Die Schlange von Essex

Sssssssslithers along at a snail's pace, and after 3 episodes I'm not sure -- nor is the show itself -- sure of what it wants to be. I think (?) it could function as a standalone suspense/ supernatural "Penny Dreadful"-ish movie. Only because there doesn't seem to be enough material for each episode as is.

First class production with Tom Huddleston and Clare Danes. A glimpse back to how life was lived before the modern age where life was lived around rumour and superstition. Religion versus science arguments against/for the serpent. Great acting and as mentioned Clare's English accent is spot on, although her hair colour is weird.

Started off well with a smooth flow of anticipative suspense and possibilities. Then it quickly regressed to absurdity where logical actions cease to exist. Not referring to idiotic superstitions nor content of plot. It had promise but 3 key events clearly exposed either lazy or imbecilic writing. It's incomprehensible that the key characters are unaware of all the signals of sexual tensions amongst the group. It's outrageous to even conceive the urgency to fornicate in wide open public view when one had just departed, and inches away, from a possible serious witch hunt crisis. Lastly, it's just nonsensical to earnestly reveal one's most protected vulnerability in a crime encounter when the perpetrator could have had been simply satisfied with his original demand instead of the victim's futile dramatics of defense resulting in the unnecessary. The series ended with an emotional feeling summation of what I would term, rubbish illogic.

I watched the first 2 released epis of The Essex Serpent (on AppleTV). Set in Victorian England (circa 1893?) around London and Essex, the show is superbly shot and acted. Danes does a good job affecting an English accent, and I forgot about it after the first 5 or 10 minutes. This show may not be for everyone, as it is slow-paced and a bit moody/dreary. However, if like me, you like period pieces that do a great job with its setting, then this one might be for you. It's based on a book I've never read or even heard of. There's bit of Vicky era science going on here, both medical and paleo, with a touch of theology and superstition of the time (and maybe a bit of politics as well). The Serpent of the tile is sort of a Nessy type. (although heard it's not seen in the first 2 epis)

I'm really not sure how I feel about this story but it isn't happy. I love period drama, I'd never heard of this, just found it and thought it looked good. I watched all six episodes today.

The score was beautiful, the cinematography and the costuming were wonderful. It was visually so pleasing no matter in the London slums or on the Essex marshes. I feel like some of the overview shots of the marshes were really marvelous.

I'm a fan of all the main actors: Posey, Danes, and Hiddleston and I feel like they did their best with the material. Posey was soooo underused though.

The story was so awful. It started out great but other reviewers have pointed out how implausible the relationship issues become in episode 4. By the end of the birthday party you pretty much know everything that will happen ... and it does. The story falls into predictable Victorian tropes and I feel really let down. In some ways, I finished it because I wanted to know what happened because I was hoping it would surprise me. It did not and the ending was wholly undeserved.