love that this show doesnt actually have a villain. her only demon is herself. and we stan the healthy relationship Benny brings. He actually made her sober and focused.
It would've been very easy for them to make villains out of her opponents, especially the Russians. But in the end, they're just other people that love to play chess, just as Beth does.
@@jennierosedepth The even cooler thing is that all those players were influenced by real chess grandmasters' personas and playstyles. Borgov's real life person (Boris Spassky) actually also applauded Bobby Fischer back in the day when he won his game against Spassky.
@@anamm3351 I saw it with my boyfriend a week ago, I'm planning to watch it again but alone this time. You should download the soundtrack of this mini-series, it's amazing
Yeah thats so sad!! I wish they met at least once before the end..... But i think the scene when beth was annoyed that the magazine interview didnt include mr shaibel on her life story as she told the woman about him. I think she did awknowledge him she just didn't think/believe that he really cares for her as much as he really does, i mean both of them are not the best at showing this emotion..... Ughhh still hurts though
It absolutely would happen. She’s a traumatised child. She had little control over her life. She didn’t realise until too late that he loved her. Life can be cruel like that.
That's a pretty unrealistic expectation of a character who has deep trust issues and severe relationship dysfunctions. The only way any of her "peeps" kept abreast of her was through newspaper clippings and she was just too busy to be distracted by such mundanities.
YES! Spot on! The queening of pawns is the aim of chess... Another saga of this type is the tale of the ugly duckling. Whom growned up into a beautiful swan....
When she got the call with all her boys back home, heart exploded 🥰. She may have been an orphan but she was loved by many, including her adoptive mother. Such a great series 🤍🖤
Her last outfit resembles a white queen. Beth not going back to the states and back to her normal life is a gambit. The chance of her staying in Russia is a Queen's Gambit.
I believe she's not abandoning the US, just "rewarding" (wrong word) the dedication of the park chess players. Her flight back has only been postponed.
i think the politics of where she stays isn't really even important. what's important is that chess ISN'T political. she was beloved and accepted and looked up to by chess players all over the world. people cheered for her in Russia and even called her Liza, the Russian diminutive of her name. she was theirs as much as she was america's, and that's why she felt a kinship with the old Russian men playing in the park. the politicians tried to make her victory political, but it's like she said early on: a chess match is not always a competition. sometimes it can be beautiful.
This limited series alone is worth the price of Netflix; simply outstanding in every way, and I'm not even a chess player. Anya is stunning throughout - couldn't take my eyes off her.
She has an unusual face with big, wide-set eyes, a relatively large nose, and a small chin. Her face has a lot of character and is quite compelling to look at.
@@porsche911sbs Good choice for hair color as well, which she wanted in order to make her stand out apart from everyone one else to emphasize that she was an outsider. Red hair looks really good on her.
also, the dress she wears on the day she plays the russian dude hungover...yeah it's the color of her pills. it's like a symbol of how everything does downhill from there on because of her addictions.
There is no S2 unless it's completely invented. TQG is based on a single book....end to end. There is no sequel. We all need to duct tape Tevis to a chair until he writes one.
@Mitch Wild I didn't know that. RIP... There is ample precedent for another skilled author picking up an original work post-mortem. Frank Herbert's son Brian has teamed with Kevin Anderson for 20 years to continue Herbert's Dune series with may prequels that pre-date the original timeline, novels that follow Frank's final Chapterhouse: Dune and side-themed books on the Bene Gesserit Sisterhood, the Mentats, etc. My daughter and I have read all of them at least three times. Same with lots of the Jack Ryan Universe novels by Tom Clancy following his death and focused on Jack Ryan, Jr. For Tevis' work, you would need someone committed to his characters and style. With the success of TQG, I'm sure Netflix is already auditioning writers...at least I hope so. TQG is one of the best limited series I've even seen...second (to me) only to the classic I, Claudius, 1976. A MUST watch!!!
One part that really got me was when Beth noped out of the get together. This was when the girls asked her about boys and continued to sing the chorus of "You're the One" by the Vogues in an airheaded display. The music continues to play as Beth returns home, downs stolen alcohol and heads to bed. You see the shadow of the Queen piece rise over her while she lay in bed, the lines syncing "You're the one that I'm dreamin of/ Baby you're the one that I love". It was a nuanced display of her problematic romance with Chess. While it's her truest love it casts a black shadow over her, disappearing into her, she is the black Queen. This is also emphasised with the costuming, the black dress she chose to wear that night after aggressively throwing aside the white cardigan. It's a moment that symbolises both who she is, a black Queen that was dealt the second move in life, not made easy to succeed and also the consuming nature of her relationship with chess. I still can't get over it. I love this show so much.
They actually mention Librium in the series, when in Mexico City Beth asks the doctor for a prescription and he says that in Mexico you don`t need a prescription for Librium
From the beginning scene where her mother’s gambit was to sacrifice the life of her own pawn, her daughter Beth, and how Beth escaped relatively unscathed from this seemingly inextricable car crash, to the ending championship scene where Beth’s queen's gambit is to sacrifice a pawn to gain control of the center of the board and how again she escapes unscathed from this seemingly inextricable situation is why this story’s plot is so satisfying. we care so much for Beth, a pawn her entire life, and cheer on her redemption as she herself becomes the Queen to gain control of her own life. This book and series were the most satisfying of any character-driven trope i have read or seen. Thank you for bringing this story to life.
That's one thing I didn't understand. Her real mother's life is so screwed up she turns to suicide. But to take your kid along with you? "close your eyes" That's messed up.
not the lipstick but the eye-liner indicated her state of mind. also the older she gote, the hair got longer and more stylish. her clothings got more fancy too.
