Haven't seen it, but I guess there goes my hopes that they might adapt the ending for the medium and take into account... just how unfavorable the ending was the first time around.
Alright Grotto time
Part I
Okay, the water cycle was a good troll act, but Lemony, dry is a positive thing when people mean dry sense of humor, if something watched is dry, it could mean that.
Instead of Widdershins asking friend or foe, it's Fiona as the voice and wow that was already excellent casting. I admit I always pictured her as a bit more mousy, but this works great! Also the chemistry between Hynes and whomever plays Fiona is electric. Part II is going to be amazing if this keeps up
Oh f*(k, Fiona is a Composite Character? I mean, this definitely opens up a few things, but it was a pretty big plot point that he disappeared halfway through the book [or did they cut that out to make filler room?] leaving Fiona and the three behind. How are they gonna resolve this one? Also, it means Violet has to become all cynical and get into a bit of clash against Klaus...which is a bit jarring. Unfortunately this also makes Fiona a bit of an Adaptational Jerkass as she now has to be Widdershins making odd orders. Also, I would've been happy to see who they could get for Widdershins.
The filler explaining how they [Olaf & Co.] got the sub was pretty hilarious. Love the continuity and boost given to Esme. And Olaf the cuck is much more interesting too. Really drives home the whole "peak" theme from Slope and gives Harris time to shine.
The writers giveth [more Quigley, and this time a much better performance], and taketh [more Mr. Poe], also what the hell happened to Jackie? as they expand on the fate of Quigley, which I really had been shown in the books. I get that the Quagmires as a name are a giveaway, but I was never comfy with that, so I don't mind this.
Love the Julia Child reference
Hooky's Heel–Face Turn felt rather random in the books, love how since Ep. 9 after a few hints early on [besides the very f*(king jarring placement as The Foreman in MM] he's been given a small Character Arc
Looks like the writers are running with "?" being The Bombinating Beast on this one, kinda like that added bit of suspense
Looks like the plot point I questioned earlier got resolved by switching the order of the capture of The Queequeg and the Grotto exploration around. Genius move!
I wanted to see how they'd do the cave, but there's barely any cave at all! More like just a basement. But adding Quigley again was a nice touch. So once again, the writers giveth and taketh.
Part II
Okay, the Sunny being saved bit went good, loved how Hooky let them escape as a means to save her. But I don't like how the conversation that was between Fiona and Hooky got shifted to Hooky and the Kids. That takes away a lot
Love the endless corridor gag
Nvm, the whole BS "chef's salad's" speech was returned
Wow, they did the whole ending piece early to add a chase scene w/ The Bombinating Beast
Oh f*(k, too much Mr. Poe at the end, the book did this better for sure! This is the first relevant scene of him in awhile so I'll give this more time to stew, but my gosh was it too long. I mean I get the logic of Poe finally deciding to be guardian, but ytf would he now believe them innocent? Ugh! Also not sure I appreciate the crossroads point actually being given weight either. What made Miserable Mill work was that they ditched him without hesitation! And that was with fewer stakes.
Okay, The Lecherous Lab (because there was practically no grotto) is a step down from the last set [once again, Part I exceeds II] called The Slippery Slope, but still ahead of Season 2 in quality. NPH was given even more range than the last time, Ally did great as Hooky, but the cast was fewer, the shots were less impressive, and while the plot being turned on its head was a nice change, I don't think they needed to ditch the exploration aspect.
Here's to The Penultimate Peril Part I being a good penultimate peril to well, The Penultimate Peril, and to Part II being such for the entire series.
@webcd and Swanpride: Not there yet for this, but I did read the books, and I guess I'm in the minority, but I liked the ending. [Though I admit the book itself besides that was underwhelming]
The only thing I didn't like about it was "?", but since the writers have decided the thing is a beast (which was only barely hinted at in 'All the Wrong Questions)
Admittedly, I worry a little about the ambiguousness if kept, because the show eschewed keeping the POV only on The Baudelaires, which is what made the original ending worked. We didn't know what happened because we didn't need to, because the kids themselves didn't know, the only thing they knew was that certain things were done. But now, we're ahead of the kids.
Edited by terlwyth on Jan 1st 2019 at 4:54:33 AM
The show makes this work by prioritizing Lemony's perspective, and having him hit a wall in his research.
Maybe you'd be less disappointed if you stopped expecting things to be Carmen Sandiego movies.
I just finished the Slippery Slope. Looking forward to how they do the Grim Grotto, and the introduction of the Medusoid Mycelium.
It's the real villain of this series.
You cannot firmly grasp the true form of Squidward's technique!
It's actually more all the other characters I keep wondering about...the orphans, the people in the hotel, the woman with hair and the guy with beard or whatever…..
Ho hum
So the ending is definitely happier than it was in the books. Still shies away from happy, but I'd still call it an Optimistic Ending. Incorporates some stuff from The Beatrice Letters, like Lemony's love speech and Beatrice II searching for him.
