The Shannara Chronicles - General Discussion

[waving feather]

Also props to who ever was playing the Changeling as a guard. There's just something fluid about the way the actor actress moves as if they're not quite bound by physics.

Right? I was mesmerised by that guard's movements. And how it was filmed. Very cinematic.

[Browncoat]

Allanon is not at all how I pictured him, but Wil is spot on. I also pictured the Elfstones as a much deeper blue.

The scenery, however, is gorgeous.

Also not impressed with Paranor and the Druid's Keep.

Edited January 10, 2016 by Browncoat

[Shermie]

Well, that's the trope I'm tired of, whether it's in books or movies. It's silly and unrealistic.

[Vermicious Knid]

I just got through it and thought it was uh, not great. I have read the books, starting with the original back in 1977 so no I'm not their target demo but I am a fan. Yeah, the book(s) focus a lot on young people saving the world but I didn't want to roll my eyes in disgust while reading it. These are bratty, disaffected teenagers out of Southern California, played by people who can barely act. Just because it's fantasy they don't have to speak Ye Olde English, but the modern American colloquialisms are out of control. They sound like they wandered out of a CW show by accident. I'll give them two things; they cast someone as Wil who looks like he stepped right off the book cover, and Allanon's cloak.

 

Apparently Terry's just fine with it. http://www.pastemagazine.com/articles/2015/07/terry-brooks-mtv-is-doing-the-shannara-chronicles.html

We had a frank talk upfront about what I was going to allow and not allow. I know it’s a different experience. I said, “Make it an adaptation. Feel free to experiment. You want to write some new characters? Write some new characters. You want to change the structure around?”

 

 

[Netfoot]

"You wanna add spaceships?  Fine!  Guest cameo by Dr. Who?  No problem!   Just keep the cheques coming, and you can do what ever the hell you want!"

[Gwen-Stacys]

This episode solidified for me that I could watch a show dedicated to Amberlee and Eretria and their growing friendship, tbh. Will can just show up every now and again.

[jay741982]

I'm not a fan of Will, but that could be residual dislike for the character that Austin Butler played on Arrow. Also not a fan of the love triangle that they seem to be developing between Will, Amberly and Eritrea. I don't see much romantic and/or sexual chemistry in that triangle. Actually, the only chemistry that I see is between Amberly and her blonde friend/servant whose name I forgot.

I've seen Chemistry between Amberle and Eritera. Add me to the UGH about a love triangle developing between them and Wil. I'm watching Episode 3 right now and rolled my eyes at Amberle checking out Will MINUTES after hearing her boyfriend was slaughtered. I actually said out loud "seriously MTV? She JUST found out her boyfriend is dead

[paulvdb]

You're right, there was some chemistry between Amberle and Eritrea. But for me it wasn't on the same level as Amberle and the blonde girl. But if they really have to have a love triangle I'd prefer it if they did one with those three girls and left Wil out of it.

[Crim]

Eritrea has lots of chemistry with Amberly. I mean, they've spent pretty much the entire show so far way inside each others space, usually with knives, or saving each others lives. It's like the show wants to set up a cliched enemies to lovers arc.

Which means they should focus the love triangle on her. Or, you know, have an actually triangular love triangle. Shocking concept, right?

Yep, saw it this episode too: Amberly and Eritrea could really be a valid option, in a "work with what you have" way. (Eritrea's scene when she was accused of attempted murder work better, and she is all "Oh, come on, Amberly, like I would try to kill you. What about our connection?", which was kinda funny considering each of their encounters ended up in threats of violence at the next meeting.) I don't think much of Will's actor as a lead - he seems like the funny sidekick - and Amberly's actress either makes weird acting choices or is still getting a handle on things. But... this is MTV and it's based on a book, so I really don't see it happening.

[that one guy]

This episode solidified for me that I could watch a show dedicated to Amberlee and Eretria and their growing friendship, tbh. Will can just show up every now and again.

