Ben1777

So far I'm into episode 4. Ep1 was indeed a bit boring, as has been said by others. But you'll get to the end. In Ep2 the story begins to unfold. Don't expect a masterpiece in originality or story telling or camera work or dialog or anything really. All the 10 star reviews are just not objective, but neither are the 1 stars. Taste may be a bigger factor here than in other shows, because the story is nothing new, but it is done in a somewhat original way as a mix of horror (not much of it really), drama, and comedy (childish/quirky /silly, like in many k-series), and it may just suit you or it may not. It's harmless k-comedy-drama at its core in a zombie setting. Why not. The characters are a bit generic and could use more depth, but I do care about the main parts. And I wonder how the story continues, and what becomes of them.

So all in all, a solid 7. After Ep4 I raise to 7.5. Fine with me for a few hours of escapism.

I must confess, I have little interest in poetry and literature. I have never read a single poem by Emily Dickinson, and if I recall correctly, I've read only about 10 poems in my entire life. But this show made me see that poetry is a deeply human art, perhaps the most deeply human of all. What language can do, beyond its practical use in daily life, is truly magical. I wonder if language evolved first as a poetic tool, and only later as a means for communication.

The show itself is well done in every regard. The actors are great, Jane Krakowski deserves a special mention in my opinion for her whacky, lovable and funny portrayal of the devoted "frugal housewife". So many laughs in her scenes. The writing is simply perfect, suited to the subject.

What I especially like about the production of the show is its use of anachronistic language and music. This is done often in period pieces, but also often so poorly it hurts (like in Buccaneers, which just drowns in its overdone modern elements). Here, anachronistic dialog is used to make the historic setting *more* relatable, without erasing its unique qualities. It uses modern language to transfer familiar feelings into the historical context, making it immediately accessible while adding a comedic touch to the scene.

In my opinion it's never overused (as in aforementioned Buc...), never used without purpose, always thoughtfully crafted with a clear intent. The same applies to other elements like dancing and modern music. It doesn't try to "be cool" to appeal to a younger audience. It simply is cool, with these elements always appearing at just the right moment in just the right dose.

The way they've woven her poems into the storyline is brilliant. It's touching, and for someone like me with limited knowledge of poetry in general and Dickinson's work specifically, quite educational. My only criticism would be the final episode, which to me felt somewhat anticlimactic. It felt like it was cut short. Shame there will be no season 4.