‘Snowpiercer’ Episode 1 review: The quality changed

“Resistance is never futile but Wilford’s train is a fortress to class.” This kind of dialogue is typical of the “Snowpiercer” Netflix series — at least based on Season 1 Episode 1: “First, the Weather Changed”.

“Snowpiercer” seems so desperate to be a “serious show” that it’s almost too painful to watch. It spells out everything and beats you over the head with an explanation of the important things it’s tackling.

The first episode of this reboot of Bong Joon-ho’s critically-acclaimed 2013 movie managed to do something I didn’t think was possible. It turned a haunting, thought-provoking film into a boring, generic TV show. Considering the lead actors are Jennifer Connelly and Daveed Diggs, who won an Oscar and a Tony, respectively, that’s a stunning feat.

Show, don’t tell

I don’t know what happened to “Snowpiercer” during all those years in development hell. The heavy-handed approach makes it feel they’re trying to dumb it down. As if they don’t trust the audience enough to figure things out on their own. And so instead of showing, they have the characters loudly tell you: yes, this is about class struggle. This is about social inequality. Look at me, I’m a revolutionary!

The first episode starts with heavy exposition. Followed quickly by dramatic attempts to make you care about characters you barely even know. It’s a far cry from the masterful storytelling of the 2013 movie.

I lowered my expectations before watching this show and told myself not to compare it with the movie, which I absolutely loved. But it really feels like they were so intimidated by the movie, or wanted to cut the umbilical cord from the start, that the show goes on a different track altogether. Though sadly the route this “Snowpiercer” series seems to have chosen is one that’s been used regularly by so many TV shows. This might as well not have taken place on a gigantic train. The Orient Express, maybe, heh! But, nope, this is a far cry from Agatha Christie, who is one my favorite authors.

Poor Connelly and Diggs. I like both actors — I’m Hamiltrash, by the way — but this show hasn’t given them good material yet. They’re both stuck doing boring things and giving pretentious speeches.

They deserve more than this.

We deserve more than this.

Maybe “Snowpiercer” will get better. Let’s see if Episode 2 will get this show back on track. Or if it will be completely derailed.