There was enough to keep me interested here, but I am getting a little tired of shows from this time period. They need to do more to stand out. 10 minutes of excitement and the remaining 40 was just so-so.
6 Reviews
We must all follow our passions
bosporan13 May 2022
A fabulous establishing episode, drawing the motivations, battle lines and setting the context seamlessly. The key characters are introduced naturally and we learn a lot about them and the panic descending on the Essex marshes.
Very well done, the serpent tempting us into the second instalment.
Very well done, the serpent tempting us into the second instalment.
Strange but well done
moviesfilmsreviewsinc11 June 2022
The Essex Serpent is the latest offering from Apple TV+, starring Claire Danes (Homeland) and Tom Hiddleston (Loki). Set in Victorian Britain, this period drama, based upon the Sarah Perry penned novel, revolves around recently widowed Cora Seaborne as she hunts for a mythical sea monster in the foggy marshlands of Essex, England. This enticing premise is introduced in "The Blackwater," an intriguing premiere that helps set the tone for this six-part series and teases many mysterious still to come. Our historical setting is captured in a beautiful, otherworldly establishing shot as the camera towers over the misty marshes below. A girl repents her sinful ways in the muddy waters, whilst her sister Naomi watches on from the safety of the shore. Ripples in the water and the girl's ghastly screams indicate a monster beneath the surface, rushing towards its next victim. Feeding into the fears of the era, the locals believe a flying serpent, possibly an analogy of the devil, has taken one of their own and is haunting the marshlands. Quickly the coastline becomes a circus of hearsay and rumors, with tourists flocking to witness the creature in person.
Contrasting with the rural home county landscape of Essex is the hustle and bustle of London, again presented with some striking location choices, which helps immerse the viewer further into this Victorian setting. Cora, played by Claire Danes, sits at her husband's deathbed, with servant and confidant Martha (Hayley Squires) by her side. Mr. Seaborne refuses to be operated upon and swiftly dies. Wife Cora doesn't shed a single tear and no one in the household seems particularly moved by his passing, which is all addressed later in the episode. Beautifully shot and considerately made, this adaptation may be slowly paced, yet it hints at lots of drama to follow. The gothic and occult tendencies add an extra originality to proceedings, as this feels like the type of show that hasn't really been represented much before.
Contrasting with the rural home county landscape of Essex is the hustle and bustle of London, again presented with some striking location choices, which helps immerse the viewer further into this Victorian setting. Cora, played by Claire Danes, sits at her husband's deathbed, with servant and confidant Martha (Hayley Squires) by her side. Mr. Seaborne refuses to be operated upon and swiftly dies. Wife Cora doesn't shed a single tear and no one in the household seems particularly moved by his passing, which is all addressed later in the episode. Beautifully shot and considerately made, this adaptation may be slowly paced, yet it hints at lots of drama to follow. The gothic and occult tendencies add an extra originality to proceedings, as this feels like the type of show that hasn't really been represented much before.
Tom Hiddleston can do no wrong.
judy-19219 May 2022
The dp and the set designer should get every award possible. Knitwear - gorgeous.
I'll get to Tom Hiddleston in a minute.
The cast is divine - with the exception of that little doctor. He almost sucks the air out of whatever scene he's in but the other actors are so strong, they stop every scene he's in from going under.
But Clare Danes- what a nightmare. Just as I wrote this, I got an image of that jack-o-lantern grimace she made at the first dinner table scene with Tom H and his family when she was trying to be whimsically challenging or adorably contentious. She's says something like " So you don't believe in pro- gress?". Her accent is hideous and her scene chewing is almost unbearable to watch.
But I will continue to watch this show - each episode over and over - so that I can look and listen to god's gift to mankind- Tom Hiddleston.
He's a very fine actor . I saw him on stage in " Betrayal" and I've seen every movie he's made. I could go on and on but I won't. I'll just say it's impossible to take my eyes off him when he's in a scene - for many, many reasons. He is , quite simply, the most charismatic, talented in even more ways then he's given credit for, magnetic and gorgeous man on the face of the earth. He's just stunning- in so many ways. But his sex appeal, warmth, humor and intelligence just jumps off the screen and the stage and hits you in all the right places.
I'll get to Tom Hiddleston in a minute.
The cast is divine - with the exception of that little doctor. He almost sucks the air out of whatever scene he's in but the other actors are so strong, they stop every scene he's in from going under.
But Clare Danes- what a nightmare. Just as I wrote this, I got an image of that jack-o-lantern grimace she made at the first dinner table scene with Tom H and his family when she was trying to be whimsically challenging or adorably contentious. She's says something like " So you don't believe in pro- gress?". Her accent is hideous and her scene chewing is almost unbearable to watch.
But I will continue to watch this show - each episode over and over - so that I can look and listen to god's gift to mankind- Tom Hiddleston.
He's a very fine actor . I saw him on stage in " Betrayal" and I've seen every movie he's made. I could go on and on but I won't. I'll just say it's impossible to take my eyes off him when he's in a scene - for many, many reasons. He is , quite simply, the most charismatic, talented in even more ways then he's given credit for, magnetic and gorgeous man on the face of the earth. He's just stunning- in so many ways. But his sex appeal, warmth, humor and intelligence just jumps off the screen and the stage and hits you in all the right places.
Very strange
the_nephilim7115 May 2022
Okay Victorian piece.
pegasus-6705024 May 2022
I'm a sucker for Victorian-era settings as well as Tom Hiddleston but his lack of performance sucks. The only good performances I've seen him do are Loki, Thomas Sharpe and Prince Hal. Everyone else in this episode, even the villagers were more memorable than his portrayal as an 'emotionless priest.' Maybe he will be more of an actual character in the next episode. Besides him, the episode was alright Slow but intriguing .👌
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