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Post by ryantrimble457 on Jan 12, 2017 21:04:47 GMT -5
I figured it'd be best to group these by book. Here, discuss eps 3 & 4. It is expected you've watched at least 1-4. Feel free to discuss what happens beyond these eps (including the book series), but please put that in a spoiler tag.
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Post by trip on Jan 13, 2017 8:23:03 GMT -5
I'm on episode 3 and of course it's a lot of interesting things but the most pressing matter to me at the moment is the line "this godforsaken nickelodeon" God potato ing bless
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Post by Invisible on Jan 13, 2017 8:49:51 GMT -5
Stephano's line about television made me laugh so hard it hurt my throat. XD
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Post by gliquey on Jan 13, 2017 11:55:45 GMT -5
Episode 3 spoilers: The change in lyrics in the opening titles is good.
I'm not a big fan of the crocodile, but the other creatures we've seen are okay. The highlight of TRR for me was some of the reptiles, though, so it's a shame they've not mentioned the Barbary Chewer, Virginia Wolfsnake etc. - unless they appear in episode 4.
I like Sunny's thing of insulting Mr. Poe to his face, because he doesn't understand her.
I don't really like Monty but I think my expectations are too high: no actor could live up to my imagination of book Monty. He's certainly better than film Monty, though, and he's tolerable.
Olaf and the "nine toes" speech is performed perfectly - it feels even more sinister to me than it did in the books.
"That's the wrong question" is this episode's tiny nod to ATWQ. It's interesting that Monty mentions calling the Official Fire Department about a non-fire related matter. I wonder if they'll be mentioned again.
Olaf's preference for long-form television over movies is brilliant; I love his leaning against the fourth wall.
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WicCaesar
Reptile Researcher
Sereno.
Posts: 19
Likes: 13
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Post by WicCaesar on Jan 13, 2017 12:50:29 GMT -5
I thought they would explore the maze a lot more, because it and its map appeared in every single promotional video.
I love that we're seeing more anonymous volunteers!
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Noe
Catastrophic Captain
???
Posts: 93
Likes: 82
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Post by Noe on Jan 13, 2017 16:15:05 GMT -5
I'm not sure what to think after watching 4 episodes, it is a lot different than I thought it might be. Episode 4 felt sort of long, but it was mostly good at portraying the book. Having just reread it, it felt kind of weird seeing all the changes and things out of order. I wasn't expecting the two women at the theatre, and it's interesting how they changed up the reason for going to Peru. I thought that was why Monty was going to the store in the first place. My only complaint is that the kids didn't have separate rooms, with Violet's walls of sketching paper and Klaus's alcove for reading. I think knowing the outcome of all of these stories has made it a little boring for me, but the addition of having the parents alive is keeping surprises for the fans who already know the story. There are a couple things I'm wondering... why would Olaf go to Peru after being caught if he was going to keep going after the fortune? Anyway, there are plenty of things I really like.. It's always hilarious when Poe is coughing and Fernald always makes me laugh the most. The initial books of this series were never my favorite anyway, and I think seeing them so many times in the movie and stuff, I'm way more excited for the next two seasons! I'm most excited to see the TMM. Onward to TWW...
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snout
Bewildered Beginner
Posts: 7
Likes: 9
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Post by snout on Jan 13, 2017 17:51:09 GMT -5
I'm still not sure how I feel about introducing the VFD stuff so overtly this early on - a big thing that worked about the series was the sense of mystery growing over the course of the series. But I'm withholding my judgement until I've seen the whole season.
They did an amazing job at making Monty nice and loveable though. Assif was great
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Post by gliquey on Jan 13, 2017 18:17:43 GMT -5
Episode 4: I loved NPH's sleight of hand with the tickets.
The slight change in the story so that Ink is blamed with Monty's death rather than the Mambu du Mal makes a lot of sense. I was glad to hear mention of some of the snakes Monty talks about in TRR, particularly the Virginia Wolfsnake.
When the children are discussing how to find proof that Olaf killed Monty, Klaus says: "If we'd found proof earlier, maybe we could have saved Uncle Monty." What? Am I missing something? You can't find proof of something before it happens.
Mr. Poe delivers the "Nathaniel Hawthorne" line, one of my favourites, but it's said very poorly. Mr. Poe rushes in this speech and shows hardly any emotion at all; he needs to seem frightened for it to work. His exclamations are cut short slightly - I notice "Allah" is missing and yet both "God" and "Joseph and Mary" are present, which I very much hope is not religious bias / censorship of Islam. His subsequent exclamations, about what to do with the snake, are improvements, but still, I'm very disappointed with Freeman for ruining the highlight of TRR.
