Cordon (TV series)

Cordon is a television series with multiple adaptations, each generally based on an original Belgian series of the same name. The core premise involves a deadly and highly contagious viral outbreak that forces authorities to quarantine a section of a city, trapping those within and separating them from the outside world. The narrative typically focuses on the experiences of those both inside and outside the cordon, exploring the social, ethical, and psychological consequences of the isolation and the struggle for survival.

Original Belgian Series (2014)

The original Cordon series aired in Belgium in 2014. Created by Hilde Van Mieghem and directed by Tim Mielants and Eshref Reybrouck, it received critical acclaim for its realistic and suspenseful portrayal of a city under quarantine. The series follows various characters, including police officers, doctors, journalists, and ordinary citizens, as they navigate the chaos and despair within the infected zone.

American Adaptation (2016)

The CW network in the United States adapted Cordon into a series of the same name, which aired in 2016. Created by Julie Plec, this adaptation is set in Atlanta, Georgia, and follows a similar plotline of a deadly virus outbreak leading to a city-wide quarantine. While maintaining the core premise, the American version introduced new characters and storylines to explore the impact of the crisis on American society. The adaptation, however, was not renewed for a second season.

Key Themes:

Common themes explored in the various Cordon adaptations include:

• Survival: The struggle to survive under extreme conditions, forcing individuals to make difficult choices.
• Government Control vs. Individual Freedom: The tension between the need for government control during a crisis and the protection of individual liberties.
• Social Breakdown: The unraveling of social structures and the emergence of both altruism and selfishness in the face of disaster.
• Human Connection: The importance of human connection and community in overcoming adversity.
• Ethical Dilemmas: The ethical dilemmas faced by medical professionals, law enforcement, and government officials in managing the outbreak.

The Cordon TV series, in its various forms, offers a dramatic exploration of the societal and personal implications of a large-scale epidemic event.