A Series of Unfortunate Events

A SERIES OF UNFORTUNATE EVENTS SEASON 1 (2017)

Cast:

Neil Patrick Harris - Count Olaf, Patrick Warburton - Lemony Snicket
Malina Weissman  - Violet Baudelaire, Louis Hynes - Klaus Baudelaire 
K. Todd Freeman - Mr. Poe, Presley Smith - Sunny Baudelaire 
Will Arnett - Father, Cobie Smulders - Mother...

In 2015 I read the entire, thirteen book series by Lemony Snicket, A Series of Unfortunate Events. I can’t say that I loved the books but I really enjoyed the series and encourage all of you to watch it if you can!

This review is mostly going to be in bullet form because I find this format easier to use for tv reviews than my usual review format.

Rating: 10/10

* SPOILERS AHEAD *

The Bad Beginning - Episodes 1 & 2

The themes song: At first I wasn’t too sure about it – I didn’t think it necessarily fit the show, but a few episodes in I really started to love it. Now, it’s in my head all the time!

• The dedication at the start made me really happy, it wasn’t explained for fans new to the story and I can’t wait to see more more mentions of Beatrice later in the series (I hope!).

To Beatrice – 

darling, dearest, 

dead.

• Not to start off on a bad note but I’m finding the CGI of Sunny to be a bit strange.
• Lemony Snicket is brilliant (PULL THE LEVER KRONK) and his commentary is amazing – his character serves as a sort of a guide through the plot. His narration is really fun and is one of my favourite parts of the show.
•  EXCELLENT CASTING – I like Klaus a lot more than Violet – he’s more authentic that Violet or Sunny. Although I am growing to love the other characters throughout the episodes.
• NPH is amazing as Olaf, the singing kind of thew me for a loop but he’ NPH of course he’s going to sing.
• I hate Olaf but I really enjoy NPH’s portrayal – he is much better than Jim Carrey’s version (although, to be fair the film isn’t a favourite of mine.)
• K. Todd Freeman as Mr Poe is amazing! So far I am really enjoying this version of Poe – I love that, like in the books he is constantly, it was just fun to see them really incorporate that.
• The prents in the end were really unexpected but I really enjoyed seeing them – there part in the series was some of my favourite scenes from each episode. I really can’t wait to see more of the secret society in season 2!
• The little easter eggs at the end in the sewer with the signs made me really happy.
• It will be really interesting the see if they start incorporating VFD into the plot of season 2

The Reptile Room - Episodes 3 & 4

This was one of my favourite books in the series so I was most excited to see this episode.

For Beatrice – 

My love for you shall live forever.

You, however, shall not.

• Uncle Monty, played by Aasif Mandvi was one of my favourite characters – really loved his portrayal of Monty – loved his scenes with the kids – made them feel welcome whereas, the other adults treat them as children.
• The actors really start growing into their characters which is rally nice to see.
• The picture with the parents in the piano was really cool – I loved the fact that they included that Olaf took the picture
• The kids are really sceptical – I love that the series actually shows that the kids are smart – the kids are very confused as to why their parents left these instructions, which to anyone with eyes really makse no sense.
• Loved the scene with Mr Poe where Sunny was with the snake and he was running around the room yelling Help her! Don’t help her! Call the police, no don’t call the police! Help her!
• I love the colouring of the show. As soon as the kids meet Monty the colour scheme is much brighter and happier because Monty represents a safe zone for the children – he is someone they can rely on and trust. Whereas, when he dies the colour scheme immediately darkens because the children no longer have that safe zone.
• I really love the scenes with the parents – the mystery is really fun!

The Wide Window - Episodes 5 & 6

• I want to kick start this by saying that I am loving the new intro for each two  part episode. They really bring something new to each episode and they are quite depressing which is fitting to the series!

For Beatrice – 

I would much prefer it

if you were alive and well.

• This is one of my least favourite novels in the series so naturally this wasn’t one of my favourite episodes. But I definitely still loved it!
• All of the hints to the secret society were really fun for me. You don’t really learn about the secret society until quite later on in the books so this is certainly fun for me.
• I really thought the setting and the lighting for this episode was done really well. The colouring was quite dark because the story was getting darker and they don’t feel particularly safe. I don’t know, I just really love the attention to detail that is paid in this series.
• Also, can we talk about this outfit? This made me laugh soo hard when I saw it – what the heck Mr Snicket?

The Miserable Mill - Episodes 7 & 8

To Beatrice – 

My love flew like a butterfly, 

until death swooped down like a bat.

• *clears throat* THAT ENDING
• Not my favourite episode.
• I felt slightly let down when we first met Sir and he wasn’t surrounded by a cloud of smoke.
• Charles and Sir are partners – I really enjoyed how Lmony Snicket explained how there are many different types of partners – a bit sad that they were the only queer characters and the relationship was unhealthy.
• I felt a bit let down by Charles, he just didn’t feel like Charles – I’m not entirely sure why but he just didn’t float my boat (also it’s been a minute since I watched these episodes and I’m really tired).
• Poor Klaus – I really loved how the actor handled his character not being able to  remember his actions. I think going into season 2 it will be really interesting to see if Klaus actually deals with his guilt.
• Phil’s leg – that whole thing was too much – it was stupid how they made his leg sort of flat – do we not amputate on kid shows?
• I really enjoyed Catherine O’Hara’s performance as Dr. Orwell, it was really fun to see her back in the ASOUEverse.
• The plot twist: Will Arnett and Cobie Smulders were not actually the Baudelaire’s parents – they were the Quagmire’s parents.
• The ending song was weird and don’t get me wrong I’ve been listening to it on repeat but it sort of didn’t fit with the tone of the show to suddenly be singing.
• Hey hey hey, the Quagmire triplets I AM HYPED

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OVERALL THOUGHTS:

It turns out that I have some pretty mixed feelings about this show, but I think overall I did still really enjoy it!

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Did you enjoy season 1, what are your thoughts? Will you guys be watching season 2?