I decided to watch the British version through before taking a look at this, which was probably a mistake.
Instead of being gritty and interesting, the fugitives in the new version have a frothy high-school vibe, Jessica Hyde has lost the classy demeanour and the neurotic self-possession to become a thuggish brat, the personality of the child, Carl, has been watered down so that none of the powder-keg anger and rebellion springing from a childhood of neglect remains and the psychopathic assassins are nothing like as sinister, demented and quirky as the originals.
The British version demanded patience and intelligence from its viewers, while the American version dumbs-down the plot and serves up heavy exposition from the word go.
Even the bizarre and cryptic artwork from the original series, in which clues were buried, has now been transformed into a literal comic strip.
Instead of the moody and atmospheric soundscape of the first version, we now have pop music underscoring some of the transitional scenes.
This new version is glitzy and superficial where the original was stylish and deep.
Although the original version didn't conclude at the end of its final (second) season - and this one might eventually extend further to wind up the story - I'm not sure I can watch the rest of this, knowing how significantly inferior it is; I probably wouldn't have had as much of a problem if I'd only ever seen this predictably-Americanised remake.
If you only ever watch one of them, ditch this one in favour of the first.
