What if you knew that you became the decision-maker regarding the order of the episodes of the series that you will start watching, and that your choice will depend on the escalation of the dramatic narration of the events, and then the amount of your enjoyment?
Will it pique your curiosity to experiment, or will it still be best for the creators to dictate the best order to you?
This exciting hypothesis and its consequences were provided by a new drama of a special kind, which was presented by the “Netflix” platform at the beginning of 2023 through the suspense and crime series “Kaleidoscope”.
This is incredible!
#KALEIDOSCOPE is #1 in the country!
Thank you to everyone who has watched it.
This is a special project that I had the best time being a part of and your support truly means the world.
pic.twitter.com/jVrlSB4g2H
— Giancarlo Esposito (@quiethandfilms) January 2, 2023
There is no correct order
The series "Kaleidoscope" is an American drama that tells about a bank robbery that was planned for more than 20 years, and finally the time has come for implementation.
The work consists of 8 episodes, however, they were not numbered, but bore the names of the colors (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, white, pink, purple) in addition to titles that reflect a chronology related to the history of what is happening relative to the day of the theft.
I came up with a bunch of different orders to watch Kaleidoscope in so you don't have to pic.twitter.com/FE6IiwjzM9
— Netflix (@netflix) January 2, 2023
The experience - which Netflix adopted in this work - included the ability to watch the episodes of the series in any order and reach the same result each time, without prejudice to the amount of enjoyment of the plot or the timeline sequence, and most importantly, that it does not burn any events or spoil surprises.
Netflix chose to display the first seven episodes of the work randomly, according to what is provided by the personal account of each subscriber separately, and the last episode remains “White: The Day of theft”, with the opportunity to rebel and jump randomly between episodes according to his whim.
#KALEIDOSCOPE chronological order.
pic.twitter.com/vFzeYx7IaA
- Firdaus Abu Bakar ™ (@muhdferd) January 1, 2023
Suggested sequences to watch
However, some followers began to review different ways to follow up, depending on the type of drama that the viewer prefers, for the sake of double pleasure, for example: in the event that the theft is the final episode, the suggested order for watching will be:
"Violet: 24 Years Before the Robbery"
Green: 7 years before the theft
Yellow: 6 weeks before theft
Orange: 3 weeks before theft
Blue: 5 days before the robbery.
"Red: The Morning After the Robbery"
Pink: 6 months after the theft
"White: Theft"
The only order that makes sense #Kaleidoscope pic.twitter.com/uLCoIrrMcT
— sleek (@sleekseesghosts) January 4, 2023
And for those who prefer to watch the work from start to finish in the usual way without any variation or innovation, this will be the correct chronological account:
"Violet: 24 Years Before the Robbery"
Green: 7 years before the theft
Yellow: 6 weeks before theft
Orange: 3 weeks before theft
Blue: 5 days before the robbery.
"White: Theft"
"Red: The Morning After the Robbery"
Pink: 6 months after the theft
Ending of every episode in Kaleidoscope is very creative. #KALEIDOSCOPE #kaleidoscopenetflix pic.twitter.com/DeemZrgTSw
- sanmeyo KALEIDOSCOPE🏳️🌈 (@sandeep_sanmeyo) January 1, 2023
Random chaos or systematic strategy?
According to the creators of the series, the work was designed so that the end would not be variable, whether the last episode was the theft or not, which is a technique that, although some found it attractive and put a lot of effort into it, but at the same time it did not result in an exceptional work, but rather an interesting and exciting series, but it remains Ordinary on a technical and dramatic level.
This resulted in varying impressions among the audience and critics, as the series received a public rating of 6.9 points, according to what was stated on the “IMDb” technical website, and on the “Rotten Tomatoes” website, it received 50% positive reviews, While it managed to rank first for the most watched dramas in the United States.
I directed two episodes of this limited series Kaleidoscope on Netflix!
Green and Violet!
We are #1 on @Netflix today!
A great way to start the New Year.
Thank you everybody that worked with me on this series, especially Mr.
Eric Garcia, love you, my brother!
Watch it today!
pic.twitter.com/XjEXHtN3Nc
— Robert Townsend (@Robert_Townsend) January 2, 2023
According to fans of the work, its strengths were related to what the series was built on in terms of hidden secrets, exciting puzzles, a bright and attractive color image, and most importantly the unique viewing experience that succeeded in not making them feel bored or exhausted, especially since most viewers will want to violate the rules and the arrangement that the platform will give them, and tamper with the narration of the episodes to make sure That the technology is already working, which makes the experience more exciting and enjoyable, given that with every change in the arrangement, the viewers' loyalty towards the heroes and their attitude to what is happening on the screen will soon change.
If you plan on watching the order less #KALEIDOSCOPE on Netflix I hope this helps you!
But also it was fun to see how the Netflix gods wanted me to see it pic.twitter.com/jY85OYWRU8
— P (@parkerworm) January 2, 2023
Unparalleled narrative skill
As for those who found the work not worth the fuss, they explained their position that the entire success relied on the same unfamiliar idea of narration, and experimentation with the attractive image are what excited the audience, and without them the work would not have gained such sweeping popularity, even with 40,320 different ways to watch, this will not help For the series, it will not be enough to keep it stuck in the memory for a long time.
This was confirmed by journalist Stuart Heritage, who expressed in his article in the newspaper "The Guardian" his anger at what the platforms in general and Netflix in particular do, stressing that the pleasure of television has always stemmed from the knowledge that we all watch the same television programs and dramas at the same time.
Then came Netflix and destroyed that fun, as everyone can watch the work at a time that suits him, and therefore technical discussions are no longer available between friends for fear of spoiling the joy of watching for those who have not seen the work yet.
And now, with this new experience, Netflix is doubling the psychological distance between the viewers’ experiences, as each experience has become individual in itself, which only increased the distances and ruined any hope of emotional participation.
It is worth noting that "Kaleidoscope" includes a large number of Hollywood stars, including: Giancarlo Esposito, Tati Gabriel, Rosalyn Albeyah, Buzz Vega, Niusha Nour, Rufus Sewell, Peter Mark Kendall, Jai Courtney.