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See (TV series)

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See
See (TV series) poster.jpg
Genre
Created bySteven Knight
Starring
ComposerBear McCreary
Country of originUnited States
Original languageEnglish
No. of seasons1
No. of episodes8 (list of episodes)
Production
Executive producers
Production locationsBritish Columbia, Canada
Camera setupSingle-camera
Running time49–57 minutes
Production companies
DistributorApple Inc.
Release
Original networkApple TV+
Audio formatDolby Atmos
Original releaseNovember 1, 2019 –
present
External links
Website

See is an American science fiction drama streaming television series produced for Apple TV+ starring Jason Momoa and Alfre Woodard in leading roles. It is written by Steven Knight and directed by Francis Lawrence. It also stars Sylvia Hoeks, Hera Hilmar and Christian Camargo. Executive producers include Knight, Lawrence, Peter Chernin, Jenno Topping, and Kristen Campo. The series premiered on November 1, 2019, and it has been renewed for a second season, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, filming was temporarily delayed, but concluded on March 18, 2021. The second season is set to premiere on August 27, 2021, and has been renewed for a third season.[1]

Premise[edit]

In the early twenty-first century, a virus wiped out all but two million humans, those surviving having lost the sense of sight. "See" takes place centuries later, where society has found new ways to interact, build, hunt, and survive without vision. In the mountains, Baba Voss, the chieftain of the Alkenny tribe, takes in and marries a woman, Maghra, who comes to the Alkenny seeking shelter. Baba Voss has been unable to father children, and the woman is pregnant when she first arrives.

The biological father, Jerlamarel, is an outlaw wanted by the Queen of the Kane Dynasty of Kanzua Dam for the heresy of being "sighted" (the ability to see). Word spreads of Jerlamarel siring children, prompting a witch hunt for Jerlamarel and his offspring. Baba Voss must protect his family and his tribe against the Queen's army.

"Alkenny" and "Kanzua" are alterations of Allegheny and Kinzua, real-life locations in present-day western Pennsylvania.

Cast and characters[edit]

Main[edit]

  • Jason Momoa as Baba Voss, a skilled warrior and leader of the Alkenny tribe — adopted father of Kofun and Haniwa, the children born with the power of sight.
  • Alfre Woodard as Paris, a wise elder member of the Alkenny who also serves as a shaman of the tribe, and the foster mother to Baba Voss.
  • Sylvia Hoeks as Queen Kane, ruler of the Payan Kingdom and Maghra's older sister.
  • Hera Hilmar as Maghra Kane, a newcomer to the Alkenny — mother to Kofun and Haniwa, wife of Baba Voss, and sister of Queen Kane.
  • Christian Camargo as Tamacti Jun, the Witchfinder General and leader of Queen Kane's army.
  • Archie Madekwe as Kofun, son of Baba Voss and Maghra, and the biological son of Jerlamarel, who has the ability to see.
  • Nesta Cooper as Haniwa, daughter of Baba Voss and Maghra, and the biological daughter of Jerlamarel, who also has the ability to see.
  • Yadira Guevara-Prip as Bow Lion, an Alkenny ‘shadow’ warrior with the skill of moving undetected by other blind people.

Recurring[edit]

  • Mojean Aria as Gether Bax, an untrustworthy member of the Alkenny
  • Luc Roderique as Arca, an Alkenny warrior loyal to Baba Voss.
  • Tantoo Cardinal as The Dreamer, an Alkenny tribe elder and mother of Bow Lion.
  • Marilee Talkington as Souter Bax, an Alkenny tribe member and aunt of Gether Bax.
  • Lauren Glazier as Nyrie, Queen Kane's loyal lady-in-waiting.
  • Franz Drameh as Boots, a mysterious member of a scavenger tribe. He is also a son of Jerlamarel and has the ability to see.
  • Timothy Webber as Cutter, a silk merchant and slave owner.
  • Jessica Harper as Cora

Guest starring[edit]

  • Joshua Henry as Jerlamarel, a heretic and preacher of sight, biological father of Kofun, Haniwa, and Boots.

