I am a passionate Brazilian and dedicated to the area of futurism, futurology and science fiction, as I followed the series 3% of my country, I could not hesitate to watch Onisciente.
I will separate my review by topic topics, a model that is rarely followed on the internet, but that I admire for its specificity.
Screenwriting 5/10 points Medium quality. Losing points mainly due to the predictability of the ending (in the first episode it is already possible to theorize that the one who killed her father is Judite) and the insertion of scenes (mainly in relation to the scene in which Marcello Airoldi's character beats an unknown person on the other side of border).
Technology 6/10 points Probably due to budget limits, the near future presented in the series is very little developed in terms of technology of the future. I praise the minimalist and monochromatic user interface that you see on the equally thin and bold monitors in the Omniscient office. Now the few-inch smartphone that the characters use is a little controversial, but it has a beautiful interface, although its design of the housing is very strange and with an unfinished aspect, it convinces relatively as something designed to symbolize "futuristic technology", but the size the absurdly small device that compares it to a 2008 iPhone goes against market trends.
The main technology, the drones, was actually well executed. the designs of the robotic dragonflies (drones) are well done, and the scene of them being printed on a cutting-edge 3D printer, in the detail of the drone technology, is very cool, this was the best part in terms of design and technology. But I must point out that the biggest sin committed was the complete failure to capture images in 360 degrees, something that is already present in certain drones today, and that would certainly make the Omniscient system much more advanced than the one presented in the series. Drones have beautiful applications of artificial intelligence and computer vision, with concepts that are relatively scientifically coherent but with no obvious technologies employed, as has already been said here by the user '' jhunterwu ''. It is very likely that the absence of enhancements such as 360 images is explained as a means of providing loopholes so that the Omniscient system is not so "overpowered" and sophisticated as to hinder the protagonist Nina from succeeding in circumventing the system by knowing its loopholes. .
Now the thing that bothered me most of all in terms of technology would undoubtedly be the "Firewall security card" and other electronic parts used by Nina. They do not convey an idea of the future, as they are inexplicably very backward. It did not make sense to use circuits with such large components, if in the first episode the commercial for the Omniscient System mentions a "nanotechnology" in the process of images, a miniaturization that does not exist in scenographic objects.
One thing I didn't understand is why the central computer can only be accessed using an astronaut-style protective suit. Perhaps this is an artistic freedom of the plot, what I heard was mentioning the presence of a gas, but at no time did they explain the need for the gas to maintain the data center. The central computer even has a beautiful science fiction design.
It is clear the absence of several technologies that should already be in the daily lives of people in the series, such as augmented reality glasses and autonomous cars.
Another detail that bothered me was the mechanical keyboard that accompanies the personal computers of Onisciente employees. The rounded keys have a nice futuristic charm, but the fact that it is completely mechanical and noisy, looking like a typewriter, was a little tacky. At least they didn't put mice, but trackpads, which helps in the conception of evolved technology.
Scenography and Setting 7/10 points The scenarios chosen in São Paulo were of good taste and convey the feeling of modernity, but they are not futuristic enough to evoke the sensation of the near future. There are few futuristic modifications in the middle of the streets, with the only ones I could notice being the thin LED poles around the entrance to the Omniscient building. The most beautiful scenery is in fact the funeral place (church) and of course, the office of the homonymous surveillance company.
Everything is very beautiful and modern in all its architectural details and in the interior design the headquarters of Onisciente. Although I thought there was a lack of beanbags, present in modern technology companies, the absence of these friendly elements may have been intentional for the rigid approach of the company in question.
What bothered me most was the scenarios related to the government and the city hall, which have few futuristic elements, but perhaps that was done so that the focus is on the Omniscient company, or to not be too far from our reality.
The circle shape window in Nina's bedroom was a nice addition, contributing to the creative and futuristic design. The clay filter in the house is something that was probably made to connect with the most humble spectators or as a simple tribute, but something that makes no practical sense in an apartment of people who have spent their childhood with the Omniscient surveillance system implanted.
I praise the detail of the compact cars that convey the desired feeling of the future, but the fact that they are not autonomous does not speak much with the city's objective of being a safe place through the anti-crime system.
Nina's father's minimalist coffin was a big hit in futuristic design and I definitely have nothing to criticize about it.
Costume 3/10 points Maybe this is just my opinion, because I saw a lot of people who appreciated the costume but in my opinion, it was considered bad taste to choose the pieces used for the clothes of the characters.
The clothes, despite being minimalist, go against what is expected of a series in the near future. Suspenders, buttons and cargo pants will make this series very dated in the future. It's all too retro, maybe it was thought of as a strategy of distancing ourselves from our present to give an idea of the future, but that suffers from the extreme poor quality of fabrics and seams everywhere, which makes no sense given that the clothes of the future don't would have seams thanks to 3D printing and uses of cutting edge nanotechnologies.
Final conclusion I liked the series, and I hope that a second season is coming, given the clear hook that the end of the season gives us. Although low-tech due to the budget, the series convinces of its premise. Things are thrown, yes. Dialogues are expository yes, but it is still good entertainment,
Just as 3% had many defects in its first season, and the second season impressed. It is completely possible that if a second season launches, we would see more technology and an improvement in the technical, visual and, above all, the plot.
