Revolution, rebellion, and a sprinkle of misguided ideology; welcome to the exhilarating, yet wildly romanticized world of 'Trotsky,' the TV series that debuted in November 2017. Produced by Netflix and Russian network Channel One, this show is nothing short of a bold attempt to rewrite history with a shaky pen. Centered around the infamous figure of Leon Trotsky who is portrayed as a revolutionary hero layered with complexity and charisma, this eight-part series is a political thriller set against the backdrop of the Russian Revolution.
To give you a quick refresher: Leon Trotsky was a Soviet Marxist revolutionary and a leading figure in the early years of the communist Bolshevik regime—a regime that ended up causing untold suffering to millions. But put that aside for now because 'Trotsky,' the TV series, takes liberties with history in a way that makes The Kardashians look like a hard-hitting documentary. The narrative kicks off with an assassination attempt on Trotsky in Mexico and takes audiences on a wild ride across his revolutionary life. It's shot with flashbacks, passion, and hefty doses of controversial storytelling.
Let's just throw out a few facts here to ponder on while you're binge-watching this series. Trotsky was a key architect of Red Terror during the Russian Civil War, an event eyed through the romantic lens of revolutionary fervor in the series but more like a reign of terror in historical reality. But, as it goes in liberal Hollywood these days, presenting communism with a red-tinged gloss seems to be all the rage. And boy, does 'Trotsky' lean into that trend.
The series works hard to paint Leon Trotsky as a misunderstood genius who lived by his pen and willpower—ignoring the lives crushed under his political and revolutionary ambition. Let's talk numbers here. Throughout the revolution and civil unrest, millions died or were displaced. Yet, 'Trotsky' embraces frou-frou drama and romance as if the revolution was fought over dance partners lost in a tempestuous waltz rather than the harsh, oppressive reality it was.
No TV series about Trotsky would be complete without portraying his complex relationship with Joseph Stalin. Historically, Trotsky opposed Stalin's rise to power, which eventually led to his exile and assassination. However, replacing one tyrant with another doesn't turn the former into a folk hero. Still, 'Trotsky,' in all its dramatic flair, portrays this rivalry with an eye towards glamor more than truth.
Arguably inspired by the larger-than-life presence of Trotsky himself, the series is heavy on dialogue that aims to resonate with soulful intellectualisms but leaves viewers wondering if they missed the philosophical point or if there ever was one. You’d be hard-pressed not to notice how the show attempts to bestow upon Trotsky a Shakespearean aura, the kind that amplifies his political inclinations into near-messianic callings.
Technically speaking, 'Trotsky' doesn’t shy away from ambitious production values. The cinematography would give viewers a quite epic and elaborate visual spectacle, even if it does nothing to enhance historical accuracy. The costumes, the sets, each are more suited for an adaptation of a Tolstoy novel wherein the aristocracy is engaged in horse races and afternoon teas rather than plotting revolutions. Fascinating? Perhaps. Accurate? Hardly.
Viewers are treated to a series that feels more like a sensational Russian yearbook: promising drama, twists, and high stakes at every turn but often falling flat on credibility. This gets most interesting when you consider the cultural significance of Trotsky's legacy in Russia today—a nation frequently at odds with its own past.
Critically acclaimed in its homeland and spurred on by international interest, 'Trotsky' will have its viewers engaged as they are divided. Whether it will spur deeper contemplation or just sprout armchair revolutionaries is up for debate. Either way, this series is a conversation starter, a political firecracker likely to polarize opinions depending on which side of the ideological line you stand.
Now, why should you care? Well, if not for the sheer theatrical splendor, then at least to understand the reasons why certain stories get told the way they do in the current cultural landscape. We’ve entered an era where historical reinterpretation is key, yet remember, all that glitters is not gold and a dramatized version of events should be viewed with discerning eyes. Here’s some free advice: as you sit with your skeptic's hat on, remember that art should never entirely replace the lessons of history, willingly ignored or forcefully forgotten.