I remember the lipstick on the rim of the cup of her mother when she got home from Mexico. It was devastating to see the lipstick on the cup which was on the table which caused Beth to feel so alone at that moment. I believe that's why she wanted Harry to stay and be there to keep her from feeling sad and alone since her adopted mom was gone from her life. I believe she loved her adopted mother by the way she gave her a 15% commission so she would have some money since she had nothing of her own. However, her adopted mother was wonderful helping Beth make arrangements for her trip and keep track of their expenses which was useful so Beth could concentrate on her endgame for chess. I love this performance by this actress that played her adopted mother that loved her and help her despite the addiction she had to booze and pills.
This series was so astoundingly well written that it’s hard to believe they pulled it off. What I truly loved was the lack of a villainous chess enemy. The players were real people with understandable motivations and that is truly rare.
I'm completely obsessed with the show. After I watched the first time, I began listening to the book which amazingly follows the show entirely. It is an amazing experience because the book expands many of the characters.
no battling lawsuits necessary, they did mention librium on the show. when she asked the doctor for a prescription for it in mexico and he said you don't need a prescription for librium in mexico.
My favorite all-time series has been I, Claudius from 1976...spectacular in every sense. The Queens Gambit is now a real close #2. Absolutely the most amazing mini-series I've seen in decades...and I'm 72. The struggles, challenges and growth of the Beth character is intense and glorious drama. Anya and ALL the cast have done a wonderful job...all worthy of multiple awards in the spring. I've seen nothing that can top it. Note: Bill Camp's role as Shaibel has not been touted enough...he played his part magnificently. I was so great to see Beth acknowledge his role in her success near the end. And that ending with the Russian men playing chess in the park? How do you write a better ending than that? You can't. Brava....... We will all need to watch this again and again to catch and appreciate all the nuances and subtleties...looking forward to it.
One subtle thing i noticed was the use of movement. They show shots of people walking in irregular, arcing patterns. Whereas in chess you can only move in a few straight directions. For example, when Townnes is following her thru the las vegas hotel and swinging on the poles, or the motions the janitor makes while mopping...shows how comforting the world of chess is, as Beth says. The real world is too chaotic for her.
Personally, I do not think that she stayed, she just wanted to hang out with the old Russian men and play chess with them. She had too many ties in the states - she owed Jolene $3,000, and Jolene needed that for Law School. She wasn't going to f..k over Jolene. Plus, my guess, she ended up with Harry. I think that she really loved him. The other chess nerds were her buds for life and Jolene was her BFF.
Harry Beltik really? I don’t know if it’s just me but I didn’t really see anything between them other than friendship. On her side anyway. I thought she was better suited with Benny.
@@Marie-ei7ul Benny was way too full of himself to be tied down in a relationship. Besides, Harry genuinely cared about her, especially when he noticed her odd behaviours in the store where he worked. Benny cut her off when she phoned him to help her pay for her trip to the USSR for the championship. Although Benny did come around in the end, if he really cared for her, he wouldn't have cut her off, and I don't think Harry would've ever have done that to her.
@@TheRanaro Yes I agree Harry definitely cared for her a lot but I don’t think Beth thought of him as anything more than a friend. I get what you mean about Benny though, but I think he was just hurt that she kept avoiding coming to see him. I think ultimately he brought out a good side in Beth as she stayed sober when she was with him and they had great chemistry. I didn’t really see that between Harry and Beth.
But how do we know that Beth loved Benny? I thought she was in love with the hats his name? The dude that kinda looks like Oscar Isaac am I the only one who thought that? I mean they look similar not look alike. I forgot his character name the photographer. I think he liked her but never said anything.
Thomas Sangster-Brodie's optical age compared to his real age is fun in every show. So his character was born in 1940 and Beth in 1948, so he is about 19 in the first scene we see him in. Actor born 1990. Harry Beltik's actor is born in 1989 and they look 10 years apart.
I am someone who like classic way of dressing (at least the way I can) and enjoyed the series a great way in that aspect too (the show itself has become one of my all time favorites anyway in so many regards). I hope this will encourage my fellow great people here to adopt this :)
Great Netflix mini-series, I loved it. Yes, I knew the chess games were real (I play chess), and given that Beth was going to become the world champion I expected, and later confirmed, they were from Grand Master games. They did a great job save playing too fast in the 120min/40 move tournament game. But that is necessary since it wouldn't be a 7-hour mini-series if the games were played in real-time and unless you know chess watching a game even makes Golf look exciting. Didn't know about the lipstick but that is a nice touch. I suspected that her maturing style was multifaceted and connected to Hollywood actresses by her dress...I do have 3 sisters so that helped and grew-up in the time depicted in the series. I'll be looking forward to seeing Anya Taylor-Joy in future movies.
Marielle is so impressive. Also I completely agree, the girl who plays young Beth (Isla Johnston) should have gotten a wig. Those bangs were just ... Anya improvised her toasting the empty airplane seat after Alma Wheatley died. The most surprising part was the mustache... It was actually real 😂
So cool! I started playing tournament chess in about 1968 and played hundreds of rated games over the years. The feeling in the tournament halls was spot on. Chess players can be an eccentric lot, and this was captured beautifully. So well done!! For those in the know, I ended my last sentence in a !! Serious chess players will recognize this as a "double exclam" which is used in chess annotation to denote a brilliant move.
I'm not surprised that make up was a part of storytelling bc it really is representative of moments of your life bc as you grow, how you do your make up changes.