 

So could I! I'm not exactly "shipping," but I think Eretria is just . . . interested in Amberle in more ways than one. Eretria really wants to defy her father figure and go off and do her own thing, something Amberle has done a couple times already in just three episodes. She's headstrong, self possessed, brave, noble, and Wil really digs her. Eretria trash talks her but secretly wants to be her. Or at least, Amberle is sort of a model of what Eretria could be like if she managed to win her freedom somehow. I get the feeling that a little bit of approval from Amberle would be just the thing to win Eretria to the cause.

[that one guy]

I don't see much romantic and/or sexual chemistry in that triangle.

 

 

I'm just gonna jump on the bandwagon and say I see a lot of chemistry between Amberle and Eretrea. From the show, I don't think Eretrea is that into Wil yet for his own sake - early on she certainly just saw him as a mark, if a pretty one. But I get the impression she really admires Amberle. Her repeated open defiance of her grandfather and uncles is exactly what Eretrea wants to do with Cephelo.

 

I really hope their relationship continues to get attention, because at this point I believe Eretrea would do virtually anything for approval from Amberle.

 

Also props to who ever was playing the Changeling as a guard. There's just something fluid about the way the actor actress moves as if they're not quite bound by physics.

 

 

Her name is Shushila Takao and you can find her on the internet in promotional videos talking about learning to speak Ancient Druid for the part. She seems absolutely lovely. I'm actually thrilled with the decision to cast someone in this role and not just use whatever actor she's impersonating all the time. 

In the book, the Changeling was a wasted opportunity, as it spent most of the novel disguised as Manx the dog. This way is way more fun.

[Crim]

Forbes on the first 4 episodes - not impressed and fair.

 

Sidenote, I wonder why some shows offer episodes in advance like this. Shannara is not the only one, but it takes the cake at 4 (well, really just 3 actual episodes). Watching them all just means having to wait those weeks until episode 5 airs.

[Kromm]

Forbes on the first 4 episodes - not impressed and fair.

 

Sidenote, I wonder why some shows offer episodes in advance like this. Shannara is not the only one, but it takes the cake at 4 (well, really just 3 actual episodes). Watching them all just means having to wait those weeks until episode 5 airs.

I kind of saw it as desperation after they realized they spent X million of dollars per episode then because they barely publicized it had nobody watch the first episode. Or did they stream all 4 right from Day 1? I mean MTV, Disney Channel, ABC Family/Freeform all do this kind of crap regularly now too where they'll release exactly one episode ahead as well... but 4 in total is a bit more than usual. So that was my thinking. It's a blunt kind of advertising for something they hope people notice that way--in the same kind of mood where they binge watch Netflix shows.

And if people stream the episodes from them (rather than just eventually bootleg download them) at least they can count the plays/impressions and pass that information on to their advertisers. That may be part of the thinking too.

[zxy556575]

I don't understand the reasoning for early releases, either. I mean, if a network makes several episodes available to stream, I will watch them but then it's five weeks or more until the next episode airs on TV and I will likely have (1) forgotten about the show entirely, or (2) lost the thread of the plot.

[Adira]

I know magic takes a toll on people, but seriously, I think I'd be willing to do something in front of all those annoying elves just to prove that I'm telling the truth.  It was a little annoying watching the King's son just deny the existence of magic when there's a Druid in the room!

[Crim]

Something is bugging me the more I watch the show. Eretria obviously wants to ditch her group, but doesn't because Cephalo would track her down. But how? (Do the books explain how some Rover guy could find someone anywhere in the world or is this a show-only thing that will never make sense?)

 

At the end, why isn't everyone riding - except for effect? Eretria and her guards being on foot slows everyone down and it's not like the elves didn't have enough horses. Are they so afraid she would manage to get away? Also, since she is a Rover, why won't get they just pay her to escort Amberle? They could even buy her freedom from Cephalo; they are the royal freakin' family, there is no way they couldn't at least try to offer him enough for her. Btw, couldn't the elven army just totally crush Cephalo's Rover group and/or force it into hiding if they really wanted to? Burn the forest to the ground around them, whatever. The world is at stake and a war against demons is incoming, so it's not like they have to give any fucks what they do to try to prevent it. I understand that the show doesn't want to go there, but no options are mentioned, and Eretria was not shown trying to milk this new situation at all.

