‘Wave Makers’ (2023). Netflix Series: The World of Politics, Behind the Scenes

Wave Makers is a series about those people behind the candidates who create the campaign, about the real brains behind the political world. This time, from Taiwan.

Wave Makers is a Taiwanese series by Lin Jun Yang starring Ying-Hsuan Hsieh, Huang Chien-Wei and Gingle Wang.

It is not a great series on a technical level, but it has such an interesting premise that it is engaging, mostly because of its theme than for its development. A series about current affairs, almost global despite its local setting.

The appeal: to take us into the world of politics, always so ruthless. Perhaps not always? This is the weakness of the series, that of not being incisive or brutal enough in a world that, we all know, is vicious and cruel. It is a series that tends (quite a lot and too much at times) towards easy sentimentality and to portrait society in very rosy tones in aspects that, precisely, shouldn’t be sweetened.

An almost pleasant vision of the ruthless, with a naive and sobering approach that even makes you want to vote rather than continue in the nihilism in which we settle when we see the “real” political climate.

The pace is rather reflective, with lots of dialogue and polite formulas.

The problem? The comparison that the viewers will make, even unconsciously, because any House of Cards or American political series of the sort has them used to a rather more aggressive visual and narrative treatment of the media.

Interesting, as always, because of the internationalization of Netflix, with which we can have a more global vision thanks to series like this one that, while not brilliant, do give us the opportunity to get closer to Taiwanese culture.

Another thing is that it is worth the seven hours of leisurely development that the series needs to unfold.

Release Date

April 28, 2023

Where to Watch Wave Makers

Netflix

The Cast

Hsieh Ying Shiuan	Gingle Wang
Jag Huang	Leon Dai

Chen Yan-Fei
Ada Pan
Devin Pan
Hu Wei-Jie
Zhan Huai-Yun
Hsuan-yen Tsai

Episode List

Episode 1

After an election loss, Weng Wen-fang settles into her new role in politics. A prominent politician gets embroiled in an animal attack rumor.

Episode 2

A brilliant campaign initiative from Chang Ya-ching brings her unexpected troubles. Chen Chia-ching struggles to balance his family and work.

Episode 3

After a new issue dominates the news cycle, Lin Yue-chen faces some tough questions at a public talk. Tsai Yi-an is torn between his job and idealism.

Episode 4

Ya-ching faces growing pressure over an official complaint lodged against an improper colleague. Jung-chih grows curious about her father’s secrets.

Episode 5

Ya-ching confides in Wen-fang about a poignant history. Facing a shocking revelation, Lin Yue-chen has a difficult decision to make.

Episode 6

The breakout of a corruption scandal creates a shockwave in the heated race. Wen-fang finds a new audience through her candid online persona.

Episode 7

As Wen-fang’s team races to trace down a suspicious viral post, a reckless Ya-ching scrambles to cover up a damaging secret.

Episode 8

Engulfed in a scandal, Chao Chang-tse works frantically to contain the fallout. Ya-ching, summoning up her courage, decides to take a bold step.