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Tuesday, July 25, 2017

Midnight, Texas...my thoughts on episode one (spoiler-free)

Midnight, Texas
Mondays at 10/9cNetwork: NBC
Executive producers: Monica Owusu-Breen, David Janollari, Niels Arden Oplev, Mark Hentemann
Genres: Drama, Supernatural
Based on Charlaine Harris' book series by the same name, "Midnight, Texas" follows the lives of the inhabitants of a small town where the concept of normal is relative. A haven for vampires, witches, psychics, hit men and others with extraordinary backgrounds, Midnight gives outsiders a place to belong. The town members form a strong and unlikely family as they work together to fend off the pressures of unruly biker gangs, questioning police officers and shades of their own dangerous pasts.

Series cast summary:
François Arnaud ... Manfred Bernardo
Dylan Bruce ... Bobo Winthrop 
Parisa Fitz-Henley ... Fiji Cavanaugh
Arielle Kebbel ... Olivia
Jason Lewis ... Joe Strong
Peter Mensah ... Lemuel Bridger
Sarah Ramos ... Creek
Yul Vazquez ... Rev. Emilio Sheehan
Bernardo Saracino ... Chuy Strong
Joanne Camp ... Xylda
Joe Smith ... Mr. Snuggly

I'm gonna have to give this one some more episodes before I can decide how I feel about it. Having read the books works against the TV show. I need time to let go of my preconceived ideas and embrace this new version. My biggest problem is, with the exception of a few, that the characters look nothing like they do in the books. I have nothing against the TV show versions, I just can't reconcile the changes yet. Especially with the lead character Manfred. In the book, he's a skinny, young, bleached haired guy with lots of piercings. Readers met him in Charlaine Harris' Harper Connelly Mystery Series. The one change I do like is the new look of Lem...he's one sexy vampire now!
Another problem is the information dump. It took two books for the reader, and Manfred, to discover the supernatural side of the residents of Midnight. They are a very private and protective bunch. But in the TV version, it is all revealed in episode one. Book one opens with Aubrey's death, and that holds true for the show. Of course, I know who did it, but I am curious to see how this version of the story will progress.

I was surprised the writers brought up the big bad evil under the town. In the books, the characters didn't know why they'd been drawn to Midnight until book three when they started putting things together.

I'm gonna have to give the show a few more episodes before I decide if I will continue watching. I'm torn between wanting the writers to stay as true to the story as possible and wanting them to change things up enough that fans of the books will have some surprises.

So, what did you guys think? I'm curious what people who haven't read the books think of Midnight, Texas.

8 comments:

  1. Ok if this is a repeat sorry. I have not read the books so I'm in.

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  2. Okay, I'm in too. I haven't read the books.

    I've been burned though. I read all of the Sookie Stackhouse books and was a True Blood devotee until THE END. I liked that True Blod diverged around season three or four and kept things interesting and ended up being more satisfied by the TV series than the books. I mean. Sam? Really? Unacceptable.

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    1. Everyone is upset about the ending to the Sookie books. I agree...Sam? WTF? The Midnight books had a satisfying ending...fingers crossed for the TV show...it's just too early to tell if the story will be intersting. Episode one was all about introducing the characters.

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  3. After the shocking differences between the Sookie books and True Blood, I was more prepared and accepting of differences this time. It was actually a little bland for me and I felt that some of the character changes were unnecessary. It appears that they dump Chuy after the first episode (he was a blink and you'll miss him in this episode), I wonder if Joe will be straight now. Not only did I read the books, but I've listened to them many times in Audible and I was very disappointed in Mr. Snuggly's voice.

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    1. lol! Mr. Snuggly...can't believe they used him. I'm sad about Chuy too. I loved him and Joe together. Since the whole episode was learning about the characters there was no room for plot advancement. So I will give it a few more episodes before I decide...

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  4. I like it, but I had to let go of pretty much everything about the book to do so. I understand why they amped things up for the show. They needed to make it flashier, sexier, and more dramatic to draw people in. The books were slow, mysterious and more a study of the characters than an action packed drama. If they stuck with the book version the show probably wouldn't last.I found the show to be different and entertaining. I'm eagerly awaiting to see where they go with everything they introduced in episode one.

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    1. You're absolutley right...I guess I was hoping for more mysterious. Trying to figure out each character and what they might be was an aspect of the book I loved. But if the TV show writers can pull off great character dynamics and dialogue, then I'll be happy :)

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