The Decameron

The cast is fantastic and it descends into wonderful chaos. Just think of a Carry On series for a contemporary audience but without the jokes that haven't aged well. Gary Hale, Tanya Reynolds and Saoirse-Monica Jackson are standouts though the Tindaro character becomes irritating very quickly. I loved the queerness that develops and the opening credit sequence is brilliant.

I must admit, I was unsure of the first episode as it took me an episode to get into the humour. The series reminds me of Our Flag Means Death in that regard. If you are unsure of the first episode, go with it and the style of humour will make sense.

I think many have a lack of understanding what satire is. If you need a laugh track to have fun, this is not for you. I found the storytelling to be pretty smart and every episode is filled with twists and turns that keep the story interesting.

Obviously, this isn't historically accurate. It doesn't need to be and doesn't try to be, if somehow soundtrack made of 80's electro pop and punk hasn't made it abundantly clear already.

It's a study of humanity and well - inhumanity. The setting is irrelevant. It could've just as easily been placed in modern time. It's not like we haven't gone through a pandemic recently...

Anyways, personally I've enjoyed it. And you may as well. That is if you don't find it infuriating that characters are wearing wrong gowns, or speak English with an accent that you don't like, or whatever the negative critics say.

I am not sure why the show got such low grades. It has all it takes to make it interesting to watch: light humour, fast pace, caracter development, awkward situations... I mean yes, there is no end goal to it, as in there is no classic scenario, some things are bizzare and maybe illogical, but it all serves the atmosphere of a plague, and depicting the sense that the people must have had during those times - despair, hunger, pain, opportunism, but also sense of freedom, unimportance of social status, changing roles, and finally importance of love and friendship during difficult times.

The show depicts how in times of crisis people start behaving in different ways, and the results are sometimes bizzare, sometimes satisfactory.

Though not really a Decameron, it reminded me of Shakespeare's comedy plays, depicting quircky medival atmosphere. It definitely deserves higher grades.

There is no point in comparing this with Boccaccio's Decameron, as it has only really taken the idea and setting from Boccaccio. This is not setting out to be a serious adaption and is best not judged as such. The tone and humour may seem more in line with Boccaccio's contemporary Chaucer and The Canterbury Tales.

The humour is broad, but does hit the mark on occassions and the setting and costumes are certainly beautiful. The show features an international cast of well-known faces from some top comedy titles who cope well with the stye which is at times positively theatrical.

Just taken as a stand-alone production, separated from its illustrious literary predecessor, it has quite a lot to offer those just seeking entertaintainment who may have little interest in history or satire.

Just a fun show to watch in my opinion.

For historically accurate series, you might want to watch a documentary. This is very much not that.

I had a good laugh while watching this, knowing to not take it seriously.

Between all the current affairs and also the real documentaries that I watch, this show was a very welcome distraction.

Yes, it is simple humour and easy to follow, but that doesn't necessarily make it bad.

I feel the actors are all committed to their parts and make the best of the script they have. And they look to me like they are having good fun at it too. I don't think there's anything wrong with that! There are plenty of serious works out there. Avoid this if you are looking for that.