Maybe it was a bit obvious to be mentioned but there's also the point that her all white outfit at the end with the white beret symbolises the queen moving around in her world (the chess board)
I had a feeling that the games were somehow real. I was taught chess and to read chess books at a very young age. I am happy to learn it is so. Those actors are really good at showing how it feels/looks like waiting for your opponent to make the move.
They also consulted outside professionals, like Kasparov. They analyze the final game on chess channels. The chess community seems to be happy with the believability, which is good.
@@eustaciavy I appreciate that they paid attention to details on the games and did not opt to just put a chess board and show actors moving pieces randomly.
Beth reminded me much more to Diana Rigg in her role of Emma Peel. The extraordinary dresses, the straight superior look in her eyes and these incredible 60th look. The way Emma treats men who thought they are ahead of her until they notice that they are trsiling in fact. I just miss the cars of Emma Peel in this series.
Tomas’ moustache is horrible :))) but Il glad that this actor had an opportunity to act some kind of the bad boy with his obviously « boy » appearance.
HONESTLYYY! For some reason, I only ever see Thomas as a 17 year old, not as the 30 year old he is today. I really didn’t find the facial hair suiting for him, but the change in character is definitely something new.
No one notice or mentioned that at the end she was dress in a beautiful sixties coat and hat that was the color of the chess piece she was playing in her final game in the tournament. Also if you look at her she was dress as a queen from the chessboard. Making her the queen of chess.
Even tho I couldn't point out the details, I somehow subconsciously knew that this is a well thought-through masterpiece in every way with all the details coming together.
During her downward spiral her lipstick changes colour to be very pale and match her skin tone (you can see her doing this at 1:03) as well as this she has black eyeliner on under her eyes. I believe in the show the character was trying to use this makeup to hide the signs of hangover and substance abuse on her body however this makeup ends up makeing the character look fairly gaunt or ill which I thought was another great use of makeup from the costume team.
started watching this show at 10:30am and didnt finish it till about 17.40 talk about a binge worthy show.most sad was when she discovered her chess teacher fallowed her career up till his death 😭😭she still owed him $10
The Peter Noone version of "The end of the Word" was used in the movie but credit was given to Skeeter Davis in the Closed caption. I like the Peter Noone version better.
Blooper: Alma says her husband, Allston is in the "Southwest, Denver and Butte". Butte, Montana is in the north, not Southwest. Also: complex symbolism: Alma plays piano music by Satie in front of Beth. Satie's mother died when he was young and Satie died of alcoholism. Alma and Allston equal "A.A."- Alcoholics Anonymous.
As an amateur chess player I related to this show on several levels. Aside from the chess games themselves which were riveting, the show's brilliantly acted and directed. Top-rate entertainment underpinned by some very positive messages about relationships, femininity and success. The image of chess as a dull, masculine game is doomed for ever!
Besides show her maturity, they worked on her eye brows as well. Secondly in the final scene at the park, Beth was wearing the Queen's outfit, in white with a hat top with a round ball . Question: In the basement of Benny's, Clio said the 3 guys, (chess players) don't eat. Is there a reason in particular for chess players? To keep their mind sharp bc their bodies in a survivor mode?
I dont know what exactly was going on. To not eat too much is a classical; you dont want to get bloated before serious intellecutal work. But its not starvation and survivor mode! Another reason may be religious. If they were observant Jews keeping koscher, they would avoid to eat in non koscher environment. But in the novel they werent Jews, at least, not all three of them. Another scenario if they were say, wegans, they would too tend to not eat.... It could also be to not bother the host with the costs and trouble to give food to unexpected guests. And the easiest way in all such cases to avoid embarassemnt, is simply to say; they arent not eating...
Elsewhere on RUclips all the chess games played in the series are analyzed as they're the actual games that happened between 2 strong (GM or IM) chess players in the past. The chess consultant to the show was no one else but Gary Kasparov himself who selected the games for the show... My problem with the series was that during all the games the chess board was not shown in its entirety for those who play chess to actually see and appreciate the game and the critical moments in it... We could only guess what might be going on by the facial expressions of the players. This is a huge oversight of the director!!
The Queens Gambit is a great advert for Chess especially for girls and non Chess players. The story line is based on the American, Bobby Fischer who famously only played 1 e4 before winning Game 6 in the 1972 World Championship with The Queens Gambit against the Champion, Boris Spassky from Russia in which he sportingly congratulated Bobby on a great game and was considered the best game of the Championships. Bobby Fischer was a Chess prodigy and at 14 years old won the United States Championships. The one trait that is incorrect is substance abuse as I have never come across that from any Chess player of any ability being that it would effect their game negatively. I thought your performance was excellent in which the chess games were from those played by past Masters. Adjourning a game did occur in the 1972 World Championship for which they are no longer used for many years since the development of chess engines and players playing shorter games to a finish.
We’re actually watching it second time around! First straight up for the story, second time for all the editing, costumes, hidden surprises, and continuity. But then we’re in the business, third time will be color and pacing.
Great movie whether you like chess or not. I am a chess fan and there are grandmasters that do analysis of the games from this movie, very interesting very complex. I know former world champion Garry Kasparov also consulted on the chess for the movie. The attention to detail is great and really shines through.
