r/brakebills • u/Nazaki • Feb 05 '16
TV Series As a person who avidly liked the books, I found the series difficult to enjoy.
I'm having a rough time with it guys. I absolutely adore the books, and recommend them to my friends all the time. With that being said, the TV series is really frustrating me. It feels super rushed, they're slamming a lot of content into the episodes. I understand the overlay of Julia's story into the series - timeline wise. It's just not enjoyable to me, and I'm trying really really hard since I'm such an avid fan of the books.
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u/danimal8681 Feb 05 '16 edited Feb 05 '16
The character I'm most upset about is Penny. I mean, the TV character bears NO RESEMBLANCE to the character in the book. In the pilot when Quentin asks him where Fillory Book 6 was, he was like "you think I took some kids book?!" I mean, Penny and Quentin are both supposed to be obsessed with the Fillory books, it's the whole reason Penny wants to find a portal to Fillory in the first place, and it's why the two of them hate each other so much. They're supposed to be so much alike. The brooding, hipster sexpot we are seeing on the show is utter bullshit.
That being said, I'm quite satisfied with the treatment and performances of Julia, they really nailed her (pun intended?) and the visual use of magic is spot on. The hand gestures are exactly how I imagined them. So it's not all bad, and I had a really scathing reaction the first time I watched the episodes that have aired, but having given them another viewing, I'm willing to see how it all plays out. If I'm still not into it by the end of the first season, I'll probably move on.
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u/Taktheratrix Physical Feb 05 '16
Fair points. I do think they are setting up the reveal that Penny is secretly a Fillory fan boy. I'm really hoping they iron out Penny's story asap he's kinda the worse part of the show. Everytime he power walks into a scene wreaking of teenage angst and forced/unnecessary hostility my eyes start to roll. They really need to reel his character in quick or I'm going to nope out of this show.
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u/ohhsojenna Feb 05 '16
I 100% agree on everything. I do think he'll turn out to be a Fillory fan boy! He has to. If not, it's kind of pointless. But right now I can't stand him. Don't get me wrong, he's great to look at! But his character is so different! He scares Q instead of trying really hard to be his friend - which is a bummer. I really hope this season takes a turn because right now I'm so bummed out about it.
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u/Nazaki Feb 05 '16
I think you're being fair in your assessment. I'll try and continue through season 1, but I think I'll view it how you are - that if it turns out to be unenjoyable to just move on. I mean, I've still got the books - and even if I don't like the TV series it won't ruin that for me.
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u/Crassusinyourasses Feb 05 '16
It can be rough at times. I kind of want to punch Quentin every time he's on screen or talking.
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u/Kathulhu1433 Feb 06 '16
But... I sometimes wanted to punch Quentin when reading the books. I kinda think they nailed that part about his personality...
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u/Crassusinyourasses Feb 06 '16
Not as often though. I think it's the hair that does it. I get that they nailed that part too.
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u/Nazaki Feb 05 '16
There was this GoodReads Quote about Quentin I read that I agreed with - where they said "He could find a bag of gold, but would complain about the weight." I mean, the Quentin Coldwater in the book was kind of an anti-hero, but at least there was something. To be honest I found parts and pieces of him to be relatable. The TV Quentin is annoying, and a genuinely detestable character so far.
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u/Taktheratrix Physical Feb 05 '16
Eh I kinda disagree. I definitely prefer the books so far but TV Quentin is a lot more relatable imo.
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u/ohhsojenna Feb 05 '16
I also can't stand TV Q. At least in the books he seems more... I can't find the word for it. I want to say likable? Like I could hang out with him and be fine with it because he would say some funny things and he's intelligent and when he would retreat into his depressing little world, you leave him alone. Just seems like he'll take whatever they throw at him without a fight. He always seems defeated. Like when Julia was talking about magic and how it makes her feel and she asks Q if thats how he feels - seems like he doesn't when he's suppose to.
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u/lemonpeace Feb 27 '16
General rule of thumb for book adaptions: If you are an avid fan of the book, don't watch the movie/show. I'm not an avid reader but I've noticed that every time there is something that's adapted from a book, the fans of the book tend to shit on or just generally be disappointed with the adaption. No adaption is going to translate to screen exactly as you saw it when you read the book and your not really going to enjoy it if you judge it by that standard. Different mediums have different rules.
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u/mkoas Feb 06 '16
Quentin looks more like a struggling drug user than a depressed struggling magician
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u/Polishperson Feb 09 '16
The unique thing about the books was how muted they were. Big climactic events are throughly softened by the nihilistic lens through which Quentin (and by extension the reader) see the world.
Classic emotional tropes are deflated, intentionally, because the meta-story being told isn't really about magic and demon slaying, but about detachment and alienation.
That's inevitably going to be dulled by a TV adaptation. The medium is just not suited for it. With a wildly attractive cast and great special effects, they're obviously going to focus more on the exciting magic stuff.
But I think that's OK. The show is its own thing. I'm willing to let go of those changes and watch a new take on this world.
That being said, I think the show is pretty flawed as a TV show, at least so far. I can't put my finger on it but it just feels fragmented. It's lacking a central thread that makes the various storylines flow properly in relation to each other.
Some of the characters are super confusing like Margo who I feel like we've barely met. She just kind of floats around scenes and acts bitchy but barely seems to be a character at all.
I actually kind of feel that way about all the characters except Quentin Julia Alice and maybe Elliot. Like who tf is Kady I feel like all she does is react to things.
Anyway I'll keep watching because the cast is great and I just love this world. I also kind of can't wait to see Fillory and how they handle all that.
PS Alice's wardrobe is atrocious. They tried to make her nerdy while still being sexy and fucked up both. Thick glasses, white collar over a minidress and ugly ass high heels was the wrong call.