Caltrops - The Netflix Instant Forum





	[quote name="fabio"]Comparing the Netflix version side by side to the original 1990 BBC version is a good example of how screenwriting is so terrible these days, and further proof that writers are more important than directors. The 1990 version has the main character talking to the camera a lot, but it's never used as the "see how much smarter I am than everyone else" device that Spacey does. I'm starting to think that Spacey never accepts any script that doesn't revolve entirely around his character constantly flaunting his superior intelligence. It introduces the main character as an old man who dutifully supported his party his entire career, never aspired to lead, and simply wants a posh top position as a reward in his twilight years. How is Kevin Spacey introduced? The very first scene is him euthanizing his neighbor's injured dog by strangulation. That's the level of nuance and subtlety you can expect from here on. What really amazes me is how the BBC version told the story in 4 hours while Netflix still hasn't told it in 13. Netflix drags it out by giving every side character their own drawn out story arc. Characters must choose between family and career! It's about as exciting as it sounds and an example when someone takes "show, don't tell" to mean "show EVERYTHING". But what really amazes me is, with all this extra time to develop things, the Netflix version completely flubs key traits and scenes: BBC protagonist turns betrayer because he's an old man near the end of his career after an entire life of loyalty, not content to sidelined his last few years. Kevin Spacey is a straight up power craving asshole. It's no shock or major turn when he decides to sabotage the president. Imagine someone remaking Breaking Bad and making Walter White a young yuppie asshole in his 30s and cancer free. How massively do you have to miss the entire point to do that? The protagonist being told by the leader he just helped elect that the cabinet positioned promised him is going to someone else. <b>The key scene in the entire series.</b> With less than a quarter of the screen time for the whole series, the BBC version still manages to effectively build this. Foreshadowing as the Prime Minister brushes him off at a party, being forced to wait too long for his meeting, entering the room to find one of his rivals there with the Prime Minister, realizing something is wrong, politely but firmly reminding the PM of his promise then immediately acting loyal again while crushing his knuckles. The Netflix version has Spacey enter an office. You have no idea why he's even there. An adviser we don't know, not the president himself (taking away the entire impact and motivation behind the revenge scheme), flat out informs him he won't be getting the position with no tense buildup. Spacey starts swearing, throwing insults, and demanding to talk to someone else. It should have been immediately obvious he would be out to burn them yet later on they still try to copy the BBC scenes where they're scrambling trying to find out who is leaking damaging information to the press. BBC ambitious reporter effectively conveys her entire background within 20 seconds of first appearing, showing her deduction ability when she gets her foot in the door with a threat to print her correct guess on the party's discontent. Protagonist takes a paternal respect to her but is still loyal enough to only feed her vague hints of the story, forcing her to connect all the dots out of logical clues. Netflix ambitious reporter...jesus christ. First off they turn her from a young professional into looking like a teenager. <img src="http://imageshack.us/a/img13/16/zoep.jpg"> Long long LONG scenes of her at the newspaper. They have her blogging! 10 minutes to show what the BBC version showed in less than 30 seconds. She gets her foot in the door by finding an online BLOG photo of Spacey checking out some woman's ass at a theater event, threatening to identify him. Once inside, she immediately whips out her tits and comments how it gives her an effective advantage. Then in an example of how badly overwritten Aaron Sorkin dialog ruined an entire generation of writers, you get this: "The reason I'm here is-" "Oh, is foreplay over?" "I once read that JFK never lasted more than 3 minutes." "Your point being?" "Time is precious. Powerful people don't have the luxury of foreplay." "I hope you understand that I must sleep on this. I never make such important decisions so long after sunset and so far from dawn." Somewhere inbetween, Spacey is somehow able to recall every article she ever wrote (despite 10 minutes of scenes showing us how she was a blogging nobody) while she is able to magically guess the administration's agenda based off nothing ("Immigration is too controversial, tax reform isn't sexy, but everyone can get behind kids so it has to be education!"). Within 4 episodes they're fucking. You can really tell how pointless and inept a show will be by how vague the episode descriptions are. [quote]Francis wins a major battle, but doesn't pause to rest on his laurels. Peter must face his past. Stamper hushes a secret.[/quote] [quote]Francis is honored at his alma mater, while Peter returns to Philly. Both men tackle unfinished business.[/quote] [quote]Claire fuels an old flame. Peter wrestles with his demons. Francis crosses the point of no return.[/quote] [quote]Francis must make an unforeseen detour. Zoe, Lucas and Janine get closer to the truth.[/quote] [quote]Francis scrambles to keep his plan on track. Claire is haunted by choices old and new. Zoe poses a serious threat.[/quote] What does this remind me of? [quote name="Mad Men"]A deadline disrupts Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce.[/quote] [quote name ="Mad Men"]An edict from Roger and Lane puts Pete in a personal dilemma.[/quote] Vague episode descriptions are a handy way of telling you the whole thing is a meandering waste of time. Good shows don't pull that shit. [quote name="Twin Peaks"]Cooper and Truman have tea with the Log Lady and discover a macabre crime scene in the woods, and Audrey takes a job in her dad's department store.[/quote][/quote]