Chernobyl

Presented by Kajus Pleskačauskas IIe

 Introduction
• Chernobyl is a historical drama miniseries created by Craig Mazin and
directed by Johan Renck. It was produced by HBO and Sky UK and
premiered in May 2019.
• The series is based on the true story of the 1986 Chernobyl nuclear
disaster, one of the worst man-made catastrophes in history. It depicts
the events surrounding the accident, the response of the Soviet
authorities, and the aftermath of the tragedy.
• I chose to watch this series because I was interested in learning more
about the Chernobyl disaster and its impact on the people and the
environment. I also wanted to see how the series portrayed the
historical facts and the human drama.
 Summary of the plot.
• The series begins with the explosion at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power
Plant, which released a significant amount of radioactive material into
the atmosphere. The aftermath reveals the immediate and long-term
consequences for the people involved, including the firefighters who
first responded to the scene, the plant workers, and the local citizens
of Pripyat and surrounding areas.
• The story follows Valery Legasov, a prominent Soviet nuclear physicist,
who is called upon to help manage the crisis. Alongside him is the
fictional character Ulana Khomyuk, a nuclear physicist who seeks to
uncover the truth behind the disaster. They face bureaucratic hurdles,
denial, and the immense challenge of containing the radioactive
fallout.
 Characters
• Valery Legasov is the protagonist of the series. He is a brilliant and
courageous scientist who leads the investigation and the cleanup of
the Chernobyl disaster. He is determined to find out the truth and to
prevent a worse catastrophe. He is also conflicted by his loyalty to the
Soviet system and his conscience. He is played by Jared Harris.
• Boris Shcherbina is the deuteragonist of the series. He is a pragmatic
and experienced politician who represents the Soviet government
during the disaster. He is initially skeptical and hostile towards
Legasov, but he gradually develops respect and trust for him. He is
also willing to challenge the authorities and to support Legasov’s
efforts. He is played by Stellan Skarsgård.
• I think the characters are well-written and well-acted. They are
complex and realistic, with their strengths and flaws, their
motivations and emotions, their conflicts and dilemmas. They also
show the diversity and the humanity of the people who were involved
in the Chernobyl disaster. They make the series more engaging and
compelling.
 Themes and messages
• The series shows how the lies and the cover-ups of the Soviet system
led to the Chernobyl disaster and its aftermath. It also shows how the
truth and the transparency of the scientists and the whistleblowers
helped to expose the causes and the consequences of the accident
and to prevent a worse scenario. The series criticizes the corruption
and the incompetence of the Soviet authorities, but also praises the
heroism and the dedication of the people who risked their lives to
save others
• I learned a lot from the series and I was moved by its messages. I
think the series is relevant and timely, especially in the context of the
current global challenges and crises, such as the COVID-19 pandemic,
the climate change, and the political turmoil. I think the series
reminds us of the importance of honesty, accountability, and
solidarity in facing the problems and the threats of our world.
 Cinematography and production
• The series is remarkable for its cinematography and production. The
series is visually stunning and realistic, with the quality of
cinematography, special effects, and set design. The series recreates
the atmosphere and the environment of the Chernobyl disaster, with
the attention to detail and the accuracy of the locations, the
costumes, the props, and the sounds. The series also uses a
minimalistic and haunting musical score composed by Hildur
Guðnadóttir, which enhances the mood and the tone of the series
• I think the production contributed to my enjoyment and
understanding of the series. I think the production made the series
more immersive and convincing, as well as more artistic and creative.
I think the production also showed the respect and the appreciation
of the creators and the crew for the history and the people of the
Chernobyl disaster.
 Personal reflection
• I really enjoyed and appreciated the series. I think the series is one of
the best and the most powerful series I have ever watched. I think the
series is a masterpiece of storytelling, acting, and filmmaking.
• The series lived up to my expectations and surprised me in many
ways. I was impressed by the quality and the depth of the series, as
well as by the emotions and the insights it provoked. I was also
surprised by some of the facts and the details of the Chernobyl
disaster that I did not know before, and by some of the twists and the
turns of the story that I did not expect.
• There are many memorable scenes, quotes, and moments that stuck
with me from the series. Some of them are:
• The scene where Legasov explains the causes and the effects of the Chernobyl
disaster using the red and blue cards as a metaphor for the atoms and the
neutrons.
• The scene where Shcherbina confronts Gorbachev and defends Legasov’s plan
to prevent a second explosion.
• The scene where Khomyuk interviews Dyatlov, the chief engineer of the plant,
and reveals his arrogance and his guilt.
• The scene where the firefighters and the workers enter the plant and face the
fire and the radiation.