Episodes[edit]

No.TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal release date [2]
1"Godflame"Francis LawrenceSteven KnightNovember 1, 2019
In a dystopian future where the human race has lost the sense of sight, two babies are born to Maghra — a newcomer to the Alkenny tribe which has settled for generations within a lush forest landscape. She is assisted by Paris — a companion from her past. Meanwhile, Queen Kane — the ruler of the city of Kanzua and the Witchfinder army, has ordered her Witchfinder General, Tamacti Jun to hunt down any so called 'witches' — those who promote the concept of vision or who spread the knowledge of 'Jerlamarel', a man with the ability to see. At the Alkenny settlement, tribe leader Baba Voss — the adopted father of the babies and Maghra' partner — prepares the village for battle. Tribe member Gether Bax betrays the Alkenny by disclosing the location of the settlement to Tamacti Jun, and also mentions the birth of the babies and the rumors that their father is the mythical Jerlamarel. Baba Voss and the Alkenny engage in a bloody battle to defend the settlement and the Witchfinder army retreats. With their location compromised and the Witchfinder army now in pursuit, Baba Voss and Paris follow Jerlamarel's clues and lead the Alkenny to a newly-discovered bridge which provides the tribe passage out of the valley. Baba Voss destroys the bridge preventing their pursuers from following. After many days of travel, the Alkenny find a new area to create a settlement.
2"Message in a Bottle"Francis LawrenceSteven KnightNovember 1, 2019
While hunting in the forest and carrying the two babies, Baba Voss is attacked by a bear but is saved by an unknown man. The man reveals himself to be Jerlamarel. He asks Baba Voss to raise his children and keep them safe until they are older and informs him that he has hidden a box containing "knowledge" at a nearby waterfall as a gift to the children. Baba Voss retrieves the box which contains dozens of books. Meanwhile, Gether Bax continues to stoke discontent towards Voss' leadership of the Alkenny. Together with his aunt Souter Bax, they secretly enlist another tribe member - Bow Lion, acting as a Shadow (a person skilled in obtaining information covertly), to spy on Paris. Maghra, Baba Voss and Paris discover that the babies — now named Kofun and Haniwa — can see, and agree not to speak of the discovery again for twelve summers. Aware of this information, Gether Bax sends a message in a bottle down river. Twelve summers later, Paris goes against Maghra's wishes and informs Kofun and Haniwa that Jerlamarel is their real father and provides them with the box of books to read and learn from.
3"Fresh Blood"Francis LawrenceSteven Knight and Hadi Nicholas DeebNovember 1, 2019
Several years later, Kofun and Haniwa are on the verge of adulthood and have spent the past few years gaining knowledge and skills from Jerlamarel's books. Meanwhile, having failed in his search to locate them over many years, Witchfinder General Tamacti Jun returns to Queen Kane's palace who approves his request to kill himself as opposed to execution as punishment for his failure. Queen Kane receives Gether Bax' message reporting the location of the Alkenny and has a change of heart towards Tamacti Jun, instead ordering him once again to hunt down the children. At the Alkenny's settlement, Gether and Souter Bax' incestuous relationship results in a stillborn and disfigured child. In response, Baba Voss, Maghra and Paris along with several younger Alkenny seek out a nearby 'festival' to encourage tribe members to seek partners from outside their tribe. Unknown to them, Kofun and Haniwa curiously follow behind. The group reach the festival but discover the Witchfinder's rumors of witches have spread and witness innocent people being burned alive. Kofun is captured by slave traders. Haniwa informs her parents and the group track the slave traders to a former mining quarry. Baba Voss reveals his shame of being a former slave trader himself to his family, before carrying out a violent rescue of Kofun. The tribe return to the Alkenny settlement to discover the Witchfinder army on the verge of mounting an attack.
