The Dresden Files

Stumbled across this recently on Netflix's "watch instantly" section. Have to say, got me hooked.

Imagine Harry Potter has gotten older. He's updated his wand with a drum stick, and instead of a staff.....he's got a hockey stick. Now he's a P.I./wizard for hire & helping the police with "unique" cases.

Not as much magic as I wanted and some effects are a bit cheesy, but the character development is great. Got to the end of the season 1 and wanted more, only to find out there was only one season. Booo! Right when the show started getting REALLY good....gone. Oh well.

If you enjoy magic, Harry Potter & CSI type stuff....check this out. Just don't get into any black magic afterward!

Gotta say this show ought to have appeared on terrestrial television and, in its way, just as enjoyable as the likes of charmed and supernatural. Paul Blackthorne better known more recently for his role in Arrow plays his leading role well and as the episodes progressed, IMO I felt the characters became more entertaining. I haven't read the book(s)? having just been informed by a fellow contributor who recently reviewed the show, that they read them prior to watching the tv show so I can't say whether they are anything like the written format and though somewhat ignorant to that fact, I have found the show to be most enjoyable to watch. I agree with other reviewers comments that this is a show that would be great to see return to the screen with the original actors in play.

It makes you wonder if sci-fi know what they are doing, this show was cancelled way too soon. Interesting plots and a VERY watchable lead what more do you want? Apart from the pleasure of knowing that such a good show is coming back next year. 12 episodes for a first season is not an automatic death sentence - remember Buffy? It seams to be a trend with sci-fi, if a program shows too much intelligence they cut it and replace it with something cheap and cheerful (everybody remember when they swapped American Gothic with Sliders)!!! It seams that taste is an acquired taste after all I wonder if the bosses at sci-fi are able too learn it??

I'm a relatively recent fan of Butcher's novels, not even having read the entire Dresden Files series yet. But it's pretty evident that the producers of the series had some hangups about the Dresden character. I can handle the Hockey-stick-as-staff and drumstick-as-blasting-stick issues, and even the major character changes, including Bob now being the ghost of a departed wizard. But it's clear that the producers want Dresden to be more of an observer than an an active wizard. I guess thaumaturgy and offensive/defensive magic make them nervous. In the novels, Dresden would frequently summon fire or wind to assist him in dealing with both human and supernatural opponents. In the series, Dresden relies upon wit and perception, hardly every dong anything that's even remotely supernatural. (OK, OK...he got himself out of jail in the last episode and placed a simulacrum in his place. But he ended up there in the first place because he didn't resort to any of the means he normally would employ.) All in all, a bit of a disappointment. Harry, after all, is primarily a wizard and should be expected to act like one. Instead, he acts more like a psychic.

I just discovered this show on Netflix and am amazed that something so brilliant, engaging and well-written was canceled after only one season.

The characters are well-developed, the cast is believable and the storyline is engaging.

Compared to the reality drivel that has taken over television and cable this was like reading Shakespeare - engaging for those that like to have their brain cells teased a little bit instead of being "dumbed-down" by over-dressed idiots that can't act and think that behaving like a sociopathic idiot is entertainment.

I think commercial interests (e.g. paying sponsors), were put off by the fact that the good guy practices magic and wiccan symbols were displayed in a positive light (e.g. used to suppress evil energies) vs. traditional religious symbols. For the record my religious affiliation is Christian and I am not offended.

The "powers that be" made a mistake, I would pay for a second season!