The Terror

This is a review for the series premiere: This is a strong start for a series based on one of my favorite books. The book was great, but it was longer than a Stephen King book and that's saying something, but the series has an efficient feel to it while still staying true to the book. You can tell that there is some true love for the source material and it really shows in every aspect, especially the cast. I love all the casting choices so far, but Adam Nagaitis as Cornelius Hickey is looking to be an amazing choice. His portrayal is spot on thus far and I can't wait to see his character dive further into the rabbit hole. I'm also impressed with how well they translated the atmosphere from the book to the series so accurately. I just hope the monster is given the same kind of love that every other aspect of the series has been given so far. Ultimately, if you've read the book, then you should love the series. If you haven't read the book, you just might find yourself wanting to.

Going into the series with no expectations or impressions from the novel, and barely reading about the series at all before binge watching it, i was expecting a high paced master and commander type of series. And while it's set in roughly the same time period, it's unlike anything i was expecting. It's quite suspenseful and chilling. Much thanks to the great acting, casting and details. The ambient soundtrack (R.I.P Marcus Fjellström) is fantastic and really helps with the eerie feeling. There were some moments it made me feel really at unease. Right up there with the top series for sure. Well worth a watch.

I really can't understand why AMC decided to use the same title for two completely different series without any relation between each other (new plot, new directors, new actors...) - it's confusing, misleading, totally pointless. Given the above: the first season is a masterpiece. One of the top 4-5 series of the year. This second season is a very average product, deserving 6, maximum 7/10. Pointless to rate them together with a shared vote.

Based on the book by Dan Simmons, The Terror gives a somewhat fiction account of the real-life doomed 1845 Franklin Expedition to find the Northwest passage - with an added element of supernatural danger.

Having watched the entire season I feel a little cheated by the final episode. The atmospheric tension throughout the first 9 seemed to vanish as episode 10 progressed, in a race to get to the punchline with the little screen time they had left - and the rushed punchline became a total anticlimax. They strayed a little from the book, which happens, but, you can't help but think that with a little more time, and some better editing, the finale could have been so much better.

I'm a massive fan of the novel and, two episodes in, I'm a massive fan of this show.

They needed to spend A LOT of money on this to make it work, and I think they did. The actors are great, the costumes are excellent, the sets are mostly convincing and the pacing is just about right.

Although there are already some major differences to the novel, I think the changes were mostly due to the transference to a visual medium, so I am happy to forgive them.

I'm looking forward to the rest of this series.