4"The River"Anders EngströmSteven Knight and Hadi Nicholas DeebNovember 8, 2019
As the Witchfinder army invades the Alkenny settlement, Baba Voss, Maghra, Paris, Kofun and Haniwa escape along with Bow Lion. Baba Voss leads the group to a river and a raft he had previously constructed in secret. Gether Bax once again betrays the tribe and leads the Witchfinders to the river in pursuit of the group before tracking them. The group defend themselves from attack before Haniwa fatally wounds Gether Bax and the tribe escape downriver. Meanwhile, Queen Kane's parliament convenes and expresses frustration at the amount of resources being used to locate Jerlamarel's children over many years. Shortly after, two parliament members — Lord Dune and Lady An, conspire to murder Queen Kane however the plot is overheard by the Queen's lady-in-waiting Nyrie who discloses the plan. Back at the river, Paris reveals a final letter to Kofun and Haniwa from their father. The letter provides directions to Jerlamarel's location. The group vote in favor of following the instructions and later settle for the night by campfire. The following morning the group discover their weapons missing as well as a small bag containing an item of value belonging to Maghra. Meanwhile, Queen Kane having been lured into a trap, executes Lord Dune and Lady An with the help of Nyrie. With her followers rising up against her, Queen Kane destabilizes the Kanzua dam causing the structure to collapse, flooding the village, and vows to seek out Jerlamarel herself.
5"Plastic"Anders EngströmSteven Knight and Soo HughNovember 15, 2019
As the valley floods following the Kanzua dam collapse, Queen Kane and Nyrie escape. Back at the river, Baba Voss, Kofun and Haniwa search for the missing items and locate a scavenger settlement nearby. Haniwa infiltrates the settlement and locates the missing items but is attacked by a lone figure. Baba Voss and Kofun come to her rescue. The lone occupant is revealed to be a young man by the name of Boots — another of Jerlamarel's children who also has the ability to see. Boots pledges his loyalty to Baba Voss on the condition he can join the group in their journey. Meanwhile, Queen Kane, Nyrie and her driver are attacked by two Shadow Warriors. Nyrie and the driver are killed while Queen Kane is captured and taken to a nearby silk manufacturing settlement known as the City of Worms where she is presented to its leader, a man named Cutter. Unaware of her true identity, Cutter forces Queen Kane into slavery. At the river, Haniwa returns the small bag to Maghra. The group are located by the Witchfinder army once again and forced to retreat into the forest. Maghra and Paris take shelter while Baba Voss and the rest of the group fight off their pursuers. Maghra comes out of hiding and confronts the Witchfinder General, Tamacti Jun. The item inside Maghra's bag is revealed to be a ring worn only by royalty. Upon hearing the familiar sound of the ring's rattle, Tamacti Jun bows before Maghra and addresses her as Princess Maghra of House Kane.
6"Silk"Stephen SurjikSteven Knight, Jonathan E. Steinberg and Dan ShotzNovember 22, 2019
Maghra reveals to Tamacti Jun that years earlier, her dying father, the former King of House Kane, chose her as his successor over her older sister, now revealed to be Queen Kane. With no proof other than her word, Maghra reminds Tamacti Jun that it was his deciding vote that saw Queen Kane emerge as monarch instead. Meanwhile, at the City of Worms, a slave by the name of Cora befriends the captive Queen Kane who later reveals her royal status in confidence. Cora is revealed to be acting on Cutter's orders to gain information. Queen Kane is brought to him before Cutter removes a royal amulet embedded within her chest. Back at the river, Boots falsely claims he witnessed Maghra's death and betrays the group by leading them to a cave where they are held in captivity. A woman claiming to be Boots' mother approaches the group and offers to help them escape on the condition that one of them kill Boots due to his past actions. Baba Voss fights off several of their captors allowing Kofun, Haniwa, Paris and Bow Lion to reach the surface, before Baba Voss himself barely escapes alive. Nearby, Boots allows himself to be taken captive by the Witchfinder army and is taken to Maghra. Shortly after, messengers deliver a ransom note from Cutter to Tamacti Jun informing them of Queen Kane's imprisonment, along with the royal amulet as proof of her identity. Boots requests that Maghra let him serve as her lieutenant and offers to track down her sister.
