Based on Louise Penny’s #1 New York Times bestselling novels, “Three Pines” from Amazon Prime Video and Left Bank Pictures stars Alfred Molina as Chief Inspector Armand Gamache of the Sûreté du Québec, a man who sees things that others do not: the light between the cracks, the mythic in the mundane, and the evil in the seemingly ordinary.
Discuss the series with other Louise Penny fans here!
305 replies on “Three Pines Series Discussion”
I am a huge fan of the books and was looking forward to adaptations faithful to the plots. The acting is fine, although I expected more French accents from the characters. The plots are very loose adaptations, which is unfortunate since the storylines in the books were excellent. This seems like a new trend on tv adaptations -HBO’s “Station Eleven” was interesting, but veered far off the outstanding novel. Thankfully, the BBC adaptations of Agatha Christie’s novels have more respect for the original material. The Three Pines Mystery movie, while it had some weaknesses, at least kept the same plot as the book.
I agree, David, et al.
I honestly see almost nothing in common with the books, other than the characters having the same names. I have the same questions as you – why switch Olivier and Gabri? Why are Myrna and Clara so young, and why doesn’t Clara have any food in her hair? Where is the focus on food, and the goodness of people? Why make Isabelle a single mom? How does that advance the plot in any way? Why is the church not white clapboard, and most important WHERE ARE THE PINE TREES? (that really burns my britches). That church doesn’t even seem to have the memorial windows that are mentioned in almost every book.
And what is up with Arnot and his wife being all buddy/buddy with Reine Marie and Armand? What was that about? That whole scene was completely overwrought and silly. Except that it wasn’t funny.
Seriously, can you imagine any humour in this series at all? Can you imagine Clara saying, “Don’t you mean an emotional vampire in a frying pan?” (pretty much my all time favorite thing anyone has ever uttered)
No, I really have nothing good to say about this series. It’s far too dumbed-down, American style, formulaic garbage, as Ruth would say.
To all those who think this series is a good match for the books, I am genuinely baffled, and would be open to hearing what you think is the same.
Whew! I feel good getting that off my chest. I’m F.I.N.E!! 😉
Perfect comment! Exactly what I wanted to say!
I so enjoyed the books! Just found the series this past week. It was confusing to keep up with the different storyline’s in the series because I kept going back to the books. The characters just weren’t developed as well. It would have been good to have continued the series as there was more to be presented. I appreciated how the story of the missing Indigenous women was incorporated and would have liked to have seen it developed further.
I don’t remember that Isabelle Lacoste was either a single mom or her being indigenous! I believe that her having a husband was mentioned in the books.
Yes, I think she was… And I thought she was French-Canadian. But I like the idea of trying her to the Indigenous story.
It infuriates me that Gabri and Olivier characters have been switched. Louise Penny clearly presented Gabri as the front man of the Bistro. Very outgoing, short, chunky and witty. Olivier is tall, blond and refined. Why switch these very delightful characters?
I noticed the same thing and it is infuriating. It’s such a shame that the tv series was not adapted in a way that the books deserve to be.
I was confused at first by the switch of the Gabri and Olivier characters, and then really annoyed. I understand that producers must work with what and who they can get. But it seems that they had the right actors but placed them in the wrong characters regarding Gabri and Olivier. I found most of the series entertaining, and really appreciated the acting of Alfred Molina and Roussif Sutherland. I especially enjoyed the character of Bea, who was spot on. I liked the tie in and “artistic license” changes with having the LaCoste character be indigenous. On the other hand the story of the dysfunctional Morrow family at the hotel, which was supposed to be in the country, was disappointing. The scenes of dysfunctional family interaction seemed strained and not convincing. The characters did not seem genuine. That said, I thought the series overall was entertaining, intriguing and worth watching. I have read all the novels , including the latest, twice and three times for most of them. I am okay with most of the changes, and as mentioned the “artistic license” employed. I surmise that the town they found for most of the scenes, did not have three enormous pine trees in the center. But the moderately-sized trees they got, seem to be the biggest they could get from a local nursery. Living in a neighborhood with 150 foot white pines, I found it amusing that the trees in the town center were so comparatively small. Nevertheless, they were there, and still a nice focal point in the series’ production. Two thumbs up for this entertaining series overall.
So annoyed that Gabri and Olivier were switched! And Clara is too young. Book storylines are very different. But I don’t dislike the series as some others do. I think it’s well done, and thankfully it dropped the excessive descriptions and storylines about how fat certain characters were, that were really off putting and made me want to give up on reading the series (same with Agemt Nichol – at least in the show she’s not quite as annoying).
