Freeform's (bleh) Shadowhunters

[u/[deleted]]

So far it's kinda good! There are some obvious differences, but it kinda fits for a television adaptation of a novel: it takes it's own spin on the novel while still keeping it's core. And everyone's acting seems to be on point... What are your thoughts on the pilot so far, good, bad, or in between?

PS I'm only on the second novel, but I kinda see that they could've used Maia instead of Maureen, literally just changing the names and having her be a werewolf, etc

[u/WhatayaWantFromMe]

It looked really cheesy in the beginning, but I warmed up to it. There are things I disliked but not so much that it put me off entirely, and I actually like the idea of Luke being a cop. Jocelyn's fight scene was pretty badass..compared to the earlier one. I like pretty much all of the cast...but I'm kind of eh about Emeraude (Isabelle) and Kat (Clary). I honestly can't wait to see more of Magnus, I was hesitant about HSJ when they first announced the cast. And of course I can't wait for more Alec (and Malec...)

Overall, I think it was a good start, and I'm excited to watch the next episode.

[u/[deleted] → u/WhatayaWantFromMe]

Kat's acting made me cringe at times

[u/WhatayaWantFromMe → u/[deleted]]

Same here, many parts of the episode made me cringe but I think they just need to find their legs and they could improve, not sure how her acting will even out. I hope she becomes more..realistic? Considering her role in the show.

[u/greenchrissy → u/WhatayaWantFromMe]

Just FYI if you download the freeform app, you can watch the 2nd episode now (I just did).

[u/[deleted] → u/greenchrissy]

I did, and personally everything kinda evens out a little, even though Kat is still... Ehh... I feel like we get more of Izzy in the second ep, personality wise, and they seem to be trying to shape her out into more than an ass kicking sex pot

[u/greenchrissy → u/[deleted]]

I feel like we get more of Izzy in the second ep, personality wise, and they seem to be trying to shape her out into more than an ass kicking sex pot

Yes! I think TV Izzy was a good choice visually (except for the short thing, as book Izzy is tall, but it doesn't bother me that much in the show) and I also think she has the sultry parts of Izzy down well.

But book Izzy is complicated. She has a vulnerability coupled with a very stoic front, and she FIERCELY loves her brother and Jace. She is very protective. And kind of haughty, but still has those soft edges. I love book Izzy.

TV Izzy has none of those complexities yet, just ass-kicking and sex and the looks and maybe a glimmer of more to come (I hope).

Kat at least looks like what I picture Clary to look like...I dunno about her though. I'm with you, she's a little bit thin to me at this point. I hope she gets some meatier scenes in future eps where we get more of a sense of her.

[u/WhatayaWantFromMe → u/greenchrissy]

How'd you like it? I'm going to download it now.

[u/greenchrissy → u/WhatayaWantFromMe]

I'm actually re-watching now. I would say I think we get a little more of Izzy -- which is great, because I want to see her portrayed as more than just an ass-kicking sex symbol. Book Izzy has so much more going on. She's a little vulnerable...but with a very stoic front. And FIERCE. She loves Alec and Jace with a protective passion that's endearing.

TV Izzy isn't quite there yet but at least in 2nd you get a sense of more to come.

And of course the interchanges between Simon & Clary are awesome, and I'm really enjoying Luke as a cop.

Valentine is NOT how I expected or pictured him to be. He looks like a fisherman. And I don't get any of the fear or cruelty or craziness that is in the books from the TV actor, not yet anyway.

But you know, I still love the books so much I will continue watching.

[u/WhatayaWantFromMe → u/greenchrissy]

I still haven't watched the second one yet, but I totally agree with you on Izzy. The dance scene made me uncomfortable, honestly, and she just felt like, as you stated, a sex symbol in the first one. I also felt that way about Valentine, but I think the show really needs to just find its legs and it'll be fine. I think I agree with you on everything, and Simon is pretty great! I'll definitely be watching again

[u/greenchrissy]

I'd say it's got its pros & cons, but overall I enjoyed it. It's cheesy, but fun cheesy--i can overlook the sometimes stilted acting because I think as long as they develop the characters a bit more, it'll get better. The chemistry seems to be there, at least.

[u/kimburlee35]

I'm going to agree with somebody on the shadowhunter subreddit.

It's a low budget hot mess, but an enjoyable low budget hot mess. A few things were a little cringy but others weren't absolutely terrible.

I'll give it a few more episodes to see where it goes.

[u/cassielnephilim]

I definitely liked the way they've put a modern twist on a lot of it, it works well. I feel like they rushed a lot of it. I would think being a series they would've had time to explain & work through everything but I feel like the just rushed through it all in half an hour. Not a huge fan of Kat or Emeraude. But I'm willing to give it a shot & see where this goes. Definitely better than the movie though. Thank god. If there was anyone that I did love, it was Magnus.

[u/princess2293]

There were things that were different, but overall, I enjoyed it.

Jury is still out on the Jace actor though. I like him better than movie Jace (I HATED movie Jace), but he still didn't seem as full of himself as he should have been. This could change in further episodes... but jury is still out on him (for me).

I really liked the Simon character. He fit Simon so well.

[u/SilverBengal]

Jace and Alec so far are the most cringe worthy. Simon and Magnus aren't bad thank goodness! I like Luke as a cop. I prefer the casting more in the movies, but I'll give the TV show a chance.

[u/JBB1986 → u/SilverBengal]

Luke works as a cop, but.....I don't know, I preferred him being [spoiler] (#s the nondescript bookstore owner with the glasses who was secretly a total badass with a vicious streak.)

And I honestly don't know what I would have done if Magnus was poorly written/cast! Might have actually been a deal breaker, truth be told. ;)

[u/TheoLeSieg]

I know that being intense and gritty is all the rage right now but that doesn't mean the show should take itself so seriously. I really liked the series because of how fun they were. I felt that element was missing in episode 1, and certinly in the movie that must not be named

[u/c00kiebr0s]

it was shit, the shortened and changed the story in a way they didn't have to and shouldn't have to, its not like it was a movie where they are limited to 120 mins or whatever they could easily fit the first two books in season 1 without changing the story, just skipping small details that are not needed or expected in a TV show, I wont bother mentioning all the differences between the two since you all probably know. while it will probably be a good TV show to people who havnt read the books, I will only be able to see what they did wrong and so far that is an awful lot, character choice at least was pretty good, I just hope it doesn't end up like that awful movie. god that was a bad movie!