The highly anticipated premiere of Watchmen has sparked a firestorm of opinions, polarizing viewers into ardent admirers and staunch detractors alike. Some critics have showered the miniseries with accolades, hailing it as the pinnacle of pilot episodes, while die-hard fans, left disappointed, have deemed it a dismal failure. Nevertheless, the buzz surrounding Watchmen is undeniable, and it falls into a category of shows that fascinate me the most.
As someone who adored the original film and delved into its narrative roots, albeit without delving into the comics, I find Watchmen to be a bleak yet thematically profound series that lays the groundwork for an intriguing nine-episode journey ahead.
The narrative unfolds in 1921, amidst the tumultuous backdrop of the Tulsa race riots. A young boy, transfixed by a movie, ventures outside only to be confronted with chaos. His flight through the streets leads him to safety, only to be hastily packed into a box and whisked away from the city. Tragedy strikes mid-journey as an explosion catapults him out, leaving him to awaken amidst the lifeless bodies of his protectors. Clutched in his hand is a single, cryptic note: "Watch over this boy."
The scene shifts to September 8th, 2019, where a white man encounters a masked police officer. As the man reaches for his license, the officer's eyes fall upon a Rorschach mask hidden in the glove compartment, igniting suspicion. Despite a valiant attempt to disarm, the man coldly shoots the officer and abandons him to his fate.
News of this murder ripples through Oklahoma, stirring Wade and Judd, two men haunted by the ghosts of past conflicts. Judd travels to the slain officer's home to deliver the grim news to his widow before we catch up with Angela and her son as the heavens unleash a deluge of squids. Angela's pager buzzes with a cryptic message: "Little Bighorn."
Following the lead, Angela arrives at a diner, a clandestine meeting point, where she slips into a hidden chamber to arm herself and assume her disguise. Emerging into the main chamber, she witnesses a video message from a man claiming to be a member of the Seventh Cavalry, his face obscured by Rorschach masks.
After three years of tranquility, Judd rallies his forces, disregarding Panda's warnings, and calls for mobilization. Angela reveals that she's already one step ahead, with a suspected Cavalry member in her custody. She convinces Wade to adopt the guise of Looking Glass to interrogate the man, who, after some hesitation, divulges that he knows more than he's letting on, setting the stage for a tense and uncertain future.
Upon delving deeper into their interrogation, Angela uncovers the cavalry's covert hideout amidst the serene farmland, prompting an urgent pursuit to take them by surprise. Yet, upon arrival, it becomes evident that the cavalry had anticipated their arrival, igniting a fierce gun battle without delay. Though they manage to apprehend one of their adversaries, he opts for self-destruction over divulging any crucial secrets, leaving the situation on a precipice of chaos. In the heat of the moment, Judd swiftly eliminates the fleeing remnants of the cavalry, only to crash-land his ship amidst the turmoil.
The scene shifts to Ozymandias, celebrating his anniversary amidst the grandeur of his estate, where he regales his two workers with plans to cast them in the lead roles of his upcoming theatrical masterpiece. Glasses clink in unison as we segue to our seasoned heroes, indulging in camaraderie over drinks. Later, Judd reassures the Governor over the phone that the cavalry threat has been neutralized, resuming his journey with renewed purpose. Little does he know, an ambush awaits, puncturing his tires with a sinister line of spikes, blinding him with a sudden burst of light.
Angela, driven by curiosity and a sense of urgency, ventures out soon after, only to discover Judd dangling from a tree, a noose tightening around his neck, while the elderly man from earlier clutches the enigmatic note, "Watch over this boy." This haunting discovery underscores the show's intricate web of intrigue.
Granted, in the realm of pilot episodes, Breaking Bad, Chernobyl, and Lost undeniably boast stronger openings, the latter notoriously renowned for its extravagance. Nevertheless, Watchmen stands firm, neither the worst nor a flawless masterpiece but rather an enthralling, thematically resonant tapestry that mirrors contemporary political discourse with discomforting fidelity to its source material. Its narrative unfolds in a measured pace, shying away from overt shock or relentless tension—for now.
Watchmen has always been a politically charged, almost satirical mirror of our world, and while some may find its exploration of racism somewhat unsubtle, it effectively revives the endearing essence of the original. The cast is captivating, with Ozymandias' fleeting appearance teasing an enticing future narrative. With a solid foundation laid, the question remains: can Watchmen harness this momentum and live up to the expectations that accompany its hype? Time will be the ultimate judge.
