If I had not read the novel, I would probably be fine with this ending. The show’s ending is admittedly a kinder one than the book’s but it lacked the punch the novel had. Maybe they did that to leave room for a possible second season but there is just no need.
They should have stuck to the book. Despite it no answering the question of whether Jacob truly killed Ben or not, it still came to a conclusive end. In the book, Hope turns up dead, Laurie saw little red spots on Jacob’s bathing suit. She is very shaken by the whole thing and that is what drives her over the edge. And despite being tragic as hell, it makes sense because Laurie knows that Jacob will probably do it again, so she ends it. Changing it was a disservice to her character.
I know it’s frustrating not to know whether Jacob killed Ben or not but people need to remember that wasn’t the point of the book/show. Defending Jacob explores how far someone would go for their family, and is it more important to stay a good parent or a good citizen. The show puts the characters first and the mystery second, caring more about the themes than who did what.
Overall, it was a pretty solid show. While the writing was sometimes weak and generic, the acting (four great performances from Chris Evans, Jaedan Martell, Michelle Dockery and Chris Evans' beard) and direction really saved this series.
Review by cutecruelBlockedParentSpoilers2020-05-29T17:32:41Z
If I had not read the novel, I would probably be fine with this ending. The show’s ending is admittedly a kinder one than the book’s but it lacked the punch the novel had. Maybe they did that to leave room for a possible second season but there is just no need.
They should have stuck to the book. Despite it no answering the question of whether Jacob truly killed Ben or not, it still came to a conclusive end. In the book, Hope turns up dead, Laurie saw little red spots on Jacob’s bathing suit. She is very shaken by the whole thing and that is what drives her over the edge. And despite being tragic as hell, it makes sense because Laurie knows that Jacob will probably do it again, so she ends it. Changing it was a disservice to her character.
I know it’s frustrating not to know whether Jacob killed Ben or not but people need to remember that wasn’t the point of the book/show. Defending Jacob explores how far someone would go for their family, and is it more important to stay a good parent or a good citizen. The show puts the characters first and the mystery second, caring more about the themes than who did what.
Overall, it was a pretty solid show. While the writing was sometimes weak and generic, the acting (four great performances from Chris Evans, Jaedan Martell, Michelle Dockery and Chris Evans' beard) and direction really saved this series.