New 5-part limited series on HBO, "Chernobyl." I've only watched the first two episodes and all I can say is, "WOW." I knew of the nuclear accident when it occurred in 1986, but I really had NO idea of the extent of the disaster. The Chernobyl accident is considered the most disastrous nuclear power plant accident in history, both in terms of cost and casualties. It is one of only two nuclear energy accidents classified as a level 7 event (the maximum classification). The series is very well done and the cast is excellent. If you have HBO, I recommend this.
@Beth Gallagher I would love to watch this, for the technical aspects alone, but think our package does not include HBO anymore, after recent "trimming" requested of my wife. Frank
I recall the terrible incident. I demonstrated the poor planning of the Soviets, but the courage of the men who marched into the disaster was incredible. They consigned themselves to a slow , miserable death but did it knowingly. The courage was even greater than that of 9-11 and Fukushima.
The finale to the mini-series was this week. I learned so much about the disaster, though it was dramatized. I had actually forgotten about the harsh life in Soviet USSR, the KGB, the depressed lives of Russian "comrades". I also was not aware that the whistle blower (Valery Alekseyevich Legasov), who caused the Soviets to reveal the true cause of the disaster, committed suicide. Just a fascinating mini-series and so well done.
My daughter is watching that and said it was great! I have to wait a month. Then will qualify for another free week of HBO. (Yep, I'm that cheap.) I pay for Amazon and YouTube. The rest have to be free trials. I rotate those.
They mentioned on "The View" this morning that people are going to Chernobyl as tourists, and taking selfies.
Yes, there are actual tours of the area and the people on the tours have to wear little Geiger-counter things to show how much radiation they are getting. What a great vacation destination, huh?
@Beth Gallagher Might it be curiosity or self-indulgence, which lends the interest to folks? Curious, and unaware of the potential danger involved, or rather, "Hey, look at me! I saw where all those people died"! Frank