[Crim]

I know magic takes a toll on people, but seriously, I think I'd be willing to do something in front of all those annoying elves just to prove that I'm telling the truth.  It was a little annoying watching the King's son just deny the existence of magic when there's a Druid in the room!

Yes, it went on for so long that I thought it was intentional. It was just odd, especially as he used magic to push some mook out of the way when he first entered the palace. The larger the magic, the more of a toll, and there's no way he couldn't do something minor but impressive. I guess the show really, really wanted these unbeliever speeches and father/son tensions.

[jay741982]

Goddamn Amberle moves on fast her boyfriend was just slaughtered and she's already on to Wil give me a break

[jay741982]

Eretria and Amberle could be friends but No apparently They both have to be into Will never mind the fact Amberle just lost her boyfriend and is eye fucking Wil minutes after hearing of his death. Oh that's right I guess cause of their shared Destiny BARF. I felt bad for her BF. Plus Eretria and Amberle hooking up would be hotter lol.

[that one guy]

It was a little annoying watching the King's son just deny the existence of magic when there's a Druid in the room!

 

That whole scene was annoying, not just because it was exposition, but because it was exposition of information we already have. In fact, it was largely a reiteration of the information in the two hour debut, in case you missed it, which you didn't because it's available free online.

[that one guy]

Something is bugging me the more I watch the show. Eretria obviously wants to ditch her group, but doesn't because Cephalo would track her down. But how? (Do the books explain how some Rover guy could find someone anywhere in the world or is this a show-only thing that will never make sense?)

I am going to answer this in the book thread because this is a no book talk topic.

[Jordan27]

I watched and am pretty much done. It just wasn't entertaining for me. Also, I was struck by the lack of diversity in the main cast. I don't get how MTV or any network expect to widen its young audience with this kind of casting given this country's changing demographic.

Yep, they needed to cast real elves.  They are so discriminated against.

[Jordan27]

I thought after two interesting eps that this slowed things down too much.  And yes, the slang terms from now were rampant and annoying. 

 

The King's court denying magic and everything we had seen was just a waste of time.

 

It is starting to remind more of the 100 than Lord of the Rings.  And that is not a good thing.

 

I'll watch a little more to see what happens.

[The Kings Foot]

It just occurred to me that Allanon does have a good reason for not going with our Teen Trio. From the Pilot   Dagda Mor can locate Allanon as he did in the 'Temple' .  Now that they think the Changeling is dead, if Allanon remains at Elf HQ there is  chance our Trio could get a headstart before Dagda realizes they're gone. Otherwise he'd simply track Allanon.

Edited January 18, 2016 by The Kings Foot

[MV007]

I thought after two interesting eps that this slowed things down too much.  And yes, the slang terms from now were rampant and annoying. 

 

The King's court denying magic and everything we had seen was just a waste of time.

 

It is starting to remind more of the 100 than Lord of the Rings.  And that is not a good thing.

 

I'll watch a little more to see what happens.

 

To be fair, the 100 is a TV show on the CW and Lord of the Rings was a major motion picture with a budget over 100 million.  So I was expecting the MTV fantasy series to looks a little more like the 100.

[MV007]

I'm actually enjoying the triangle and prefer Amberle and Wil.  Then again I'm a sucker.  And I don't know if you heard or not but Amberle never loved Lorin.

[justcris]

The 100 is pretty damn good though. If they get to that level I'll be very happy.

[Constantinople]

Goddamn Amberle moves on fast her boyfriend was just slaughtered and she's already on to Wil give me a break

 

A rolling elf gathers no moss.

[jay741982]

I'm actually enjoying the triangle and prefer Amberle and Wil.  Then again I'm a sucker.  And I don't know if you heard or not but Amberle never loved Lorin.

Triangles suck period!

[Jordan27]

To be fair, the 100 is a TV show on the CW and Lord of the Rings was a major motion picture with a budget over 100 million.  So I was expecting the MTV fantasy series to looks a little more like the 100.

Writing doesn't cost 100 million. 

The 100 is pretty damn good though. If they get to that level I'll be very happy.

Above average, but a lot of problems.   I would call it Apocalypse 90210.

[SimoneS]

Yep, they needed to cast real elves.  They are so discriminated against.

