Buenas noches, mundo

Can virtual reality save your messed-ip real-world existence? I found many of the topics intriguing, especially at the outset. I ended up binge-watching the whole series in one day, with just a couple of breaks for food. The exploration of why people escape into virtual reality was captivating, particularly focusing on the main family and their deeply rooted problems that could drive many a psychiatrist to escape reality. I also enjoyed the dive into the world of a pirate guild, which somehow made playing RPG games like a bit of a psychopath feel oddly justified. However, the series takes a turn in the second half when it delves into artificial intelligence as a central theme. It transitions into a somewhat tired and predictable scary plotline that, while well-executed, felt like a trope I last truly enjoyed back in the days of Terminator 2: Judgment Day. For me, the entire storyline with the Black Bird was more of an irritation. At times, it felt nonsensical, with twists that seemed to be there solely for the sake of shock value. I can't shake the feeling that the series would have been more enjoyable without it. I would have preferred a deeper exploration of the initial themes surrounding virtual reality, escapism, and coping with reality. Despite my gripes with the latter part of the series, I'm not angry because ever since One Piece I've liked pirate girls with a complicated life story (or smart girls in suits with chokers), which, by the way, doesn't affect my rating in any way... 6/10 (12.10.2023)