conversations with friends about what season 2 looks like. It’s never good. I agree with you. It was great. Call it a day.

[GelatinousEndive]

I just went thru it a second time and it was as great as the first. Such a pleasure to view. From her early childhood to the end and all that happens between. My favourite moments are when she beats players who have no clue who she is or who don't respect her because she is female, or because she doesn't have a rating.

I've seen some rumours that there is going to be another season. I'm not quite sure how that works but I'll watch whatever it is.

I don't know about a second season. It's based on a novel by Walter Tevis, who died 40 years ago. Some stories, I think, should just stand on their own...

Yes, I do not want to see a sequel.

You will not find a bigger fan of the novel “The .queen’s Gambit” on these forums than me. I bought the novel when it first came out decades ago as an avid fiction reader, but also as someone who very seldom purchased the books I read. I worked in libraries. But this is a little book I wanted to own.

And the tv adaptation was simply perfect. The sets were astonishing. An entirely wonderful production.

It was cool that I was able to sell my first edition of the book for $35 at the time this production came out. We were moving and I was downsizing books.

I am savoring the idea of watching it for a second time.

[Pink Freud]

Be sure to see the Ralph Fiennes mind-bending fine-dining movie "The Menu". Ana Taylor-Joy steals every scene she's in. I don't know if she's beautiful or weird-looking, just that I can't take my eyes off her when she's onscreen.

[Pink Freud]

I just went thru it a second time and it was as great as the first. Such a pleasure to view. From her early childhood to the end and all that happens between. My favourite moments are when she beats players who have no clue who she is or who don't respect her because she is female, or because she doesn't have a rating.

I've seen some rumours that there is going to be another season. I'm not quite sure how that works but I'll watch whatever it is.

I don't know about a second season. It's based on a novel by Walter Tevis, who died 40 years ago. Some stories, I think, should just stand on their own...

No idea it was based on a book. To the internet I go. Hope to have it before Sunday night. Have a long flight. Thx.

I have conversations with friends about what season 2 looks like. It’s never good. I agree with you. It was great. Call it a day.

And therein lies the screenwriters' paradox: You sank every brain cell you had into that first season, and the studio or network suits are so impressed they tell you "That was great! Now do it again, but better!!".

[GelatinousEndive]

Be sure to see the Ralph Fiennes mind-bending fine-dining movie "The Menu". Ana Taylor-Joy steals every scene she's in. I don't know if she's beautiful or weird-looking, just that I can't take my eyes off her when she's onscreen.

I have had that same thought for a long time, she is both beautiful, mesmerizing visually, and odd looking.

I feel the same way about Tilda
Swindon.