A Discovery of Witches

Beautiful scenery, amazing shots, interesting characters and story. Can't wait to find out more.

I made my account because I feel like this really desereves a positive review.

As someone who has seen lots, and lots of films & series, but also having my own fair share of knowledge of video editing. I can really appreciate the cinematography of this series. Beautiful scenes and film work with overall great acting and a story that shows a lot of opportunities for this becoming an amazing series.

Three episodes in so far, and after every episode I keep on wanting more. I'm mostly writing this review because honestly, I want more! I truly hope they can keep up this quality for the rest of the season, and be renewed for a second season. As it's something that I'm already looking forward to.

TLDR: Great, and beautifully produced.

At first you will think you are watching a fantasy drama for adults, but not far into season one you will realize this was written for 12 to 13 year old girls. Sexual attraction is handled very chastely, no one drinks in excess if at all, and our main character is struggling with issues usually experienced by teens, not twenty-somethings. She is the best, the brightest, most courageous person anyone has ever seen, plus very innocent, but that whole package is overdone so much so, it becomes obvious this is a tween girl's fantasy. She is going to be given a full professorship in the history dept at Oxford University at 23 or so years old because she's so brilliant. Really? She simply doesn't have enough life experience, and proves it each episode. That said, this is not a lighthearted silly show like many written for younger viewers.

I understand from other reviews here that it follows closely to the books, so I can only assume they are probably written for the tween fan group. As an experienced adult, it becomes hard to watch adults a thousand years or more old struggle to handle life, and it necomes harder and harder to sispend reality for the sake of enjoying the show.

All that said, the sets, most of the actors and production quality are good. I will continue to watch unless it jumps the shark even further.

Every second packed with intensity in this first episode - I'm flabbergasted! Ending of the episode left me yearning for more instantly! I haven't felt like this about a series since first time I watched True Blood (not that they compare in any way). Very catching! I certainly hope the rest of the series live up to this first episode!

...but I think the lead actress was terribly miscast. Teresa Palmer is lovely to look at and seems sweet and earnest in the role, but she doesn't have the gravitas to pull off a PhD-educated woman, let alone convey the complexity of a supernatural being who has been denying her powers. It is particularly evident in her scenes with Matthew Goode, who is excellent and seems puzzled as to how he got paired with such a youthful lightweight. The other actors are of varying capabilities, with the adults being clearly stronger.

The writing is bland, with little sparkle. I struggled to pay attention. I haven't read the books but got the impression that Diana and Matthew fall in love slowly; in the series it happens immediately with no lead time - it doesn't feel earned.

The good in the series? It is visually breathtaking, with pretty people and rich, elegant sets, and it takes advantage of the lovely European architecture of the various countries it visits. The music was beautiful, and matched both the storyline and the look and feel of the setting.

I wanted to like it - in the hands of the right writers and casting director, it could have been a powerful series. As it is, it seemed like a fantastic dessert that I couldn't wait to bite into, but turned out to be tasteless and dry.