This review is based on the first season of the show.
The pros:
The season starts off strong. Great horror, a perplexing mystery, lovely visuals and really well-rounded characters make the first two or three episodes very compelling. Full of horror, suspense and plot twists, the first few episodes are captivating. The writers weave the stories of "Frankenstein", "Dorian Gray" and "Dracula" very well together.
The strongest aspect of the show is its characters and actors. Eva Green is amazing as Vanessa Ives, and really shows off her versatility. All the other actors are great as well, really shaping the characters and bringing them to life. All of the characters are written three- dimensionally, and they are what made me stick with this show despite its disjointed and somewhat chaotic plot lines.
The sets and costume design are beautiful, and they really capture Victorian London and the dark mood that accompanied Gothic literature.
The cons:
The middle few episodes are too slow-paced and although they add depth to the characters and their relationships, nothing interesting ever seems to really happen plot- wise until episode 6 or 7. The mystery of the show is just lost.
What really annoys me, though, are all the unexplained plot threads. Although some mysteries are left better unsolved, like Sembene's origins, season 1 just had too many unresolved threads and some frankly ridiculous deus ex machinas. Although it's supposed to create mystery, after a few episodes it's just irritating that no explanations are ever given for anything.
Chandler just happens to know how to do an exorcism? And no one wonders how Vanessa miraculously recovered? And how does he just suddenly turn into a werewolf? Oh, and he isn't suspicious at all when Frankenstein says, "I'll take care of the body"? Sir Malcolm suddenly isn't hesitant in killing his daughter? What happened with the murders of the mother and child in the pilot?
I hope all of these issues are resolved in season 2 because honestly, the first season finale was very unsatisfying.
The overall tone of the show is very dramatic in terms of dialogue and atmosphere, kind of like the feel of Lord of the Rings (but more gruesome). In "Penny Dreadful", sometimes the dialogue is amazing and wonderfully thought-provoking, but other times it's just grating and unrealistic.
All in all, season 1 was mediocre but I'll stick around for the second season because I hope it solves the mysteries of the first.
The pros:
The season starts off strong. Great horror, a perplexing mystery, lovely visuals and really well-rounded characters make the first two or three episodes very compelling. Full of horror, suspense and plot twists, the first few episodes are captivating. The writers weave the stories of "Frankenstein", "Dorian Gray" and "Dracula" very well together.
The strongest aspect of the show is its characters and actors. Eva Green is amazing as Vanessa Ives, and really shows off her versatility. All the other actors are great as well, really shaping the characters and bringing them to life. All of the characters are written three- dimensionally, and they are what made me stick with this show despite its disjointed and somewhat chaotic plot lines.
The sets and costume design are beautiful, and they really capture Victorian London and the dark mood that accompanied Gothic literature.
The cons:
The middle few episodes are too slow-paced and although they add depth to the characters and their relationships, nothing interesting ever seems to really happen plot- wise until episode 6 or 7. The mystery of the show is just lost.
What really annoys me, though, are all the unexplained plot threads. Although some mysteries are left better unsolved, like Sembene's origins, season 1 just had too many unresolved threads and some frankly ridiculous deus ex machinas. Although it's supposed to create mystery, after a few episodes it's just irritating that no explanations are ever given for anything.
Chandler just happens to know how to do an exorcism? And no one wonders how Vanessa miraculously recovered? And how does he just suddenly turn into a werewolf? Oh, and he isn't suspicious at all when Frankenstein says, "I'll take care of the body"? Sir Malcolm suddenly isn't hesitant in killing his daughter? What happened with the murders of the mother and child in the pilot?
I hope all of these issues are resolved in season 2 because honestly, the first season finale was very unsatisfying.
The overall tone of the show is very dramatic in terms of dialogue and atmosphere, kind of like the feel of Lord of the Rings (but more gruesome). In "Penny Dreadful", sometimes the dialogue is amazing and wonderfully thought-provoking, but other times it's just grating and unrealistic.
All in all, season 1 was mediocre but I'll stick around for the second season because I hope it solves the mysteries of the first.