"the entire first half of the show is dedicated to giving us the information we need to understand the second half, and the payoff isn't worth the slog."
Perhaps, but while it can seem passe the core story of the love that Genly and Estraven eventually discover is all the more worthwhile because it blossoms not only on the cold glacier, but on a planet that is just as petty, small-minded, reactionary and self-serving as our own. Without building that world, this just becomes a fun adventure in a tent. Are the social themes addressed in the first act too distant to care about? I didn't think so. I thought there was a lot of subtle observations definitely worthy of my attention.
"the entire first half of the show is dedicated to giving us the information we need to understand the second half, and the payoff isn't worth the slog."
Perhaps, but while it can seem passe the core story of the love that Genly and Estraven eventually discover is all the more worthwhile because it blossoms not only on the cold glacier, but on a planet that is just as petty, small-minded, reactionary and self-serving as our own. Without building that world, this just becomes a fun adventure in a tent. Are the social themes addressed in the first act too distant to care about? I didn't think so. I thought there was a lot of subtle observations definitely worthy of my attention.