Much like the lipstick, the evolution of the eyeliner stood out as well. From none, to only on the top lid, to the extreme liner to a refined wing when she won in Moscow, very beautiful symbolism
A point the video doesn't mention about the green pills is that "Xanzolam" is most likely a combination of the brand name "Xanax" and the generic name "Alprazolam," which are the same drug, and kind of a weird choice because it's so modern. Xanax and Librium are both in the Benzodiazepine family of drugs, and in fact Librium was the first Benzo ever synthesized, but Librium was quickly replaced by Valium (Diazepam) and that's really the more iconic 1960s downer in the same family. Pound for pound, Valium is the strongest, Xanax lasts the longest, but they all more or less do the same thing and have the same side-effects, withdrawal, etc. So I think the reason they used a portmanteau of the current Benzo of choice for psychiatrists is this: Millennials. Everybody I know in my age group has taken a Xanax at least once in their lives. If you have ever in your life had a pill bottle that says "XANAX" or "ALPRAZOLAM" on the label, you will see that and know exactly what it means when Beth runs out of pills. Not as many people know that Valium or Librium are related drugs. If you're a drug nerd like I am, it seems a little on the nose, but it's probably necessary to be a little obvious to communicate something like that to audiences.
Well compared to say Klonopin which is long acting. Not compared to Versed. But Xanax peaks and valleys. Where as Klonopin has a half life of over 60-90 hours. Compared to about 11 for Xanax
...loved the ending... reminds me of "The Cincinnati Kid".... " I got the man..I got him"..!!!!..also. your good kid.. but as long as I'm around you'll only be second best"...!!!
What hidden detail did you just find out?
love that this show doesnt actually have a villain. her only demon is herself. and we stan the healthy relationship Benny brings. He actually made her sober and focused.
It would've been very easy for them to make villains out of her opponents, especially the Russians. But in the end, they're just other people that love to play chess, just as Beth does.
Best part about this show indeed!
@@allis_o2628 agree! they couldve turn them into mad playing chess players but they didnt. they're just as crazy as her in terms of playing chess!
@@jennierosedepth The even cooler thing is that all those players were influenced by real chess grandmasters' personas and playstyles. Borgov's real life person (Boris Spassky) actually also applauded Bobby Fischer back in the day when he won his game against Spassky.
I love beth & benny huhu
I'm jealous of the people who still have their first time watching the show ahead of them.
I have seen it twice.. alone and then with my husband... honestly I could do it again 🙈
already on round 2 with husband and daughter 😊
@@anamm3351 I saw it with my boyfriend a week ago, I'm planning to watch it again but alone this time. You should download the soundtrack of this mini-series, it's amazing
I liked it more the second time.
It was very good
I thought the child actor Isla Johnston, who played the young Beth was also terrific.
Yes. She reminded me of Eleven.
she was fantastic
YES!!! She able to portrayed emotion without saying anything
Yes! She was excellent!
Yes she was amazing I hope I see her in future movies
One thing I hated was how she didn’t acknowledge enough the role of Mr. Shaibel when he was alive and didn’t even care to meet him again
Yeah thats so sad!! I wish they met at least once before the end..... But i think the scene when beth was annoyed that the magazine interview didnt include mr shaibel on her life story as she told the woman about him. I think she did awknowledge him she just didn't think/believe that he really cares for her as much as he really does, i mean both of them are not the best at showing this emotion..... Ughhh still hurts though
I feel like that could happen in the real life tho
It absolutely would happen. She’s a traumatised child. She had little control over her life. She didn’t realise until too late that he loved her. Life can be cruel like that.
same, I was waiting for that moment and it never happened, pretty sad
That's a pretty unrealistic expectation of a character who has deep trust issues and severe relationship dysfunctions. The only way any of her "peeps" kept abreast of her was through newspaper clippings and she was just too busy to be distracted by such mundanities.
Elizabeth started as a white pawn at the car crash and ends as the white Queen in the last scene
This is probably the very best analogy I have ever read about this series. 100% spot on.
damn, you're right!
Nicely done 👍
Brilliant!
YES! Spot on! The queening of pawns is the aim of chess... Another saga of this type is the tale of the ugly duckling. Whom growned up into a beautiful swan....
When she got the call with all her boys back home, heart exploded 🥰. She may have been an orphan but she was loved by many, including her adoptive mother. Such a great series 🤍🖤
Her last outfit resembles a white queen. Beth not going back to the states and back to her normal life is a gambit. The chance of her staying in Russia is a Queen's Gambit.
Here in finland the show is translated to "black queen"
I believe she's not abandoning the US, just "rewarding" (wrong word) the dedication of the park chess players. Her flight back has only been postponed.
@@mikeharrison1868 that ending was ambiguous.
i think the politics of where she stays isn't really even important. what's important is that chess ISN'T political. she was beloved and accepted and looked up to by chess players all over the world. people cheered for her in Russia and even called her Liza, the Russian diminutive of her name. she was theirs as much as she was america's, and that's why she felt a kinship with the old Russian men playing in the park. the politicians tried to make her victory political, but it's like she said early on: a chess match is not always a competition. sometimes it can be beautiful.
This is a beautiful interpretation
This limited series alone is worth the price of Netflix; simply outstanding in every way, and I'm not even a chess player. Anya is stunning throughout - couldn't take my eyes off her.
She has an unusual face with big, wide-set eyes, a relatively large nose, and a small chin. Her face has a lot of character and is quite compelling to look at.
@@porsche911sbs Good choice for hair color as well, which she wanted in order to make her stand out apart from everyone one else to emphasize that she was an outsider. Red hair looks really good on her.
@@porsche911sbslarge nose?? My middle eastern soul is crying 😭
@@BBee13 don't cry, it's good that there are big noses, small noses, and mid-size ones
variety is beautiful
also, the dress she wears on the day she plays the russian dude hungover...yeah it's the color of her pills. it's like a symbol of how everything does downhill from there on because of her addictions.
omg love this!!
The stylist also had it custom made and picked softer fabrics to match the mood of being frumpy and misplacing too!!
is this from mina le's video?
