‘Watchmen’ Series Premiere ‘It’s Summer and We’re Running Out of Ice’ Review

Set in an alternate universe where the world brands costumed superheroes as criminals, Watchmen happens thirty years after the events in the comic book source material. As much as it occurs at the same time as our year 2019, it is nothing similar to our 2019. Here, America has only four mentioned presidents [and a very surprising fourth], it rains squids, and Vietnam is a U.S. state. Thirty years pass, yet a familiar foe seemingly returns from hibernating.

On Sunday’s series premiere of Watchmen, Angela Abar/Sister Knight (Regina King) returns to active duty alongside Police Chief Judd Crawford (Don Johnson). Trouble stirs as the 7th Kavalry, a white nationalist group known for believing in the anti-hero, Rorschach’s ideals, re-emerges after three years of peace. After the attempted murder of Officer Charlie Sutton (Charles Brice), Chief Crawford and Sister Knight enlist the help of Wade/Looking Glass (Tim Blake Nelson), Red Scare (Andre Howard), and Pirate Jenny (Jessica Camacho) to hunt down the members of the 7th Kavalry in hiding.

Sworn into Secrecy

HBO

Much of the events in the episode have historical events as a basis. For instance, we have the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre. Also, in the comics, Vietnam became a U.S. State in 1985. However, there are key differences here that pick up after the comics. A tragedy, known as the ‘White Night,’ changes the police force forever. At the time, Police Officers did not conceal their identities, so vigilantes targeted and killed a considerable number of police officers. In the episode, Angela herself mentions that she is a victim of the said event.

Now, Police Officers wear yellow masks to conceal their identities. They are not allowed to tell anyone about their profession, either. To protect her family, Angela goes undercover as a retired police officer now opening a bakeshop. Still, Sister Knight returns as soon as she receives a ‘Little Bighorn,’ a Tulsa Police code for a police shooting [also notably based on Lieutenant Colonel George Custer, 7th Calvary’s leader’s last stand]. In contrast to other police officers, Sister Knight has a unique uniform, as well as a unique mask, much like a considerable few in the Tulsa Police Force.

Weapons Free

HBO

The episode makes extensive use of political concepts. In the Police Forces’ case, an officer has to ask for a person’s consent before recording their interaction. Also, a police officer has to get authorization from a desk officer [in Sutton’s case, Panda (Jacob-Ming-Trent)] before the release of the service firearm. This extra step cost Officer Sutton his life, so Chief Crawford decided to have the additional protocol removed since the 7th Kavalry threat looms over them. The idea of consent, as well as gun control, are 21st-century concepts, fitting for the setting.

As the 7th Kavalry video made its way to Tulsa Police, Sister Knight brings in a suspect who eventually revealed the Kavalry’s location. With that, Chief Crawford launches an operation to takeout the Kavalry. This sequence begins and ends with much blood and gore, shot with surprisingly stable angles that give the viewers a solid take on the action. While they end up victorious, none of the stragglers live as the last one uses a cyanide pill. The information they gather from the scene may be limited, but they do know that the Kavalry is up to something sinister.

Lord of a Country Estate

HBO

Amid the chaos erupting at Tulsa, Adrian Veidt (Jeremy Irons) lives a life of luxury in a remote castle. The former hero/anti-villain who went by the name ‘Ozymandias’ celebrates his birthday with his servants, Mr. Phillips (Tom Mison) and Ms. Crookshanks (Sara Vickers). It is interesting to note that a newspaper in the episode declares Veidt dead. Being the smart person that he is, Veidt likely faked his death to retire to a quiet life. However, it does seem that the man has plans after retirement. Veidt merely took time to write a ‘play’ that suspiciously sounds like the same thing he did in the comics: a device that would cause of all humanity to unite against a common threat.

Comicbook References

The episode contains easter eggs insignificant to the plot but entertaining to find. One of these is the squid rain sequence. This part is a callout to Veidt’s actions in the comics where he stops Nuclear War between Russia and the U.S. Since the timeline happens after those stories, the squid rain here is likely a regular phenomenon in this universe given how prepared everyone is. They even have a warning siren. One may have missed the 7th Kavalry duffel bags full of watch batteries, ‘the old kind.’ Nodding to yet another of Veidt’s schemes, the show mentions that the Kavalry likely is developing a cancer bomb the way Veidt arranged for Dr. Manhattan’s colleagues to develop cancer.

There are other easter eggs found in the episode. For instance, we have how the egg yolks Angela separate form a smiley face. There is an owl mug in Judd’s office referencing to Nite Owl. Also, Dr. Manhattan appearing on the news, still living on Mars. A superhero TV Show called ‘American Hero Story’ shows the Minutemen, and the streak of blood falling on Judd’s badge mirrors that of the Comedian’s.

200 Pounds

HBO

Judd ends up hung on a tree, allegedly by a 105-year-old Will Reeves, who uses a wheelchair (Louis Gossett Jr.). Reeves is the same kid who survived the 1921 Tulsa race riots, clutching the same note that his father placed in his pocket when he sat beside the dead Judd. Potentially, one could think that Reeves’ character hints at being Hooded Justice himself. The kid was watching a silent film that possibly could inspire the birth of Hooded Justice. Now, we have a dead Police Chief, a senior man admitting to the murder, and a confused, hurt, and angry Angela, wondering what to do next.

‘Watchmen’ Series Premiere ‘It’s Summer and We’re Running Out of Ice’ Final Verdict

Much like its comic book source material, Watchmen tells the story of a post-superhero world matched with tricky politics, modern-day societal problems, and realistic gore. Sure, it was confusing to watch the premiere, but whatever the showrunner, Damon Lindelof, did work well. The show perfectly captures the vibe that one can get while reading comics. Also, it matches the world’s current issues with excellent story-telling, playing with concepts that stimulate the viewers’ minds.

Watchmen continues Sunday, October 27th with ‘Martial Feats of Comanche Horsemanship’ at 9/8c on HBO.