The Wizarding World is expanding!
Ev, Sam, Sierra, and special guest Patrick gather to discuss the highly anticipated HBO Harry Potter series. They break down the confirmed details, delve into the swirling rumors, and share their personal hopes and concerns for the adaptation. From casting choices to plot deviations, they leave no stone unturned. Get ready for a magical discussion filled with passionate opinions and wild theories!
In this episode:
- Sierra has named her baby after HBO
- The Factual Facts
- Movie fans v Book fans v New fans
- We span the whole gambit
- Casting: Current and Potential
- From Sassy Harry to The Crouch Family Drama
- Escape from Harry’s Perspective
- It’s all about balance
- No More Nigels!
- Flying away and falling off towers
- Soaked in Hedwig’s Theme
Resources: Sam & Sierra’s HBO show speculations
Pub’s Jukebox: Hedwig’s Theme by John Williams
I am all for diversifying, but it does need to be handled carefully to avoid unintended consequences (as mentioned, the potential for racist vibes from the white marauders and/or trio disliking black Snape).
To reference Lorrie Kim (again), making Hermione a person of colour fits with her story of being an immigrant to the wizarding world, but making her East Asian would be perpetuating a stereotype.
(By similar argument, Harry should at least “pass” as white, because he’s an outsider everyone assumes is an insider.)
I had the thought that it would be cool to have Tonks portrayed by a mixed-race, gender-fluid person, but being neither of those myself, I first have to ask whether that would be problematic in a way I’m not aware of?
(An important consideration I’m not sure I trust the author to make, given past evidence.)
Sign me up for a Part 2 of the HBO discussion!
A few thoughts on the discussion re: things I want and don’t want in the series. The reality is we won’t get every little detail in the books translated into the HBO series…and honestly? That’s fine with me. I don’t want a word-for-word translation from book to television. That takes all the fun out of reading the books!
When I think back on the films, here’s my commentary on where the films went wrong and how they can remedy the situation:
1) The first film was a fantastic adaptation, probably the best one we have ever gotten. I truly feel this makes it a bad film in a lot of ways. It’s almost…too loyal. I want the team to take some more creative direction with this so it’s not a bland retelling of the film, which in itself is a retelling of the novel. This is one that I’m struggling with because we got so much of it in the film in the first place. The only thing I can think of is a bit more focus on the journey to the stone. I understand why they cut the troll and the potions scenes at the end, as they really don’t add much to the overall story, but I do think there’s something to be seen with the potions scene. Also Peeves, but honestly…if they’re going to cut a character…
2) The second film had much the same issues. It was almost too good at retelling the book. I do think I want a bit more focus on the flying car—though I think this of the book as well tbh. The only thing I can think of that NEEDS to be present in the series is Ginny’s love song to Harry. “His eyes are as green as a fresh pickled toad…”
Here’s where I make my first (of many) controversial statements: I almost want the series to start with the third book. There’s nothing in the first two books that wasn’t in the first two films that I feel need to be there. And I’d rather we had more time with the latter books.
3) The third film (sorry Patrick) is my favorite of the original films. Alfonso took some creative liberties and changed things up just enough to keep things fresh while respecting the original material. I do agree to a point that this was more Hermione’s film than Harry’s, but…the book kind of does that too, no? I’d like to see more focus on the Marauders, and we will undoubtedly get that. I’d love to see the entire backstory in one episode a la the Crouch episode you guys discussed on here, as the mid-late point of the season. I also think we need more focus on Ron and Hermione’s fight here. I think this lays the groundwork for a lot of their future relationship, which for better or worse, we will undoubtedly get in this series.
4) The fourth book is where most of my changes will come into play as the fourth film is my least favorite of the original films. I will say I agree with Patrick: we don’t need Winky. An overblown, do-nothing character that adds nothing of value to the story other than establishing Crouch Sr is an ass—something the disowning of his son does well enough. I will never understand why Winky, of all characters, gets so much love and outrage from fans when Dobby is right there being ignored from films 4 through 7 but whatever. Some of my changes:
a. I will personally fly to HBO studios and picket if we don’t get Arthur destroying the Dursleys living room.
b. The Quidditch World Cup needs to be AT LEAST three episodes—one arriving, one during the cup itself, and one the aftermath. We don’t need to see them leaving, they can just be at the Burrow at the start of the next episode, but this needs to be given the time and care it deserved in the film initially.
c. Rita Skeeter needs to be more fully fleshed out. She was in the movie for all of like 20 minutes? And we don’t see her become a real villain the way the books portray her. No, we need a reason to hate her. I want to see her go after Hermione, Hagrid, Dumbledore, and Harry. Let’s properly set up the end and give Fudge a reason to distrust Harry and Dumbledore. In the films, he just looks dumb and incompetent but in the books, there was a real reason he was so distrusting of Harry and Dumbledore and it was almost entirely because Rita Skeeter laid the foundation of this so well.
d. Barty Crouch Jr/Sr has been discussed already. I agree with your points, no notes. (Other than, we don’t need Winky.)
e. SPEW is important and I think worth devoting 15-20 minutes of an episode on, but I don’t think I would be upset if it was absent altogether. I certainly don’t think it needs its own episode.
f. In one of the episodes I was on, I go off a little bit about how Mad-Eye Moody is another “do-nothing” character. We see him lose every duel he’s in. Speaking of show don’t tell, show us Mad-Eye Moody specifically taking in some of these top dangerous Death Eaters. Give me a reason to not dislike him.
5) Okay…that’s enough for book/film four. The fifth film is my second favorite film, so I have few notes. Some things I’d like:
a. A more accurate telling of the Battle of the Department of Mysteries. This is one I’d like them to almost take directly from the book word-for-word despite my earlier point. (Yes, I’m a hypocrite. Deal with it.)
b. I will need them to make sure they get Umbridge right. The original actress for her was superb and I’m nervous they won’t get anyone to live up to my high expectations. Having said this…I’d prefer a little bit less focus on her during the series. She’s important in book five, but her scenes really dominated the entire film. I’d like a little less focus on Umbridge if at all possible.
6) For book six, I’d like to actually see the scenes they shoot please. That’d be great. Other things:
a. Definitely more Gaunt/Voldy backstory. I agree with whoever said it isn’t fantastic even in the books, but I’d like us to see everything from the Pensieve on the small screen. I think having more focus on these scenes with Dumbledore is important.
b. Either go all in on Harry x Ginny and Ron x Hermione or skip it altogether. I don’t have a strong preference, but either fully commit or skip it.
c. It pains me to say this, but…The Other Minister (my favorite chapter in the series) could probably be skipped. I’d prefer it not be, but if we HAVE to cut…
d. …I’d rather they cut that then the funeral. The funeral HAS to be in here. With everyone coming together. I don’t care how much money it costs, every character in the series needs to come together for Dumbledore’s funeral this time. I get why they didn’t do this in the films, but the TV series needs this to happen.
7) Book seven has, next to the first two films, my least amount of changes because we already have two films of it. My only real comment is Voldemort’s death NEEDS to be accurate to the books. That’s the whole point.
Okay…that’s probably enough. For now. Sorry for the novella.