I have not yet watched the tv series but I have just finished #2 in the written series. Question: what was the Arnot case? It’s mentioned several times but was never discussed in book #1. Must I read the whole series to get answers and understanding?
I’m confused. I did love descriptions of Three Pines.
Thank you. .. I’ve been saying all along that they were switched. That’s why I’ve been searching this thread.
On top of that, I’ve seen marionettes that were more lifelike.
Gabri is a downright caricature of a stereotype of “Frenchies”!!!!!
Maybe Tourisme Québec could use this as an ad to lure visitors from Albruta.
Who the the hell is the (mis)director of this insult?
Relax
Help! It’s a cyclone bomb.
I was trying to give the series a fair shot but I just couldn’t. When the grizzly bear waltzed out onto an Eastern Townships road, and then the cops forced an almost blind girl to get out of the car while shouting, “I’ve got the bear covered!” I burst out laughing. What a travesty of an adaptation. The only reason I continued watching was that I did like that they incorporated the MMIW plot line and I wanted to see how they would resolve that. Otherwise I was as disappointed in the poor script-writing and characterization as everyone else who loves the books. I won’t be back for season 2, but would rather reread the books!
I totally agree with you. I love the books, love Three Pines. What the script writer has done with the books is inexcusable. And it infuriates me when someone who has never published a thing in their life decides they can take a book loved by thousands and ‘make it better’. The third one is the worst of the lot, not even a nodding acquaintance to the plot of the book. And with the second one, I started laughing at the ‘bear in the road’ bit too. Were there ‘bear crossing’ signs anywhere, do you think? If you shoot a bear with a pistol all youre going to do is make it annoyed. What irks me about the indigenous people story line is it has absolutely nothing to do with the books and they are relying on stereotypes and clichés for the plot.
I agree with all the comments of disappointment expressed so far and for all the same reasons. I too wonder if anyone in production or casting actually read the books. If so, they missed the underlying essence portrayed in each of the characters. And yes, I was cursing in French and English over the exchange of Gabri/Olivier! My husband, who has not read any of the books, was even commenting on the lack of depth to the characterizations. (He has listened to me describe how much I love LP and her ability to instill so much morality, compassion and sense of equality in Armand Gamache.) I like the actor Alfred Molina but his characterization is missing the mark. No fault of his, but of writing /ditecting. I actually picture Gamache as aWalter Pidgeon/Gregory Peck type.
I am a great fan of the british series’ “Vera”/”Shetland” and having read Ann Cleaves’ books, think they capture the essence of the title character well. That was my hope for “Three Pines”. Lucky for me, I received “A World of Curiosities” for Christmas and will delight in my visit to the ‘real’ Three Pines.
I agree with all the comments so far, but it was this one that especially touched me. I’m also a fan of Shetland and Vera – I was also a great fan of Cleeve’s novels, which, I believe, were well adapted to a series. Three Pines belittles Louise Penny‘s work!
Never read the books but was really enjoying the TV show and it’s characters….until the ending of season 1. Yet, I don’t see any mention in all of the negative takes about what really made no sense. How on earth does Gamache turn his back on a 2 time murderer and simply start walking away, expecting him to follow? Was there a death wish I haven’t been paying attention to?
I agree wholeheartedly. As a seasoned homicide detective, why on earth would you walk in front of a man who just confessed to murder?! Also, since when do detectives (LaCoste) leave their phones the car when they are in the middle of an investigation AND expecting a key informant to call? The answer is never.
You took the words right out of my mouth!
Just finished the season finale and thought I’d lost my mind and needed to find firm ground to stand on – I could have sworn my favourite bistro/B&B owners had been snatched by aliens, swapped and flung back down to earth!
I’m a HUGE Louise Penny (Gamache and Three Pines) fan and felt a little nauseous after watching the first season. I agree with what many writers mentioned here – great adaptation that now includes important discussions and finally brings real-lived realities of missing and murdered indigenous women to the forefront. I applaud this move. The rest? Felt like I was watching a Canadian crime series but that I wasn’t in Three Pines and I not only didn’t know these characters who I absolutely adore in the books, but actually felt like I didn’t want to know them anymore.
I used to eagerly open the pages of new books (just got my World of Curiosities for Christmas!) just to revisit this warm, inclusive village full of wholesome, flawed, imperfect but loving friends and watching the shows just felt the opposite.
