This television adaptation of Joe Hill's novel NOS4A2 is one of the most interesting strategies I have ever seen taken in adapting a novel to the screen. While it generally works more than it doesn't, it also sets up far more than it pays off in terms, which can make this first season seem quite strange.
For a basic overview, this show tells the story of Vic McQueen (Ashleigh Cummings), a teen who has the special ability to conjure up a magic bridge (literal and figurative) to take her places she needs to get too. This talent puts her on the radar of Charlie Manx (Zachary Quinto), a Wraith-driving figure who absconds with children and promises them an eternity in "Christmasland", a supposedly magical place but in which lurks an evil underbelly. With only the help of fellow psychically-talented individual Maggie (Jahkara Smith), Vic must try to stop Manx from seeing his nefarious plan to fruition.
The most interesting part of NOS4A2 is how it so uniquely chops up Hill's book, yet it still mostly "works" (or at least could/should in subsequent seasons). The narrative structure here plays out completely different from the book, yet features the same characters and themes, for the most part.
The setup (first 2-3 episodes) is especially good. The characters are all strong and well-acted, there is an air of mystery/magic afoot, and many interesting themes are introduced. Even some of the little details, like Olafur Olafsson's Bing Partridge character perfectly nailing his literary counterpart, are often spot-on.
The biggest problem here, or perhaps more of an oddity, is that I don't think I've even quite seen a show that plays so much towards future seasons. Perhaps the show runners had a commitment from AMC for multiple seasons, but usually a show has to pull out the "big guns" right away in order to even stay on the air. Here, from about the middle of the show onward, it is clear that many of the actions and character arcs are purely setup for Season Two or beyond.
For example...
-Despite teasing Christmasland basically all season long, no resolution is given in that realm. It really is only even glimpsed once, and a very short peek at that. -Manx's motivations are very interesting (is he truly a monster, or does he believe he is saving these children from abusive families?), but only paid lip-service in S1. -Even some of the big events surrounding Vic's storylines are put in place only to be paid off later down the road.
As such, NOS4A2 was both a unique and an odd viewing experience. I'm not used to such longform storytelling, so perhaps this is the type of show that can't be evaluated until its entirety has played out. Overall, though, I solidly enjoyed watching these episodes and will have no problem diving back in whenever the next season drops.
For a basic overview, this show tells the story of Vic McQueen (Ashleigh Cummings), a teen who has the special ability to conjure up a magic bridge (literal and figurative) to take her places she needs to get too. This talent puts her on the radar of Charlie Manx (Zachary Quinto), a Wraith-driving figure who absconds with children and promises them an eternity in "Christmasland", a supposedly magical place but in which lurks an evil underbelly. With only the help of fellow psychically-talented individual Maggie (Jahkara Smith), Vic must try to stop Manx from seeing his nefarious plan to fruition.
The most interesting part of NOS4A2 is how it so uniquely chops up Hill's book, yet it still mostly "works" (or at least could/should in subsequent seasons). The narrative structure here plays out completely different from the book, yet features the same characters and themes, for the most part.
The setup (first 2-3 episodes) is especially good. The characters are all strong and well-acted, there is an air of mystery/magic afoot, and many interesting themes are introduced. Even some of the little details, like Olafur Olafsson's Bing Partridge character perfectly nailing his literary counterpart, are often spot-on.
The biggest problem here, or perhaps more of an oddity, is that I don't think I've even quite seen a show that plays so much towards future seasons. Perhaps the show runners had a commitment from AMC for multiple seasons, but usually a show has to pull out the "big guns" right away in order to even stay on the air. Here, from about the middle of the show onward, it is clear that many of the actions and character arcs are purely setup for Season Two or beyond.
For example...
-Despite teasing Christmasland basically all season long, no resolution is given in that realm. It really is only even glimpsed once, and a very short peek at that. -Manx's motivations are very interesting (is he truly a monster, or does he believe he is saving these children from abusive families?), but only paid lip-service in S1. -Even some of the big events surrounding Vic's storylines are put in place only to be paid off later down the road.
As such, NOS4A2 was both a unique and an odd viewing experience. I'm not used to such longform storytelling, so perhaps this is the type of show that can't be evaluated until its entirety has played out. Overall, though, I solidly enjoyed watching these episodes and will have no problem diving back in whenever the next season drops.