At times I was completely distracted by Beth's perfect eyeliner. I was even imagining her applying her lipstick and eyeliner and choosing her outfits.
A “Season 2” could not possibly do this story justice. Impossible!
I agree. Can’t imagine.
There is no S2 unless it's completely invented. TQG is based on a single book....end to end. There is no sequel. We all need to duct tape Tevis to a chair until he writes one.
@Mitch Wild I didn't know that. RIP... There is ample precedent for another skilled author picking up an original work post-mortem. Frank Herbert's son Brian has teamed with Kevin Anderson for 20 years to continue Herbert's Dune series with may prequels that pre-date the original timeline, novels that follow Frank's final Chapterhouse: Dune and side-themed books on the Bene Gesserit Sisterhood, the Mentats, etc. My daughter and I have read all of them at least three times. Same with lots of the Jack Ryan Universe novels by Tom Clancy following his death and focused on Jack Ryan, Jr. For Tevis' work, you would need someone committed to his characters and style. With the success of TQG, I'm sure Netflix is already auditioning writers...at least I hope so. TQG is one of the best limited series I've even seen...second (to me) only to the classic I, Claudius, 1976. A MUST watch!!!
Yes, I wish we would normalize these miniseries shows. Otherwise we just get a collection of shows we can’t keep up with!
it doesn't need a season 2, the story is finalized
The most iconic thing you didn't notice is the fact that Harry Beltik plays great chess due the powers of his dementor's attack.
🤣🤣🤣🤣
And he gets his enemies name
@@letshaveanormalname6325 nicely played.
i love this 😂
One part that really got me was when Beth noped out of the get together. This was when the girls asked her about boys and continued to sing the chorus of "You're the One" by the Vogues in an airheaded display. The music continues to play as Beth returns home, downs stolen alcohol and heads to bed. You see the shadow of the Queen piece rise over her while she lay in bed, the lines syncing "You're the one that I'm dreamin of/ Baby you're the one that I love". It was a nuanced display of her problematic romance with Chess. While it's her truest love it casts a black shadow over her, disappearing into her, she is the black Queen. This is also emphasised with the costuming, the black dress she chose to wear that night after aggressively throwing aside the white cardigan. It's a moment that symbolises both who she is, a black Queen that was dealt the second move in life, not made easy to succeed and also the consuming nature of her relationship with chess. I still can't get over it. I love this show so much.
I love how you noticed all of that. You're obviously a very creative and intelligent person.
👏🙌❤️
I dig that, that's deep!
I wish I was able to analyze things like you
Very amazing scene analysis
This show better win some awards or else RIOT!!!!
@RUclipsIsACensorshipTool said by a ignorant snow possum
@RUclipsIsACensorshipTool so funny
They actually mention Librium in the series, when in Mexico City Beth asks the doctor for a prescription and he says that in Mexico you don`t need a prescription for Librium
yes it was and I remember googling it and finding out it has the same/similar formulation as what we call Xanax today
Good catch
Yep benzos
which is wild cuz beth woulda seized up in reality. Benzos kill😔
@@skyluke9476 only when withdrawing and stopping cold turkey. As lethal as alcohol.
From the beginning scene where her mother’s gambit was to sacrifice the life of her own pawn, her daughter Beth, and how Beth escaped relatively unscathed from this seemingly inextricable car crash, to the ending championship scene where Beth’s queen's gambit is to sacrifice a pawn to gain control of the center of the board and how again she escapes unscathed from this seemingly inextricable situation is why this story’s plot is so satisfying. we care so much for Beth, a pawn her entire life, and cheer on her redemption as she herself becomes the Queen to gain control of her own life. This book and series were the most satisfying of any character-driven trope i have read or seen. Thank you for bringing this story to life.
That's one thing I didn't understand. Her real mother's life is so screwed up she turns to suicide. But to take your kid along with you? "close your eyes" That's messed up.
@@kentfellers it’s pretty normal sadly, some people who want to commit suicide don’t wanna do it alone
not the lipstick but the eye-liner indicated her state of mind. also the older she gote, the hair got longer and more stylish. her clothings got more fancy too.
They talk about the pill at 7:30, you’re welcome
I was a little girl in the 50s and my sisters and I always had those bangs. We called them "Angel Bangs". They were a thing back then.
That's interesting
How old you
@@FaranelHD I'm 68
Agree. Those hairstyles were high maintenance, not practical as claimed. They just so happened to be fashionable in the fifties.
I remember the lipstick on the rim of the cup of her mother when she got home from Mexico. It was devastating to see the lipstick on the cup which was on the table which caused Beth to feel so alone at that moment. I believe that's why she wanted Harry to stay and be there to keep her from feeling sad and alone since her adopted mom was gone from her life. I believe she loved her adopted mother by the way she gave her a 15% commission so she would have some money since she had nothing of her own. However, her adopted mother was wonderful helping Beth make arrangements for her trip and keep track of their expenses which was useful so Beth could concentrate on her endgame for chess. I love this performance by this actress that played her adopted mother that loved her and help her despite the addiction she had to booze and pills.
The Queen's Gambit series is the best series I have seen in many years. It is extraordinary !!
Actually, she actually asks for Librium after her mother dies in Mexico
This series was so astoundingly well written that it’s hard to believe they pulled it off. What I truly loved was the lack of a villainous chess enemy. The players were real people with understandable motivations and that is truly rare.
This show is a grand masterpiece.
I'm completely obsessed with the show. After I watched the first time, I began listening to the book which amazingly follows the show entirely. It is an amazing experience because the book expands many of the characters.
i did the same. The novel is really good too.
