Still Star-Crossed

It's interesting how certain reviewers (is it even released in Luxembourg yet?) are reacting negatively to the casting. It's a TV show based on a YA novel that used secondary characters from a play where all female roles were played by men. Mind you, Shakespeare borrowed heavily from other sources ("The Tragical History of Romeus and Juliet" and "Palace of Pleasure"), rewrote and adapted other writers' concepts, and his history plays are straight up Tudor propaganda. Oh, not to mention all of the in jokes and innuendos throughout his plays. I bet he'd be tickled that his play spurned a new tale AND TV show.

All that to say that I enjoyed the episode. While fast paced, it did do the job of establishing the conflict, introducing the players, and teasing just enough to whet your appetite.

I think the casting is phenomenal. So many talented English, Australian, and American actors. While the writing was clunky in bits, I do believe the actors elevated the material, which usually doesn't happen. The costuming is exquisite and so vibrant. I appreciate the attention to detail (although some costumes are a bit out of time, it's not too distracting, especially when so many get it right).

But truthfully, the star of the show is Salamanca (standing in for Verona). For a show set in one city, the fact it's filmed on location gives the scenes so much more power, authenticity, and depth that a sound stage would remove. You feel as if you're there with them walking the streets of this beautiful city.

I'm pleasantly intrigued by what is to come, and if the preview is any hint, it'll be explosive!

Some of these reviews are really mean. The show wasn't that bad, maybe dramatic yes but it is Shakespeare. I really enjoyed the romance in it and was getting into the mystery before it was cancelled. It wasn't my favorite show but it was still entertaining to watch another version or loosely based show of Shakespeare's. I think some take any version very seriously and may be upset if it's not exact. I didn't have a problem with it. Some reviewers were not a fan of the diverse cast. Everyone who is familiar with Shonda knows she doesn't cast based off race and appearance. You should expect a diverse cast from her, which is something I admire about her. She doesn't let race dictate her casting. One reviewer went as far as to say that the protagonist wasn't the most attractive, I don't know what they were looking at but I thought she was beautiful and even if she wasn't that's just very superficial and sad to expect the main characters to be drop dead gorgeous. But I know that's Hollywood's fault too. I know I personally want to see a cast with regular people, all shapes and sizes, that's just more realistic.

As only episode 1 has been released from the new TV series Based on the book by Melinda Taub, Still Star-Crossed, I can only review the one, but I have to say I was pleasantly surprised.

The scenery is bustling and rich, episode one starts you off just before the demise of Romeo and Juliet, setting the scene of the relationships the different character have with each other while also painting a grim picture of the threats that loom over the fair city of Verona.

The actors are competent and endearing, while again only one episode has aired I don't feel it in any way deserves a 1 star review, but then that could be summed up to bigotry and racism.. what else can you call someone who can't look past the colour of someone's skin? I especially like how Lashana Lynch has made Rosaline come alive on screen, from what I've seen she is a strong and fierce woman who speaks her mind.

It receives a strong 7 from me and I will be tuning in for episode 2 guaranteed!

I'm not a fan of Shakespeare but after watching this show all I could think about is DAMN, its really good. The actors are completely invested in their characters and it shows on screen. I love it. The first episode was good and then the second one, OMG it was intense. I am intrigued and completely on board with this drama. I really hope I can see it all unfold.

In reading some of the reviews, I was rather surprised by some of the snooty remarks about the racially mixed cast. Especially, given that all the actors did an extraordinary job. Truly, they exceptional in their respective roles. I am, however a HUGE Anthony Stewart Head fan girl. He was so very dreamy as Giles. The set, costumes, and cinematography were absolutely gorgeous. In my opinion, the script adaption was done rather well for a TV series. The only reservation that I have keeping me from becoming fully invested is it's uncertainty regarding staying in production. I never fully recovered from NBC's dick move in canceling Constantine, (seriously I truly hate them for that). That all being said, I do hope for it to become a regular, especially with Scandal coming to an end, I will need something from ShondraLand to appease my broken heart.