This is an HBO mini-series about the 1986 nuclear power plant disaster. A series of human error and a devastating design flaw would cause the worst nuclear accident in history. Deputy chairman Boris Shcherbina (Stellan Skarsgård) is put in charge. Valery Legasov (Jared Harris) is the scientist who figures out the seriousness of the situation. Ulana Khomyuk (Emily Watson) is a nuclear physicist in Minsk who detects the radiation and contributes to the solution.

The most incredible aspect of the first episode is the roar of the exposed core. While I knew that the core was exposed, I never actually considered its primal roar. It breathe fire like a dragon. It blew my mind. The thesis of lies and hubris and scientific truths and real heroism is the story's beating heart. It is led by three stellar performers. Even if you think you know, this series will make you think some more. The final episode has a tough job of explaining the accident. It puts the exposition into the courtroom and it's surprising how understandable nuclear power science becomes. This is prestige television at its best.