Thanks for the recap, because of the sometimes inaudible
dialogue, this show is a tough one to follow.
1
I was delighted to read that so many others were bothered by the dim lighting, inaudible dialogue, and quick cuts that make some important plot elements hard to see. I thought it was just me. What did the creators hope to accomplish by inflicting this on the audience? Were they trying to be "arty"? It only makes the show difficult to follow. And I'm sure they will lose viewers every week.
8
A lot of people commenting on dialog that's hard to hear. Whispers and mumbling passing for "drama." And the ridiculously "writer-ly" conceit about words being cut into her flesh... fine, except the photography is so flat and murky we can hardly ever see them, even when we're supposed to. The same goes for the word scratched into the car door which some have noted actually changes from "scared" to "sacred"? That's news to me. This is a major failing of modern, and frankly amateurish, HD cinematography. The filmmakers seem to think we're all watching on an 85" screen in our home theaters. My TV is not tiny at all. And it even upscales to 4K, yet I can barely read many of these (significant?) details without pausing and getting out the reading glasses. Once upon a time there was a thing called a CLOSEUP. It was used to relay important information to an audience, and the shots were framed close on the subject. Hence the name. They did not consist of 90 percent distracting dead-space in the frame so you can't even tell what it is you're supposed to be looking at. So old-fashioned, I know.
As for the jumble of generic, indistinguishable characters, I don't know if I'm supposed to know or care who any of them are at this point. Generic small-town cliches bordering on Southern Gothic stereotypes and Tennessee Williams histrionics. Good thing we have two "outsider" characters so we know we are meant to sit in judgement on how small-minded everyone else in the town is. Yawn.
9
So tedious - 2 episodes and I am out!
2
Excellent article. Having never read the book, I find this series fascinating in its approach.
Where to begin: Bob Nash. Where is the wife?
What about the several obvious common denominators shared by both victims, Ann and Natalie? Emily for one, plus why did Natalie cross off Ann's name on her mirror and move her to the hate column? Like Natalie's parents -- "we keep to ourselves," says Bob to Camille when she interviews him at the Nash home. Then we have Adora's revelation that she tried to help those girls. The reason surrounding her attempts to help Natalie was a bit chilling.
Granted, Adora is nearly totally "gone," but I don't think she's the killer, which I suspect is a path the writers want us to begin to travel; e.g., the woman in white. I don't buy it. Who would have the strength (or reason) to remove the victims' teeth is a puzzler. And the step-dad is more like a prop or piece of furniture -- part of the decor, so to speak. Still, I think the answer "lives" in that house or part of the past.
The viewer "sees" through the same hazy lens as Camille. It's not just due to the quart of Vodka she easily consumes in a day, but her memories of the past. Some are more recent. All of the words that we see appear in silence (like those on her car), disappear; these are her words. The words cut into her skin reveal a story that needs to be released/exorcized and confronted, as the demons hiding within.
6
Nice Beatles lyric that snuck into Camille's dialogue with her boss, regarding the spider - "that she keeps in a jar by the door"
3
There's something about Jackie. Maybe I watch too many pulp murder mysteries, but you always suspect the least-suspicious characters - especially one whose actor, so significant that she earns an "and" in the opening credits, seems to do nothing but act goofy, drink a lot and function as Camille's only friend. I'm honestly not so sure she's a "delicious brand" of anything. Or, they're wasting a good actor as a comedic interlude. Or, I watch too many pulp murder mysteries.
7
This is television. That I have to read a review to explain to me what I couldn't hear is ridiculous. And, it doesn't seem to be just the sound quality - could anyone see what Camille was writing in her notebook? Could anyone make out all the words that appeared in different places? Aside from that, it seems to be that those reviewing these episodes (not just here, but on other sites), must have read the book. Was I suppose to already know the business that Camille's family owned? I'm completely frustrated.
26
@PersonI also found the sound quality quite poor. I have some slight hearing loss but even putting my hearing aids in wasn't much help.
2
@beth reese
My hearing was just tested, and it's fine.
There's a new set of high quality speakers on my TV.
I have to use closed captions on this and other HBO shows.
It isn't just you.
4
Thank you!!! My husband & I struggled through the entire episode, rewinding and cranking the volume to higher levels than ever before, yet still could not decipher the dialogue! It is so frustrating that we discussed trying to turn on closed captioning for the next episode. It is baffling that anyone involved with making this show didn’t notice that it is impossible to hear the dialogue.
9
In this series, John Keene's girlfriend is called Ashleigh Wheeler. In the book, her name is Meredith.
