I did not know this series although I have raid a fair range of Gaiman’s books – including two volumes, in illustrated form, of the Graveyard Books. This series was MUCH anticipated and it has more than matched the very high expectations – not least as Gaiman had, it seemed, maintained control over who could or would do the screen transfer and this determination, and his close involvement with this series, means that it is as it should be and, I think, very faithful in style, form and spirit to the original – but of course with the necessary changes that come with adaptation/re-workings.
The scale of the imaginings of the many worlds is quite remarkable and this ve4rsion has managed to convey that wonder and richness in a unique way without seeming derivative which, today with the impact of the MCU/LOTR etc etc, would be too easy to do. The richness of the various worlds is magically conveyed and they are as convincing as the ‘real’ (non-dreaming) worlds are. There is no sense of either muddle or rush. Structurally, there is also masterly control of the many timelines and past histories that managed to be excellently clear
The cast are superb – Sturridge has a wonderful, magical stillness that yet still manages, particularly in the final episode, to convey great and dangerous power – and the scenes in Hell were positively Miltonic – ‘darkness visible’ indeed. And the casting of a gender-fluid performer as Desire (which is pretty obvious really) was tremendously exciting – that amazing blood-red chamber of their realm which was saw for the first time towards the end of the final episode…
While there was terrific narrative drive and control throughout all ten episodes, some individual ones did stand out (but not to the detriment of the others – they all ‘fitted’.) Episode 5 (the ‘Diner’ episode) was remarkable not least for the power of it remaining in one location for almost the entire duration and, as with much else in the series, was deeply and darkly thoughtful and thought –provoking. The subsequent episode, focusing on Death was equally powerful and by far the most emotionally involving and moving of the series. It was also, strangely and powerfully, comforting while second part – connected with a character who has immortality – was a marvellous counterpart as well as showing us a new, genuinely human side of Morpheus.
But I am now sadly resigned to a wait for the next series…