Kevin C. Wong

Apple TV+ - See s1 (2019) [+]

See is a post-apocalyptic drama from Apple TV+. A virus (or something) destroys sight in all humans and their children. 500 years later society is small villages, tribe/feudal, but humans are still humans with conquests and killing.

In the first episode Baba Voss (Jason Momoa) and the Alkenny defend themselves from the forces of Payan. Witchfinder General Tamacti Jun (Christian Camargo) is searching and later we find out that witches are people who can see. Back in the village Baba's wife Maghra (Hera Hilmar) gives birth to twins while the battle rages. The Alkenny are forced to flee.

They make their way to a new home provided by Jerlamarel (Joshua Henry), a sighted man who impregnated Maghra. But he's a mysterious figure who doesn't really appear until season's end in episode 108. It is in their new home that Paris (Alfre Woodard), a wise woman and friend of Baba's, discovers that the twins can see. And she also reveals that Jerlamarel left a box of books for the twins and instructions on finding their father when they come of age.

Episode 103 we move 20 years into the future. The twins, Kofun (Archie Madekwe) and Haniwa (Nesta Cooper), have grown up and might be ready to know about their real father. But then Tamacti Jun finds the village and destroys it, the few survivors fleeing with Baba Voss, who decides that it's time to find Jerlamarel and let the twins meet their real father and decide their future.

I forgot about Queen Kane (Sylvia Hoeks) of the Payan. She rules over a kingdom that kind of rules by fear. But after two decades of using her army to find the mythical twins there is a fomenting revolt from the rest of the ruling class. Queen Kane has to intrigue to keep her queenship...

The premise didn't seem that interesting but turns out to be a pretty good show. I like how they do the blindness and it's obvious that hearing becomes the primary sense. Good use of animals, dogs and horses, as guides because animals can still see. The fight scenes are pretty cool.

I look forward to season two.