I'm looking forward to reading this book.
no battling lawsuits necessary, they did mention librium on the show. when she asked the doctor for a prescription for it in mexico and he said you don't need a prescription for librium in mexico.
My favorite all-time series has been I, Claudius from 1976...spectacular in every sense. The Queens Gambit is now a real close #2. Absolutely the most amazing mini-series I've seen in decades...and I'm 72. The struggles, challenges and growth of the Beth character is intense and glorious drama. Anya and ALL the cast have done a wonderful job...all worthy of multiple awards in the spring. I've seen nothing that can top it. Note: Bill Camp's role as Shaibel has not been touted enough...he played his part magnificently. I was so great to see Beth acknowledge his role in her success near the end. And that ending with the Russian men playing chess in the park? How do you write a better ending than that? You can't. Brava....... We will all need to watch this again and again to catch and appreciate all the nuances and subtleties...looking forward to it.
One subtle thing i noticed was the use of movement. They show shots of people walking in irregular, arcing patterns. Whereas in chess you can only move in a few straight directions. For example, when Townnes is following her thru the las vegas hotel and swinging on the poles, or the motions the janitor makes while mopping...shows how comforting the world of chess is, as Beth says. The real world is too chaotic for her.
Personally, I do not think that she stayed, she just wanted to hang out with the old Russian men and play chess with them. She had too many ties in the states - she owed Jolene $3,000, and Jolene needed that for Law School. She wasn't going to f..k over Jolene. Plus, my guess, she ended up with Harry. I think that she really loved him. The other chess nerds were her buds for life and Jolene was her BFF.
Harry Beltik really? I don’t know if it’s just me but I didn’t really see anything between them other than friendship. On her side anyway. I thought she was better suited with Benny.
@@Marie-ei7ul Benny was way too full of himself to be tied down in a relationship. Besides, Harry genuinely cared about her, especially when he noticed her odd behaviours in the store where he worked. Benny cut her off when she phoned him to help her pay for her trip to the USSR for the championship. Although Benny did come around in the end, if he really cared for her, he wouldn't have cut her off, and I don't think Harry would've ever have done that to her.
@@TheRanaro Yes I agree Harry definitely cared for her a lot but I don’t think Beth thought of him as anything more than a friend. I get what you mean about Benny though, but I think he was just hurt that she kept avoiding coming to see him. I think ultimately he brought out a good side in Beth as she stayed sober when she was with him and they had great chemistry. I didn’t really see that between Harry and Beth.
@@Marie-ei7ul Oh well..we can only speculate.
But how do we know that Beth loved Benny? I thought she was in love with the hats his name? The dude that kinda looks like Oscar Isaac am I the only one who thought that? I mean they look similar not look alike. I forgot his character name the photographer. I think he liked her but never said anything.
Thomas Sangster-Brodie's optical age compared to his real age is fun in every show. So his character was born in 1940 and Beth in 1948, so he is about 19 in the first scene we see him in. Actor born 1990. Harry Beltik's actor is born in 1989 and they look 10 years apart.
I wanted to hear about the clothes! All those black and white chess board patterns...
I am someone who like classic way of dressing (at least the way I can) and enjoyed the series a great way in that aspect too (the show itself has become one of my all time favorites anyway in so many regards). I hope this will encourage my fellow great people here to adopt this :)
I just read it in vogue. The costume designer explaining Beth's clothes and their meaning.
I realized she was dressing as part of the chess games pattern which was interesting.
There's a fashion youtuber named Mina Le who did an analysis of this and the evolution of Beth's style.
Librium was mentioned by name right after Alma dies
Everything on the show was detailed and thought out.
Great Netflix mini-series, I loved it. Yes, I knew the chess games were real (I play chess), and given that Beth was going to become the world champion I expected, and later confirmed, they were from Grand Master games. They did a great job save playing too fast in the 120min/40 move tournament game. But that is necessary since it wouldn't be a 7-hour mini-series if the games were played in real-time and unless you know chess watching a game even makes Golf look exciting. Didn't know about the lipstick but that is a nice touch. I suspected that her maturing style was multifaceted and connected to Hollywood actresses by her dress...I do have 3 sisters so that helped and grew-up in the time depicted in the series. I'll be looking forward to seeing Anya Taylor-Joy in future movies.
Hard to believe anything could make golf look exciting!
Came here to say how real the games were!
She wasn't world champion at the end. The tournament was the Moscow Invitational tournament, not the world championship.
@@Holdit66 Well then they have an opportunity to create a 2nd mini-series...
@@X00000370 Beware of what happens when a series continues after the books run out. Exhibit A: Game of Thrones. :-)
This type of Programming is what is needed Netflix... Smart and Entertaining
5:45 Anya/Beth is so stunning in this scene.
Marielle is so impressive. Also I completely agree, the girl who plays young Beth (Isla Johnston) should have gotten a wig. Those bangs were just ...
Anya improvised her toasting the empty airplane seat after Alma Wheatley died.
The most surprising part was the mustache... It was actually real 😂
as someone who doesn’t like chess god knows why this is my favourite series and queen of katwe is my fav film
Did anyone realize the clingy boyfriend was DUDLEY from Harry Potter?! 😂
WHAT? OMG I THOUGHT IT WAS NEVILLE AT FIRST I-😭
@@izzieiz7690 SAME!!! When I told my friend this she made me realise it is actually Dudley🤣
Beltik wasn't clingy
So cool! I started playing tournament chess in about 1968 and played hundreds of rated games over the years. The feeling in the tournament halls was spot on. Chess players can be an eccentric lot, and this was captured beautifully. So well done!! For those in the know, I ended my last sentence in a !! Serious chess players will recognize this as a "double exclam" which is used in chess annotation to denote a brilliant move.
