David Joseph (Erilivion)

Visually impressive, but otherwise garbage. I think the showwriters have missed something core and essential in this adaptation and tried to turn it into some sort of cash cow. Of course, I'm thinking of the novels as I write this because they are utterly brilliant, and the show falls short of that in every regard. The acting and scripting are overall very lacklustre. Ruth Wilson's portrayal of Mrs Coulter is easily the best thing about this show, but even she is a bit off the mark. The scripting is cheesy and full of cliches. The show seems to strain itself to create emotional impact and a sense of epic proportion, yet fails to do either, and in the process destroys the integrity of both the storytelling and the character portrayals. I found myself rolling my eyes in exasperation at important scenes in the show, whereas the corresponding scenes in the novels had me gasping, laughing, crying, and biting my nails. In my opinion, the chiefest problem with this show is its pacing. In the novels, this is expertly done, with gradual revelations of the subtext and meta-story that keep you interested without ever revealing too much, so it remains surprising all the way through as the world and the stakes progressively expand. Also the information that comes through in character dialogue is phenomenal, believable, and properly set into each scene, and each character speaks from within their own knowledge and experience. The effect is evocative and spellbinding. On the other hand, the show reveals the story's secrets far too quickly, as if it's in a rush to exhibit all its mysteries, and everything seems to be happening all at once. It destroys the suspense and intrigue. The character dialogue feels forced and flimsy, and the characters all seem like narrators rather than people in the midst of their circumstances who are talking from within their own experience. I do not recommend this show at all. It has managed to take the magic out of what is otherwise a magnificent and subtly-crafted masterpiece.