Talk:A Discovery of Witches (book)/@comment-30796761-20190522015153

I'm not sure if there is a designated page for the TV series but I've just finished it and have critiques clawing at me to get out. For fans unaware, this series is new, thus far there is one season consisting of 8 episodes which exclusively adapts the first book. It can be watched now both in the UK and US on BBC, AMC, Sundance, Sundance NOW (Sundance's streaming service) and Amazon Prime Video.

Considering that the novels are in the first person from Diana's perspective, I was fascinated and impressed by how well that was expanded in the TV series to incorporate other perspectives that were less direct in the novels (i.e Nathaniel and Sophie's quest to find Diana and Matthew's trip back to the academy when his lab was robbed).

The overall plot, however, is heavily watered down to just the basics which deprives us of a lot of the creature lore and character substance and history.

The most major example is La Peirre. It wasn't half of the turning point it was in the book. Satu was supposed to have put Matthew's character appopriately to question and Diana was supposed to have come out of it not only far more injured but heavily traumatized.

It entirely omitted all introductions to the possibility that Diana and Matthew can concieve children such as Marthe's tea and Matthew's tender paternal nature via the trick or treaters and tremediously simplified her spellbinding (i.e through the absence of her panic attacks).

I'm also salty that Rebecca's letter had been omitted. I liked the house's flashbacks but it wasn't enough of an alternative.

The casting was a lot better than the plot adaption with the exception of Ysabeau who is too old. She's distinctly discribed as looking too young to have adult children, about 35 at most.

I was skeptical about the casting of Matthew but have found Matthew Goode's delivery of the mannerisms and attitude as well as his chemistry with Teresa Palmer quite fantastic despite that the French origins of the character are reduced to a vague form. He hardly uses his distinctive French phrases (i.e one of the most common ones is 'Mon Dieu' which I believe is 'My God!' and we get but ONE 'Ma Lionne') and endearments for Diana and the actor's native British accent is unadjusted.

Palmer...I've really got no criticisms there. She's pretty much what I pictured of Diana and it's not her fault that the character was written as less emotional and some of her powers are missing so far such as her visions and blue fingers.

I'm really looking forward to the next season.