Having the tribes speak German and Romans speak Latin was a very nice touch. The amount of detail of armour and other objects of the time, for instance, is exemplary. However, the show missed on portraying accurate historical facts. For instance, the Dido character supposedly Carthaginian is portrayed as a sub-Saharan. Carthage was the evolution of a Phoenician territory in North Africa meaning it would have included people of Phoenician descent ie Semites, Berbers and other Mediterraneans. Women in Germania would have definitely had a different role than that of their peers in Rome; however, that role was at times exaggerated especially in the little details and often leaned to mirror a Romeo and Juliet type of storyline. Still, the show is fun to watch but sadly trying to be "politically correct" with history always ruins it.
Reviews
8 Reviews
Isabel
(2011–2014)
Entertaining but lacking historical accuracy
6 March 2022
The show is definitely entertaining. Good job on the scenes and settings. Great to see attempts at creating the atmosphere of palaces of the 15th century Peninsula and inclusion of monuments like Alhambra in some scenes.
The cast delivered an unequal performance through. Sometimes over-stressing an emotion. A bit too much dramatisation.
If you don't get bothered by lack of historical accuracy then you'll enjoy Isabel very much. However, in my case, I found the narrative leaning to one side only with Muslims being the villains and Jews the allies of the Catholic Kings who are often portrayed as merciful and generous. History tells us a different story: the Granada War was vicious. Innocent victims on both sides of the conflict. The Nasrids while they didn't share the same faith as the Catholics were just as Iberians. Both Muslims and Jews suffered a great deal during the war and afterwards. The list goes on.
All in all, it's a good entertaining show worth watching.
The cast delivered an unequal performance through. Sometimes over-stressing an emotion. A bit too much dramatisation.
If you don't get bothered by lack of historical accuracy then you'll enjoy Isabel very much. However, in my case, I found the narrative leaning to one side only with Muslims being the villains and Jews the allies of the Catholic Kings who are often portrayed as merciful and generous. History tells us a different story: the Granada War was vicious. Innocent victims on both sides of the conflict. The Nasrids while they didn't share the same faith as the Catholics were just as Iberians. Both Muslims and Jews suffered a great deal during the war and afterwards. The list goes on.
All in all, it's a good entertaining show worth watching.
Vikings: Valhalla
(2022– )
Nice Effects, Lacking Historical Accuracy
5 March 2022
The show does a good job in terms of effects, costumes and setting. However, sometimes too nice of a job portraying cities cleaner than they could have been or clothes better made than would have been possible at that age and especially of the common population. The little details can be a significant flaw.
The show comes across as yet another attempt at milking a cow longer than necessary.
The Black Jarl in particular goes a bit too far to overcorrect bias and puts claims of historical accuracy in question. Attempting to offer an explanation through claiming that the mother of Jarl Haakon was Egyptian shows how ignorant the writers are of Middle Ages's Egypt and their attempt to address bias makes them fall victim of bias ie all Africa is black which could not be further from the truth.
All in all, it's not too bad and somewhat entertaining. It tells a story but as long as you don't take it as an absolute truth, you should be fine. Enjoy!
The show comes across as yet another attempt at milking a cow longer than necessary.
The Black Jarl in particular goes a bit too far to overcorrect bias and puts claims of historical accuracy in question. Attempting to offer an explanation through claiming that the mother of Jarl Haakon was Egyptian shows how ignorant the writers are of Middle Ages's Egypt and their attempt to address bias makes them fall victim of bias ie all Africa is black which could not be further from the truth.
All in all, it's not too bad and somewhat entertaining. It tells a story but as long as you don't take it as an absolute truth, you should be fine. Enjoy!
House of Cards
(2013–2018)
A disappointing 6th season
24 November 2018
The epic House of Cards closed with a disappointing season 6. The plot seemed disconnected from previous seasons. The whole Shephards influence was just buzzare and out of context. The repetitive attempts to discredit the character of Francis Underwood was laughable. Nothing made sense really. Disappointing.
The Admiral
(2015)
Worth Watching
23 August 2018
A nice attempt at telling the story of the origins of a small nation that punched well above its weight and left an indelible mark on the course of European and world history.
There is plenty of room for improvement though and especially the accents. I didn't enjoy using modern variations of the Dutch language in what was supposed to have taken place in the 17th century.
Still, worth watching.
There is plenty of room for improvement though and especially the accents. I didn't enjoy using modern variations of the Dutch language in what was supposed to have taken place in the 17th century.
Still, worth watching.
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