Queen’s Gambit
So I just finished watching Queen’s Gambit and I’m eager to share my thoughts on it! It goes without saying, but everything that follows is firmly in SPOILER territory, so please tread carefully. Better yet, watch the entire series before reading, I promise it’s worth it!
Anyway Queen’s Gambit follows the story of Beth Harmon, a young chess prodigy who starts playing in the humble origins of an orphanage basement with a janitor, all the way up to becoming the world champion. It’s a story about an outsider who finds it difficult to relate to the world. A story about obsession and competition. And a story about trauma and the drug abuse that can follow.
What it isn’t is a story about a woman in a man’s world (thankfully!). There were references to it, but it is ultimately not a focus. Queen’s Gambit has a habit of subverting expectations, but this time in favour of lighter plot developments, is one of its greatest strengths. That, and the fantastic 60’s style fashion it gloriously depicts!
Beth did not get molested by a creepy janitor (her first chess teacher, Shaibel) in the basement . She does not get abused by her adopted father (who was still a major asshole nonetheless). She doesn’t have to pick between playing competitive chess and pleasing some man she’s in love with. You start the series with your butthole clenched, wondering what’s going to happen to this poor orphan girl and the show ever so graciously relaxes it for you. Turns out being an orphan is plenty sad on its own.
Queen’s Gambit really reminds me of a sports manga. You’ve got this main character who is obsessed with winning, and has to be pulled back to reality sometimes by the people around them. They face opponents of stronger and stronger difficulties, with a couple of losses along the way to set them back. And of course there’s the final “boss” (in this case Borgov), the unbreakable obstacle until the very end of the story.
The show ends with a couple really poignant moments- one where she discovers a collage of all her tournaments and press clippings on Shaibel’s wall, years after they hadn’t spoken to each other. And then at the end she goes to the park in Russia and plays chess with an old man, a fitting nod to him.
There are a few criticisms I have— she seems to get rid of her alcoholism very quickly and conveniently (maybe it’s just temporary). And it felt a little contrived the way all her old friends and foes team up to help her beat the final opponent. But that’s small potatoes stuff, this is great TV. Netflix should be doing more self-contained limited series!