Being a sucker for a nice ending I appreciate the Quagmires and the Widdershinses not getting eaten by a sea monster.
Not sure how I feel about the incident at the opera and the sugar bowl being fully explained, but it was pretty much what I expected it was from what you can piece together in the books, though it makes Olaf's suggestion that he wasn't the one who burned down the Baudelaire mansion sound more like a lie, unless Hair and Beard did it on his behalf.
Edited by asterism on Jan 1st 2019 at 2:27:53 PM
Song of the Sirens
The sugar bowl was another thing which lacked a proper conclusion for me.
Man, some things you only catch in the books on a re-read years later.
Like how the trees on Lousy Lane yield only incredibly bitter apples.
Song of the Sirens
Started up the Pen-Penultimate Peril (aka Part I)
Okay, they already gave away that Frank + Ernest have a brother, but I'm okay with this since it added a bit to Kit and added a nicer, and happier going on outside the main story, which has been lacking since Jacques + Olivia
Nice beginning chase scene too, obviously couldn't be a real one 'cuz that isn't the point, but it worked for establishing Kit
The switch from the implied orange aesthetic to green is a very welcome one, the hotel looks great, and Family!Man Olaf is a riot. Love how far at wit's end he is with Esme X Carmelita even here. Honestly never really got the idea he was at the point for himself in the books at any point, but was since those two just sucked, relieved all the same
While I'm semi-disappointed Mrs. Poe isn't on the roof-top being the Geraldine expy. Nero took up the part, and that was a much more hilarious replacement. Can't remember which segment Nero was originally at, I think it's was Klaus'? Either way, very hilarious scene
Babs & Jerome was a much better replacement to Charles & Sir
Dammit, Mr. Poe again. Can't remember whom Sunny originally helped, but easily better than him. But I guess Larry Yourwaiter over Hal makes more sense (too bad he had to go). Also, what the hell is with the creepy No Yay scene taken out of Reptile Room moved over here, and onto a baby? Love how Mr. Poe's finally compiled up stuff for a summation, but is still clueless of it all!
Looks like Justice Strauss is much more competent. I think originally J.S. was unsolved the whole time and she was just there. Oh, Jessie, you've really outdone yourself on this one.
Love the Leaning on the Fourth Wall from Lemony himself,and while I admit myself skeptical of his physical appearance, I was wrong. This is easily Warburton's best, and after he was a bit listless that last two episodes
Just like "The Lecherous Lab", it seems key plot points are switched around. Pretty sure the break-up of Olaf X Esme was practically at the end, they met Dewey in a different manner, as a result of the crows bringing the Sugar Bowl. But killing off Dewey first adds more suspense to the plot. And Lemony meeting the Baudelaires is once again, pretty interesting.
Part II
And like The Carnivorous Carnival opening, it begins with a Tear Jerker flashback. Didn't see it coming, but totally welcome nonetheless. And reasonable foreshadowing to "The End" as well. Also the whole word defining thing even in convo seems like a nice call to the prequel series when Kid! Lemony did that a lot.
So basically the harpoon gun got demoted in use now that Dewey gets killed earlier. Oh well. Also missed moment for a Visual Pun since only one crow was hit.
Bummer,but I guess Lemony fleeing the scene at the cops 'cuz he's a fugitive is the only way he can get an appearance and not take up the plot. Almost feels like a Big-Lipped Alligator Moment...almost.
Lol at the Take That! to Scalia, still not as good as Busheney, but eh, still works.
Holy sh*( Olaf gave the perfect "The Reason You Suck" Speech that really does outpace Jim Carrey's from the movie. I have to admit I almost applauded him for that. Slightly nihilistic, but a great Lampashade Hanging for the Crapsack World nature of the story.
It was implied that Olaf was caught in the crossfire when his parents were killed because they were on the wrong side of The Schism and Kit had to slip Beatrice the darts to do it, I think that ambiguity of the reason for an unambiguous deed was better than an ambiguous deed and an unambiguous but accidental reason.
Ah, literal crow eating come to fruition as humiliation, now that's a nice gag.
Not going to spoil much more, but man oh man, this is easily the best of NPH right here. While the book felt a bit jam-packed and confused, I think it lent itself well to this format. I consider these two now the best of the series, past even The Slippery Slope. Wow, just wow. Welp, onto The End
Edited by terlwyth on Jan 1st 2019 at 9:57:09 AM
Jer gets all the girls
Am I remembering wrong, or did they change Olaf's line when the kids take the harpoon gun off him just before Dewey gets shot a bit?
I swear he worded it differently in the book.
Everybody's all "Jerry's old and feeble" till they see him run down a skyscraper and hijack a helicopter mid-flight.
Small touch I appreciate: the music that plays at the start of The Penultimate Peril is the overture from La Forza del Destino.
Song of the Sirens
Show: "It's all I know how to do."
Edited by asterism on Jan 1st 2019 at 6:12:17 PM
Song of the Sirens
And now I'm at The End.
No more Mr. Poe!
