TV Shows and other addictive things

#CurrentlyWatching: A Series of Unfortunate Events

Kat Impossible39 Comments

I know it feels that way, because I am posting this rather late, but I did not forget about #CurrentlyWatching. Not at all! To continue this weeks theme of “literary adaptations not just for kids“, I want to talk about Lemony’s Snickets a Series of Unfortunate Events.

After the movie adaptation (which I really liked to be honest, but the world apparently found to be quite forgettable), I was a bit cautious about Netflix attempt at doing this in the shape of a show. Of course, considering that there are 13 books based on the fictional life of the Baudelaires alone, the format makes a whole lot more sense and I am glad I gave the show a chance (can someone already make me Netflix’ official hype girl? I’d be so good at it!). Each book is roughly 2 episodes long although some liberties have been taken with the material and the storyline starts to diverge from its source material at one point or another. Currently there is one season out, but Season 2 starts on March 30th. (Also, I believe Season 3 is already approved for 2019)

After their parents die in a terrible fire, the Baudelaire orphans have to maneuver a series of unfortunate events as they uncover family secrets and try to flee the grasp of the unrelenting Count Olaf.

When I was little, these books were my entire childhood. Thinking back, I can’t remember the plot in detail, but I know how excited I was whenever a new part was released, how stupid the adults were in that story and how that proved to be closer to the truth some days than I would have liked it to be. Also, I remember that I should have taken the title of the series more literal. There’s a difference between seeing the misery of characters during the course of a series and knowing that the information you get now is the last bit you will receive, whether you like it or not.

Following the same recipe, but with a couple changes (as I have mentioned above), the show manages to capture the sinister and gloomy vibe of the books, yet also the hope and love shared among the siblings. There has always been a certain style element to this franchise (a kind of Wes Anderson influence if you ask me) no matter which format they took on and I appreciate it so much. It always adds to the cinematography in my opinion.

Since this is so near and dear to my heart, I was really critical about it in the beginning. I am happy to say that it turned out great and that I loved the show, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t a couple of things that bugged me or surprised me at times. For one, I was really wary about Lemony Snicket having a face. This may sound strange, but for years and year the man was a shadow and to have him present in scenes and just face camera, took a second to get used to. I was pleasantly surprised by how well it worked. However, I am still on the fence about Neil Patrick Harris being Count Olaf. Don’t get me wrong, I think he’s a great person and actor, but something in my brain won’t shut up about this just being another one of Barney Stinson’s terrible stunts. Having that mental image always in the background just really changed my view of his character and sometimes it simply felt like Neil Patrick Harris’ own personality or Barney Stinson was overshadowing Olaf. Overall, I definitely think they did a great job with casting though (seriously, my favourite version of my favourite guardian, Uncle Monty, so far!). There are so many amazing actors and actresses that fit into the show just because of the vast number of possible cameo slots. I bet you will love some of the unexpected faces that pop up over time!

There were some real twists and turns I did not see coming and I enjoyed that different take on this story that has accompanied me for so many years. Somehow the show managed to add depth and backstory to characters I thought I already knew everything about. Oddly enough, it works across several age groups and isn’t just doom and gloom at all times. It has light-hearted moments and, just like the books, it can teach you a thing or two.

I adore so many of the characters in this universe, but it is always the kids who really get to shine. Violet Baudelaire was a role model of mine with her amazing invention skills and strong character. Sunny was always a bit of a weirdo, but gave way to direly needed comic relief and sass. In the end, it was always Klaus Baudelaire I related to the most though (as already mentioned in this post here).

He is the bookworm in all of us, even though I could never share his passion for reading anything as long as it is text. Manuals just aren’t my thing. Of course, he has his faults as well. He can be stubborn and a know-it-all, but he always has his family’s best interest at heart. It’s not easy having to be such a responsible person at a young age, but he manages to remain a truly precious person that you want to protect at all times.

