HBO's Chernobyl (2019) - Bio Robots (Episode 4)

Chernobyl S1E4 "The Happiness of All Mankind"

[bordias]

A scientist, a politician and a soldier suggesting ideas to get rid of one of the most dangerous things in the world. I really like this scene.

[gordonlai]

"No, your lead idea is absurd.
w e s h o o t i t ."

[andybub]

“Let’s go light that roof back on fire, it was so easy to put out the first time” 😂

[JamesTobiasStewart]

What I like about this scene, is that using men to do it, is something that would come to you as an idea far quicker than Legasov's robots, Boris's poured lead or Tarakanov's explosive bullets ideas.

They all knew that sending men up was an option, but they're all desperately trying to come up with something, anything that means they don't have to order men to go onto that roof.

[iamsargon]

The truth of this scene was that all three knew what the answer was but Legasov was the one to voice it first!!

[brendan]

Anyone else laugh when he was interrupted his "hour after hour". Lol it's like he gave that speech so often.

[SuperSpiderme]

I think this might be one of my favorite scenes ever. It's like a breaking point: everyone is dancing around something they don't want to do - send me on the roof. And all the sudden - they are drinking, almost relaxed together - open enough to throw out their own ideas. Ideas which are actually creative! - not advisable, but it feels like finally the Soviet, hard shell breaks and we see a bit more of the internal dialogue going on in their heads.

[alaybozan]

For those who LOL'd at shooting graphite suggestion:
They actually shot the Elephant's Foot with an AK to check whether it's breakable or not.

[mizubishi]

What I love most about this scene is Tarakanov's reaction to Boris's lead idea. Specifically when Boris mentions how the soldiers had been removing lead sheeting from the other reactors to make their armor. The way he asks "Are you serious?" has such a disbelief behind it, it's heartwrenching. It really helps reinforce the desperation of the situation and how poorly equipped they are to try and fix the issue. He doesn't even sound mad, just disappointed and broken.

[mrsupremegascon]

What I find cool in this scene, is that it's deconstruction the cliche of the corrupted politician and general, ready to sacrifice everything and everyone for their career.

Here, the politician and the general are trying to find any solution that doesn't include putting people in danger, but in the end, it's the innocent and "naive" scientist that tell them there is no other way, people will have to die.

It perfectly shows the very strange and equally hopeless situation they are in, roles are mixed, there is no good and bad, just the thing that need to be done.

Kinda cool.

[gaiusbaltar]

I love how the writing walks us through their entire process of thoughts.

What do they need to accomplish? (Clear the roof.)
What for? (To cover it.)
What if they don't? ("Hour after hour ...")

And the bouncing of solutions off one another highlights just how grim their situation really is:

They lack resources.
They lack equipment.
They lack political will.
And really, everyone is out of their depth here, considering the solutions they discuss.

And when they finally come to the solution, first calling it "bio robots" is further framing how hesitant they are in sending actual people up there. "Bio robots" puts the function, the purpose first. They aren't just throwing men at a problem because that's the easiest, most expendable soltuion. And it also highlights just how hesistant they are to even suggest this option.

[SanDeezyBreezy]

The saddest part in this scene is a member of state acknowledging that even during a nuclear catastrophe that could have far-reaching global implications, the Soviet Union command would never even think of asking the US for help because it would make them look weak.

[MarqFJA]

I like the nice detail of Shcherbina, whose typical coping mechanism with the stress and frustration of the whole debacle is to occasionally have drinking breaks, deciding that he needs to SOBER up before any further discussion of Legasov's "bio-robots" suggestion. If he is to send men to their doom, he'll be damned if he was drunk while making the order!

[biggthatstrue]

I don't know why they are doing this, it's just 3.6 roentgen.

[Mister_Kourkoutas]

Soviet problems require Soviet solutions.

[haydenbeckett]

This scene is intense in decision making.

[americanredneck]

Has anyone ever noticed that Boris puts his vodka down at the idea of sending men to the roof?

[artemshevtsov]

Ok, ok so- a nuclear scientist, a Soldier and a politician walk into a tent

[-l-]

I love the absence of ego here. it’s the ideas that are criticized, not the person and some of the more impractical ideas are handled with humor. idk. for whatever reason the lack of that sort of tension is gratifying to witness as these guys try to figure out their least-worst options.

[fgcpeak]

"We could, I dunno... we could melt it and pour it from above... like a coating"

LMFAOOO