I’m running to bed now just so I can open the book and find the ‘real’ folks that made me fall in love with Three Pines, quirky poets and their ducks, huggable people who should have been very hard to find because Three Pines isn’t on any map (road sign?) and a bistro with everything for sale… here I come!
I agree with many above (s). As an avid fan, I am very disappointed at how much the writers have strayed from the marvelously rich characters and storylines. LP has it all there and yet they chose to reinvent the wheel. For example, Jean Guy adaption missed the mark. No suave brovado upfront. Also, the focus as a second in command seems to be Isabelle, not Jean Guy. ??? Armand /Jean Guy relationship is a foundational storyline. Nicole character, not even close to the rude, brilliant computer misfit. Isabelle not single mom (why, because she’s cast as an indigenous woman, she needs to be single mom? What’s that say?)
Gabri/Olivier switch? WTF? No purpose.
On and on.
Mostly, they present an opposing feel to Three Pines and it’s inhabitants from what I think LP achieved in her writing.
Great adaptations can and have been done. Sadly, this is not one of them.
I agree totally. The series is so not equal to the books that I found myself almost angry as I watched. So disappointing.
I was initially excited about Three Pines —until I watched it. It seems like everything I love about the novels is missing from these episodes. Where are the fun, goofy interactions between the characters? Why have the plots been changed? Why are they so dark and dreary? Penny’s characters in the books are the people you hope to meet one day. The characters in the TV series are dark and brooding and suspicious of Armand Gamache. Gamache himself seems deeply troubled. . I suppose if I hadn’t read nearly all of the books, I might enjoy the show—instead, I can’t help picking apart this program and lamenting how different it is.
Where was the plot, written by Ms Penny?!? because the series had nothing at all to do with the stories she wrote! and yes the characters in Three Pines are hardly given a nod.
Whoa! Sounds like the writer/writers of this adaptation “batted it out while they were shaving”. In her own words, Louise Penny would probably label this disaster “A DOG’S BREAKFAST”. Those who have actually read the books will understand better than most the relevance of this expression. If the goal of Three Pines t.v. version is to drive us back to reading then “Mission Accomplished”. Reading rules!
“Still Life” (the movie) was much better! I could actually recognize the story. The setting was better and the acting captured the personalities of the characters. Initially, I thought Nathaniel Parker was not quite right for Gamache, but I think that was because I was still seeing him as Inspector Lynley. However watching it again now, I think he was very suited to the part.
This series was interesting to watch, but not really as true to Louise Penny’s books as it should have been.
I couldn’t agree more with the comments by Sharon and others. When I started watching this I was sure I had literary Alzheimer’s. I didn’t remember any of the indigenous peoples storyline, I didn’t think Lacoste was an indigenous person, I did think Gamache suffered from PTSD and on and on. But I wasn’t losing it. It never was in any of the books. The books were full of wonderfully drawn characters and lots of interesting storylines. Why did they feel that they had to make up new ones. Too bad that all of us who loved the books had to be so disappointed. If there is a second season I will definitely give it a miss
THANK YOU! Totally agree!
I totally agree! Not only are they not following the books but they also are not depicting the characters as they are in the book.
I am not criticizing the actors but the writers did a lousy job! I hope Louise Penny is not watching this series. Disaster!
I find the series delightful- almost as another book, another look in to my friends and other possibilities! Only the reverse of Gabri & Oliver – what! how funny and think the only issue they got wrong… Books created in my mind, the village of Three Pines and all my new friends Gamache and CROWD – it is delightful to see someone else’s version… I keep my version close. To be ready for the World of Curiosities- I reread the 17 books again- Oh My Goodness -I saw more, saw differently from the first read and got new insights. It was wonderful to revisit.
I do hope Amazon does the 2nd Series – love some of the changes but always my friends bring new issues, new views and deeper in depth thoughts…
The writer is brilliant- love the way the combined, added a new twist – makes it better!
It is never either or- but a new experience to enjoy Gamache and learn.
“What would Gamache do?”
Thank you
Sherry
My perspective too, Sherry!!
I agree Sherry. I have read all the books and am a huge fan. I would like to think they could add in Lacoste’s husband as I don’t believe there is any reason to make her a single mother. The reverse of Gabri and Olivier is not great. They should try to change them for season 2., and perhaps clean up Jean-Guy a little. I did think he looked scruffier than I imagined. And, yes I want a season 2, and 3 etc. Love watching them all. Here’s hoping they get better reviews!
