I have finally seen it (also had to watch mid-finale of Better call Saul so I am no double stunned
) - also, came late from work (And what a work week again...I have to hold on for one more week to my vacation!)
I have to say, knowing the book, I have to appreciate a few things. (SPOILERS) - *that* scene here was a bit awkward (however intense) but in the book, it was a bit...not the way I can imagine "it" begins but whatever, I am old-fashioned
But I have to give it to them that the gradation is marvelous and the last 15 minutes were great.
Unlike in the book.....I didn´t mind Luke in the book. He was a bit selfcentered, ambitious but seemed to care for Cora and truly love her. I ...don´t like how Frank Dilane plays him. I am sure it is not his fault and he is just doing what is in the script (however, I am sure he chose a way how to play him based on it) But I definitely don´t remember him being so creepy, sleazy and posessive of Cora. The way he encourages her to do what she wants but disagreeing with it at the same time is incredibly patronizing and I hate that.
It is stressed out - and that agrees with Cora´s description in the book - that she does have that effect on people. Even that point about keeping Will in the jar at home as one of her curiosities is actually truthful. She collects favourite people, not things (it was even told like that in the book). I did have to shake my head when they were talking about "small parts" because we know that Tom is...the opposite
Anyway, I am curious how far they will go with Martha´s fanatism. I think with two episodes left and moving to London, I hope they won´t speed up her romance since we barely met the guy so I hope they will leave it out? I guess we´ll see. I am curious how far they will take her communistic fanatism. I do not mind Martha on the show, it is the actress, I think so I like her here. But the things she was saying in the book here and there made my blood boil
(sorry, I cannot stand this ideology and its milder versions that are so favourite these days, but are similarly stupid and unrealistic)
Going back to the episode....I actually loved the scene where Will fought the villagers. He did not openly defend Cora, but stood up against them, by using a simple voice of reason, that there is no serpent and just fought against fanatism. A man of God but man of a reason, too. I hate religious fanatics of any kind (coming from the most atheistic country in Europe, I have to say, it is in my blood
) but I respect people´s beliefs when it is comforting for them and they are not hurting or forcing it on anyone.
It honestly made me angry how they started yelling at Cora that she is marked as witch when her scar appeared. It was the opposite, she was hurt by her abusive husband and they say this...no wonder she is so defensive.
Also, I am really sorry that the story (based on the book as well), did not offer Clémence Poésy much to do yet. Her few scenes here were great...Stella´s awareness of how Will is attracted to Cora, who she also likes and then basically encouraging him to go dance with her...maybe because she feels something is not OK with her and wants Will to be happy...
I have to say, I *love* how it looks. The opening above the marshes was beautifully shot, the absolutely gorgeous look inside Cora´s house during the party, the lights, the white wood...it looked like a magazine with "How to create a cozy cottage"
As I said a while ago, I felt the book did not have enough material for six episodes, I now have to admit I was wrong. As many of the letters from the book were turned into actual scenes, some things or characters were left out or appeared briefly, it feels like there is a lot to solve in just two episodes. But they can make the episodes longer or cut some stories short.
And in the end, a shallow note from me....Tom just looks stunning...in each scene, when he is his intense self, when he looks at Cora with *that look*, in the suit, the scene where he is dressing up....camera obviously loves him
But the camera work here is on the show is overall great. And I have to say, I would actually prefer this as a bingewatch and to see the whole thing at once.
Sorry for long post, I just cannot help myself when I like something
Also, agree with
@db131 I guess Loki will be filmed mostly inside studios so we may get some glimpses or random outside filming, maybe Tom attending something but after two episodes of TES, I am a bit worried we will end up with not much to look at. But Tom seems to glow lately, and obviously enjoys the social interaction so let´s hope he won´t disappear for long
SHORT EDIT: As much as I dislike Dillane as Luke here, their short interaction with Tom´s Will had as much chemistry as Tom has with Claire
But I suppose Tom would have a chemistry with a tree if he chose to