Netflix's Kaleidoscope is a heist show that lets viewers order the episodes - Action News
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Entertainment

Netflix's Kaleidoscope is a heist show that lets viewers order the episodes

Viewers choose the order of the first seven episodes in the eight-episode series, which amounts to 5,040 combinations. The series, starring Giancarlo Esposito, tells the story of an experienced thief and acrew in their attempt to break into a high-security bank vault and steal $7 billion in bonds.

Viewers choose the order of the 1st 7 episodes, amounting to 5,040 combinations

Girl in green jacket and boy in denim shirt sit on a boat after a heist attempt looking sad and wounded while others drive the boat behind them
From left, Rosaline Elbay as Judy Goodwin, Paz Vega as Ava Mercer, Giancarlo Esposito as Leo Pap and Peter Mark Kendall as Stan Loomis are shown in episode 'Red' of Kaleidoscope. (Netflix )

Some people like to put the pieces together when watchingtheir favourite shows, but Netflix's new heist drama, Kaleidoscope, goes one step further and lets them help design the puzzle.

The eight-part limited series, which launched on Jan. 1, introduces an unconventional format, allowing viewers to choose the order of its first seven episodes. That means there are 5,040 possible combinations leading up to the final episode.

The streaming servicethat popularized non-linear televisionis now asking viewers to drop everything they know about the TV viewing experience through non-linear storytelling.

Kaleidoscope, starring actor Giancarlo Esposito, tells the story of an experienced thief (Esposito) and acrew in their attempt to break into a high-security bank vault and steal $7billion in bonds.

With each episode, viewers will enter at a different point in time before or after the heist spanning 25 years. Each segmentis named after a different colour/hue related to a main element of that piece of the story. When combined, the colours create white the title of the fixed finale, which details the heist itself.

Grey haired man in grey jacket and brown shirt,pants, leaning against sofa flashing a disappointed frown
Esposito, who plays Leo Pap, is shown in episode 'Pink' of Kaleidoscope. (Clifton Prescod/Netflix )

Whether you choose to go with the randomized order provided by your accountor create your own, pieces of the puzzle will be revealed in a divergent order the motivations, relationships, betrayal and events that ensue.

Unlike Netflix's 2018 interactive release,Black Mirror: Bandersnatch, which acts as a choose-your-own adventure story the show contains no hidden secrets or scenes. Each viewer finishes with the same details revealed and arrives at the same place. They will just have experienced it in their own unique way.

WATCH | Trailer for Netflix's Kaleidoscope:

Following its release, subscribers of the platform were quick to flock to social media, comparing watch orders, all in search of the perfect sequence.

Even the streaming giant itself joined in on the conversation.

Some see the show as a fresh conversation starter.

"Someone you speak to may have different info than you when you discuss! I love that," said one Twitter user.

Others say theyfeel overwhelmed by the stress of picking the best order or the possibility of spoiling a detail for a friend.

Unlike other popular HBO serieslikeThe White Lotus or Euphoria, shown on Crave in Canada,where viewers would often discuss their theories on social media and with friends following each episode's release, Kaleidioscope leaves the conversation for the end through its singular format. Viewers can share how their order impacted the way they interpreted the story arc.

Kaleidoscope appears topresenta step toward a new age of television testing out new ways to tell and experience content.