A Series of Unfortunate Events Season 1

A Series of Unfortunate Events is a children’s series penned by Daniel Handler under the pseudonym Lemony Snicket. The series is about the Baudelaire children who were orphaned when their parents perished in a fire. They were initially placed under the care of Count Olaf, who only wanted the children for their fortune. The season adapts the first four books, each divided into two, making it an eight-episode season.

The first two episodes, entitled The Bad Beginning, narrates how the children came into Count Olaf’s care, and the trick he plays in order to obtain the Baudelaire fortune. The Reptile Room has the siblings stay with Dr. Montgomery, a doctor with a penchant for reptiles. In The Wide Window, the siblings were sent to their aunt Josephine whom fears almost anything. The Miserable Mill has the siblings escaping Count Olaf’s clutches, and working in a mill while trying to find some answers. While the siblings are trying to run away from Count Olaf, a side plot is at play, with spies and spy work, raising questions that would be answered by the end of the season. 

The opening sequence is fantastic – it is bleak, but cheerful. The theme is very frank with what it wants you to do, but uses an upbeat tone to deliver its message. The same contrast applies to the set of the show; the bright and orderly setting is used as irony to the experiences the siblings would encounter. The bleaker and colder the setting, the more danger the Baudelaires encounter. 

The adaptation is done in a traditional manner, but inserted with light humor as to not make the whole ordeal too bleak. It even takes the terribleness of the events happening to the children and makes it captivating to continue watching the show. It also runs in its own universe, as there are references that are very modern, but there are parts that are dated. It even pokes fun about the actual show and its format. I read a bit about the plot of the books afterwards and this is a faithful adaptation. The author, Daniel Handler is a producer of the show; if there were deviations from the books, he certainly knows what direction he wants to take the adaptation in. 

The first character we encounter is the character Lemony Snicket, who also serves as the narrator. His prominent role in the show allows him to quickly disperse information, and at the same time steer the narrative to where it needs to go. Since the adaptation boils down to the gist of each book, his presence is a welcome addition to the narrative. Patrick Warburton delivers his lines with a resigned tone, and his demeanor warrants attention, so he doesn’t wash out in the background when providing information. 

Violet and Klaus were portrayed well by Malina Weissman and Louis Hynes. Each actor was able to put distinct personalities with their characters, and in turn, is able to contrast each other. While they both exhibit intelligence and rationality, Violet turns out to be the optimist of the two, while Klaus is a bit realist. Having two interesting and distinct characters as leads allows the show to play out its characters’ strengths and weaknesses, as well as grow while the story is ongoing. 

The characters introduced, or at least those that the Baudelaires mostly interact with are very active on the show. The guardians are unique in their own way – from their personalities, their interests, even their environments. Aasif Mandvi and Alfre Woodard gave wonderful performances as the guardians, each of them being distinct in their own way. The acting troupe plays a useful role in Olaf’s schemes. Mr. Poe, the banker in charge of the Baudelaires only makes his appearance when he takes and leaves the children, but even he stands as a metaphor. The most prominent character of all is the villain, Count Olaf, played by Neil Patrick Harris. I think he’s perfect for the role, as Olaf is a showman, and he seems to be the same. Being able to play someone pretending to be someone else is something that taps into his acting abilities. The makeup team does an amazing job in disguising Neil Patrick Harris; while he is still recognizable, the transformation adds to the perspective on how wicked the character is, but with Harris’ take, he still manages to add some pizzazz with his character. 

If not the one to binge watch, the episodes are best seen per book. The opening sequence alludes to the story of the book, so it’ll be easy to follow. The episodes wrap up nicely while adding to the mystery of the side plot, biding its time to come to fruition, or at least when it begins to intersect with the Baudelaires’ path. The first three books (six episodes) were solid episodes, and I don’t really prefer the fourth book, but it does serve as a wider opening to the organization that the Baudelaires have a connection with. I’m looking forward for the next season and how the narrative would go from there.