Chernobyl (HBO Mini Series)

[Clockwork Cupcake]

Sway said:

I'd love to give some stats, but did it with Katy, who was fking smoking hot, in a darkroom, at 17. Somehow got an A, although didn't actually expose any film whatsoever...

But did anything develop?

[gregs656]

I’m past the show now in the book. They’re building the sarcophagus.

One thing you don’t really get in the TV show although they do talk about it in the podcast is the scale and complexity of the soviet system.

I think it is true that the disaster would never have happened outside to Soviet Union (the reactor design wouldn’t have been approved) but that they were the only country who could fix it too. Although it broke them.

[p1stonhead]

'A brief spike in radiation, not great, not terrible'

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-49275577

[Durzel]

bexVN said:

Finally found time to watch this.

Has to be one of the best fact based dramas I have ever seen.

The acting was superb, the scenery, the authenticity the storytelling, the emotion was all just mind blowing imo.

And knowing this all actually happened just adds to the emotional impact.

I was 12 when it happened and whilst I was aware at the time that it wa a huge disaster I had never actually understood why it happened and the sheer size of the clear up, as well not appreciating those who basically committed themselves to a death sentence to save others.

I did know about the containment building as I watched a documentary about it a while ago

No wonder it has an imdb rating of 9.5 and the reviews are impressive, especially from those who lived through it. I learned so much from it.

Thesprucegoose said:

We all knew about it, but didn't really know about it that is why it works so well.

I definitely recommend checking out the companion podcast if you haven't already - https://open.spotify.com/show/5SSYyVWm0FaY8as96gE3...

The writer says the same thing - everyone knows of it, but no one knew why it happened.

Absolutely brilliant series, every episode was a masterclass of film making.

EDIT: Whoops, podcast already mentioned more than once.

[RTB]

p1stonhead said:

'A brief spike in radiation, not great, not terrible'

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-49275577

"There have been no harmful chemicals released into the atmosphere, the radiation levels are normal."

Given that harmful chemicals are released when you burn a plastic bag I'm not sure that statement is completely true.....

It will be fine. As I said earlier, why worry about things that are never going to happen

[Lazermilk]

Chernobyl vodka: First consumer product made in exclusion zone:

https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-49251...

[gregs656]

Lazermilk said:

Chernobyl vodka: First consumer product made in exclusion zone:

https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-49251...

What I want to know is how someone is going to make a classic martini with vodka.

Fun project though I hope they can make it work.

[FourWheelDrift]

"It's the only bottle in existence - I tremble when I pick it up," says Prof Jim Smith

Not going to be a big seller then.

[Gary C]

p1stonhead said:

'A brief spike in radiation, not great, not terrible'

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-49275577

The thing that worries me about that, is they have told people to take iodine. If radioactive iodine has been released, then the explosion involved either fission or caused already fissioned material to be released. Cant see any other way active iodine could be released.

They say it was a missile rocket motor explosion ? So even if it had a DU head, it wouldnt have active Iodine, so are they stockpiling dirty weapons ? or did something fission accidently, which is even more scary.

[Lazadude]

My thoughts too Gary, as the iodine drops only prevents the radioactive iodine sticking around. Some new form of power/propulsion maybe?

Who knows, I doubt the media even has a 1/3rd of the full story.

[llewop]

The dose rates mentioned in the Russian language article linked from the BBC site were trivial, but the mention of iodine certainly suggests fission and from a relatively recently operating reactor. According to wiki the town has facilities for submarine construction/repair. So presumably a submarine reactor, perhaps the propellant could be for a missile that could have been launched from a sub and mis-fired? or something in that context?

[RTB]

llewop said:

The dose rates mentioned in the Russian language article linked from the BBC site were trivial

Were they around 3.6 roentgen?

[McGee_22]

llewop said:

The dose rates mentioned in the Russian language article linked from the BBC site were trivial, but the mention of iodine certainly suggests fission and from a relatively recently operating reactor. According to wiki the town has facilities for submarine construction/repair. So presumably a submarine reactor, perhaps the propellant could be for a missile that could have been launched from a sub and mis-fired? or something in that context?

I wouldn't give any more trust to those quoted dose rates than I would to the figures stated immediately following Chernobyl - the Russian State is now perilously close to the Soviet State in its machininations to control the people, the media, and keeping its own secrets.

I think there is something really quite disturbing about this, such as a 'dirty' nuclear small missile test - there is no real reason why any fissile material should be anywhere near a relatively small rocket. The proximity to the Submarine construction site is perhaps just geographic handy access to the military complex and fissile material (and security that entails) and in all probability very little to do with submarine reactor construction, submarine weapon systems or operations of either.

[llewop]

RTB said:

llewop said:

The dose rates mentioned in the Russian language article linked from the BBC site were trivial

Were they around 3.6 roentgen?

no, it was a fraction of a microsievert, so on a par with the radiation levels outside the security X-ray sets at airports, but virtually useless information without knowing how far or how close to anything interesting!

[RemyMartin81D]

Late to the party but from me and speaking as a Chernobyl nut and general nuclear physics nerd, it's bloody awesome. No flim flam. Bosh It happens, people die very horrible deaths and it highlights the bravery of some of the clean up elements.

Surely 3.6 Roentgens out of ten is unfair but seems apt. It's definitely great though but is not terrible also.

I watched it and immediately watched it again. I honestly can't recall what TV program has made me do that in a long time.

[DS240]

Just binged the series.

Brilliant. Interesting, shocking and really well put together. And learnt a little about nuclear energy.

[200Plus Club]

DS240 said:

Just binged the series.

Brilliant. Interesting, shocking and really well put together. And learnt a little about nuclear energy.

Scot Manley on you tube should be your next port of call if you'd like to learn a lot more about nuclear energy in layman's terms. Fascinating stuff.

[Uncle John]

Late to the party but just finished watching this & reading the whole thread.

Gripping stuff!! Great television.

Thanks for all the informed comments & extra links off to all the related topics.

Apart from one slight wobble this thread has been a credit to PistonHeads.

[Stussy]

For those who have now unsubscribed from the podcast, a bonus episode has been posted

[Corso Marche]

Many thanks for that. I wouldn't have known otherwise, as you say I'd unsubscribed when I'd finished the podcast series.