I have been meaning to write these post(s) up for months!! It’s been 5 months (already?!) since the SAB Netflix show dropped, and I still have all the thoughts and feelings. Since I wrote up expectations for the show, it’s only right to share the ensuing feelings. A mere 18ish hours after watching it that glorious Friday, my sister & I commenced our second watch :’) I took LOTS of notes, jotted down things I hadn’t noticed the first time, and made sure to mark critiques as well. Here is my recap of Shadow & Bone S01E01: “A Searing Burst of Light”!!
Over the next eight weeks, I’ll be dropping a mid-week post (except for this inaugural one) where I extract from my full 8 sheets of notes–ie 16 pages, back to back, filled-in-the-margins–that are essentially ~written~ screams. Though I thought I could be brief–and recap the whole show in one post–I quickly realised that that wasn’t possible :’) However, each of these posts can and will be brief in and of themselves! We start with episode 1…
((Follow me on the gram for updates as each post goes up!)) *spoilers definitely incoming, so read at your own risk*
Episode 1: “A Searing Burst of Light”
Things I Loved
- First, Mikael and Dubrov were fantastically portrayed!! As a result, they were instantly loveable, & I think that this created waaay more sympathy for their demise than from what’s in the books.
- Mal’s fighting is established very early on, I’m a huge fan of that.
- Alexei deserved better!!! <3 I love his portrayal; “I’ll be here” :,( His death was meaningful, I liked that a lot. The Crows had wonderful reactions to this moment; I think there’s something to track with each of them in that scene.
- Mal’s CHARISMA, yes yes yes
- BEAUTIFUL authenticity with the props: the costumes, language, propo signs in the tent–chef’s kiss
MALINA!! <3
You may recall my torn thoughts over the ships in my initial read of the trilogy. I shipped Darklina, because I wanted better for Aleksander; I shipped Nikolina bc I loved Nikolai; and I shipped Malina because their story is so beautiful, & they were clearly destined for one another. I now sit somewhere in between Darklina & Malina, happy to headcanon the former, but very satisfied and overjoyed at the latter. Anyway…
- the PARALLELS <333
- their HANDS.
- Mal’s swagger, please archie, i am short of breath
- “little friend” brb crying
- Mal protects Alina with his jokes, his friendship, and so much more ugh i love them
- little lines here & there hint at the books/their arcs
MY CROW BABIES
YES YES YES I WAS SO UNWELL OVER OUR DARLING THREE!! Everything about them was so ON BRAND. Kanej themes like “investment” were set up well; Jesper is just life itself I love him, Kit you legend; all around wonderful choices.
Jesper
- ummmm: guns, hands, bye
- SWAG
- sweet gun reveal
- the man has TASTE, those jackets, that hat, the vibes: immaculate
Inej
- her sense of morality is established so well. this is one of the reasons i connected w/her character first.
- epic entrance R U KIDDING ME
- she knew ab kaz’s desire to follow dreesen <333
Kaz
- scheming face pls i’m dead
- GLOVES, good no hand reveal
- feature-less w/Rotty; that’s our dead-inside king
- FIRST PEKKA ENCOUNTER BOY
the DARKLING <3
I think it was a fantastic decision to not drop a face reveal at all in the entirety of this episode. Cutting to his back–the strut, the cloak, etc–EXCELLENT. Alina seeing him from very afar is quite good.
The Skiff
I had no problems with the artistic choices taken around this, as I recall. The establishment of 37 markers, the skeleton of the skiff, and details like this really let non-readers get a great feel for what the Fold means. Shadow & Bone S01E01
Alina’s choice to get on the skiff is a first step in establishing guilt for her. In the books, and over time, she begins to feel that she consistently endangers others, and this obviously bothers her. Hopefully, this stays a relevant show arc as it’s an excellent callback.
The blue light goes out, and all is throw into darkness. Alina takes no action until she sees that Mal is in the grasp of the volcra (speaking of, those were designed and translated to screen SO. WELL.). The slow-motion shots, Mal looking at her, and THEN: Alina’s physical and emotional pain can no longer hold back her power, and she summons light so epically.
Episode 1: in the books! (haha funny)
There’s my little recap/review of Shadow & Bone S01E01!! At this point, I think I’ve rewatched the show three or four times? :’) not sure. I think I’m gonna have to watch again this Autumn, sometime. Anyway, what are your recollections from this episode? Have you seen this yet?! Get on it if you haven’t 😉 Chat to me in the comments!