7"The Lavender Road"Frederick E.O. ToyeSteven Knight and Robert LevineNovember 29, 2019
Tamacti Jun tortures the messengers from the City of Worms to reveal its location, having captured them with the help of Boots. Leaving behind a small faction of soldiers to search for Maghra's family, Tamacti Jun takes Maghra, Boots, and the rest of his army to rescue Queen Kane. Locating the City of Worms, Tamacti Jun sends Boots to scout the area, then uses the information to infiltrate the site himself. After killing the guards he finds the injured Queen, who has been helped by Cora during the commotion to overpower Cutter and strangle him with her chains. Maghra comes to aid her sister, who deduces her identity. Queen Kane reveals that she destroyed the dam at Kanzua as she fled in order to kill her opposers. Tamacti Jun reacts with anger at her selfish actions and considers whether Maghra would be a more suitable replacement as monarch. Meanwhile, the others continue on foot, finally locating The Lavender Road—a path lined with lavender described as a route to Jerlamarel's location. The group meet resistance whilst attempting to cross a mountain pass and Bow Lion is injured. Kofun and Haniwa reveal themselves as the children of Jerlamarel, however only they are permitted by the guards to pass through to a bridge to the House of Enlightenment. Baba Voss insists that Kofun and Haniwa proceed, to continue to their destiny. Retreating out of earshot with Bow Lion and Paris, Baba Voss reveals that they are not leaving and will to continue to stay close. Kofun and Haniwa continue across the bridge, where they are met for the first time in their lives by bright electrically powered spot lights.
8"House of Enlightenment"Salli Richardson-WhitfieldSteven Knight and Jonathan TropperDecember 6, 2019
Jerlamarel appears and welcomes the twins to the House of Enlightenment — a former prison converted into a settlement with electricity, hot water and an extensive library. He introduces them to half a dozen other sighted individuals — also his offspring. The pair realize Jerlamarel views himself as a savior of mankind and that he has been chosen by God to bring back vision to the world. Nearby, Baba Voss and Paris leave a seriously injured Bow Lion in the care of another tribe. Meanwhile, at the City of Worms, Tamacti Jun agrees with Maghra that Queen Kane should abdicate or face dire consequences. Boots is approached by Cora and attempts to influence him. Maghra informs Queen Kane of the choices open to her, but that ultimately it will not be her decision. Back at the House of Enlightenment, Kofun wakes and overhears Jerlamarel secretly discussing the handover of the twins to a Colonel from the Trivantian tribe who acts on behalf of a mysterious General seeking the children of Baba Voss. Jerlamarel agrees to only hand over Haniwa, which the Colonel accepts. Kofun is discovered and imprisoned before confronting Jerlamarel who fails to convince Kofun of his actions. Kofun attacks Jerlamarel who then orders guards to execute him. Outside, Kofun is saved by Baba Voss and the two re-enter the settlement. Kofun shuts down the generator, while Baba Voss discovers Jerlamarel handed Haniwa over to General Edo Voss — Baba Voss' brother. Baba defeats and blinds Jerlamarel in combat before he and Kofun escape and reunite with Paris. At the City of Worms, Tamacti Jun and Maghra press Queen Kane for her answer, before Boots appears and seriously wounds Tamacti Jun, apparently working in conjunction with Cora. Maghra and Queen Kane emerge — they address the Witchfinder army as joint rulers and announce Tamacti Jun committed suicide out of shame, before Maghra orders the army head to the Lavender Road to look for her family. Baba Voss, Kofun and Paris come across a large abandoned city and vow to save Haniwa.