Thank you, Joanne
I agree, we enjoyed the TV series. Don’t think it should be a simple repeat of the books. They added new story lines, blended books, and portrayed characters differently than I imagined them, but that’s OK, they did it well (other than the Gabri/Olivier switch). If you want a copy of a book, reread the book. The series just put a fresh spin on things. Good job.
I know that the TV series game is like walking a tightrope of never knowing if the initial series will gain a season 2 new life. But why oh why didn’t the producers choose to go book by book per each episode, gradually allowing the characters and Three Pines to reveal themselves in their beautiful eccentricity. Even if it meant only showing eight books. The hodge-podge that the producers made of juxtaposing several stories together, changing things like names for no good reason (Gabri-Olivier), not showing how Rosa and Ruth came together, and making the villagers appear so dark and evil, is such a betrayal of the legions of fans of the books. And why was Reine-Marie giving a lecture on the existence of the soul at a conference, seeming like some spiritual guru when she is in fact a librarian/archivist? The changes made no sense at all except that the producers seemed to be following the trend to make everything dark and grim these days. The arrogance of these producers, that they thought they could make changes and tell the story better than an already internationally best-selling author whose series has been translated into 31 languages and sold over 10 million copies world-wide. None of the quirky characters had the chance to be fleshed out, instead Gamache was over-sold, coming across as a deranged man daily tormented by the death of his parents above all else. I didn’t mind Alfred Molina per se but Gamache should have been younger and more dapper, while poor Jean-Guy looked older than Molina.
Guys, you don’t mess with success!!!!!
Totally agree with you! They obviously did not read the books very closely! Taking more care and doing one book at a time could have resulted in devout fans of the series…they missed a big opportunity. A real waste of resources.
I dont believe they read the books at all 🙁
Exactly. Well said! So disappointing.
I agree with you totally. I am so disappointed with this adaptation, only seen three episodes but won’t finish the series. The plots and characters from LP books just aren’t there. What possessed the script writers and producers to change everything? Pure arrogance!
Quite disappointing. I can accept the looks of the town although I might have preferred a staged presentation- 3 Pines is such a magical retreat from most villages. This version looks forlorn.
What’s hard for me is Gamache’s lack of strong central core showing through. And a sense of hope by the end of each book/episode. The series presents a cold hard world fueled by selfish and secret motives without the shining example of Gamache as contrast.
So disappointed in this awful adaptation. Tonight Olivier was called Gabri!
Non of the wit, kindness, depth of the characters and the village? Horrible!
I can’t watch anymore because my mental images of the characters are giving way to this miserable interpretation. The night is not even a strawberry, it’s a squashed tomato!
Back to the books.
My wife & I have read almost all of the books (the latest one just arrived) and we have now watched all eight episodes. If I hadn’t read the books I’d think the series is pretty good. Unfortunately the series’ casting is so far off the images Penny has developed that it interferes with the enjoyment of the series. Beauvior is too scruffy and Clara is too “unscruffy”, Myrna is too thin, Nichol is just goofy and LaCoste is too emotional. The final straw was the swapping of the images of Gabri & Olivier. Ruth is the best cast character. Even the village of Three Pines doesn’t match the image presented in the books and is essentially another character in the books. Its a real shame as we had great hopes for the series but we’ve been disappointed. If it doesn’t get renewed it won’t be missed.
I thought I was insane when the switched Olivier and Gabri!!
I agree. When they got Gabri and Olivier backwards 😳😱, well, that went beyond poor adaptation to just plain laziness in not even knowing the characters!
And then they literally showed Three Pines’ location on a map! A village that does not appear on any map, we are told in every one of the books. Oy vey!
Well…having given the showrunners the benefit of the doubt and having now watched all 8 episodes of season 1…I don’t think I’ll be back for season 2, if there even is a season 2. This is not Three Pines and, with the exception of Molina, these are not the characters Louise has brought to life in such vivid detail over the last 18 years. I’m not talking about just what they look like, I’m talking about who they are and how they behave and relate to one another. They had a chance to really bring these stories to life in an audiovisual format while staying true…and instead they just ripped off the place names and names of characters and decided they could improve upon the storytelling ability of the woman who has spent nearly 2 decades world-building with these characters in this specific place. I have news for them. Their vision doesn’t hold a candle to Louise Penny’s. Shame. Shame. Shame.
So disappointed in this poorly written and casted ⁹adaptation of the Trois Pins series. The books provide clear descriptions of the town, and those three spindly pine saplings in the square surely can’t be the Three Pines the town is named after…Photoshop? Getty Images? Film editors?