I don’t know if my memory is failing me, but I also appreciated that the Baudelaires and especially Klaus didn’t just let life happen to them but actually fought back. Again, I could be wrong, but I have the sneaking suspicion that they were push overs for a bit longer in the books, which is understandable when you are surrounded by mostly idiots who don’t believe a word you say.

So, that’s it for today! Have you watched or read A Series of Unfortunate Events? Are you excited for the new season? Let’s chat!

39 thoughts on “#CurrentlyWatching: A Series of Unfortunate Events”

  1. I started watching the series and LOVE it. I agree that the casting is superb, and I’ve been successful with separating Count Olaf from Barney, although I was a little worried about it in the beginning. I’m ecstatic about that one twist and the larger mystery – I hope you can understand what I’m saying with that because I don’t want to spoil it. 😛 Uncle Monty is my favorite “side” character (Violet is my favorite overall), but I think Mr. Poe is so funny even if his oblivious nature has negative consequences. I’m going to have to start re-reading the series though, because I can’t remember if I actually finished it…

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    • Oh yes! I absolutely know what you are talking about and I found that it was so cleverly done!! And thanks for not spoiling it for anyone who might browse the comments 😉 I was really careful about avoiding those things in my post.
      Violet is an amazing character and I definitely get why she is your favourite! Uncle Monty is “only” my favourite guardian of the kids as I mentioned haha
      I don’t think I can reread those books ever. I am way too scared of my opinion changing about them if I do, but I really hope you have fun and I am sorry about the ending?

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  3. Hello Kat!!
    I LOVED this series which I also read when I was growing up. I think this was the first full series that I collected 🙂 That is awesome that A Series of Unfortunate Events now has a TV show (it’s about time, isn’t it!?) I did a double take when you mentioned that Neil Patrick Harris is Count Olaf (I KNEW that picture looked familiar- but I couldn’t recognize him at first in the old-person make-up haha :’) ) I can imagine how his Barney personality might overshadow Count Olaf’s character.
    Glad that you enjoyed this show!! I don’t have Netflix but now I am considering getting it just to be able to watch this 🙂

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    • The series format definitely works far far better than the movie, just because they really gave it the time that each book needed. There are changes, I don’t want to sugarcoat that, but they are definitely not bad changes.
      Hahaha you can always get the free test month and then cancel before Netflix charges you 😛

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  6. I have neither read the books nor watched this yet… I know, I know, but! I got the e-books today and I’ll definitely get to them sometime soon! Since I usually read the book before watching the movie/ show based on it, I’ll probably do the same here, but this sounds so promising! I’m thinking I’ll definitely give it a go after I read the books 😀 Great post! (yes, please become a Netflix hype girl :)) you’d be the best at it!!)

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    • First, sorry for not responding earlier! A couple of your comments seem to have landed in my spam. WordPress does that sometimes, it usually goes away by itself, but I still wanted to apologise for the delay. (I check my spam VERY rarely!)
      And wow, you have your work cut out for you. I am not sure how much I would enjoy those books nowadays, just because I really think I am too old for them. But I hope you will have fun and I will put you as a reference when I talk to Netflix about my possible future as their hype girl hahaha

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  7. Oh I like your topic this week! I actually really liked the Series of Unfortunate Events movie too- I thought it captured a lot of the essence of the books really well. I do really like the sound of how this was done- and 2 episodes for each book sounds good (especially because the film really left out a lot- not that I minded, like I said- it’s just nice to have more 😀 ) I loved these books when I was younger too (though I actually didn’t get to the end unfortunately) I’m so glad this turned out well!! Especially that it captured the mood! hahaha I can see why you’d have a problem with Olaf played by Barney- I think my brain will do the same thing! Really love the sound of this! (and actually was planning to watch this last year- and like so many things it slipped my mind- whoops!)

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    • I loved the movie when I was little. Totally wanted my hair done just like that Violet, but I am glad they are getting more time to really showcase what’s in this story by doing it in a series format.
      The Olaf-Barney-conundrum is still bothering me. Obviously Neil Patrick Harris is a great actor, but my brain just won’t compute on that particular part.