 

I would prefer that they reduce the quota that allows only white people to be hired for all the leading roles. 

Edited January 19, 2016 by SimoneS

[Sandman]

Yeah, no. George Martin gained prominence exactly because his books deconstructed fare such  as this.

 

Martin's dialogue is also far too modern, and when he tries to have characters speak in faux-archaic fashion, it's worse. Martin's books didn't succeed on the strength of their dialogue, or on his stylistic gifts.

Edited January 19, 2016 by Sandman

[MV007]

Writing doesn't cost 100 million. 

Above average, but a lot of problems.   I would call it Apocalypse 90210.

 

No it doesn't take up the entire budget but you are paying for Peter Jackson and presumably you are picking from a deeper pool of writers because you can spend more.  Never mind the original source material difference.

Edited January 19, 2016 by MV007

[Philbert]

 

I can only assume that you're not 14. If you're closer to 40, then you're not the target audience.

 

Thank God for that because 3 episodes I'm really beginning to actively dislike this show. Granted, I read the books when they came out (something, something years ago) but I find a lot about this production to be cheesy and annoying. The casting is really off-I love James Remar and all but he needs to stay away from material like this. He's just too uh, I don't know-21st century American male.

The three main characters...blech. Boring and stilted.

[Philbert]

 

It is starting to remind more of the 100 than Lord of the Rings.  And that is not a good thing.

 

Considering that the first Shannara book (which I see they've blipped over) was a direct rip-off of LotR-I'd say you were correct.

[Crim]

Taken the talk in the Compare/Contrast topic, which has zero posts right now.

 

That whole scene was annoying, not just because it was exposition, but because it was exposition of information we already have. In fact, it was largely a reiteration of the information in the two hour debut, in case you missed it, which you didn't because it's available free online.

Exactly! Redundant repetitive info dump scenes are even worse than dealing with a ton of exposition in the 2-episode worth pilot. It fills me with no confidence that the show won't keep doing it, whether it's actual info or character scenes that repeat interactions beat by beat. Also, yeah, I've watched episode 4, so I'm including that in the complaint.

[GaiusB]

I liked it. Even though GoT is more my cup of tea and i was totally bored by LotR. It share its traditional fantasy simplicity with LotR, but it is way more progressive story. Both female characters are relevant and they deal with the issues Tolkien ignored. Princess´s desire to belong to the traditionally male order or Thief´s desire to escape peril of abusive marriage is something that would fit into GoT well. It is often very anachronistic, but intentionally so for comedic relief similary to A Knight´s Tale. I like how Will is realistically more interested about naked princess and hot thief then about epic quest to save the World.

Edited January 20, 2016 by GaiusB

[CooperTV]

Amberle, Wil and Eretria must find common ground in order to survive the perils of their quest, which includes the nightmarish Reaper. In other events, at the palace, Ander tries to forge an unlikely alliance in order to find the Dagda Mor.

 

[blackwing]

Does the actor who plays the Surfer Elf wear lipstick? His lips are just way too distractingly red.

[lucindabelle]

watched 3 episdoes in binge last night but damn it was slow.

realize tht unlike downton abbey with silly plots but wonderful performances these actors were DULL. BLAND. OBVIOUS.

no subtext at all just straight exposition.

 

and im tired of the who,e 'DEMON SPEAKS IN LOW OVERMIKED VOICE' thing from sleepy hollow.

[Valid28]

I greatly dislike love triangles. I really hope they aren't going to try to play this one out for long, if so I am gone as a viewer.

[Jordan27]

I would prefer that they reduce the quota that allows only white people to be hired for all the leading roles. 

Evidently you haven't seen Empire, Sanford and Son, The Jeffersons and the Cosby Show.  It's not the 50's.

[SimoneS]

Evidently you haven't seen Empire, Sanford and Son, The Jeffersons and the Cosby Show.  It's not the 50's.

 

Like I said, all I want is for this show and most of Hollywood to do is reduce the quotas of "white people in leading roles only" or the invisible "whites only" approach to hiring actors for the leading roles. Down with the 1950s "separate, but equal" approach you are referring to here.

