I am torn when it comes to this show. It is definitely better than your run-in-the-mill supernatural teen drama, but as an adaptation of Sally Green's novel (or rather series) "Half-Bad" it just doesn't work for me.
I didn't even know this show released, which is to blame on a) Netflix's lack or promotion (was there a trailer? Anything?) and b) the ridiculous change of the name. Hadn't I accidentally read the synopsis I still would be very clueless about this show.
Like I said, it's not your average teen drama, but it did it's best to add more stereotypical aspects that are thankfully absent from the book. Say, emphasizing the love triangle (though I admit tilt could've been worse).
Basic story beats still exist, but weirdly enough a lot of happenings are either missing completely, softened or in other parts turned up to 11. It makes not much sense.
The world-building is fine, though I am glad I knew beforehand how that special system of witchcraft works to get the full picture.
The show has a nice aesthetic that is very gloomy and melancholic but never feels too much.
I don't get certain changes to the characters to be honest. Annalise is much more prominent and less of a tool than she is in the book which is a welcome change, but her new powers are literally a deus ex machina overkill. Evil Uncle Soul is now Evil Daddy Soul with a different edge of superiority complex, but also less interesting. They managed to make Jessica is even worse on the show and one of the most hateable characters I've ever had the displeasure to watch (props to the actress). Unfortunately they also decided to cut out Nathan's more likeable siblings, Debby and Arran. Celia is softer and her relationship with Nathan becomes much more loving and supportive, which is something I enjoyed, but also takes away from the duality of her character and the fine line between good and evil. Nathan is kinda a wet blanket here. He's sweet and it's easy to feel for him and the actor is doing a great job, but gone is the sassy l emo boy from the novels. Gabriel is, like in the books, the most shining light among the characters. He's not the sweet cinnamon roll with some edge from the books, but an insanely charming rogueish flirt but somehow it works. His backstory and powers are also changed for...reasons I suppose. This leaves Mercury (where's Rose, y'all?) who is very boring and obviously just a set up as the next villain for the second season that will never come now.
The relationships or rather the main love triangle are okay-ish. Since Annalise got a bit of a character upgrade her relationship with Nathan feels more natural and is less annoying, but the real chemistry still lies between Nathan and Gabriel, who are great together. The end suggested some kind of triangle or maybe just poly-armorous relationship between all three of them (either Annalise was clueless about Nathan's and Gabriel's feelings, she just didn't give a shit or wanted to join in, who knows?).
I'm not surprised this didn't get a renewal. Netflix didn't do anything to get viewers in and the axe shows if they don't bring in the big viewership like a week after initial release (which is stupid, but a different topic.). The other issue is, book fans will most likely feel alienated by the many changes, especially since most of them are not needed changes to translate material better from page to screen, they're just there...because.
I'm not particularly sad about this cancelation though there was an untapped potential for future seasons that probably deserved at least one more chance to be explored.
Review by TinkaBlockedParent2023-01-12T13:21:30Z
I am torn when it comes to this show. It is definitely better than your run-in-the-mill supernatural teen drama, but as an adaptation of Sally Green's novel (or rather series) "Half-Bad" it just doesn't work for me.
I didn't even know this show released, which is to blame on a) Netflix's lack or promotion (was there a trailer? Anything?) and b) the ridiculous change of the name. Hadn't I accidentally read the synopsis I still would be very clueless about this show.
Like I said, it's not your average teen drama, but it did it's best to add more stereotypical aspects that are thankfully absent from the book. Say, emphasizing the love triangle (though I admit tilt could've been worse).
Basic story beats still exist, but weirdly enough a lot of happenings are either missing completely, softened or in other parts turned up to 11. It makes not much sense.
The world-building is fine, though I am glad I knew beforehand how that special system of witchcraft works to get the full picture.
The show has a nice aesthetic that is very gloomy and melancholic but never feels too much.
I don't get certain changes to the characters to be honest. Annalise is much more prominent and less of a tool than she is in the book which is a welcome change, but her new powers are literally a deus ex machina overkill. Evil Uncle Soul is now Evil Daddy Soul with a different edge of superiority complex, but also less interesting. They managed to make Jessica is even worse on the show and one of the most hateable characters I've ever had the displeasure to watch (props to the actress). Unfortunately they also decided to cut out Nathan's more likeable siblings, Debby and Arran. Celia is softer and her relationship with Nathan becomes much more loving and supportive, which is something I enjoyed, but also takes away from the duality of her character and the fine line between good and evil. Nathan is kinda a wet blanket here. He's sweet and it's easy to feel for him and the actor is doing a great job, but gone is the sassy l emo boy from the novels. Gabriel is, like in the books, the most shining light among the characters. He's not the sweet cinnamon roll with some edge from the books, but an insanely charming rogueish flirt but somehow it works. His backstory and powers are also changed for...reasons I suppose. This leaves Mercury (where's Rose, y'all?) who is very boring and obviously just a set up as the next villain for the second season that will never come now.
The relationships or rather the main love triangle are okay-ish. Since Annalise got a bit of a character upgrade her relationship with Nathan feels more natural and is less annoying, but the real chemistry still lies between Nathan and Gabriel, who are great together. The end suggested some kind of triangle or maybe just poly-armorous relationship between all three of them (either Annalise was clueless about Nathan's and Gabriel's feelings, she just didn't give a shit or wanted to join in, who knows?).
I'm not surprised this didn't get a renewal. Netflix didn't do anything to get viewers in and the axe shows if they don't bring in the big viewership like a week after initial release (which is stupid, but a different topic.). The other issue is, book fans will most likely feel alienated by the many changes, especially since most of them are not needed changes to translate material better from page to screen, they're just there...because.
I'm not particularly sad about this cancelation though there was an untapped potential for future seasons that probably deserved at least one more chance to be explored.