While the show is solid, and has some strong points, and some artistic liberties can be granted (English speaking does not really matter, its OK even to introduce a fictional character to represent many scientists), it turns too many times into a western cold-war propaganda caricature that is almost rac ist in its pandering to the worst and most insulting prejudice. Yes, Soviet system was broken, but not in a way they portray. The elite apparatchiks were not some low class bully thugs that threatened to throw an elite academic out of the helicopter (that more accurately portrays US marines dealing with some captured Vietcong soldiers, but can you imagine USA secretary of energy threatening Feynman during Challenger investigations in such a way - well, notwithstanding Soviet corruption, neither it was realistic in the Soviet system). The incompetence of the Soviet people was way overstated, some key plot points are insultingly invented. While the reality of the problems in Soviet Union were perhaps too subtle for the western audiences and directors and writers of the series (that are obviously marinated in anti-Russian prejudice, that blurred their "vision"), the crudity of the portrayal of the problems that caused the disaster is laughable.

Still, the series has some authenticity to it. Decision to portray Soviet living standard in a more realistic way than usual (hence avoid propaganda at least there), as well as some authentic facts that survived the rac ist bias of series' authors almost by accident, are strong points. The series has a sinister feel, though still a bit ruined by some liberties that authors took for entertainment purposes. While falls a bit short of shows like Breaking Bad etc, the series is pretty captivating for all but the dum best of viewers. The killing of pets scenes are hard to watch as are scenes of suffering, but the horrors were based at least on the reality.

Hence if taken with a grain of salt, and understanding that many events were plain invented for the purpose of drama and pandering to anti-Russian and anti -Soviet sentiment and bias, on the expense of authenticity, it still does show some sympathy for the ordinary men, and at least makes an effort to give a captivating, if biased and limited by the overwhelming intellectual shortcomings of its authors, account of the events. Worth a watch, but beware of the fake authenticity claims.