Apple TV+’s See is Back with a Bang [Review]

See on Apple TV+ kicks off its final chapter

We’ve been waiting 10 and a half months to return to the brutal world of Steven Knight’s See on Apple TV+ and it was not a disappointment.

It’s 256 days after the Battle of Greenhill Gap and the death of Edo at the hands of Baba Voss. The Travantian army is in tatters. As we have come to expect with the show, the episode opens with an epic fight sequence as Wren and her battalion struggle to survive the attacks of the Ganites. Cut to the kingdom of Pennsa where Sibeth (still a prisoner) is giving birth to the child fathered by Queen Maghra and Baba Voss’s son Kofun. Haniwa is angry at Maghra for Baba Voss leaving and fighting to make the religious zealots understand that sighted people aren’t evil. Queen Maghra struggles with the decision to hand over her sister to the Travantians, as part of their peace treaty and Harlan is as charming and quippy as always.

Meanwhile, Baba Voss seems to have found some solace living deep in the wilderness with Ranger and Lu. But peace is short lived as we learn that Lu wants Baba to leave, blaming him for the death of Alkenny. Bow Lion arrives, telling Baba that he needs to come out of hiding so he can train all those who were orphaned by the Battle of Greenhill Gap. What is set up as the game changer this season is the emergence of more sighted people and a powerful new weapon. Travantian scientist Tormada has developed the key to their success and ability to conquer new lands: explosives. As he says early on in the episode, “Science is going to save you…Science will win this war for you.” And that’s where we stand.

See Review

But you didn’t come here to read a synopsis of the episode, you can find that anywhere. In my opinion, See is one of the best shows on television and I’m sad that this is the final season. In an age when people are screaming both for diversity in Hollywood but also complaining about “wokeness”, See accomplishes what few other shows have been able to do. It presents a world that is diverse in all ways possible and yet in no way throws it in your face or even makes mention of it.

In fact, the thing that divides the people in this world is sight. And in a reverse of our reality, where blindness is considered a disability, the religious zealots in Pennsa believe that sighted people are evil and burn them as witches. There is true gender equality in this world – women are warriors and leaders and in no way the “weaker sex.” The cast is a rainbow of faces and beyond that, they are a mixture of both sighted, blind and low vision actors. As is the crew.

Award-worthy cast and production

The cinematography continues to be epic, switching between grand vistas to close ups on minute details. The sound design helps immerse the viewer in a world where sound is paramount to these people. But beyond the epic fight scenes, stunning photography and diverse cast, it is the compelling writing and stellar performances that keep you hooked.

As we dive into Emmy season, it is baffling to me how See was only nominated in the Outstanding Visual Effects category. From the words that come out of their mouths to the amount of training they had to do to learn how to move and fight like the unsighted people of this world, there is not a weak actor in the cast. Sylvia Hoeks‘ Sibith Kane continues to be one of the most remarkable performances I’ve ever seen, and her relationship with Hera Hilmar’s Maghra proves to be some of the most powerful scenes.

In what is probably the best character he’s ever played (sorry Game of Thrones fans), Jason Momoa’s Boba Voss is mesmerizing to watch. His physicality and raw emotion are as powerful as the character he is portraying. This extends to all the supporting cast as well. Olivia Cheng’s Charlotte is definitely someone I want on my team should the apocalypse come, and Christian Carmargo’s Tamacti Jun can engage you with just a word.

A series that makes an impact

It is David Hewlitt’s Tormada that we will be paying close attention to this season. For, as has been brought up in previous seasons, it was technology that led to the downfall of the human race – pollution, war, famine. With sight returning, humans have once again developed weapons of war that can cause death and destruction in epic proportions.

While See can be viewed as a fun post apocalyptic adventure, it goes much deeper than that. It is truly an analysis of how we as humans live our lives and interact with other people and our world. I’m not saying the show is going to change the world or even change people’s minds, but hopefully it will cause some to pause and evaluate how they live. In a time when climate change is causing devastating fires and floods, hatred and discrimination has led to decades long wars, mass shootings and police brutality, unchecked capitalism has lead to a rift between haves and have nots, See is the type of show that makes you truly question what is important in life and what we can do to try and make things better. It does this in a much more powerful way than Ted Lasso’s “Believe” sign.

As long as you can handle a little blood and guts, See is a show that I encourage everyone to watch. With only seven more episodes left, I’m eager to see how this all ends.

New episodes of See premiere on Apple TV+ every Friday.