Theodosia

Several other reviews on this site seem to take umbrage with the fact that this show is "on the wrong platform," almost as if they were expecting some adult show with swearing and blood and guts and gore; as if they were expecting that just because Eloise Little is an alumna of His Dark Materials that this show was somehow going to BE His Dark Materials.

Spoiler alert:

It's not.

I don't want to call it a "kids' show," because I feel that term is a bit derogatory. To me, when I think of "kids' show," I think Sesame Street or Zoboomafoo, which this is not (though it still has more in common with Zoboomafoo that it does with Game of Thrones). This is more what I'd consider an "all ages" show, with teens and tweens being its target audience, but it being complex and engaging enough to entertain older viewers - obviously, since I've been watching it and enjoying it, and I'm an adult.

This show is like the perfect meeting place of Young Sherlock Holmes and Magic Tree House, with a touch of a modern single-cam sitcom. It has the feeling of an easy-reading chapter book, which - although I have not read them - I assume the Theodosia books fall into this category (similar to the Enola Holmes books, which another reviewer likened this to). This show is fun, fresh, and easy to watch. The acting and production value are superb. Though the choice of 2000s funk akin to X-Men: Evolution is admittedly an odd choice for underscore, it's not one I entirely dislike.

I wrote this review because I wanted to counter the notion that just because it wasn't what you were expecting that that means it's bad, or that anything short of Theodosia lopping off a bad guy's head is poor television. And furthermore, if it wasn't what you were looking for when you were scrolling through HBO Max because you assume HBO Max is the TV-MA platform, why would you spend the energy to leave a bad review for a show that wasn't meant for you? Can't we review a show based on its merits, not based on whether or not we thought it was a good fit for HBO Max?

I understand this show is meant for kids, but as a 20+ years old, I found myself really enjoying this series.

The story was quite intriguing and the characters were pretty well written (loved Theo and Safiya's relationship throughout the episodes).

Not to mention the amazing costumes and sets used for this show.

Of course if you expect a series for young adult, then is isn't it.

10/10.

A really good kids' series, with talented young actors and a great set. Surely it wasn't easy creating such quality and premium content during a pandemic so congrats!

Ps: this show does fit in the HBO max FAMILY landscape, a kids content does not necessarily mean Disney+ !

I started watching Theodosia because I'm passionate about Egypt's rich history, but I found myself deeply frustrated by how the show portrays the removal of Egyptian artifacts.

I understand it's a fantasy show, I think it could have been more responsible in handling these sensitive issues. For me, it was impossible to keep watching knowing my country's cultural treasures were depicted as something to be casually taken without question.

Not to mention, this actually happened in real life, when English colonizers took many artifacts from Egypt. Everyone knows the British Museum is full of stolen artifacts from all over the world, yet the show acts as if this behavior is acceptable. It was disappointing to see a lack of sensitivity around such an important issue.

Feels like a preteen WB or Disney show but more enjoyable. Writing and acting is not consistent, not that the actors are bad, just seems like they did everything in one take. They did seem to pay more attention to the costuming/cinematography/special effects, than anything else.

If you're looking for something fun to watch, where you can turn off your brain, this is it.