Edited January 22, 2016 by SimoneS

[lucindabelle]

sure but isnt it possible elves, like swedes, have a certain kind of coloring?

its tricky of course because you dont want to make all demons of color or something.

how wide ranging are elves anyway?

 

i wonder if the "set in future" thing is going to matter.

 

are the books better than this clumsy series? no spoilers, just wondering cuz premise is mildly interesting but show moves too slowly for me.

[that one guy]

I would prefer that they reduce the quota that allows only white people to be hired for all the leading roles.

 

Although Manu Bennett's mother is white, he would be surprised to hear himself described as white - his father is Maori. But point taken, I recently re-read "Elfstones" with my son, and realized there was absolutely nothing suggesting that Eretria should be played by a light-skinned actress. In fact to the extent her skin was described, it was consistently referred to as darker than Will's. I ended up envisioning her as being someone of South Asian descent. But it's amazing to see Ivana Banquero all grown up, I love Pan's Labyrinth so, so much. And for that matter in my mind's eye Allanon was Idris Elba. Who also might have been a decent Evantine! So there were options to diversify the cast, definitely. But I think they chose their leads pretty well, and they could easily have cast white actors for Allanon and Commander Tilton, and didn't.

[rogueprinzess]

I'm actually enjoying the triangle and prefer Amberle and Wil.  Then again I'm a sucker.  And I don't know if you heard or not but Amberle never loved Lorin.

 

I agree that I think Amberle and Wil are better suited - simply because Wil needs someone to help him find purpose for his new-found powers in a way that will actually benefit the world with the war that's coming. She seems to challenge him to be better thus far. While Eretrea is easy on the eyes (and in other things), that does not a good companion make. I do feel somewhat for Eretrea because her background sucked, but she's an adult now and her continuing in a life of crime is truly her own selfishness and fear. Will needs neither of those traits in his life right now. But who knows, maybe this journey will help her grow. But...

 

I greatly dislike love triangles. I really hope they aren't going to try to play this one out for long, if so I am gone as a viewer.

 

I too despise triangles. They're nothing more than a cheap trope used to polarize fan looking to start flame wars. I'm fine with Wil not getting into his OTP at such a young age, but for the love of all, please make him decisive. If he's all about Eretrea and her "assaulting" techniques, then stick with that and keep the moon eyes in check. The demon tree told Amberle specifically to keep her mind on the mission and leave the drama to someone else. It was fine if she started liking Wil, but now that she knows that he's knocking pointed shoes with Eretrea she should shake it off, keep her jealousy in check and move on with the saving the world.

[Vermicious Knid]

Whomever came up with Dude, Where's My Elfstones is so right. Even though the protagonists of most of the Shannara books are teenagers and we would probably call them YA now, they were never this vapid and pouty on the page. Does MTV thinks Millennials only want to see pretty, brainless people?

[Ravenya003]

Count me in as someone else who's here for Amberle/Eretria. Hey, I got my wish when it came to Korrasami. 

 

So far I'm enjoying this as silly fun, and as a casual fan of the novels, I like the way they're expanding on some elements but generally staying close to the spirit of the book.

 

It took me a trip to IMDB to realize it, but the actress playing Eretria is the little girl from Pan's Labyrinth. Wow, time flies. 

[Jordan27]

Like I said, all I want is for this show and most of Hollywood to do is reduce the quotas of "white people in leading roles only" or the invisible "whites only" approach to hiring actors for the leading roles. Down with the 1950s "separate, but equal" approach you are referring to here.

Sorry, but no quota system exists. 

[JTMacc99]

Whomever came up with Dude, Where's My Elfstones is so right. Even though the protagonists of most of the Shannara books are teenagers and we would probably call them YA now, they were never this vapid and pouty on the page. Does MTV thinks Millennials only want to see pretty, brainless people?

Well, probably, but I think it could also be just the starting point for this series.  As it goes along, I think there is a good chance that the characters will be less "pretty brainless people" and more of a representation of the ones from the source material.

 

I mean you see this in character driven shows all the time.  The first few episodes tend to have actors feeling out the characters and how they are going to interact with the others.  I'll give it a chance to sort itself out before I give up, which I will do if they stay to MTVish. I'm WAY too old for that.

Edited January 25, 2016 by JTMacc99