Production[edit]

Development[edit]

On January 10, 2018, it was announced that Apple had given the production a series order for a single eight-episode season. The series was written by Steven Knight and directed by Francis Lawrence, both of whom also executive produce alongside Peter Chernin, Jenno Topping, and Kristen Campo. Production companies involved with the series consist of Chernin Entertainment and Endeavor Content.[3][4][5][6][7][8]

On November 7, 2019, Apple ordered a second season of the series.[9] A third season renewal came on June 10, 2021, prior to the second season premiere.[1]

Casting[edit]

A July 2018 announcement revealed that Jason Momoa and Alfre Woodard had been cast in series regular roles,[10][11][12][13] followed by news that Yadira Guevara-Prip, Nesta Cooper, Sylvia Hoeks, and Archie Madekwe had joined the main cast a month later.[14][15] On October 18, 2018, it was reported that Christian Camargo and Hera Hilmar had been cast in series regular roles.[16] Oliver Rae Aleron and Spencer Prewett from Archspire appear in a cameo in the first episode.[17] In January 2020, it was announced that Dave Bautista would be joining the series for season 2, playing the brother of Baba Voss.[18][19] In February 2020, news followed that Adrian Paul would also be joing the cast, playing a character named Lord Harlan.[20]

Filming[edit]

Principal photography for the first season commenced on September 17, 2018 in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada and ended on February 8, 2019.[21][22] In October 2018, filming was reported to be taking place in Coquitlam Eagle Mountain, north Vancouver (water shed), Rutheford service road, Pemberton, Deroche, Delta at Boundary Bay, mission, Squamish Valley, Youth Detention Center Burnaby, Allouette in Mapleridge and the Campbell River and Strathcona Provincial Park areas of Vancouver Island, British Columbia.[23]

Filming for the second season was expected to begin on February 3, 2020 and end on July 10, 2020.[24] However, in March 2020, production was shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[25] In September 2020, it was reported that See would resume filming on October 14, 2020 in Toronto, Ontario.[26] The second season finished filming on March 18, 2021.[27]

Prior to the renewal of the third season, filming had begun in May 2021 and is expected to conclude by October 2021.[1]

Release[edit]

During Apple WWDC 2021, a sizzle reel included footage from the second season. A few days later, on June 10, 2021, a teaser for the second season was revealed along with the release of August 27, 2021[28]

Reception[edit]

Critical response[edit]

The review aggregation website Rotten Tomatoes gave the series a 43% approval rating based on 51 reviews, with an average rating of 5.27/10. The website's critical consensus reads, "Though its capable cast is clearly game, an over-reliance on gore and a grimly—and at times comically—convoluted narrative blurs See's bold vision."[29] On Metacritic the series has a weighted average score of 37 out of 100 based on reviews from 21 critics, indicating "generally unfavorable reviews".[30]

Variety's Daniel D'Addario was critical of the show, saying it: "Wastes the time of Jason Momoa and Alfre Woodard, among others, on a story that starts from a position of fun, giddy strangeness and drags itself forward at a lugubrious pace."[31]

Ben Travers at IndieWire responded positively: "Steven Knight's action-drama is a strange-but-effective blend" and "the balance isn’t quite there yet, as episodes don’t exactly earn their hourlong run time. Momoa, meanwhile, fits the role well."[32]

Accolades[edit]

YearAwardCategoryRecipient(s)ResultRef.
2019IGN's Best of 2019 AwardsBest Action TV SeriesSeeNominated[33]
2020The CAFTCAD AwardsExcellence in Crafts – TextilesLanny Campbell, Ellie Schultz, Samantha Stroman, Carolyn Bentley, Ciara Brady, & Gaye GardinerWon[34]
Excellence in Crafts, Western Canada – BuildingKieu Nguyen, Tannis Hegan, Ying Quan, Roma Wnuk, Renee Hope TwaddleWon
Directors Guild of CanadaOutstanding Directorial Achievement in Dramatic SeriesStephen Surjik (for "Silk")Nominated[35]
The Joey AwardsBest Actress in a Guest Role on a TV Series 11-16 yearsAva SleethWon[36]
Leo AwardsBest Make-Up in a Dramatic SeriesToby Lindala, Bree-Anna Lehto, Connie Parker, Matthew Aebig, Lanny C. BrownNominated[37]
Location Managers Guild International AwardsOutstanding Locations in Period TelevisionTrevor Brokop, Nick Bergstedt, Michael GazetasNominated[38]
Ruderman Family Foundation Seal of Authentic RepresentationAuthentic RepresentationSeeWon[39]
SXSW Film FestivalExcellence in Title DesignKarin FongWon[40]
UBCP/ACTRA AwardsBest Supporting Performance, FemaleKyra Zagorsky (for "Silk")Nominated[41]
Visual Effects Society AwardsOutstanding Supporting Visual Effects in a Photoreal EpisodeAdrian de Wet, Eve Fizzinoglia, Matthew Welford, Pedro Sabrosa, Tom Blacklock (for "Godflame")Nominated[42]

References