Altered Carbon Season 1 Review: A Few Structural Issues But Definitely Still Worth A Watch

"Altered Carbon" is currently viewable on NetFlix. It's one of the most recent examples of the cyberpunk subgenre of sci fi. Originating in the 1980's, cyberpunk's main themes include: stories set in a dystopian high tech future and an alienated protagonist who is anti-authority . Some of the most popular cyberpunk movies are: "Blade Runner", "Minority Report", "Matrix", "Ghost In The Shell", "Terminator", "Total Recall", "Neuromancer", "Videodrome", "Fahrenheit 451" and "Logan's Run".

"AC" provides an interesting look at a world where humans can switch/upgrade bodies at will (IF they have enough money). There is a bit of a learning curve but once you get the concepts down, it's worth a watch. The series is one of the most expensive ever made (see details here).

Based on a three book series by Richard K Morgan, the pilot opens in 2384. Takeshi Kovacs (the always compelling Joel Kinnaman of "House Of Cards", "The Killing", and "Suicide Squad") has been awakened from stasis some 250 years in the future. Kovacs is obviously disoriented. The most confusing part is that he is in a different body.

One thing I like about "Altered Carbon" is it doesn't spend time explaining the tech. For those that don't want to invest the time, here's the crib notes.

Humans can transfer their consciousness into other bodies (called "sleeves") via "cortical stacks" which are placed in the back of the neck. This process is known as "resleeving". Everyone has a resleeving insurance policy. However, they can not choose their body. The government gives them whatever is available (from the supply of prisoners). This leads to some VERY strange situations. A young girl who is killed in a hit and run, comes back in the body of an old woman. A spouse may come back in a body that is a different gender. If you dont like what the government gives you, either pay for an upgrade or go back on ice.
As long as the stack is not damaged, it can be placed in multiple bodies. If the stack is severely damaged, the person experienced "real death".
People can "double sleeve" (meaning have their consciousness in two bodies simultaneously). This can lead to mental breakdown and is thus discouraged.
People can also needlecast their consciousness into bodies anywhere in the Settled World (thus eliminating the need to travel to distance locations).
"Meths" are the richest of the rich. Meth is short for Methuselah (who lived for 969 years). Meths live in floating estates above the ground folk. Due to their money, power, and influence they have the police wrapped around their fingers. Meths can also afford to grow clones of themselves to transfer into. The general public can not.

Taki has been awakened by a rich Meth named Lauren Bancroft. Bancroft (James Purefoy) wants Kovacs to solve a murder. In exchange, Taki will receive his freedom. Here's where it starts to get trippy. Lauren wants Taki to solve his OWN MURDER. OK then.

Others make a big deal out of Kovacs being the last "Envoy". We dont know what that initially means (except that he's one heck of a good fighter.) We see a number of flashbacks to both Taki as a young boy and later as an adult (played by Will Yun Lee). There's also a persistent cop (Kristin Ortega) who keeps injecting herself into the investigation. There is more to her than seems.

Poe is my favorite of the peripheral characters. He is an AI who runs a themed hotel. These are considered "old school" but Poe proves to be a helpful and sympathetic companion. The biggest political conflict of the day regards the right to NOT be resleeved if its against one's religion. Neo Catholics (such as Kristin's mother) believe in "one body, one life". Can the government force them to comply (even if their death is due to murder)?

Grade: 4 Monsters (out of 5). Overall I enjoyed the show. "Altered Carbon" creates an interesting believable world. There is lots of sex, violence and nudity. This includes almost equal time to male nudity (which is surprisingly still unusual in TV/movies). I also enjoyed the fight scenes (included the naked Reileen battle). We are also challenged with a number of interesting questions. If humans can live for hundreds of years, does that give life more, or less, value? Are humans more likely to give into to their violent tendencies if there are no real consequences to killing someone? And is it even really murder, if the person is resleeved?

Now for the negatives as I see them. The structure of the story seems off. It meanders at times. Story lines begin but never go anywhere. I thought we were getting a straight up "who dun it" but the conclusion was weak. A number of characters have potential but are never given the opportunity to shine.

I don't buy Reileen's story at all. Her motivation makes no sense. She waited 250 to get her brother de-iced, only to gleefully try to kill him later? Nope, not buying it. I also don't believe the whole envoy = super warrior deal. "We are Envoys. We take what is offered." And while Quell seemed an adequate enough fighter, I dont buy that she has the kind of charisma to gather, try and deploy and army.

The show has also been accused of whitewashing. Yes, Taki is played by a white man in much of the show. He is also played by three Asian actors who get shorter air time. Kovacs is half Japanese and half Polish in the books. As for the depictions of women, the next two strongest characters are women of color. I don't want to illegitimize anyone's experience but isn't the whole point of the show that people are continually changing bodies (so no one is tied to an ethnicity, gender or age)? I'll leave it up to viewers to decide for themselves.