Margaret Atwood's Classic: "The Handmaid's Tale"

This is absolutely one of my all-time favorite novels, dystopian or otherwise. I was very, very interested to see how they would portray this in a mini-series. Very! (Note: I saw the movie back in the early 90s that starred Natasha Richardson... Loved It!).

Again, just like with The Man in the High Castle I spoke of last time, I know they have to edit some of the book content out and add action in spots where it didn't previously exist. Quite honestly, there are chapters and chapters of Offred's thoughts that had to go. The novel tended to be heavy with exposition.

But when things go off-book, I start to become concerned. When we start having episodes of flashbacks (they call them backstory) that tells me we're way off-book. At least with Game of Thrones, the series writers just added them like they actually existed in the original novel.

I knew near the end of season one I was going to have a problem with the off-book subject. I didn't, at that time, know there would be a season two. I don't remember it ever being mentioned that Offred's husband was still alive in the book. (Please correct me if I'm wrong). That was the moment I looked at my wife and said, "crap, they're going to make another season of this for us to sit through."

Now, that being said, I liked most of season two. I feel like they did a better job of adding onto the novel than a lot of these types of shows do. It's really not that bad and I will probably dabble in season three when it is released.

Characters: Loved Ann Dowd as Aunt Lydia (sorry to see her go). I thought Joseph Fiennes makes a believable Commander Waterford (my wife hated him, point proven). Alexis Bledel goes above and beyond in her portrayal of Ofglen. Oh, and Yvonne Strahovski as Serena Joy is spectacular.

Not a huge Elisabeth Moss fan (she's the MC - Offred). Don't know why. Just never felt she's had the part just right.

All in all, they've done a good job with this classic dystopian novel at Hulu. Like I said, I will certainly give season three a solid try. My interest has been piqued with the season two cliffhanger.

How about you? Thoughts? Please be sure to let me know. And, is there another one of these you'd like to know my thoughts on? I'll be happy to read and watch almost anything... for a while.


Until next time,

e a lake

The Man in the High Castle - A Dystopian Tale

As you know, I love any and all things dystopian. So about three years ago I was excited to see Philip K. Dick's novel turned into a series on Amazon Prime.

Now, I understand that most novels do not translate perfectly to a "movie" script. I know that the writers of the show will take certain liberties here and there. And, for the most part, all was well in my world -- my reality.

Let me summarize the first three seasons for you with my brief humble opinions:

Season 1 - Great storyline, marginal acting and probably shot with a dark camera filter at all times. Too dark at times. I really loved several of the characters and the actors portraying them: John Smith, Director Tagomi, and Inspector Kido. The rest -- meh.

I loved every minute of season one right up to the very last scene. That's where my alternate reality was introduced to a second, parallel, alternate reality. WHA??????

Season 2 - I was lost most of the season. With events occurring in both realities sometimes I found it hard to figure out what I was watching. Great action between Smith and another Nazi officer towards the end, but the rest? Hard to stay as engaged as I was with season 1.

Season 3 - I've watched one episode thus far. Not sure I'll go much further.

How exactly Juliana Crane (Alexa Davalos - the MC in my mind) went from a mealy-mouthed frightened woman in season 1 to machine gun totting super-woman right at the beginning of season 3 added another mind-boggling reality for me. I was all for her at first; go, Juliana, go! Now, in season 3, nah.

Again, these are just my thoughts on the show. And it probably has something to do with taking a single book and stretching it further than its original content. Maybe.

Next time I'll do another popular series: Hulu's The Handmaid's Tale.



See you then,

e a lake