Drama
Chief of War
Apple TV+’s ‘Chief of War’ paints an interesting portrait of Hawai’i’s history circa the 18th century. But like many historical dramas, it’s painted in blood.
On Shape Island, everyone is a shape! Circle, Triangle and Square are some of the nicest geometrically oriented folks you’ll ever meet. But they still get into some light shenanigans.
Whether they’re sharing delicious bananas with their friends or discovering the secrets of lunar eclipses, these shapes always find something to occupy their time.
But while there’s virtually no content concerns (parents should note a few uses of “oh my gosh,” a few lightly spiritual nods and some lying behaviors), the show itself (found on Apple TV+) is a bit bland. There aren’t any big takeaways here. And even when it seems that characters are learning some sort of important lesson, the show just sort of … ends.
Square is disappointed when Circle misunderstands his kind gesture. Then the group struggles when they all try to keep secrets from each other.
Square shares a rare fruit in the hopes that he will be praised for his kind gesture. When he isn’t (and his friends eat all the fruit to boot), he becomes upset and tries to find a way to ensure he can have his banana and eat it too.
After witnessing a lunar eclipse, Triangle and Square imagine it’s something mystical. They lie to Circle about it because they fear she’ll spoil the fun with her know-it-all attitude. They eventually spill the beans, and Circle, gratified to know her friends are envious of her intellect, lies to them that the eclipse is mystical and that they are special for having witnessed it.
Characters chuck carrots at each other. Square screams dramatically to vent his anger. Circle starts to glow and grow larger when her friends frustrate her. We hear the phrases “oh my gosh” and “what in the world” as well as “bonker balls.” Triangle says, “You only live once, as far as I know.”
Emily studied film and writing when she was in college. And when she isn’t being way too competitive while playing board games, she enjoys food, sleep, and geeking out with her husband indulging in their “nerdoms,” which is the collective fan cultures of everything they love, such as Star Wars, Star Trek, Stargate and Lord of the Rings.
Apple TV+’s ‘Chief of War’ paints an interesting portrait of Hawai’i’s history circa the 18th century. But like many historical dramas, it’s painted in blood.
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