TV Review: A Series of Unfortunate Events
With the upcoming release of the show’s second season, “A Series of Unfortunate Events” is stirring up more trouble and fun. The show follows the lives of the three Baudelaire orphans and their crazy guardian. The Netflix original is based off of the best-selling series by Daniel Handler, who wrote under the pseudonym Lemony Snicket. Violet, Klaus and Sunny Baudelaire lead an easy life until they receive news of the deaths of their parents. They are put in the care of a distant relative, Count Olaf, who plans to kill them to obtain their massive fortune. Olaf, a struggling actor, uses them as slaves until his plan is exposed by the smart and cunning Baudelaires. The children are then sent from relative to relative, running away from Count Olaf and his band of actors. A symbol featuring an insignia of an eye follows them at every place they go to, and the Baudelaires try to uncover the connection between the symbol and their family.
The series takes a more whimsical approach than other shows by putting a playful spin on otherwise dark storylines. The characters in the show, specifically Count Olaf, engage with the audience.
Count Olaf is the main antagonist of the show and is often seen as preposterous by the three orphans. With a unibrow, dirty clothes and a wheezy voice, he is described as unappealing. He has a tattoo of the eye symbol on his left ankle, showing his connection to the secret society that the Baudelaires want to understand. Violet is the oldest of the three children and their leader. She helps save her siblings from unfortunate situations constructed by Count Olaf, using her ability to invent various machines with the few materials on hand. Klaus is the second oldest child and the only son in the family. His strength is in research and he is called the “bookworm” of the family. Sunny is the youngest, an infant at the beginning of the series. She cannot speak but has shown advanced skills in problem solving and comprehension. The older siblings often give her objects to help with their inventions, as she is able to sharpen or dull the items with her sharp teeth. Arthur Poe is the banker in charge of connecting the Baudelaires with a good family. His constant coughing and inability to find a place for the Baudelaires makes his appearance in the show more comedic than anything else.
The series takes a more whimsical approach than other shows by putting a playful spin on otherwise dark storylines. The characters in the show, specifically Count Olaf, engage with the audience. For example, the theme song features the lyrics “Look away, look away,” and “This show will wreck your evening, your whole life and your day.” With lyrics and other lines like these, the series constantly begs the question, “Why are you watching this show?”
The story also humors watchers, joking about the obvious or showing how oblivious the characters are to the Baudelaires’ plight—Count Olaf always tells the audience how beautiful and kind he is, when clearly he is quite ugly and treacherous. Arthur Poe also persistently dismisses the children’s warnings about Count Olaf even though he learns their accusations were correct in every episode. The show also introduces a new guardian, new setting and a new plot each episode, captivating the audience and keeping them on the edge of their seats.
Fans of the book series have reported that the Netflix adaptation is quite similar to the novels, and they were impressed by how the actors portrayed the characters. The show is mysterious and dark but comedic at the same time. Parents have concern for young watchers due to the grim references, but teenagers and other adults alike love the ominous vibe that flows with natural humor embedded into the plot. Though the show might not be suitable for younger children, I would definitely recommend to all who are looking for their next Netflix binge!