But is it a ride worth taking?
EWSenior Writer Natalie Abrams liked the show.
EW TV critic Darren Franich wasnt so sure.
Credit: Netflix
In fairness, I didnt hate the new Netflix series by a long shot.
But I know you had a different reaction.
So what did you think of the show?
What would you do if you could live forever?
My anti-social, stone cold heart would leap at the opportunity.
DARREN:See, I wantedMOREconfusion!
That opening sequence was such a wacky laser-chaingun-burst of science-fictional madness.
(It reminded me of some of the loopier sequences inMass Effect.)
and even gave Kinnamans stone-cold killer such an obvious Team Tak supporting cast.
Poor Ortega had to spend most of the season waiting for Tak to do something.
Were there any twists in the story that really grabbed you, Natalie?
How freaking ridiculous was that last sentence?!
But speaking of the Team Tak supporting cast, dont speak ill of the dead, Darren.
Hand him an Emmy right now!
The supporting cast is what kept me coming back.
Was there really no one you were drawn to?
Say Quell I know youre going to say Quell (Renee Elise Goldsberry).
And Matt Biedel is my favorite part of the season!
I love the stack-and-sleeve concept, and the lingo that goes with it.
what it means to be human.
But I feel like the show whiffed on this concept when it came to the main characters.
So even his big sad death scene in the finale isnt a death scene.
And so glad you bring up Quell, because I like her part in the storyandI struggle with it.
But then that hourlong flashback set on Harlans world was really good!
Arent Envoys supposed to detach from any relationships they form?
He really didnt do a great job of that with any of the female characters, in particular.
That leads me to the Harlans World-set episode that you mentioned.
send their consciousness to those other planets around the universe, and download into a new sleeve.
Seems like a great idea, right?
Hence, Quell wanted to download a virus that would only allow people to live one life.
And this story then went from wish fulfillment to cautionary tale.
And she killed Quell!
But she somehow also downloaded Quell!
DARREN:Hooray for Harlans World!
Youre so right to point out how effectively this episode tantalized us with more information about Quell.
So I want to give credit where credits due: Dichen Lachmanrockedin the closing episodes.
action scenes in memory.
How did you feel about how the Rei-Tak relationship wrapped up, Nat?
And did you have any thoughts in general on the sheer extremity ofAltered Carbons content?
NAT:I whole-heartedly agree that Dichen Lachman was a shining star in a somewhat over-complicated climax.
Can we just talk about how far Lachman has come as an actress?
Shes someone Id like to have a beer with.
But her motivations at times are a bit exhausting.
Shes sometimes trying to clear her partners name, though shes not entirely sure of his innocence.
Shes almost always angry with Kovacs for being in Elias body, and yet she sleeps with him.
Ultimately,Altered Carbonwrapped a captivating story of identity in layers of spectacular violence.
I guess I just want a Harlans World spin-off?
What would you want for a potential second season?
DARREN:More body-swapping, more space.
And give Kovacs a new sleeve.
(Kinnaman can stick around as a different character.)
Heck, maybe give Kovacsmultiplesleeves.
How cool would that be, a main character played by an ensemble?
And one of those sleeves could be Matt Biedel!
NAT:Yes, kindly!
The entire first season ofAltered Carbonis available now on Netflix.
