Mild spoilers and Mini Rant ahead!
Many years ago, I bought a condensed copy of the Count of Monte Cristo. It is one of my treasured volumes. Later, my siblings gathered to listen to the audiobook. When I heard that PBS was airing a miniseries adaptation, you can pretty much expect how excited our household was. We were a bit late and had to catch up on the previous episodes. I was told by my siblings that under no circumstances was I to watch ahead of them. Their faces told me that I shouldn't push my luck unless I was craving a riot.
My siblings are exactly like me when a story they love gets turned into a show or movie. They want it to stick as close to the storyline as possible. They can understand minor characters disappearing and other slight changes but all major points should remain the same. This series hit somewhere in between.
I won't go into too much detail on the tale as you can pretty much look up the book synopsis on Wikipedia. The story flows pretty much how it should.Whoever scouted the locations, props to you. Also, the costumes were beautifully chosen and period correct. The casting director chose the perfect actors for all the roles. Sam Caflin is a superb Edmond Dantes. Jeremy Irons as the Abbe Faria was pure genius. I was intrigued by their choice to focus on Edmond's personal struggles as he embarked on his path of vengeance. Most make a passing mention in a scene we don't dwell on long. But here it was constantly, yet subtly, shown that those 15 years left scars on his soul. I personally liked that direction.
The ever present pining for Mercedes is still there. All I can say here is that we at least get closure on this dead relationship. Most revive it. I only know of one that cut it. I am okay with Edmond and Mercedes never getting back together. They don't in the book so please let us not waste our creative licence reviving a dead horse.
Do you know what we should spend our creative licence on? Haydee. We should spend it on her. This series did have her. But she only comes in on episode 5 out of 8 and plays such a tiny role I wanted to scream in frustration. Only one other version, to my knowledge, has Haydee in it. It too gave her an underwhelming amount of attention. That old version had her rage. This new version had both her strength and determination. Sadly both didn't carry her character to the end she is supposed to have. She and Edmond are supposed to be a couple at the end. Why is it so hard for people to get that memo? Like Edmond can move on, you know. Probably the healthiest thing for him. If the screenwriters of the future say that there isn't enough source material to build a new relationship, remember that creative licence I mentioned. Maybe use it. Harping on and on over your ex is exhausting. The Count was never so. Also, don't think that since Haydee got Edmond in the book, we should give him to Mercedes on the screen. It has been done enough. Learn to let go. Edmond did. Is everyone too scared to tackle the complex emotions that were swirling around? Or do you feel like the daughter of Ali Pasha is unworthy of The Count of Monte Cristo? Someone do Haydee justice! I am one step away from starting a petition.
Aside from that, I wished we saw more of Lt. Morrel and Valentine. Their storyline was the one that had the most impact on Edmond. Prior to the climax of their tale he didn't really heed anyone's advice or care about the casualties left in the wake of his vengeance. They were his wake up call. Not having it felt like the story lacked the proper amount of tension. Also characters that should have died, didn't. Certain connections were never made. Just little things here and there that get to you when you stop and think about it.
LB3 and I both agree that is was both satisfying and unsatisfying at the same time. I know that makes little sense but what can I say? We are something like purists when it comes to adaptations. As always, feel free to leave me a message below.