4
Well, episode 2 didn't do it for me either. Small towns are really NOT that interesting. People are mean and poorly educated and think too much about what people will think. Been there, left that. I may try episode 3 but . . . .
13
Whew...I thought I might be the only viewer who felt this way. The way I've been thinking about it has been as a version of True Detective, except that nothing ever happens.
What? Too harsh, too soon?
5
@Carole Sullivan
What stands out about this town is that it's kind of surreal in that there seems to be a lack of touch with reality.
And things are unspoken, hidden behind some kind of facade. Look at Adora and her strange view of life and what her daughters should be like -- dressing them like dolls, behaving in a certain way.
And the townsfolk who criticize others for not "blending in." Maybe it's a metaphor for the fact that not all girls are pink, purple, ruffles and lace, sweetness and light. Neither are their mothers.
3
Thank you, Ms. Berman, for being able to decipher bits of dialogue the rest of us seem unable to understand. Are you watching the show with headphones? Please, do share.
18
I watch with captions on. It's the only way to catch the whispered or overlapping dialogue.
25
The word on Camille's skin may have read "scared," but the one on her car -- the second time it was shown -- was "sacred."
Adora appears to be the prime candidate for the woman in white. Or is that too obvious?
12
it's obvious and true. read Vulture's take - top picture.
After watching this, the second episode, I went out in my back yard and kicked "Dirt".
And then I had a long talk with myself.
I'm famous for "Never Saw An Episode Of -".
Twin Peaks.
Friends.
Sex And The City.
24.
NICS. (Did I spell that right?)
I've never seen "Silence of The Lambs".
The list is long and varied. Popular. Camp.
I'm an unsung authority on people confusing "weird" with "complex". "I, Claudius" was complex. "Sharp Objects" is just weird. Plain weird. Not even gussied-up weird. Dead kids? Been there, done that.
Last week my problem with "Objects" (This show is definitely NOT sharp!) was that I was supposed to believe that a pill-popping, booze swiller was capable of holding down a job - especially as a journalist. No. I never once saw her do anything remotely competent. Not once. Her editor is PAYING her for this trip??? This week, ditto. Then, being warned of legalities, she sends off the questionable text anyways. Because her sister was screaming. Don't know why, but who cares? It's all about Camille, isn't it?
So, I've decided to make a deal with that 8-year-old kid with the gun: If I ever watch another episode of this silly claptrap then he'll loan me his gun so I can shoot myself. And, no - he can't watch. And neither can you.
I'm outta here.
8
I can't wait to read your response next week.
8
The word “scared” on the door of Camille’s car later changed to “sacred.”
8
Adora seems like the "mother from hell." She reminds me of Blanche from " A Streetcar Named Desire" - a real drama queen. I hope going forward this series goes deeper into her relationship with Camille.
8
I keep thing Amanda Wingfield from "The Glass Menagerie". Frankly, I'd rather see Patricia Clarkson do that!
Thank you for your wonderful recap. I feel I missed so much! Maybe I should read your recap and then watch the episode.
6
Seems odd to me that the Kansas City detective would frequently be found drinking in a the bar in daylight hours. Whether he is "off duty" or not, you would think he'd be concerned about the impression.
And an open, self-service bar at a wake/reception? I realize the Christian denomination of the service of the family is not specified and is seemingly not evangelical, but this I've never encountered, in a small town or anywhere.
7
The church is Methodist. As Camille leaves you can see the Methodist symbol and Met before a tree trunk obscures the rest of the church name. It would be odd to see an open bar at a Methodist wake.
I am enjoying the show very much. However, there are many times when the dialogue is hard to hear. Many commenters last week made the same observation.
One other observation. The actress playing the young Camille bears an incredible resemblance to Amy Adams. At first, I thought it was Ms. Adams herself with the help of CGI to look younger. Most movies that feature different actors portraying the same character at different ages require some suspension of disbelief. Not this time.
13
oh -- people drink at wakes.
the more free liquor the better.
12
And we've seen John Keene twice before without any real inappropriate behavior. Why is it so extraordinary he'd be sobbing at the funeral of his little sister who was brutally murdered??
In NYC, neighbors, and even strangers, are known to lay flowers at the scene of a tragedy, to pay respects. Is that so unheard of anywhere else?
And why did Natalie's dad just sit there and answer Camille's intrusive, and considering the situation, inappropriate questions, after having just thrown someone else out of his house?
And Camille really is just staring into space, rather than investigating. Has she interviewed any of the dead girls' friends, teachers...? Nope, just sauntering around looking damaged.
5