This is a netflix show with HBO standards
don't insult the show like that
Actually,Thomas is most known for a role in The Maze runner..
I think he's most known for Love Actually, actually! Hahahah
@@hsmloverzanesssa oh really? I haven't heard about that movie,but if you are sure... :))
@@miaminashvili234 yes definitely! Haha but you must be quite young then cuz it came out in 2003😂 it's the movie most people recognise him first from
I Know him for jojen Reed in game of thrones
Beltik is Dudley!!
I'm not surprised that make up was a part of storytelling bc it really is representative of moments of your life bc as you grow, how you do your make up changes.
Maybe it was a bit obvious to be mentioned but there's also the point that her all white outfit at the end with the white beret symbolises the queen moving around in her world (the chess board)
I had a feeling that the games were somehow real. I was taught chess and to read chess books at a very young age. I am happy to learn it is so. Those actors are really good at showing how it feels/looks like waiting for your opponent to make the move.
They also consulted outside professionals, like Kasparov. They analyze the final game on chess channels. The chess community seems to be happy with the believability, which is good.
They're actually based on real games! You can see some on Agadmator's channel where he analyzes the games.
@@gkato yes i have seen his videos and other youtubers as well.
@@eustaciavy I appreciate that they paid attention to details on the games and did not opt to just put a chess board and show actors moving pieces randomly.
@RUclipsIsACensorshipTool artistic license. I guess it worked for them based on the general appreciation from the chess community.
I feel like Anya Taylor-Joy looks like a female version of Thomas Brodie-Sangster, am I the only one? I gasped a little when he turned up in the show!
I watched 6 times within a week lol it was too good...
Goddamn dude
I watched it twice... Best series ever...
The Queen's Gambit is brilliant. Absolutely love the show!
Beth reminded me much more to Diana Rigg in her role of Emma Peel. The extraordinary dresses, the straight superior look in her eyes and these incredible 60th look. The way Emma treats men who thought they are ahead of her until they notice that they are trsiling in fact. I just miss the cars of Emma Peel in this series.
One of the outfits in particular looked like it was taken from the Avengers' costume shop! I commented on it to my wife.
Man, I've watched this series 7 times and I'm still so in love with it.
Tomas’ moustache is horrible :))) but Il glad that this actor had an opportunity to act some kind of the bad boy with his obviously « boy » appearance.
HONESTLYYY! For some reason, I only ever see Thomas as a 17 year old, not as the 30 year old he is today. I really didn’t find the facial hair suiting for him, but the change in character is definitely something new.
@@michaeIaa what!!!!? He's 30 years old?
Allyana Manabat my thoughts exactly when i looked up the show 😭
@@michaeIaa because he looks about 12
I also love how the series taught us the importance of "saving". ❤️
After watching this show, there's one thing I notice, that Beth is so beautiful
No one notice or mentioned that at the end she was dress in a beautiful sixties coat and hat that was the color of the chess piece she was playing in her final game in the tournament. Also if you look at her she was dress as a queen from the chessboard. Making her the queen of chess.
The pat on the shoulder had me rolling
The editing is so concise - nothing superfluous. Needs to win every award!
Did anyone notice colour of the Librium Tranquilliser pills matched Beths clothes in the scene they showed here?
One of the best show on Netflix in 2020
Fantastic, series, and yes I did notice her lipstick, was same as her mum's. Lovely tribute to her mum , I thought.
No mention of the GOAT GM Garry Kasparov was the person choosing which games were played in this show?
Did you realize her outfit always resembled a chess board or a black and white queen?
the people who are watching it for the first time are the luckiest people in history
Even tho I couldn't point out the details, I somehow subconsciously knew that this is a well thought-through masterpiece in every way with all the details coming together.
During her downward spiral her lipstick changes colour to be very pale and match her skin tone (you can see her doing this at 1:03) as well as this she has black eyeliner on under her eyes. I believe in the show the character was trying to use this makeup to hide the signs of hangover and substance abuse on her body however this makeup ends up makeing the character look fairly gaunt or ill which I thought was another great use of makeup from the costume team.
This series is really great actually she’s look so stunning and fashionable all of the scene ❤️
The best part of this show is the fact that it ended wonderfully and doesn't need another season.
the mother played more than one piece. She played 3 times on the piano if I remember well
Clearly didn't pay attention during the Mexico episode - they mention that it is librium.
Such a great series though!
Art direction was exceptional. As Ricky Gervais said “ give up Hollywood “. Netflix has won.
I think she told the doctor in Mexico that she had a prescription for Librium after her mother died, didn't she?
started watching this show at 10:30am and didnt finish it till about 17.40 talk about a binge worthy show.most sad was when she discovered her chess teacher fallowed her career up till his death 😭😭she still owed him $10
Beth's last outfit (the white coat and hat) makes her look like the white queen chess piece.
Best show on netflix in my opinion, and I ADORED the adoptive mother Alma and he actress who interpreted her. She was astonishing
I cant seem to watch again. Its still in my mind, i can still remember each scene. Vividly.
The Peter Noone version of "The end of the Word" was used in the movie but credit was given to Skeeter Davis in the Closed caption. I like the Peter Noone version better.
In Mexico, she did call them "librium" the only time she mentioned them by name.
A Terrific Mesmerizing Series. I had no idea until I clicked on episode 1 then I was hooked. Great acting all over the place.
Librium was quite specifically discussed in the Mexico City episode, so your premise is questionable.
When the Janitor tells The girl in chapter 1 that the position is a queen's gambit, it is really only a queen pawn opening and not a queen's gambit.
