The Dresden Files
A few thoughts on the new Sci Fi Channel series based on the series of novels by Jim Butcher:
I wasn’t too sure about it at first. The plot seemed iffy — any story dependent upon our sympathy for a small child makes me suspicious. But one scene won me over completely: a circle of creepy Raven men surrounds the young boy-in-peril. One of them offers him a can of whipped cream, for his banana split. Because even if you’re a supernatural creature, the best way to keep the kid you’re protecting happy is to give him ice cream. It was so incongruous and wacky, I loved it. And those nictitating membranes? Very, very cool.
I like Harry, I liked the way the episode revealed his childhood in small slices, building up a mystery and leaving me wanting more. So yes, I’ll be watching again. But I do hope the plots get a little more interesting. It would also drive me a little less crazy if they used some actual folklore instead of just making stuff up. But that’s just me.
Prime said,
Wrote on January 23, 2007 @ 12:36 am
I like seeing a series that is willing to branch out of “actual folklore” and build its own world; it lets me enjoy the process of discovery, rather than critiquing the “right” and “wrong” of magic that’s fictional anyway. The trick, as always, will be seeing if they can maintain self-consistency.
Carrie said,
Wrote on January 23, 2007 @ 3:39 pm
Inventing its own world/magic is fine, but when I hear “skinwalker,” there’s a very specific set of real-world folklore and assumptions attached to it (Navajo witches who wear animal skins in order to shapeshift into that animal). I would prefer they invent their terminology as well. As it is, I feel like it’s the writers saying, “Oh, no one will notice. Our audience is stupid.” That’s what drives me crazy.
Prime said,
Wrote on January 23, 2007 @ 4:45 pm
You make a good point with the name issue. Maybe the writers will give us a nod and explain to us “why all those other fairy tales got it wrong.”