The Hot Zone – Season One [2019]

The Hot Zone is a great limited series, so far, that is based on true events. It will surprise you in some ways and slightly disappoint you in others. But overall, it’s a good one.

First, I must admit that i have a thing for any series based on true events.

So, what is it about?

Based on true events, The Hot Zone combines recounting the terrifying story of the origins of the Ebola virus, a highly infectious deadly virus from the central African rain forest (known as Ebola Zaire), with its first arrival on U.S. soil in 1989 in the suburbs of Washington, D.C.

In fact, the series is so well made that I got absorbed in. Julianna Margulies, Noah Emmerich, and Topher Grace all did an excellent job portraying the struggle to accept that the Ebolavirus in now on US soil and how to deal with it. “There isn’t a protocol for it!” But a special shoutout goes to Liam Cunningham. He perfectly played Wade Carter, a scientist who saw firsthand what the Ebola virus can do and is struggling to let the right authorities take him seriously.

What made it even more real is that the protocols shown in season one of the show are the foundation of the response protocols we have now for Ebola outbreaks. They were developed more or less on the spot!

On the other hand, to really enjoy the season, you must binge-watch it. The show isn’t there for the dramatic effect. Instead, it’s taking real life events and presenting them to everyone as objectively as possible. If you’re looking for over-dramatization, it’s not for you.

I thought a lot about how to end this review, but here’s a quote from the last episode of the show:

My question for you that the deadly pathogen coming for us what are you what are we going to do about it?

Julianna Margulies as Dr. Nancy Jaax

Should you watch it?

Yes! Even though it’s talking about the Ebola Reston outbreak in 1989, the series draws striking similarities to the current Covid-19 outbreak worldwide, the mistakes made, and the lessons they learned.

In addition, it is already renewed for a second season. It will be titled The Hot Zone: Anthrax and will focus on the 2001 anthrax attacks.

Where can I watch it?

You can stream The Hot Zone exclusively on National Geographic in USA, NatGeo TV and StackTV in Canada.