The first trailer for Altered Carbon, an upcoming 2018 Netflix original, looks absolutely wild. Based on the novel of the same name by Richard K. Morgan, the show takes place at least a few hundred years in the future, where people are able to transfer human consciousness into a new body, “making death a mere inconvenience.” The mind is transferred into what is called a sleeve. And that’s really all the concrete information that’s available so far.
The first part of the trailer plays as an advertisement for Psychasec, which appears to be a company that provides this transfer service. There is then an intense super cut of short, visually awesome shots. It gives off a dystopian vibe for the future depicted in the show. The easy assumption is that those that are rich and can afford to transfer themselves into a new sleeve can essentially live forever. Everyone else would seem to not be so lucky, if that’s what you would consider it. But clearly there is going to be some sort of massive conspiracy that drives the plot. But I’m not even going to venture a guess as to where this show will take us. I could make 50 guesses and they would probably all end up being wrong. And I, for one, am looking forward to going into this show as much in the dark as possible. I’m hoping all trailers to come will also be as vague as this first one. It comes off as a show that will be more enjoyable if it premieres with a cloud of mystery surrounding it.
I haven’t read anywhere yet how closely the show is expected to match to the book. But just to be safe I would encourage you not to look into any details of the book. Also stay away from the show’s IMDB page as there is a more detailed plot synopsis available. I made the mistake of reading it and I immediately wished I hadn’t. But I will say that it made me even more excited. Seriously though, I’ve got a feeling about this show. The bigger the mystery, the bigger the payoff. Of course I can guarantee I will directly go against this at some point but I am going to do my best to learn as little as possible ahead of its premiere. I think everyone else should do the same.
Altered Carbon will be available to stream February 2, 2018.
This is the kind of show that deserves my attention.