"He is coughing a lot. Let's see if he dies of natural causes." is a brilliant line from Olaf.
Mr. Poe jumps to the realisation that Olaf was using powder on his ankle suspiciously quickly, especially for a moron, unless I missed something - I didn't see Violet showing him the powder kit.
I'm still not sure how I feel about introducing the VFD stuff so overtly this early on - a big thing that worked about the series was the sense of mystery growing over the course of the series. But I'm withholding my judgement until I've seen the whole season. Well even though "volunteer fire department" was mentioned in the first episode, I don't think V.F.D. has been explained too much at this point. There's lots of hidden "V.F.D." acronyms in dialogue, but I doubt I'd pick up on it if I hadn't read the books. I think there is a sense of mystery about the unknown secret organisation to which Monty, Josephine, Jacquelyn, the ticket guy at the cinema and spyglasses are somehow related, but that's just my opinion.
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Post by Reba on Jan 13, 2017 20:37:58 GMT -5
so, the show has a habit of taking the simple endings from the books and blowing them up into the goofy, messy, colorful climaxes that family comedies have. it's mostly an annoying barrage of bad slapstick and overemphasizing the whimsical details of the books. the gags go on long enough that i can't hold my breath until the actual story continues. apparently the only way they know how to show that adults are incompetent is to make it so none of the adults have more than 1 line of serious dialogue per episode. NPH is particularly insufferable and it's exhausting to imagine the whole rest of the series being adapted with his character throughout.
the actor who played uncle monty was really good. i have no idea why he wouldn't recognize count olaf though, if we're going along with the change that he is actually a VFD member. and especially if we're supposed to believe olaf took one of the photos hanging in monty's house.
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Post by Shelly on Jan 13, 2017 20:55:56 GMT -5
I'm between 3/4 at the moment - I'll update with my episode 4 thoughts soon enough. Episode 3: Coconut cream cake! Raw carrots!
I absolutely love how Monty's constructed in this episode - I feel more sympathy for him and ultimately his demise than Connolly's portrayal. Even this Monty is wonderfully and openly disdainful about Poe's incompetency and Stephano's treachery.
The piano photo made me laugh - I can't explain why but TUA really annoyed me how its photos were indirect (see example of this costume worn by A, who is standing behind B), so I admire this attention to detail here.
As I said in the 1/2 thread discussion, I feel like this series is a Daniel Handler re-write; Monty's awareness of VFD, enemies and Monty's allies are more developed (eg box office staff at the movies) were also delightful to see. I know I myself prefer adaptions to stay true to the books plotwise; however I feel like episode 3 definitely stays true to this and still takes enough creative liberties that are still enjoyable to see.
I LOVE how deliberately bad Zombies in the Snow is! I remember bookwise it was more of an enjoyable film, but being deliberately bad shows us how its main purpose is to send messages (whether Sebald code or not).
EDIT: "And I will go and find the children, who you say have...hidden themselves in the Reptile Room because you chased them up and down the staircase with a knife." There is SO MUCH CAMP I LOVE IT.
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Post by Carma on Jan 13, 2017 21:42:07 GMT -5
the jokes about enjoying movies at home with olaf doing an office stare were really weird imo
still unsure how i feel about nph as olaf in general
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Post by Violent BUN Fortuna on Jan 13, 2017 22:32:20 GMT -5
Again basically just commenting so that I can keep up with this thread for now, but I adored episodes 3 & 4. Perhaps my favourite of the whole lot -- the visuals were so beautiful, and I always love Monty. Also Zombies in the Snow was brilliant, and the popcorn bit was hilarious. Also Count Olaf's lines about television vs movies. And and and they kept in Violet's analysis of Olaf's suitcase, etc. I love how much they're keeping to the books while adding in stuff that can easily fit into this world!
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Post by Shelly on Jan 13, 2017 22:35:41 GMT -5
Episode 4: "The ADULTS will take it from here." MEANWHILE BACK AT THE RANCH use and explanation. The kids taking it upon themselves to prove the Viper's innocence, as per the book. "I must say, I'm beginning to doubt your qualifications." "Nice girls aren't supposed to dig through people's personal, private property." Mr Poe's leaping and babbling reaction!
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Post by Linda Rhaldeen on Jan 14, 2017 2:20:13 GMT -5
The old lady at the movie was my favorite.
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Post by Violent BUN Fortuna on Jan 14, 2017 7:40:11 GMT -5
Oh also, Klaus, leave the poor crocodile alone!
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