The acting/writing is terrible. No one looks comfortable, and the characters are caricatures of themselves. Mind, the last few books are largely the same.
The Cardinale series was excellent; too bad some of that talent couldn’t have found its way into this mess.
The books are far superior to the series. But books always are. This series is still better than most shows on TV.
I was disappointed in the butchering of the plots, but much more bothered by how thin and undeveloped the recurring characters were in the series. My wife who hasn’t yet read the any of the books said it reminded her of “Twin Peaks”, which may one of the reasons fans of the novels find the series disconcerting. There is something in it that folks who haven’t read the books like, but I wonder what they’re liking is really Louise Penny. Seriously, after watching six episodes covering three novels worth of material my wife had trouble naming the residents of Three Pines, asked if Chief Inspector Gamache suffered from depression, and thought Agent Yvette Nichol was “sweet and friendly”. Yikes.
It is inconceivable to me how this production company could so comprehensively stuff up these wonderful novels. Truly appalling casting,script an direction. The highly nuanced, sophisticated and poetic novels have been turned into just more second rate cable crap.
I so agree. They do not do the novels justice and the casting is abysmal. I read that she did not like earlier adaptations of her novels; she should add these to her list.
I am alternately captivated and repelled by the TV adaptation of Louise Penny’s wonderful
Novels. Mostly repelled.
These producers and script writers couldn’t have read this series Their production is so offbase that it’s bizarre. All the characters are depicted carefully in the books and even their appearance doesn’t jibe in the TV series.
There are some very interesting TV bits and good production values. Sound and lighting , costumes, and camera work are great. C’est tout.
But for those of us who have read ( and reread)
The books-
It’s a shanda!
That’s Yiddish for scandal.
And this series is a SHANDA.
I’m sorry Louise. My condolences.
Course we know this isn’t your work.
Hope you got a Lot of money. And Gamache does seem to be a friend.
Sincerely,
F. Mount.
Ps please don’t be offended by this opinion.
Thank you!
Oh wow! There’s some negative comments about the TV show! How sad! I found it interesting that die hard fans (of any industry) are so loyal to the original, they cannot see that whilst the spinoff may be not perfect, it is allowing more of the world to be a part of 3 Pines, which will (I hope) encourage more books to be written! I honestly think the series is fabulous! Are they going to get every minute detail from the books onto the screen accurately? No. It’s impossible. I loved the books and I love the series. Keep it up.
Agreed. I tried to watch the show as if I hadn’t read all the books, and my only issue is the pointless and irritating musical montages in every episode. There are better ways to showcase indigenous artists, which is what I think they are trying to do. It’s clumsy and heavy handed.
No show is ever going to be how you’ve known these characters in your own mind for years, we can’t expect that. I like the series on screen and in print, but I see them as two separate stories.
I agree 100% Kath. I absolutely LOVED this series. Each and every character in the stories was amazing! I do not understand the negative comments at all. Perhaps this series doesn’t follow the books completely but that is no reason to dislike it. How can you not like and admire Armand Gamache? ANY movie made from a book is changed. I highly recommend this series. The actors are all fantastic. The stories are sometimes a little unusual but that is what makes it SO interesting. Mystery around every corner. Secrets- Everyone has a secret! Watch it again people with an open mind and not think of the book. I am watching the whole series a second time with the captions on to catch anything I might have missed. I will never forget this series.
I think the best thing about LP’s books is the character development. When you finish one book, you want to revisit Three Pines and spend more time with the people that inhabit the story. The characters are like friends that we care about despite (or because of) their flaws and fears as well as their kindness. There’s always a sense that any one of the characters might reveal a side that is completely unexpected. The same could be said of the character Gamache and those close to him. That’s where the series falls short. The warmth of the relationships are missing. The detective stories are interesting and Alfred Molina does a great job as Gamache. But, after watching a few episodes, I don’t feel like I want to book a room at the B&B, Or sit by the fire in the Bistro with Clara, Myrna & Ruth exchanging affectionate insults and gossip with Gabri. The very things that make the books so special are things that don’t translate to a limited time, episodic format. I still enjoy watching the show, but it’s a very different experience than reading the books. I enjoy each of them for what they are, but I am glad that I read the books first (even though I too thought I was losing my memory when Gabri’s character was called Olivier and vice versa).
If I had seen the show first, I never would have read the books. And I certainly wouldn’t be able to understand why everyone loves Louise Penny and Armand Gamache.
