La Guerre des mondes

I enjoyed the first half of this series a lot. Even though is shares next to nothing with the book (if anything its closer to Day of the Triffids) the characters were original and much of the set up didn't go with the normal tropes and characters you see in this kind of programme.

But about half way through the story seems to stall and the whole thing is just spinning its wheels and going nowhere. I felt we needed a bit more investigation as to the what and the whys (I was hoping for some tripods too!)

The end of the final episode was just nonsensical, I guess it is supposed to make us want to learn more, but we have seen so little and so much of it is without explanation you feel more that the writers aren't sure what is happening any more than the audience.

None the less I enjoyed this so much more than the recent BBC adaptation which was itself very far from the book. I wonder if we will ever see a faithful adaptation of the novel in the period and place where it is set.

The show is not bad so much as just a super slow pace. I feel like they could have made the show like a 10 hour limited series and picked up the whole pace of the show instead of making everything move so slow and methodical. I'd give it an 8 if they had squeezed all the story from both seasons along with an ending into those 10 hours.

I've stopped watching, why doesn't someone fix a car or even use a bike, why aren't the bodies rotting and flies everywhere, why when the stay some where does someone leave a door open or go outside against all common sense and warnings, why do the machines make noise sometimes but at other times quietly sneak up on people, why are most of the female characters always doing stupid out of control things, where is all the ammunition from ? Why don't they ever sit down like adults and make a plan, do they people ever bath ? Why would you aimlessly wander from spot to spot, when you know you are going to be attacked, why wouldn't you heavily question the people who obviously have some gift or insight into the invaders and use it to your advantage.

I could go on, the writers could make Swiss cheese if they need a new job or at least the holes part of it.

I have enjoyed all three seasons of this. It's an adaptation and it's not like anything you would expect. For me what draws me in and keeps me is the compelling acting. French actress, Lea Drucker, is a powerhouse. Her determination is what sells the show in any language. There are other notable performances that carry the show even when you are completely confused, and with this show you will be confused. There's time travel, quantum theory, strange diseases, and some very strange robotic dogs. I enjoy the fact that the show is more cerebral than an alien invasion shoot'em up. The focus is on the characters and their relationships. Not everything is a hit, but there enough for me to find this enjoyable. Ignore negative reviews and see for yourself.

7/10.

I had high hopes of a classic story and a strong cast. But this is like eating the same thing, every meal, every day, for the rest of your life. I gave it a go, I really did, but the episodes are so similar I couldn't tell you if I was watching episode 2 or 22. Nothing seemed different except a few spoken lines here and there and a different shot of ruined cars. I felt sorry for the cast, filming the same episode week in, week out. Oh, and who knew that when drivers simultaneously died at the wheel all the cars would stop in line exactly 2.5 feet from each other. Anyway, I gave up. Oh, and there is no war, and no aliens except clunky doggy-type robots. There is a second series. Allegedly.