The Counted

I honestly did not expect such a production from Russian TV, obsessed, as the rest of the world with talent shows, crime shows and melodrama of all kind of type. This story starts as a sudden explosion of exotic fever plagues the North eastern region of Russia (bordering with Finland) - Carelia. Two virusologists, Vera and Kolya, lovers in the past, are sent to investigate the village in the middle of the swamps but their way goes further, onto a mysterious island of Sariola, where people never gets sick and don't age but they must always be only 46 in the number, women can't bear children and there is a mysterious God Lapsi who turns people who break the laws of the islands into robot-like morloks. But this is just the skin-deep beginning of a very intriguing story going back - of course - into experiments of the 40s, modern medical intrigues, power games and indeed, an element of mystery implying the Eaarth is one live organism that has its own laws and character. I hope more people watch this show, it is on its 2nd season now and I am truly impressed with the story line. There are few special effects, some violence, a healthy amount of melodrama and scientific theories. I can't compare it with any foreign similar series, but I'm sure there is one.