The Queen’s Gambit
By Sophia Fineza
Image Source: thecollider.com
logline: Eight year-old orphan Beth Harmon is quiet, sullen, and by all appearances unremarkable. That is, until she plays her first game of chess. Her senses grow sharper, her thinking clearer, and for the first time in her life she feels herself fully in control. But as Beth hones her skills on the professional circuit, the stakes get higher, her isolation grows more frightening, and the thought of escape becomes all the more tempting.
Source: IMDb
oooh this show. the queen’s gambit was so compelling. it’s so hard to pull yourself away from the screen. i never thought that a show about chess, of all things, could be so fun to watch, but this series is kind of my new obsession. i probably would’ve spent 7 hours in front of the tv watching it, but unfortunately school exists. it does start off a little slow, but once you hit episode 2, it takes off like a freakin rocket. Anya Taylor-Joy did amazing as Beth Harmon, as she somehow managed to show an incredible range of emotions while maintaining a straight face most of the time. it was really interesting to see how her rise in fame directly contrasted with the deterioration of her mental state. the series was also incredibly well written, especially the storyline where right after Beth begins to receive recognition for her chess skills, she is almost turned into a narrative of “the only woman chess player”. it’s meant to be a compliment, but in scenes like the interview in her bedroom and the Apple Pi party, it seems like almost an insult. SPOILERS!! It was also heartbreaking to see how her dependency on the drugs and alcohol affected her play. the queen’s gambit is such a smart show, and is a definite must see.
My Favorite Characters:
Harry Melling as Harry Beltik - ah yes, dudley dursley! kidding. harry did an amazing job!! his character was super sweet, and it was great to see how he would always check in on beth. kind of sad that she kinda dissed him tho :( king deserves better than that.
Marielle Heller as Alma Wheatley - i didn’t like her at first, but she really grew on me! we stan a supportive mother. the relationship between her and beth was super heartwarming, and their interactions were just so pure and genuine.
Matthew and Russell Dennis Lewis as Matt and Mike - we love two consistent kings. i loved seeing them pop up everywhere, and really were the ones to watch Beth evolve through her chess career. every time they came on screen it made me smile.
This series is rated TV-MA. Here’s why:
Drug and Alcohol Use
Sexual References
Language
Something I liked: The costumes were so so so fire. I love the 50s-60s style, and seeing how the clothes evolved as the years went by was super satisfying to me. Special shoutout to whoever Beth’s costume designer was, I love them very very much.
Number of Seasons: 1
Where to Watch:
IMDb:
