As I wrote yesterday, I'm continuing to make my way through the Netflix adaptation of Series of Unfortunate Events. Yesterday, I finished the two-part episode of the second book, The Reptile Room. This episode was fantastic, and even more Wes Anderson inspired than the previous one.
The Baudelaires, having escaped the care of the evil Count Olaf are placed in the care of Uncle Monty, as their parents had requested in their will. Naturally on guard, the siblings are reluctant to accept this eccentric new caregiver but find that he's as warm and kind as he seems.
It doesn't take long for a poorly disguised Count Olaf to find them and begin to work a new elaborate evil plot to secure their fortune. One of the things that I love about this series, both the books and the show, is how the adults are basically clueless to things that should be so obvious, which is one of the facts of childhood from the perspective of children. This really comes through in these episodes.
Another great part of this episode is the elaboration on the bigger story of the secret organization, V.F.D. The weaving of this aspect of the books into the show is so wonderfully done.
The acting continues to be a strength. Aasif Mandvi is brilliant as Monty, and Neil Patrick Harris shows his range as he takes on the first of Olaf's many disguises.
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