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  8. Oh my god this is a TV series I need to watch ASAP! I am a massive fan of the books, like you I enjoyed the movie as well (as far as book to film adaptations go it wasn’t a really bad one, I mean there have definitely been much worse ones out there that’s for sure) and I was thrilled to hear there was a TV show coming out. I was a little nervous when they cast Neil Patrick Harris as Count Olaf but from what I’ve seen in trailers he’s done a great job with the character.
    I know series two is being released soon so maybe that will finally get me to kick myself in gear and actually watch this one (also kind of exciting they’ve already approved season three for next year!).
    Great post Kat! 🙂

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    • I totally agree that ASOUE was among the better movie adaptations. To this day, I don’t understand why it is getting that much heat. They’ve really done a great job with the show though, so I hope you will love it!!

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  9. I’ve only read one or two books of the series when I was younger, but I’ve always wanted to watch the Netflix series. The first episode was very good, but I never continued with it.

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  10. Yay!!! So cool to see this show getting featured. I was pretty excited about this when it was first announced since I had read the books in French back in elementary!!! I did try and re-read them in English but only got up to book 2 since I didn’t have book 3!! And because of that I had to stop halfway through the show hahahah I have yet to complete this show. But it does sound awesome, the twists were quite original and hopefully the conclusion of it all will be great. 😀 Thanks for sharing, Kat!

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    • I actually have all the books in German at home, never quite got around to reading them in English and now I am way too scared to reread them just because I don’t want my feelings for them to change.
      So, do you plan on reading the books before the episodes or will you just contend yourself with the show alone?
      I am secretly still hoping for a better conclusion than in the books hahaha

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      • I have been telling myself that I will find book 3 (I already have book 4) and read those before completing season 1 but I have yet to run into them hahah I don’t know if I’ll succumb to the shows’ attraction, especially if season 2 drops, but I guess it’ll be completely impulsive and a last-second decision. For now I can control the urge since I’m already booked with a fck-load of shows to watch hahahah

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  12. Ahh I’m SO excited for ASOUE to come back for season 2! I’ll be honest, I adored the movie too, so thankfully the show is just as great. I did feel that in the books the Baudelaires were pushovers for a bit longer as well (but I could totally be remembering wrong, eek). Guess this calls for a re-read of the series, haha!

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    • I think if we both have the same feeling about the kids being pushovers for way longer in the books, then there must be some truth to it hahaha but have fun re-reading if that’s what you are going to decide on 😀

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  13. I feel so alone, because I didn’t read the books while I was a child, however I’ve heard a lot about it and saw the movie as well. I thought that it was quite good, even if I can’t remember any details about it, I remember really enjoying it whenever I watched it 🙂
    I haven’t given this show a chance just yet, but I have to admit that I’m very intrigued about it all… even if, just like you, I have this mental image of Barney Stinson that I just can’t get rid of ever and it bothers me every time I see this series’ trailer, haha. Anyway, I really need to give this show a try at some point. You should definitely be Netflix’s hype girl or something, you do that so well 😉

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    • Don’t worry! They were pretty huge, but I don’t think everyone has read them. I think you might enjoy the show if you are in the right mood. But Barney Stinson is super overpowering hahaha
      I wish Netflix hype girl was a real paying job. I’d ace it!

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  15. I am in love with the books as well as the tv show and I was very fond of the movie version. Like you I was also anxious about whether or not the tv show would live up to the hype, and I was pleasantly surprised!
    I dont know if you’ve read ‘Lemony Snicket: The Unauthorized Autobiography’ but I am just now currently reading it and I can tell that the Netflix show pulled much out from this book that is not in the 13 books. Don’t know why I havent gotten around to reading the autobiography until now!

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    • I am very glad you liked my post! Thanks so much for stopping by 😀
      And yes, I have in fact read the Unauthorized Autobiography. I was lucky enough to randomly find it at an airport when I visited the US. It was even on sale haha

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