Still Star-Crossed

It's interesting how certain reviewers (is it even released in Luxembourg yet?) are reacting negatively to the casting. It's a TV show based on a YA novel that used secondary characters from a play where all female roles were played by men. Mind you, Shakespeare borrowed heavily from other sources ("The Tragical History of Romeus and Juliet" and "Palace of Pleasure"), rewrote and adapted other writers' concepts, and his history plays are straight up Tudor propaganda. Oh, not to mention all of the in jokes and innuendos throughout his plays. I bet he'd be tickled that his play spurned a new tale AND TV show.

All that to say that I enjoyed the episode. While fast paced, it did do the job of establishing the conflict, introducing the players, and teasing just enough to whet your appetite.

I think the casting is phenomenal. So many talented English, Australian, and American actors. While the writing was clunky in bits, I do believe the actors elevated the material, which usually doesn't happen. The costuming is exquisite and so vibrant. I appreciate the attention to detail (although some costumes are a bit out of time, it's not too distracting, especially when so many get it right).

But truthfully, the star of the show is Salamanca (standing in for Verona). For a show set in one city, the fact it's filmed on location gives the scenes so much more power, authenticity, and depth that a sound stage would remove. You feel as if you're there with them walking the streets of this beautiful city.

I'm pleasantly intrigued by what is to come, and if the preview is any hint, it'll be explosive!

Some of these reviews are really mean. The show wasn't that bad, maybe dramatic yes but it is Shakespeare. I really enjoyed the romance in it and was getting into the mystery before it was cancelled. It wasn't my favorite show but it was still entertaining to watch another version or loosely based show of Shakespeare's. I think some take any version very seriously and may be upset if it's not exact. I didn't have a problem with it. Some reviewers were not a fan of the diverse cast. Everyone who is familiar with Shonda knows she doesn't cast based off race and appearance. You should expect a diverse cast from her, which is something I admire about her. She doesn't let race dictate her casting. One reviewer went as far as to say that the protagonist wasn't the most attractive, I don't know what they were looking at but I thought she was beautiful and even if she wasn't that's just very superficial and sad to expect the main characters to be drop dead gorgeous. But I know that's Hollywood's fault too. I know I personally want to see a cast with regular people, all shapes and sizes, that's just more realistic.

This is the show I've been waiting for, seriously. Not only because it explores the aftermath of one of my favorite Shakespeare plays, but because of the amazing cast! Just WOW WOW WOW.

The cast is beautifully diverse, the acting is absolutely phenomenal, the chemistry between the characters is literally to die for (pun intended).

And everything else about the show? On point. From the costumes and sets, to the dialogue, to the fight sequences? Just A+++, folks. I saw absolutely no disappointments in the premiere and I doubt I'll see many in future episodes.

Just please please please give this show a chance. It's worth it, I promise.

In reading some of the reviews, I was rather surprised by some of the snooty remarks about the racially mixed cast. Especially, given that all the actors did an extraordinary job. Truly, they exceptional in their respective roles. I am, however a HUGE Anthony Stewart Head fan girl. He was so very dreamy as Giles. The set, costumes, and cinematography were absolutely gorgeous. In my opinion, the script adaption was done rather well for a TV series. The only reservation that I have keeping me from becoming fully invested is it's uncertainty regarding staying in production. I never fully recovered from NBC's dick move in canceling Constantine, (seriously I truly hate them for that). That all being said, I do hope for it to become a regular, especially with Scandal coming to an end, I will need something from ShondraLand to appease my broken heart.

I love this. It makes no attempt to pretend that its some kind of historically accurate representation - costuming for example is all over the place! But the fact that the cast is diverse - and its not an issue, it just simply is - is really refreshing.

Still star crossed is the post Romeo and Juliet story, focusing on the Montague's and the Capulets in the aftermath of the teenagers' deaths. Rosaline and Benvolio are forced into an arranged marriage in an attempt to unite their families and as you can imagine, there is a rocky road ahead as these two figure out they actually DO like each other.

I've seen this show get some heat, which I don't understand. Its not the best thing on television. But its certainly not the worst. Its fun, its a period drama and thus far, the cast seem great.

I'm definitely watching.