The hit Netflix series The Queen’s Gambit has become the most watched limited series of all time and for good reason – it’s incredibly intriguing! While audiences may have been carefully following the plot or admiring the artistry of camera work, there may be tiny details you may have not picked up. Here are 8 things you may not have noticed:
1. Townes is Gay. The relationship between D.L. Townes, a chess player that Beth comes across in her first games and develops a crush on throughout the series had viewers confused. Back in the 60’s, being homosexual was very non-discreet so when Beth meets Townes in his hotel room with one bed and his roommate comes out, it is implied that they are in a secret relationship. Beth even mentions to Cleo that it is an “unrequited love” but the sexual tension between the two left Townes confused, admittedly. He came to see her in Moscow to patch things up.
2. There are 7 episodes to reference that it takes a pawn 7 lines to get the other side of the chessboard to become Queen. This ties in with how Beth started out much like a pawn in the chess world and eventually became world champion in the final episode.
3. Beth is dressed like a pawn at the beginning but by the end, she is dressed like a queen.
Image Source: Netflix
4. Cleo is likely a Soviet spy. There are several nods to Cleo being a Soviet spy. The night before Beth’s match with Borgov in Paris, Cleo just so happens to be in the city and calls her to grab a drink. They end up getting drunk which causes Beth to lose concentration in the game. Beth also happens to tell Cleo about her true love, Townes, which is why he mentions the Russians were so quick to give him access to a Visa, to possibly distract Beth the night before her final match in Moscow again with Borgov. There’s also the fact that Cleo has admittedly been trying to get close with Benny, who was the previous US champion.
5. The show was based off real-life child prodigy Bobby Fischer who was the 11th World Chess Champion. They even gave a nod to him when Alma mistakens Benny’s name for Bobby in a conversation with Beth.
6. Beth being a woman amongst all men parallels the chessboard where there is one queen who is the most powerful amongst all the other pieces.
7. The colour green. Every time Beth wears green, she is in trouble. For instance, when she drank herself two minutes before her match The colour resembles the green pills and bottles she is addicted to and signifies that her addiction is what is keeping her from her full potential.
Image source: Netflix
8. There are chess patterns everywhere. The design department played around with the chess theme by having chess line decors all over the set from the clothing, bedsheets, headboard, to wallpaper.
Did you catch any of these details?
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