7 Reasons Why Everyone Should Watch "The Queen's Gambit"

 

The Queen's Gambit is an American miniseries clasified as "drama", which was premiered this year, on October 23rd, for the giant entertainment platform called Netflix. Is is based on a novel of the same name, by the writer Walter Tevi, published in 1983. The story's plot starts in the 1950's and ends in the 1960's, and it shows us the raise of a 9-year-old chess prodigy called Elisabeth Harmon, who develops a dependence on the green tranquilizers given to the children of her orphanage, and becomes USA's chess master. 

The Queen's Gambit has caused a huge global sensation. Just a few weeks after being released, it hit Netflix's "most-watched" ranking. It even reached the top in Spain, being the Nº1 trend for many days. But this achievement wasn't just a stroke of good luck: there are several reasons why this chess miniseries is so addictive. 

1. First of all, it is not just about chess. The main character, as the only femenine player, also has to deal with lots of underestimation made by men, she has to live with stardom and also has to cope with her increasing alcoholism and her dependency to drugs. 

2. Elisabeth is presented since very little, and living in an orphanage with no parents who visit her.Therefore, it is exciting to watch her evolve from being a completely unknown child prodigy to a world-famous chess player. 

3. She does not just "win". We are taught that talent is not everything. Elisabeth Harmon starts winning competitions against amateur opponents, and everytime she earns a victory the watchers can't help being proud of her..., but when she gets to higher levels we learn that she is not so unstoppable. Harmon will have to study and work hard in order to maintain her position as a top professional player.

4. As she grows up, she becomes a beautiful woman, and meets new people. Some men fall in love with her, and try to earn a place in her heart. It is interesting to see her interact with others out of the chessboard, because her personality is quite unique. Harmon is a bit serious, an introvert, and does not mind too much about love maybe because of how she was raised. The actress, Taylor-Joy, makes you fascinated by the character without being sure you exactly like her, or necessarily approve of her actions.

5. There are times in which she will fail. Very much. I do not want to make a spoiler, but there is a key moment in which it will seem like Harmon will never be successful again. The audience will worry about her, because of how engaged they will have gotten to the plot by that point. That is why it is absolutely moving when she raises back from the ashes.

6. The competitions are based everywhere. She goes to New York, to Mexico City, to Paris, and lastly to Moscow. We get to follow her in all her trips, as if we were some of her fans. 

7. Its visual language is marvellous. The scenery, the shots taken and simply the way it has been recorded is just masterful. 

Personally, I fell in love with this miniseries because I had never seen anything similar before. I would definetly watch it over and over again, and I recommend it to anyone above the age of sixteen because of the addiction topic. I give it five stars out of five.