Quick thoughts on Dresden Files

[fenchurch]

I've been really pleased with how hard the Sci Fi Channel has been pushing this show... I've seen ads during 24 and various other shows (most importantly, they were advertising on networks other than the Sci Fi Channel). The other thing I noticed was that they got some decent advertisers for during the show, too. Always a good sign. Although... is anyone else as freaked out as I am about the frickin' AARP using a *Buzzcocks* song in their commercials?!?!

Oh yeah... now *that* was good.

About 20 minutes into it I finally managed to stop comparing the show to the books... because I was starting to dwell on it a bit too much and it was distracting. However, taken as its own entity that shares a basic premise? Fantastic!!! The reservations I had about the actor cast as Harry were completely unfounded -- he had always rubbed me the wrong way in the roles I've seen him in... and he has the sort of accent that, well, always seems fake, even though it's not. So I was really worried about him being able to pull off the right sort of accent for Harry, but he definitely rose to the task. He sounded and looked like Harry.

I quite like who they got to play Murphy, as well as the changes they've made to her character (because in the books, I've only recently started finding her very sympathetic). And Bob is quite well done, although nothing like I was expecting -- I can certainly see why they've gone the direction they have with his character. It'll be interesting to see what they're going to do with Harry's background in the show, too, because it's obviously quite different...

And was that Harry's Uncle at the end, getting into the car? I need to go back and watch it again to be sure. I thought Bob had mentioned Harry killing his uncle, so it confused me.

I sort of miss the pentacle necklace, and I wonder why they changed it. I can see the practical reasons behind not having the Blue Beetle and in not having Harry fritzing out every electronic device he runs into. Although, now that I think of it, he told Murphy he needed her to make a phone call... so I'm guessing, maybe, he can't use a cellphone? Also, no MacAnally's... at least not yet.

The plot of tonight's episode wasn't bad, either. A bit of a mystery to solve, even if it was fairly simplistic. There was a lot of background to cram into a single episode, not leaving a whole lot of time for story... though I thought the two flowed well together. although I'm sincerely hoping we don't see the moptopped kid again. They're okay in small doses but are show-killers if they're around with any regularity.

Looking forward to the next new episode!!

Oh, and a big thank you to beanbeans for the fantastic Dresden Files icon!!!

Comments

[magista.livejournal.com]

I'm with you on the cute kid syndrome. I made pretty much some of the same observations on my own journal here (http://magista.livejournal.com/133470.html).

I hope they aren't planning on making that diner a stand-in for MacAnally's... though I can see that lighting a dark pub would pose more difficulties than it might provide atmosphere.

I like the choice made for Bob.

Don't know if you've seen it, but "Should I Stay Or Should I Go" is being used up here for a cold med commercial.

::needs to make Dresden Files icons::

[nutmeg3.livejournal.com]

I watched the 11 PM airing, and...I dunno. I think it's going to be a "fine if I catch it but it won't matter if I don't" show for me. I haven't read the books (and haven't even listened all the way through to JM reading the first one - I'm just not an audiobook person), so maybe that would have helped, but this just didn't grab me. Though I can't help feeling I might have been grabbed if JM had the part. The guy they cast bugs me. He looks like a long-faced Robert Picardo (I think that's the guy's name - I know him from China Beach, but he's in SG1, too, I think) and that kind of creeps me out for some reason.

[spikesleman.livejournal.com]

I watched Dresden, too. I had to consciously avoid making comparisons between the series and the books because the changes they made annoyed me so much. I think the show will grow on me. I remember JM saying he couldn't play Harry because he wasn't tall enough. Pffft. Considering the changes they made, they should have just made Harry shorter. *grin* Of course, JM might not have wanted to do another TV series involving the supernatural.

Oh well, I think it's got possibilities.

[queenofattolia.livejournal.com]

Well, I've just watched the first ten minutes, and all I can say is: what an incredible Marsters simulation! It's like they decided against Marsters as Harry or Eric or whatever this guy is called, and then went about to find the one slightly younger actor who is most like him so as not to alienate all the Marsters-as-Harry fans. This makes no sense at all. Blackthorne doesn't look all that much younger, he's not very tall and he's not a very good actor (a little too soap-opera-y for me), so why not use the actor everyone wanted? This seems excessively contrary. It's not like Marsters would have commanded a huge salary or anything.

[kazzy-cee.livejournal.com]

Well the main reason would be that James didn't want to move to Canada, so he didn't even audition. Blackthorne is a LOT taller too - he's well over 6 feet.

[kazzy-cee.livejournal.com]

I'm looking forward to seeing these. I have the first book as an audiobook, but somehow I've never got around to listening to it, so I'm relying on the books which I read a long time ago now. We only have to wait until mid Feb. until we get to see it in the UK, so let's hope they don't cancel it!

[petzipellepingo.livejournal.com]

And was that Harry's Uncle at the end, getting into the car? I need to go back and watch it again to be sure. I thought Bob had mentioned Harry killing his uncle, so it confused me.

Yes, it was and the way it was set up could make you wonder if he was the boss of the skinwalker. And maybe Cute Kid was going to be a substitute for young Harry who Uncle never got.

[mommanerd.livejournal.com]

I really liked it. I haven't read any of the books, and have only heard snippets from the audio books, so I really didn't know what to expect.

The atmosphere was creepy and the hour sailed by. I'm looking forward to more (plus the actor sounded a lot like JM.)

[redeem147.livejournal.com]

That was Harry's uncle, played by Daniel Kash, formerly of Due South.

I was somewhat underwhelmed by the show, though I like Paul Blackthorne, so I'll give it another chance or two.

[acristleo.livejournal.com]

I long ago came to peace with JM not being Harry since it was something that he didn't want to do. I was happy enough with the actor that they did get. Bob really threw me off at first, but I think that I'll like the direction.

Overall I was entertained but not over-excited. I will keep watching and hope that they bring in more of the elements that I enjoy from the books.

[jerusha]

I'm not terribly attached to the books, and I was ready for the TV show to digress, which meant that I ended up really enjoying it. I don't think it'll be must-see TV for me, but since I like BSG, and it's on right before, I'll be watching it.