Just finished watching the Netflix original series “Altered Carbon” season one, an adult science fiction mystery series set in a future where consciousness is digitized and stored on what they call stacks (small disks.) For those who can afford it, bodies (carbon) can be replaced and the stack, embedded at the base of the brain, lets one live many lives. Of course the rich can also afford stack backups in case the primary embedded stack is damaged and so in the story, the murder victim is still living.
In season one, a prisoner in a new body is brought back to solve a mind-bending murder of one of the very rich. The story has many twists and turns involving not only the “murder” but also the complicated past of the prisoner. It’s not a story that can be watched in the background. It’s a complicated but successful plot which requires the full attention of the viewer — at least it did me. It certainly makes one contemplate the meaning of life and the value we place on it.
There’s also relevance to some current social issues…including the 1% haves and the 99% have-nots.
I enjoyed the series and will certainly watch when season two is released. Be aware, adult themes, violence, foul language and nudity are involved.
I enjoyed it also, perhaps because it was very much like Blade Runner and Westworld. Netflix is turning out some great original stuff over the past couple years. It makes me cringe a little less when they up their rates. Did it get renewed for a Season 2? Great news if it did.
Mark, I read Altered Carbon has been renewed for Season 2 but it will not be released until 2019. I totally agree that Netflix is on the cutting edge of smart, original material.