Exactly!
Say what ???
@@colibri4676 The position on chess board is NOT a queen's gambit position, Big mistake in the movie.
Actually, most people probably remember Thomas Brodie-Sangster from the Maze Runner movies
For me it's Love Actually :)
For me, Nanny McPhee.
Blooper: Alma says her husband, Allston is in the "Southwest, Denver and Butte". Butte, Montana is in the north, not Southwest. Also: complex symbolism: Alma plays piano music by Satie in front of Beth. Satie's mother died when he was young and Satie died of alcoholism. Alma and Allston equal "A.A."- Alcoholics Anonymous.
As an amateur chess player I related to this show on several levels. Aside from the chess games themselves which were riveting, the show's brilliantly acted and directed. Top-rate entertainment underpinned by some very positive messages about relationships, femininity and success. The image of chess as a dull, masculine game is doomed for ever!
I wasn't surprised about the games though. They lookes just as real as they were
This was so much fun to watch! Did a review of my own and it's great to see some of the gems that I missed
This was the best show I’ve seen in a long time ☺️
Besides show her maturity, they worked on her eye brows as well.
Secondly in the final scene at the park, Beth was wearing the Queen's outfit, in white with a hat top with a round ball .
Question: In the basement of Benny's, Clio said the 3 guys, (chess players) don't eat. Is there a reason in particular for chess players? To keep their mind sharp bc their bodies in a survivor mode?
I dont know what exactly was going on. To not eat too much is a classical; you dont want to get bloated before serious intellecutal work. But its not starvation and survivor mode! Another reason may be religious. If they were observant Jews keeping koscher, they would avoid to eat in non koscher environment. But in the novel they werent Jews, at least, not all three of them. Another scenario if they were say, wegans, they would too tend to not eat.... It could also be to not bother the host with the costs and trouble to give food to unexpected guests. And the easiest way in all such cases to avoid embarassemnt, is simply to say; they arent not eating...
Elsewhere on RUclips all the chess games played in the series are analyzed as they're the actual games that happened between 2 strong (GM or IM) chess players in the past. The chess consultant to the show was no one else but Gary Kasparov himself who selected the games for the show... My problem with the series was that during all the games the chess board was not shown in its entirety for those who play chess to actually see and appreciate the game and the critical moments in it... We could only guess what might be going on by the facial expressions of the players. This is a huge oversight of the director!!
The Queens Gambit is a great advert for Chess especially for girls and non Chess players. The story line is based on the American, Bobby Fischer who famously only played 1 e4 before winning Game 6 in the 1972 World Championship with The Queens Gambit against the Champion, Boris Spassky from Russia in which he sportingly congratulated Bobby on a great game and was considered the best game of the Championships. Bobby Fischer was a Chess prodigy and at 14 years old won the United States Championships.
The one trait that is incorrect is substance abuse as I have never come across that from any Chess player of any ability being that it would effect their game negatively. I thought your performance was excellent in which the chess games were from those played by past Masters. Adjourning a game did occur in the 1972 World Championship for which they are no longer used for many years since the development of chess engines and players playing shorter games to a finish.
We’re actually watching it second time around! First straight up for the story, second time for all the editing, costumes, hidden surprises, and continuity. But then we’re in the business, third time will be color and pacing.
Several of the games in the series were based upon amazing games of the past. This is a rabbit hole worth exploring.
I love the way she used to play on the roof in her mind👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
Great movie whether you like chess or not. I am a chess fan and there are grandmasters that do analysis of the games from this movie, very interesting very complex. I know former world champion Garry Kasparov also consulted on the chess for the movie. The attention to detail is great and really shines through.
Much like the lipstick, the evolution of the eyeliner stood out as well. From none, to only on the top lid, to the extreme liner to a refined wing when she won in Moscow, very beautiful symbolism
this show has really had me thinking about it for a whole week... what a masterpiece
Damn this show is easily my favorite of all time.
Benny Watts(forgot the actor's name) resembles young Leo DiCaprio a lot.
More David Spade, I thought.
The Thomas Brodie Sangster
6:19 i choked when i saw richard from friends show
A point the video doesn't mention about the green pills is that "Xanzolam" is most likely a combination of the brand name "Xanax" and the generic name "Alprazolam," which are the same drug, and kind of a weird choice because it's so modern. Xanax and Librium are both in the Benzodiazepine family of drugs, and in fact Librium was the first Benzo ever synthesized, but Librium was quickly replaced by Valium (Diazepam) and that's really the more iconic 1960s downer in the same family. Pound for pound, Valium is the strongest, Xanax lasts the longest, but they all more or less do the same thing and have the same side-effects, withdrawal, etc.
So I think the reason they used a portmanteau of the current Benzo of choice for psychiatrists is this: Millennials. Everybody I know in my age group has taken a Xanax at least once in their lives. If you have ever in your life had a pill bottle that says "XANAX" or "ALPRAZOLAM" on the label, you will see that and know exactly what it means when Beth runs out of pills. Not as many people know that Valium or Librium are related drugs. If you're a drug nerd like I am, it seems a little on the nose, but it's probably necessary to be a little obvious to communicate something like that to audiences.
Xanax acts the least amount of time of all benzos
Well compared to say Klonopin which is long acting. Not compared to Versed. But Xanax peaks and valleys. Where as Klonopin has a half life of over 60-90 hours. Compared to about 11 for Xanax
@@amazingabby25 Ah, I stand corrected. Thank you.
...loved the ending... reminds me of "The Cincinnati Kid".... " I got the man..I got him"..!!!!..also. your good kid.. but as long as I'm around you'll only be second best"...!!!