The whole thing seemed too familiar. A protagonist who is a lone wolf, with authority issues and personal problems. Prone to excessive risk-taking and getting personally involved in the cases. Is always right even though nobody (since everyone else is incompetent) believes her at first. It's all a little tired. The series was stocked with great actors doing their best with what they're given, especially Friel in the lead. The just could have been given more. There's a lot of outlandish twists and turns, and it's slightly iffy that they're using Marcella's mental problem a bit like a gimmicky plot device. However, this could have been an enjoyable murder mystery romp, had their chosen the right tone - not so dark and slow- and had their streamlined it of all the unnecessary side characters and plots. Why isn't anything 3 neat episodes anymore?
The first season was a brilliant adaptation of Atwood's brilliant book. The 2nd season, however, shows that they're off the source material. This is still better than so much else, but the sophomore slump makes it all the more frustrating. It is still exquisitely crafted and acted, and they do have decent writers. But they now seem to be blinded by the accolades (or money?) and want to drag the series on forever - apparently without quite knowing what new to say, or where to take the story. The 1st season showed Atwood's genius in building the world, atmosphere, characters and story with such efficiency and effectiveness. The 2nd season, however, brings little new to what already was. The story (and character traits) keeps resetting, the pace is often glacial, and a lot of time is spent with unnecessary flashbacks. It's understandable to now expand from Offred's POV, but this is not used well. Things that were told in jarringly curt - and therefore impactful - sentences in season 1 (e.g. what happens in the Colonies, or how Ofglen's pre-war fleeing attempt was aborted), are now spelt out in tediously drawn out sequences (many of which I fastforwarded). If only this had been condensed to, say, 5 episodes, as a preface to season 3 (assuming they'll then move on with the story). Now, it's just too much of everything; of trying to manipulate the audience feelings. Everybody speaks and does things very slowly and sparsely. Elizabeth Moss emotes in countless extreme closeups. Darkness, bleakness, torture. And women crying; goodness, so much of women crying! It almost felt like a parody towards the end - which is a terrible result, considering how horrific the subject is. The protagonist has also become a problem. Part of her appeal in the source material is how she's anonymous, one of many, could be any one of us. Passive and timid, and thus relatable. Now, it feels she's being built into a Chosen One, out of the blue. SPOILERS: Bizarrely, dozens of unknown people risk their limbs and even lives just to help Offred escape. Not the other Handmaids, not the taken children, and pointedly not themselves. Why her then? She hasn't even asked for help, just passively sulked around with a jutting chin - and chooses actually not to escape, twice. All the while Offred and the other main characters are protected by an unbreakable plot armour - and their hazardous behavior exposes that they know it. They survive everything, and make implausible comebacks after misdeeds that would behead anyone else. This shoots holes in the story logic, and lessens the feel of dread. I can only hope the writers find their own voice with season 3.
An excellent adaptation of Margaret Atwood's classic novel. I always appreciate seeing something that's not dumbed down for the audience. Not in the choice of source material, nor in the way it's brought to us. This requires a bit of brainwork by the viewer, and that's refreshing. The series treats the source material respectfully, while hitting all the right notes for a TV series. The pacing works; there is time to let everything sink in and create a tangible feel of dread, yet the story moves along relentlessly. The cinematography, soundscape and overall design is exquisite. So is the cast, led by the astonishing Elizabeth Moss. There are some small updates made in the series, but they just make it all the more chilling. It's depressing how timeless the novel is: how things can go really wrong at any time, when there are ruthless people with a zealot ideology (regardless of which one), good manipulation skills and weapons at their disposal.
