Amph I've Seen the Light! Netflix's Shadow and Bone

Haven't seen a thread on this so I figured I'd create a new one. The series was actually released over a year ago, but I've only gotten around to watching all eight episodes now. I've never read any of the novels; never really heard of them at all. It's a pseudo-fantasy/Sci-Fi with a diverse cast of characters. It only came up among my recommendations because it features some interesting female characters front and center. The first few episodes feel like they drag on a bit, but as things get more clearer you really look forward to the next episode to see where things go.

Personal favorite characters are Inej and Kaz. Kaz is the type of character I could picture myself cosplaying as at a local con. He's the one with the cane in the picture.

 

Can't deny they're all fine looking people.

 

I liked this show but my wife who read the books wasn't as enthused. Apparently there was a second series following different characters at a different time and the show mashes the two series together.

Another example of "don't read the source material until after you see the show"

 

I've read that a second season is in production, and apparently it is based on the second book.

 

Very good show but as most of things Netflix now, got forgoten about a month after its release, just like Unbeliveable, Umbrella Academy and let's be frank SquidGame as right now.

 

Yeah the first series is a trilogy and the other series is a duology called Six of Crows. The show combines thier plots which I'm totally fine with.

 

I definitely like the "Crows" characters more than the army people.

 

I found this show ... okay. Wife and I made it to the end...but never really grabbed us. I thought suffered just a tad from the "everyone is super beautiful and young". Which is almost distracting, and something that occurs on like YA shows.

If they made another season, I might tune in. But I wouldn't be anxious for it. (Unlike His Dark Materials Season 3 that I need to see like yesterday)

 

All new shows typically involve younger people. They can't all be The Golden Girls.

 

That's not what I meant. And you know that.

 

Whatever you meant, we can agree to disagree. The cast was still relatable IMO; and the dialogue was smooth and..."real world", if you will. A far cry from some other shows that don't need to be mentioned in this thread, where the dialogue just feels too chalky and scripted. Talk about distracting.

 

I enjoyed it more the further I got in the show. I think the first episode has some very clunky dialogue (or perhaps it's the delivery, I'm not sure), but once I got used to it I found it pretty engaging.

I thought all the cast were good, and I'd contrast this with Fate: The Winx Saga, where I felt the lead actress was much better than her contemporaries on the show, which helped make it a painful watch. By comparison I'd find it difficult to pick a standout from the core cast of Shadow & Bone.

 

I read Six of Crows which was good character-wise and for world building, but it just did not punch as it went along. The assassin girl was the most interesting character but she was relegated to sidekick. I did like this show though and I liked their addition to it.

 

I haven't bought any tickets for the con yet, but I've noticed that a few of the cast members, along with author of the novel the show is based on, will be at NYCC this October.

 

My last post in here mentioned the cast was going to be at NYCC, but I didn't get the chance to go to that event.

The new season will begin next month, and Netflix released this new trailer today.

 

A Six of Crows show

I did not watch the first episode of the new season yet but it is out today.

 

Yeah I will likely start binge-watching this show sometime soon.

 

I liked season 1, watched it late. People said it made some improvements from the books. Hoping season 2 is good as well.

 

Episode 1 down. Basically a re-intro episode. A bit choppy. Needs more Amita.

 

Interesting season. If anyone here has read the books too I’m interested in their take. It seems they’ve done a 180 on the ending.

I enjoyed the season overall, though

Spoiler

the Nina/Matthias subplot didn’t progress, or Matthias at all, he could have been cut this season

Alina deciding to go though with marrying the “privateer” prince/king, and Mal leaving to take his place, seemed too much of a U-turn. I’m good with it, but it seemed condensed, could have maybe foreshadowed a little more.

The Saint in Shu parted with her sword a bit too easily after they discovered her ailing husband.

It does make retroactive sense that Mal was an amplifier, that he did die and they didn’t try that cheat code which probably wouldn’t have worked… and even though she did bring him back, it was definitely a cost, both emotional and apparently spiritual/magical/moral.

Also, I think Kaz made a stupid mistake to go after Pekka Rollins so hard, especially with the son and the begging, but let him just go to prison. He should have foreseen the problems that will probably cause.

It’s also curious how Aleksander / the Darkling died, I expected both him and his mother to make it to season 3. Or there to be something like a horcrux to destroy first. Same with the destruction of the Rift. With both the Darkling and the Rift gone, which I expected to last more than 2 seasons, I’m curious if this new drug will be enough to fill that void, along with Alina paying the price and becoming both shadow-summoner and queen and any friction with her new husband Nikolai (also, they proved he was caring and good, but wish there was more time to develop his relationships with both Alina and Mal when still a privateer). Though that scene was terrifyingly amazing at the coronation/wedding at the end, basically blood-bending.

Poor Genya. I hope she finds peace and new love.

 

The evil red wizard in the new D&D movie was also in the season one cast of Shadow and Bone.

 

If all new shows involve younger people, shouldn't the following sentence be "Not even one can be The Golden Girls?"

 

I said "typically" for that reason.

 

I've just started watching the first few episodes of the new season. It's so refreshing to watch a live action show like this with characters and dialogue that are easily relatable. I watch each episode looking forward to the next one. And each episode is just about an hour long.