Pantheon

Pantheon is a huge surprise to me. It was a series that I happened to stumble upon and watched the first episode without knowing anything about it, perhaps because I was intrigued by the poster. But the very first episode got me hooked and its mystery piqued my interest in what was to come. It doesn't feel spectacular at the beginning, one or two mysteries are hinted at, which was enough to keep me interested. The start is slow, but Pantheon just gets better and better with each new episode. The writers gradually lay their cards on the table, showing the themes they want to tackle and everything feels incredibly interesting, logical, and realistic. You believe most of the characters' motivations, you see how they come to various decisions, you understand them, and you start to relate to them, so it works on an emotional level because they’re just so human. It's a series that gradually develops, adds more interesting topics to think about, and provides various different answers to its questions, as well as enough space for the viewer to think about them. It's an intelligent show, and a quality sci-fi, and I have no problem believing the science on which it is based. Even the ending of the first season was handled well. The conclusion to some of the storylines was very satisfying and made me excited enough for the next season, which it’s clearly heading towards. When you factor in the decent animation and a pretty good soundtrack, the result is an amazing experience. 9/10 (13.10.2022)

The second season of Pantheon offers quite an experience, culminating in an intensely gripping finale. Admittedly, the last episode ventures into abstract and intricate territory, leaving me pondering if a rewatch of the entire series would unravel its complexities — perhaps a task for the future, when my brain gets uploaded to VR... Initially, the season felt a tad sluggish, despite brimming with intriguing ideas and concepts, albeit at times overwhelming. The first few episodes lacked the same tension and thrill as the first season, occasionally recycling its own ideas. It took me three days to make it through the first half, my attention drifting as the narrative unfolded. Animation flaws, usually overlooked, occasionally caught my eye. However, the latter half, consumed in one sitting, wove everything together seamlessly. Despite the occasional need for careful attention to piece everything together, I found myself engrossed and ultimately satisfied. The final episode, reminiscent of Neo's pivotal moment in The Matrix Reloaded, left a lasting impression. Pantheon remains a hidden gem in the sci-fi genre, deserving of wider recognition. Though I may have slightly preferred the first season, especially due to the slower start of the second one, I wholeheartedly recommend the series to anyone looking for some food for thought. 8/10 (19.10.2023)