The Queen’s Gambit Episode 1: Beth challenges to break chess stereotypes (Web Series)

The Queen’s Gambit Episode 1: Beth challenges to break chess stereotypes

Run Time: 59 minutes

Episode starts in Paris 1967 where a hungover Beth panics right before her important chess match.

She gulps bit of pills giving audience an idea of her addiction.

Flashback to past few years where a young Beth Harmon is saved from a car accident which kills her mother.

Adjusting to her new life in an orphanage she receives her first shot of ‘vitamins’, the tranquilizers which kickstart her story of addiction.

Ironically orphanage is also the place where she learns to play chess by the custodian Mr.Shaibel.

Chess Has Never Been Better

He seems reluctant to teach her at first stating the obvious ignorant line ‘Girls don’t play chess’.

However, after recognizing her astounding talent he inspires her to play simultaneous chess at a local school.

 Right before her match tranquilizers are banned thus pushing her towards her very first withdrawal symptoms.

Jolene, another orphan and good friend of Beth gives her some of the leftover tranquilizers.

Beth performs stunningly at chess match beating all opponents in only an hour and half. ‘It’s the first time I have won anything, It felt good’ states a happy Beth.

 But her happiness is soon scarred by her continuous withdrawal symptoms.

She ends up getting caught while stealing whole jar of tranquilizers and is thus banned from playing chess ever again.

Isla Johnston plays young Beth Harmon and performs exceptionally well.

The opening episode sets a course for the upcoming themes some more brilliant chess, her fight with addiction and making her name in a male dominated game.

The opening episode is pure gem, storyline is amazing and performances phenomenal.