What makes this
series work so well- and this is true to the source novels too- is that the
fantastical element is woven into a narrative that has enough familiarity to
drawn the viewer in. A lot of fantasy show go the other way trying to dazzle
with visuals depicting things that don’t seem relevant to right now. This
measured third episode combines the tension running through the second with the
movement of the first yet at its heart is a very human drama. A mother missing
her stolen child, a community debating how to fight back against an oppressive
regime, family secrets brought into the open. These could feature in a more
conventional drama so we understand them. What the series also does well is
share the perspective of a number of key players. The 8 episode format allows
space for character beats and conversations that head off in interesting
directions. Quite how one tv critic can call it “an uneventful hour” surprises
me.
