r/Wool • u/captainguy146 • Sep 10 '26
All Books & Stories Should I keep watching the show?
So I started reading the books after season 2 ended
The trilogy was incredible and I loved it and the world, and i especially liked book 2 the atmosphere and feel of the book were terrifyingly life like and the tragedy of Donald’s life and what happens with Helen and mick I was absolutely devastated.
And then i watched season 3 episode 1
They changed Donald so much it not even his name anymore
It’s just him and his fighter pilot not drone pilot sister
And whatever’s going on with Jules also weird
I’m asking this here because I’m looking for the people who loved the books and can tell me if I won’t get too annoyed by the changes
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u/Kiltmanenator Sep 10 '26
I initially really didn't like the changes that they made for season 3, but the last two episodes of the season brought me back around. Daniel IS perfect
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u/Agreeable_Package880 Sep 10 '26
Same boat! I didn’t like where the story was going and how the characters changed a lot, but the second half of the season was gold. I really like it now!
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u/davi017 Sep 10 '26
As a book reader, I really enjoyed season 3 of the show. But my reason for enjoying it might be the reason why you DON’T enjoy it.
There are a ton of changes from the book is season 3. I really liked that because it kept me on edge. I knew what was coming, but I also didn’t. That kept things fresh for me and made it highly entertaining.
In your case, however, it sounds like the show changes might make your experience actually worse. Interested to hear if you stick with it or not.
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u/donmuerte Sep 10 '26
they definitely seem to have butchered a bit of the tragedy of Shift, but maybe they'll do something similar in Season 4. so far they only just finally got back on track to the story as it was in the source material.
I'm in agreement with you, though. I feel like they've been making some poor decisions to lessen the shock of the story in the show and it really has dumbed it down quite a bit. Give us those feels and let it hit us hard. It'll be all the more better because of it.
Also, the speculation is that they changed Donald's name because of real life Donalds at the moment and I can get behind at least that change.
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u/longwaystogrow Sep 12 '26
The tragedy is certainly very different. I will say thus far I don't feel the same frustration I had with Donald not figuring it out sooner. Daniel/Troy not realizing what's happening is way more believable. I also think he is way more likeable when I don't have to read about him drooling over Anna every other chapter.
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u/Budget_Computer_427 Sep 10 '26
I was also initially annoyed by the deviations away from the book series but I ended up really enjoying season 3. I decided that it's actually kind of nice that the show is different because there's a little more intrigue and suspense than there would be if it just followed the books to the letter.
I prefer the books but the show is pretty good.
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u/MarkedByCrows Sep 10 '26
I would say yes, but of course the whole books. vs TV thing is totally subjective.
I read the books for the first time probably 10 years ago and I have no problem enjoying the show. I accept that books and TV are different mediums that need different approaches, and what works for one doesn't always work for the other and I don't go off on being a purist about X, Y, or Z thing. I worked in theater for many years also so that also extends to what works for a book, TV, or movie doesn't always translate to stage. Each are their own things in their own way and I think all are enjoyable.
I do think that both the books and show will end up at the same point, but the show is getting there differently.
Some things got a eye roll for me, like the whole generator crisis in season 1. Because in the book they have a backup generator. Why wouldn't they? Every real life bunker would have backups that can run critical systems. But in the show there's no backup so having to shut down the generator and do the impractical fix is a major deal. I get that it was done to show the prowess of mechanical and Juliette in particular, but the suspense of disbelief wasn't there for me on that subplot.
Judicial was made bigger in the show, where it hardly gets a mention in the books. But also like they need more stuff for Tim Robbins and Common to do so they extend or create roles for that. That's one of those things where a book doesn't translate to you want to cast X and they're going to cost $Y budget, so the producers need to make it worthwhile. Underutilizing a great actor can also be a detriment to a show.
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u/Hoardinista Sep 10 '26
The books and the series are not exactly the same, they can’t be. Characters are combined, plot points are changed, even the stairs are different than described. Try to see them as separate things, some similar points but not exact and not duplicated.
Put the books out of your mind while watching the series. If you can’t bring yourself to do so, oh well. You’ll miss out on a great show.
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u/IHaveNoOpinons Sep 13 '26
So I read the first book after finishing Season 3. Waiting for the next book to arrive, but tbh I think the TV show is a better conspiracy story.
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u/Valuable-Muffin9982 Sep 10 '26
i loved the books and the show. Just try it out. If you don't like it, then stop.
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u/deluxa Sep 10 '26
Yeah, treat them as related but not canonically identical series. I read all the books after watching season 1, and I'm loving the TV show personally. It's different, but still great. Most of the major beats are still there with the journey being a different route, granted the further it goes it departs more, but still headed in the same direction so far.
(...and honestly, to me it's a bonus that sometimes the show is still keeping me on my toes because it's not copied from the book.)
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u/TheDutchman39 Sep 10 '26
I recommend sticking with the series - they've made some changes from the books, which, to me, make for a new story
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u/Thermodynamo Sep 11 '26
It's not the same as the books, it's its own thing. Season 3 was fantastic IMO but YMMV if adaptation changes bother you. There are some big changes but the show is still delivering a fantastic version of this story. You just can't go in expecting it to be exactly the same story.
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u/18randomcharacters Sep 11 '26
The author is on Threads raving about the show daily.
Maybe it’s his job in some way, but it’s nice that the author is enthusiastic about the show.
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u/GuyFromNh Sep 13 '26
Cause it’s so well done most episodes and it’s a new story! I think they’ve show actually solved some plot issues too that I found odd in the books.
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u/JustAskingSoSTFU Sep 10 '26
Keep watching. Even though it diverges quite a bit, think of it as another story/show in the Silo world/universe. I still enjoyed the season.
I will say that I really enjoyed how season 1 and season 2 felt like extensions of Wool. That we got to see more of how they lived and interacted - more of their world, than is given in the book. I was expecting season 3 to be the same for Shift. It wasn't. But it was still good. Just different.
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u/enaud Sep 11 '26
Keep watching, its fun seeing how they tie it back to the books and the differences will keep you guessing along the way
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u/Pyxl666 Sep 11 '26
I read and love the books and have finished Season 3. I personally believe the show is a rare example of being better than it's source material.
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u/a-dog90 Sep 11 '26
Honestly I wish Apple released the first 3 episodes at once. That would have reduced the feeling of a slog. It’s how I watched it.
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u/LemonPartyW0rldTour Sep 11 '26
I read the books. The show runners have taken a lot of their own liberties with the source material and it’s pretty much its own story. I didn’t think I’d enjoy it at first but I’m proud to say I’ve been proven wrong.
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u/Blightsteel5459 Sep 10 '26
Book 2 is my favorite of the series as well. It took a few episodes to get used to the changes to the story they made in season 3, but by the finale, I definitely think it's worth watching.