The Shannara Chronicles

As someone who has read almost every book in the Shannara series multiple times, I can understand why there is such an uproar about this show being picked up by MTV. However, after last night's two hour premiere I found myself very excited about this series. Now for a quick breakdown of what I liked and disliked:

The Bad: As this is an MTV series, it is VERY geared toward the young adult audience. This much is apparent right off the bat. Now while this is a slight "con" for me as I am no longer a young adult, it could certainly be conceived as a "pro" for those young adults who strive to watch more on their favorite TV channel than pregnant teens and gyrating pop stars. That being said, there were some very cheesy conversations and "Twilight-y" moments, but not enough to be overwhelming.

The Good: The Shannara Chronicles is chock-full of spectacle. The sets are detailed and immense, the characters are intriguing, and the CGI is magnificent without being overbearing. The two standouts for me are Allanon and the Dagda Mor. Manu Bennett conveys just the right amount of power and mystery. The Dagda Mor could be one of the coolest villains I've seen in quite a while, and that's just based on what little we've seen of him so far. Another surprising treat is the music. Hard to explain, but to me it just feels like a perfect fit so far.

I hold a lot of hope for this series. Even though it's been noticeably MTV'd, there is plenty there for fans of the books and discerning viewers looking for something original and entertaining. So give it a solid chance, go in with no expectations or preconceived notions, and I think you too will find yourself pleasantly surprised.

The show is pretty much your classic MTV show, piled on top of Terry Brooks' novels. Female empowerment angle? Check. Lazy exposition where a character says things for no reason other than to inform the audience? Check. Teenagers being super moody, irrational, all while doing cool things? Check. It's far from the worst thing I have ever watched, but also far from what could have been done with these novels. The show is largely targeted at the young teen crowd, and you can see elements of twilight all over it.

Short breakdown: Costumes: 3/10 For the most part looking like kids in costumes (there are a few exceptions). Stitching and materials all looking modern. Elf ears look plastic.

Plot: 6/10 The plot isn't complex, but is consistent and followable.

Dialogue/acting: 4/10 Again, more modern teenage angst than appropriate for the world it is set in.

Worldbuilding: 8/10 Terry left them a good world. They only messed it up a little. Hopefully we will see some more in future episodes.

Synopsis: I'll probably watch another few episodes, and I will probably regret doing so.

I have not read the source books (never even knew they exist), so I do not have any reference to how much the TV version deviates from it. But I found the world presentation pretty good, all the overgrown technology etc. I would welcome a bit more of the other races (Gnomes/Dwarves), but it might be too soon for that.

However, I think that the "eyes up here" scene at river in Episode 3 was a bit pointless, but probably had to be due to it being on MTV. Also, Wil in few scenes sounds like Hayden Christensen in SW prequels, which is to say, awful, but it is just few scenes, so it is bearable.

But, the special effects are pretty good or a TV show and most actors are pretty good as well.

I would give the series a chance, see how it develops.

I'm extremely picky when it comes to watching shows. I have to care. I'm glad to admit that I care! It's not perfect, it has it's downfalls, but this show is very special. There are reasons why it's not a perfect 10, and I'll eloborate about it below. I'll also address some of the criticism this show gets here.

The bad -

The show is aimed at a younger audience, as in teens to young adults, but it has a mature theme. Some might call it a bit "edgy" (very slightly though in my taste) but not to the point where it seems too strained, and it really depends if you're bothered by that or not.

Character arcs and especially character development only really happen to the supporting roles. Whether it's the Elves or the Rovers. Some of the time to finish the arc the character has to die. But we'll come back to that below.

The good -

The show isn't afraid of killing characters, even ones you were introduced to from the start, which what sets it apart from Twilight, and especially Shadowhunters (both books and the tv show) and what gives it even more purpose, sense of danger goes well with the other mature themes that it has. More shows should do this, honestly.

Arcs are well planned out. You really get what motives the character to act like it does and what makes it do the things that it does and say. I never felt like a character died before it needed to do what it's supposed to do.

World building is the greatest quality this show has. They really did an excellent job on this, perhaps it's even on par with Stargate.

Eretria might be my favorite female character ever.

The middle -

Because the show has a strong complex female lead, it get a lot of unwarranted criticism about it's "women empowerment" and I beg to differ! Women are not acting masculine and men are not disempowered in this show, unlike many other stories in recent media (comics, book, other TV shows). It also doesn't do the opposite, where the female lead just waits for her hot vampire boyfriend. I honestly believe it's men and women, working together for a better cause. As much as it has it's female lead, it also has an equal amount of male lead.

If you have any doubts, give this show a try. It's one of the only worthwhile fantasy shows that going on at the moment.

In presenting "The Shannara Chronicles", MTV leaves the real world behind and, surprisingly, gives us a scripted fantasy series. It might be described as "The Hunger Games" meets the LOTR. The protagonist is a young elven woman, Amberle (Poppy Drayton), who is drawn into a quest to save the Four Lands, which are threatened by demons.

All the trappings of a fantasy tale can be found in this story, including incantations, runes, trolls, gnomes, swords, magic artifacts and even a large tree that is a metaphor for the health of the land and its inhabitants.

The characters are not as developed as one might wish, given how quickly the narrative moves. But there is a wide array of interesting characters, including Wil (Austin Butler), a human/elf halfbreed and Eretria (Ivana Baquero), a rover who lives off the land and the people she meets. And there is Allanon (Manu Bennett), a Druid warrior with mystical powers.

The strengths of the series are its visuals: detailed costumes, striking sets, strong CGI, imaginative makeup, and wonderful scenery, thanks to the New Zealand locations.

I have not read the novels that are the source material for "The Shannara Chronicles", but I believe shows should stand on their own. As such, it is engaging. No doubt some will be enthralled by the fact that two of the three strongest characters are young women. Fans of LOTR cycle and "The Hobbit" should feel comfortable in this world.

Update 3/7/16: The quality of the acting and the plot dropped somewhat in the last episode and a half of the first season. I am dropping my grade to "7".

Update 11/1/17: The writing has grown weaker. Now the dialogue and storyline feel uninspired and contrived. I am dropping my grade to "6".