I truly enjoy Mike Flanagan's shows. And this is another great one. It's original, surprising and leaves you thinking. It's uncomfortable in a good way. The way the story slowly unfolds and reveals its twists is pure fun. And I loved how this series is "based on" the book that was written by the main character in Hush. These details make his worlds feel rich and engaging.
But: it is a challenge to sit through the repetitive and long-winded monologues. When Erin was dying and just kept going on and on, it made me wish she'd die faster. When Bev would relentlessly quote the bible to justify her bad behaviour, minutes at a time, during like six separate instances... the point has been made. We already understand who this character is and what her influence is in the community. I think the pacing of this show would have benefited from stricter editing and a shorter runtime.
Bly Manor suffered similarly, where the same sentence was repeated ad nauseam. I want to fully adore these shows, but the shows telling me "You don't get it yet! Listen to me waxing poetic until it has TRULY sunken in" grates on my nerves. Touching on something once or twice is enough for an audience to grasp it, it doesn't need to be spelled out at such length. It makes me feel like the show thinks I'm stupid.
It kinda reminds me of how Stephen King and George R. R. Martin started out as lean and impactful authors, and then once they achieved great success, have been allowed to publish writing with minimal editing. Which has led to increasingly bloated and aimless series in their oeuvre, such as the Dark Tower.
I hope mr. Flanagan will course correct just a tiny bit. He's so excellent at what he does, has created some truly iconic imagery and storytelling. But while writing dialogue, I feel a couple more darlings need killing.
But: it is a challenge to sit through the repetitive and long-winded monologues. When Erin was dying and just kept going on and on, it made me wish she'd die faster. When Bev would relentlessly quote the bible to justify her bad behaviour, minutes at a time, during like six separate instances... the point has been made. We already understand who this character is and what her influence is in the community. I think the pacing of this show would have benefited from stricter editing and a shorter runtime.
Bly Manor suffered similarly, where the same sentence was repeated ad nauseam. I want to fully adore these shows, but the shows telling me "You don't get it yet! Listen to me waxing poetic until it has TRULY sunken in" grates on my nerves. Touching on something once or twice is enough for an audience to grasp it, it doesn't need to be spelled out at such length. It makes me feel like the show thinks I'm stupid.
It kinda reminds me of how Stephen King and George R. R. Martin started out as lean and impactful authors, and then once they achieved great success, have been allowed to publish writing with minimal editing. Which has led to increasingly bloated and aimless series in their oeuvre, such as the Dark Tower.
I hope mr. Flanagan will course correct just a tiny bit. He's so excellent at what he does, has created some truly iconic imagery and storytelling. But while writing dialogue, I feel a couple more darlings need killing.