Discuss Shannara | Episode 108: Utopia
EPISODE 108 DISCUSSION
Undoubtedly, many of you will have comments and questions to pose to other fans who, like you, watched episode 108. In the Comments field below, feel free to discuss all aspects of the TV show. How it matches the book? How it doesn’t match the book? How it works as an adaptation from the book? Etc.
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RULES FOR DISCUSSION:
Enjoy discussing the show, first and foremost! Keep it civil! Disagreement is fine but don’t result to belittling f...
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Jon
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Feb 17, 2016 09:19AM
I have watched all the episodes so far, and have accepted it as a teen targeted, MTV series, based on the book. As an older person who read all the books, it's a little hard to watch, but I continue to watch because of how much I enjoyed the books. I guess I would have hoped for something more like the Lord of the Rings and Hobbit movies, but I also understand what may have been a strategy to attract a new generation of readers. I really enjoyed the Shannara books and that they were based in the future, rather than medieval times, and I thought the books had just enough of the occasional discovery of structures, etc. from the past. The TV series has way to much, and really kind of ruins the show for me. Destroys the idea that although the future, civilization is starting over. A group of partying humans don't happen to discover guns and electricity. There, I wrote a review without cursing and rude language.
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I've been watching the series. I was very excited that the show was finally aired, but disappointed that its strayed so far from the book. This episode was a disaster. That guns would be introduced is appalling. I know the show has to keep its target audience, but going so far afield is inexcusable.
I bailed on the show 4 episodes ago, it doesn't appeal to a life-long Terry Brooks fan. I hope he gets money and younger readers, as those seem to be the goals, not satisfying fans of the books. Sorry, I'm being honest. I am not the MTV crowd. I know, the show is the show, the books are the books. Nothing saying I have to like both.
I like the show don't love it but I will keep watching it
I haven't read the books n a friend also said its not like the books but good show...however it has inspired me to read all the books im 35 i also did not enjoy the introduction of guns bows n arrows n such would have been more logical n just better...hope they dont do it again...lol
I totally agree with all the comments. The show is not for adults and the acting is very b movie-ish. Not a great thing for fans of Shannara from the books beginning. The guns were definitely a poor choice and totally unnecessary. The last episode may be my last. I will go back to rereading the books from here on out. Its too bad the writers arent fans of Mr Brooks, as this show is like "The Seeker" and that one bombed because taking liberties with beloved characters is NOT a smart thing.
As a longtime reader of the series dating back to the mid 1980s, I've been rolling along with all of the changes through the first 7 episodes of the series, but this last episode took it to a whole new level that I cannot really "roll with" any longer. I get why they went in the direction they did to really draw attention to the fact that this is a post-apocalyptic world. I see the reasoning for the love triangle, the sexual (and bisexual) undertones (and OVERtones), and the over-the-top performances.
But the introduction of electricity, firearms, electronic dance music, and teenage party-goers all in one episode was just 1, 2, 3, and 4 steps too far. I'm sorry to say that this series is really not for me anymore. I hope for Terry's sake that it does succeed with its target demographic, but at this point, I'm going to treat this TV series for what it is - a completely different work for a completely different audience than us longtime book readers.
I'm not going to reiterate what other people have said because my feelings about the show are similar, I guess, for the last 2 episodes I will be watching but I am no longer excited by it. I will be watching them to support Terry.I think I read before the show had aired that Terry had seen the 1st few episodes. Maybe he hadn't seen them all.
I would be curious to know what he thinks of what they've done with it because the 1st few episodes weren't as bad in terms of liberties taken. They were different, but I could stomach them. Since Pykon I would say, it's gone very pear shaped.
I know Terry would not publicly condemn the show, but it would be nice to know what he thinks.
I can stand all the other additions to the story but this: "the love triangle, the sexual (and bisexual) undertones (and OVERtones)." I do not like at all. And would not let my children watch it. Although they loved the books.
At this point I'm only watching to see Allanon be a bad ass.
I'd like to add to my previous comment. I will continue to watch the show for two reasons. First and foremost to support Terry Brooks. He has kept me entertained for decades with the Shannara books. Secondly to see how rebirth of the Ellcrys is handled.
Renee wrote: "I'd like to add to my previous comment. I will continue to watch the show for two reasons. First and foremost to support Terry Brooks. He has kept me entertained for decades with the Shannara books..."I'll watch the final two episodes at my leisure (not really a priority at this point), but I'm not planning on following it into a second season, should that actually come to fruition. I guess I'll be happy for Terry that he made some money off the deal, but the longer I think about the way this thing has gone, the more I feel like this show has done more damage to his legacy than any critical review of the first novel in this series vs. LOTR could ever have done.
I'm glad that they started the show with Elfstones since it was one of my favorites in the series. I'm a little disheartened by the dissimilarities to the book though. That being said, this is a TV series. TV shows are generally more episodic and aimed at a market of viewers that revel in the visual medium rather than the written one. If shows like Jersey Shore can be popular to the mass audience than there is no reason that this version of Shannara can't as well. I would've chosen to do the series differently but if you accept is as it is, and not as book-gospel, then it is fine. It's infinitely better than "Legend of the Seeker" was and not quite as close to the books as "Game of Thrones" is. Good luck, Terry! Even if it isn't my vision, it is ultimately your choice.
Oh, yeah, I forgot about the guns aspect. Bad idea. Introducing guns into a fantasy world is what killed the Guardians of the Flame series in my opinion. The Shannara world is not Gamma World.Renee wrote: "I've been watching the series. I was very excited that the show was finally aired, but disappointed that its strayed so far from the book. This episode was a disaster. That guns would be introduced..."
