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Hola amigos, buenas vibras para todos.
**Hello friends, positive vibes to everyone.
It had been a while since I sat down to watch a TV series, but then I decided to give Jason Momoa's new show on Apple TV+ a chance. It explores part of the history of the land where he was born. As we know, Apple's productions are always of high quality, and this series was no exception. The nine episodes showcase the resilience, culture, and way of life of the Polynesian people before Hawaii was unified into what it is today. Let me just say that the series is spectacular and definitely worth watching.
The story takes place in the late 18th century, when this US state was still part of an independent Hawaiian kingdom. The native people lived in various kingdoms, each ruled by a king who governed for the benefit of his people. Kaʻiana (Jason Momoa) is a powerful war chief who plays a key role in the unification of the islands under the reign of Kamehameha I, and he raises his voice against the potential colonization by the "pale-skinned" foreigners or Europeans who were gradually approaching the Hawaiian islands. Throughout this process, we witness an intense struggle for power among these various kings, resulting in incredibly violent and bloody battles.
Besides all the scenes depicting warfare, the series also has a strong emphasis on culture and spirituality. I think one of the most fascinating and well-executed aspects of the series is how it portrays life during that period—the character of that particular culture, their beliefs, their rituals, and their understanding of the world and life in their homeland. Personally, I wasn't familiar with many of the things we see in the series, as there aren't many stories about these people told on TV or in movies. Momoa's decision to take this project on is a great choice; he serves as both producer and lead actor, and he's also a native of the region.
It's worth noting that a large number of the actors, if not all of them, have Polynesian heritage, which makes the series more authentic and helps viewers connect better with the story. Hawaiian is spoken throughout much of the series, even though some of the actors are from New Zealand. The acting is excellent; all the characters have a certain mystical quality on screen, which enhances the impact of their dialogue and actions, from a simple prayer to a conversation with another character. Lucy Lawless, Cliff Curtis, and Temuera Morrison are among the actors we see, and they are perhaps more well-known than the others. The cast, in fact, is truly spectacular.
All the scenes featuring battles and confrontations are executed to a very high standard. As I mentioned, violence is a key element of the series; in those times there were no firearms, although we do see them used briefly towards the end. Consequently, the fighting is mostly hand-to-hand combat, with weapons crudely fashioned from natural materials like bones and stones. This doesn't detract from the brutality, quite the contrary; the violence is often very graphic, with plenty of blood and some quite creative and memorable ways of dying. I always appreciate these elements because they add visual impact to the story; they certainly didn't hold back. The setting is another aspect that stands out; the natural landscapes (filmed in New Zealand) truly transport you to that era. Everything is meticulously crafted.
In short, this is a great series with a very interesting and entertaining story; it has a little bit of everything. I give it a 9/10; it really surprised me. Given how the first season ended, it's expected that it will be renewed for a second season. If you have the chance to watch it, definitely do so, because it's absolutely worth it. I've included the trailer below.
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Bueno mi gente es todo por hoy, espero que les haya gustado. ¡Un abrazo a todos, nos vemos en la próxima!
***Well, everyone, that's all for today. I hope you enjoyed it. ¡Take care, and see you next time!