Okay, so first off, great performance from whomever they cast as Friday. Only Matilda! era Mara Wilson could've done better. Also, while I always imagined John Cleese as Ish, whomever the actor did great...if a bit suspciously like King Bumi.
Ah, now I get the foreshadowing about the Principal of Prufrock Prep in the prior batch...but I think I preferred VFD as a mystery without a distinguishable beginning. Also they went with that instead of the conflict between him and the Baudelaire Parents...which makes the diary entry useless.
See, this was a bad disguise with no effort...unfortunate that it's equally convincing as this iteration of Stefano way back when. And I don't think Jim Carrey could've done this.
Can't believe I'm siding with Olaf against anyone, probably because of NPH's performance and a smidge of Draco in Leather Pants treatment from the writers, but my goodness, even when it was obvious that Ish was terrible in the books, I still rooted for him over Olaf, but here...it's just too indefensible.
Well it looks like Sonnenfeld wasn't kidding about this thing being a coda. They just gutted out a good chunk of plot that happens between Kit arriving and the eventual demise of Olaf. And yeah, the subdued nature is just excellent, probably my favorite Allison Brie performance period! Though Kit living into the sunset well past Olaf's death is a bit of Plot Hole
While I'm glad The Quagmires and Widdershins didn't get likely killed off, I do think this was a little too happy, and frankly I didn't give a shit about any of the henchies besides Hooky and the one who should've died at the Hospital anyway. Also the sugar bowl shouldn't have been revealed.
I'm not gonna lie, this is definitely the weakest of the season, the pacing is waaaay too fast and it was hard to get much of a feel for the new characters. But the more realistic, less nihilistic end is better for the medium and everything else set in these confines, and the performances for what's given are the best they can be. This is definitely better than anything in the previous seasons...which is impressive considering the book was the worst...well besides The Bad Beginning.
Alright, my next post I make the rank, for now only by the 13 stories...I'll get it to the complete 25 at some point.
Edited by terlwyth on Jan 2nd 2019 at 12:41:36 PM
Alright.
From worst to best, now that it's done:
Overall:
13. Reptile Room
12. Bad Beginning
11. Wide Window
10. Miserable Mill
9. Vile Village
8. Ersatz Elevator
7. Austere Academy
6. Hostile Hospital
5. Carnivorous Carnival
4. The End
3. Grim Grotto
2. Penultimate Peril
1. Slippery Slope
As far as Jaqueleyn goes, her mother died and she left to become the Duchess of Winnipeg. ...I don't remember this in the book and don't know if this is something they're adapting or its an unexpected dropping a bus on them because they couldn't get the actress or something. I don't know. Its been a REALLY long time since I read the books.
Edited by InkDagger on Jan 2nd 2019 at 2:29:32 AM
Duchess of Winnipeg is a character from one of the tie-in novels.
Maybe you'd be less disappointed if you stopped expecting things to be Carmen Sandiego movies.
Visiting from the Hoag Galaxy
Jacquelyn's role is pretty much overtaken by Kit in season 3. Like...if Jacquelyn was present, Slippery Slope and Penultimate Peril would probably have changed quite a bit, what with an extra, very competent, volunteer being available and all.
It sucks, but since she was an addition to the show, there weren't many other options.
Edited by Zendervai on Jan 3rd 2019 at 3:17:42 PM
Not Three Laws compliant.
It just feels... so strange for her to just drop out. I liked the character too.
Speaking of actors, I like the performance the guy who plays Ishmael does. Right mix of grandfatherly and sinister.
Was it ever made clear whether Esme was a member of VFD in the show's continuity or not?
Song of the Sirens
I suspect that had Jacquelyn been around, all that would change is that she would get as ignoble a death as Larry in Peril—or, if she's lucky, a cutaway in The End.
For what it's worth, Sara Canning was off shooting a film during season three's production.
Edited by Wackd on Jan 3rd 2019 at 10:08:37 AM
Maybe you'd be less disappointed if you stopped expecting things to be Carmen Sandiego movies.
Jer gets all the girls
I am bizarrely just a tiny bit disappointed they didn't keep the conversation in the Slippery Slope where after deciding to trade Sunny for something Olaf loves, they try to work out what that actually is. And before they decide on Esme, they first think of money and fire, neither of which they can actually trade in this situation.
I may be remembering that bit in the books wrong but it amused the hell outta me okay and I kinda wanted to hear that conversation out loud.
Everybody's all "Jerry's old and feeble" till they see him run down a skyscraper and hijack a helicopter mid-flight.
The Dragon of the Eastern Sea
IT seems a bit cruel to tell the circus freaks that "you deserve better" and then they immediately get murdered.
Say to the others who did not follow through You're still our brothers, and we will fight for you
I mostly didn't get why they got murdered but the troop of Olaf got a pass.
The point is and always will be that you can't ever know everything or wrap everything up. It irritated people when it happened in the books so I'm not particularly fussed about it irritating people now. The ending continues to work for me personally, which is all I care about.
Maybe you'd be less disappointed if you stopped expecting things to be Carmen Sandiego movies.