I will separate my review by topic topics, a model that is rarely followed on the internet, but that I admire for its specificity.
Screenwriting 5/10 points Medium quality. Losing points mainly due to the predictability of the ending (in the first episode it is already possible to theorize that the one who killed her father is Judite) and the insertion of scenes (mainly in relation to the scene in which Marcello Airoldi's character beats an unknown person on the other side of border).
Technology 6/10 points Probably due to budget limits, the near future presented in the series is very little developed in terms of technology of the future. I praise the minimalist and monochromatic user interface that you see on the equally thin and bold monitors in the Omniscient office. Now the few-inch smartphone that the characters use is a little controversial, but it has a beautiful interface, although its design of the housing is very strange and with an unfinished aspect, it convinces relatively as something designed to symbolize "futuristic technology", but the size the absurdly small device that compares it to a 2008 iPhone goes against market trends.
The main technology, the drones, was actually well executed. the designs of the robotic dragonflies (drones) are well done, and the scene of them being printed on a cutting-edge 3D printer, in the detail of the drone technology, is very cool, this was the best part in terms of design and technology. But I must point out that the biggest sin committed was the complete failure to capture images in 360 degrees, something that is already present in certain drones today, and that would certainly make the Omniscient system much more advanced than the one presented in the series. Drones have beautiful applications of artificial intelligence and computer vision, with concepts that are relatively scientifically coherent but with no obvious technologies employed, as has already been said here by the user '' jhunterwu ''. It is very likely that the absence of enhancements such as 360 images is explained as a means of providing loopholes so that the Omniscient system is not so "overpowered" and sophisticated as to hinder the protagonist Nina from succeeding in circumventing the system by knowing its loopholes. .
Now the thing that bothered me most of all in terms of technology would undoubtedly be the "Firewall security card" and other electronic parts used by Nina. They do not convey an idea of the future, as they are inexplicably very backward. It did not make sense to use circuits with such large components, if in the first episode the commercial for the Omniscient System mentions a "nanotechnology" in the process of images, a miniaturization that does not exist in scenographic objects.
One thing I didn't understand is why the central computer can only be accessed using an astronaut-style protective suit. Perhaps this is an artistic freedom of the plot, what I heard was mentioning the presence of a gas, but at no time did they explain the need for the gas to maintain the data center. The central computer even has a beautiful science fiction design.
It is clear the absence of several technologies that should already be in the daily lives of people in the series, such as augmented reality glasses and autonomous cars.
Another detail that bothered me was the mechanical keyboard that accompanies the personal computers of Onisciente employees. The rounded keys have a nice futuristic charm, but the fact that it is completely mechanical and noisy, looking like a typewriter, was a little tacky. At least they didn't put mice, but trackpads, which helps in the conception of evolved technology.
Scenography and Setting 7/10 points The scenarios chosen in São Paulo were of good taste and convey the feeling of modernity, but they are not futuristic enough to evoke the sensation of the near future. There are few futuristic modifications in the middle of the streets, with the only ones I could notice being the thin LED poles around the entrance to the Omniscient building. The most beautiful scenery is in fact the funeral place (church) and of course, the office of the homonymous surveillance company.
Everything is very beautiful and modern in all its architectural details and in the interior design the headquarters of Onisciente. Although I thought there was a lack of beanbags, present in modern technology companies, the absence of these friendly elements may have been intentional for the rigid approach of the company in question.
What bothered me most was the scenarios related to the government and the city hall, which have few futuristic elements, but perhaps that was done so that the focus is on the Omniscient company, or to not be too far from our reality.
The circle shape window in Nina's bedroom was a nice addition, contributing to the creative and futuristic design. The clay filter in the house is something that was probably made to connect with the most humble spectators or as a simple tribute, but something that makes no practical sense in an apartment of people who have spent their childhood with the Omniscient surveillance system implanted.
I praise the detail of the compact cars that convey the desired feeling of the future, but the fact that they are not autonomous does not speak much with the city's objective of being a safe place through the anti-crime system.
Nina's father's minimalist coffin was a big hit in futuristic design and I definitely have nothing to criticize about it.
Costume 3/10 points Maybe this is just my opinion, because I saw a lot of people who appreciated the costume but in my opinion, it was considered bad taste to choose the pieces used for the clothes of the characters.
The clothes, despite being minimalist, go against what is expected of a series in the near future. Suspenders, buttons and cargo pants will make this series very dated in the future. It's all too retro, maybe it was thought of as a strategy of distancing ourselves from our present to give an idea of the future, but that suffers from the extreme poor quality of fabrics and seams everywhere, which makes no sense given that the clothes of the future don't would have seams thanks to 3D printing and uses of cutting edge nanotechnologies.
Final conclusion I liked the series, and I hope that a second season is coming, given the clear hook that the end of the season gives us. Although low-tech due to the budget, the series convinces of its premise. Things are thrown, yes. Dialogues are expository yes, but it is still good entertainment,
Just as 3% had many defects in its first season, and the second season impressed. It is completely possible that if a second season launches, we would see more technology and an improvement in the technical, visual and, above all, the plot.