[Review] Chernobyl: The Price of Lies
Chernobyl is a heartbreaking and infuriating series that not only offers a deep dive into the nuclear disaster but also compels viewers to reflect on the true nature of their governments.
Chernobyl tells the story of the Chernobyl nuclear disaster in a non-linear fashion, first revealing the fate of protagonist Valery Legasov (played by Jared Harris) two years after the catastrophe, then flashing back to the time of the disaster itself. The first four episodes focus on the consequences of the disaster and the government's response. The series' subject matter is inherently a typical drama/historical film, but due to the presence of terrifying, invisible radiation, it feels more like a thriller. One of the series' most outstanding aspects is its depiction of radiation's harm; it cleverly utilizes radiation's invisible nature to emphasize its terror, which was precisely the most frightening aspect of the actual disaster.
Radiation is colorless, odorless, and invisible; we largely cannot perceive its presence through our senses alone. By the time our bodies detect it, we may already be deeply affected, with irreversible consequences emerging. The series primarily focuses on the emergency response of the nuclear plant technicians, firefighters, and medical personnel after the disaster. Even though we cannot see the radiation in the show, we are acutely aware of its intense presence near the power plant and its devastating effects on the characters. Watching firefighters approach the explosion site so closely, picking up debris outside the plant; seeing technicians disregard radiation to prevent further disaster within the plant—we almost feel the breath of death closing in on them. Thus, these scenes evoke the feeling of thrillers and horror films, except the invisible killer isn't a malevolent spirit or a deadly virus, but radiation. What's most unsettling is that this isn't a fictional story; viewers know that most of what's depicted actually happened, and that the radiation and its harm were real, claiming countless lives.
While Chernobyl dedicates considerable screen time to depicting the devastating effects of the nuclear disaster, its core theme lies in truth versus lies. In a scene from the first episode, senior nuclear plant officials and local party members discuss the unfolding situation in a closed room. When someone suggests evacuating citizens to minimize impact, an elderly party member repeatedly dissuades them, emphasizing the need to prioritize the bigger picture—the Soviet Union as a whole—and not to let public concern distract citizens from their labor for the state. Furthermore, he insists on having faith in the Soviet socialist system and the Soviet government. Based solely on their collective decision of a dozen or so people, or even just the old party member's words, the truth is suppressed, preventing people from being informed of the nuclear accident in time, thus exacerbating its impact on them. This reflects not only the arrogance and bureaucracy of local government and nuclear plant officials but also the disastrous consequences of such intense, blind nationalism and patriotism. For the stability of the regime and socialism, for the benefit of the state and the party, the lives and well-being of the people can be disregarded, and truth can be twisted into baseless speculation. The series further explores the nature of this regime in subsequent episodes.
The initial episodes of the series primarily depict the devastation of the nuclear disaster. During this time, Valery Legasov and scientist Ulana Khomyuk (played by Emily Watson) tirelessly strive to find the cause of the accident, seeking the truth behind it to prevent similar incidents from recurring. However, their search is fraught with difficulties, not only because some involved individuals are gravely ill or even dead, but also due to repeated obstruction from the Soviet government and the KGB. After several episodes of pursuit, the two finally discover that the nuclear power plant's design itself contained a fatal flaw; the Soviet Union had chosen to cut costs during construction, endangering public safety. As scientists, both Legasov and Khomyuk desired to expose the truth to the world, to promote reform in national and global nuclear energy, and to prevent similar occurrences. However, this truth would severely impact the nation's reputation and damage its dignity. Therefore, Valery Legasov is forced to betray his conscience at an international conference in Vienna, burying the truth with a lie.
At the domestic hearing, the two realize this is their last chance to reveal the truth, especially with dozens of scientists present, whom they believe can bring about change once they know. The series captures the hearing scene with immense tension; we clearly see Valery Legasov's internal struggle and understand the consequences of speaking the truth. As Valery Legasov rises from his seat to explain the cause of the nuclear accident, the series deliberately slows his walk, emphasizing the immense pressure on his mind and the gravity of his testimony. Ultimately, he exposes the state's lies, putting the nation in an embarrassing position and resulting in his "lifelong deprivation of political rights." And yet again, all truth is suppressed by the KGB. The stability and dignity of the state once more triumph over science and truth, while the scientists and heroes dedicated to protecting the people and pursuing truth are branded as traitors to the nation.
The series deliberately places the causes and progression of the nuclear disaster in the final episode, emphasizing the importance of speaking truth and the heavy price paid for all the lies within the show. If the series had presented the cause and progression in a straightforward manner in the first episode, we would have placed all responsibility on the nuclear plant managers, and the truth of the matter would have lost its weight. By the fifth episode, we understand the nature of this regime and how they suppressed truth and distorted science. With this kind of pacing, we can truly comprehend Valery Legasov's struggle, and the truth, spoken under such oppression, carries immense weight. Furthermore, the portrayal of the disaster's progression in the final episode is equally heartbreaking and infuriating.
The Chernobyl nuclear disaster remains one of the most severe nuclear accidents in history, and its radiological effects and harms persist. The final episode depicts the last moments before the disaster, showing us the human error behind this catastrophe: the nuclear plant managers, in order to fulfill directives from above, disregarded safety protocols, using their authority and prestige to issue dangerous commands to subordinates, leading to the disaster. The phrase, "If I say it's safe, it's safe," must resonate with many viewers! In such situations, innocent subordinates who have repeatedly raised objections are often the first to bear the brunt and suffer the consequences.
More than thirty years have passed since the Chernobyl nuclear disaster, and it might seem like a distant historical event. However, the themes expressed in the series feel incredibly relevant to me. Even though the Soviet government has dissolved, the essence of that regime can still be easily found in other governing bodies: the suppression of negative news; the crackdown on dissenters; the suppression of truth and the opinions of scholars and experts for the sake of regime stability and interests; and the disregard for all rules and regulations to complete directives and tasks from above. Although we don't live in the Soviet Union of the 1980s, and a nuclear disaster hasn't happened in Hong Kong, we understand that history often repeats itself in different forms. If the nature of governments and those in power remains unchanged, even if the nature and extent of events differ, similar tragedies will still occur, and we will ultimately suffer their consequences. Therefore, while we still have the ability to prevent unfortunate events from happening, we truly must seize the opportunity to make a change.