Netflix Recommendation: The Queen's Gambit

Booming traffic towards streaming services during the pandemic has allowed many to binge watch a multitude of shows over their times at home. While some new, and others older, with varying degrees in reviews from the public, one newcomer to Netflix has turned heads towards it’s enriching plot and characters during our time in quarantine. This show being, “The Queen’s Gambit.“

At first the more melancholy show about chess may not sound like the most gripping to watch. However to say this show is only about chess is an understatement. The entire plot circles around our Protagonist, Elizabeth Harmon, who deals with many inner battles with herself throughout the show. Her sharp brain comes with a price, and the shadows of her past come to haunt her even in the glory of her fame in the chess world. With an interesting main character, and just as interesting side characters to go along with her, “The Queen’s Gambit” should crown itself in how it handles the characters interactions and developments in the story.

While chess is in fact an important part of the plot, it does focus much more on Beth and how she deals with the loss of her birth mother. Along with her struggles through addiction. Not only that, but the time period in the show takes place in the 50’s and 60’s. Being a woman during this time does play a big role in the plot, and how Beth’s character is treated or even acts at times. Her transformation throughout the seven episodes is perfectly executed and never seems rushed or dragged out too long.

If you are looking for a new show to binge watch, this is highly recommended. It kept me captivated the whole time, and even after I re watched it. Elizabeth’s story is one I could continue to come back to and find new reasons to fall in love with it each time. Which I implore you to try as well.