I thought the show would bring the characters to life, that I’d be able to “see” what I had once imagined. Not so. The whole experience is dark and dreary.
I am disappointed and won’t watch future episodes. Just wait patiently for her next book.
I totally agree. Three Pines doesn’t look like anything I had imagined. Very dreary. Such a shame.
I am opposite here. I have still life in my kindle and never read it. I found out about the series and watched it and I love it! The atmosphere, the music. The characters are wonderful. Now I bought the first four books of the series and just started reading. To be continued…
Get back to us after reading the books. I am truly curious about someone in your situation. Thanks for commenting.
I keep watching trying to find so saving grace about this production. I love the books and want to read any missed.
The production doesn’t fit the tenor of the books. The village is grim. The people colorless. Myrna is thin?
Mr.Molina is a fine actor, but not for this. I was hoping for someone more sophisticated and with more presence. Perhaps it’s the directing. They sure need better sets and wardrobing.
It just should have been so much more exciting.
I agree with all of the commenters that these books deserved better. With a perfectly acceptable plot, why is Still Life about a totally different ‘murder?’ And yes Alfred Molina is a fine actor, but it is as though he has never met Armand Gamache. I am reading a difference here between people who have loved the novels and people who have not read them. Someone commented that the essence, the spirit, the messages of the different novels are missing. The sets, the snowy village, but where is the forest? Where is the central square, the magnificent 3 pines? The personalities, persona, appearance of the recurring characters are bearers of the tales and that is missing, or replaced with other we’ve never met. I know we readers have pictures in our heads of book characters, but maybe the series creators needed to spend more time with these people.
I agree. I love Alfred Molina and think he is a wonderful choice for Armand Ganache. Does anybody else realize movies and TV shows are never exactly like the book? I think it would be totally impossible.
Someone said the first two episodes were about a different murder than Still Life. The series started with the second book.which was a different murder.
I really like the series and hope it will cone back with mote episodes
Spot on. I tried hard to be fair treating the series as just another mystery series. I totally lost it with a young Armand’s playfulness killed his parents. This series is a must miss for all avid readers. It hurts to see Three Pines as a village of paranoid creepy people. There is no peace, no love, no motivation except deception. Oh for heavens sake, I will just skip it.
When I saw the trailer for the series, I thought, good gawd, it looks awful. And then I read the comments here, there were only five or six at that point, and they were all glowing. And at least one referenced that Louise Penny liked the series. All right, I’ll give the first two episodes a chance.
Now, a visual adaptation of a book cannot be literal, but it must capture the essence, the spirit of the book, and the message the story conveys. A handful come to mind that have done it beautifully: the Ron Bass adaptation of “The Joy Luck Club;” Emma Thompson’s adaptation of “Sense and Sensibility;” Greta Gerwig’s adaptation of “Little Women;” and Andrew Davies adaptation of “Pride and Prejudice” for the BBC with Jennifer Ehle and Colin Firth. They are the standard against which I compare.
As soon as I saw three scrawny lifeless pine trees and a Welcome to Three Pines sign, I suspected this was going to be a painful ride. Alfred Molina as Gamache? Meh. Uninspired casting. I’m a fan of Molina, but he doesn’t visually read as a man in his 50s, and I was surprised at the New York-ish American accent. The same goes for Rossif Sutherland as Jean-Guy. So much of the casting missed the mark in so many ways, not to mention the lack of appropriate accents. Slenderized Gabri, Myrna, Crie, and Clara? It’s more than just missing pounds; their weight is intrinsic to the way they experience and move through the world. And a loose and rumpled Peter Morrow splashing paint around like a Pollock wannabe, the dynamic of Clara and Peter’s marriage is lost in the translation.
The denizens of Three Pines come across as a coven of malevolence. I’d sleep with one eye open if I stayed there for a night. The scenes with Gamache and Emilie come closest to capturing the essence of the books: he shows kindness and curiosity, and believes that goodness exists. It’s a peek at the nature of friendship and relationships that is the core of the books.
Mostly, though, it’s about the writing. If it ain’t on the page, it ain’t on the stage. I understand bringing the missing indigenous women and mission schools storyline forward because of the Arnot case interwoven throughout the books. That part of the story needs to be told differently than in the books for it to make sense to the viewing audience. Overall, the writing is flat without any poetry, drive, energy, or urgency. It’s very inert and passionless. And the quintessential differences and mutual suspicions between the Anglais and French Quebecois that is such a source of humor, and an education for non-Canadians, is nowhere to be found.
I won’t be back for further episodes. A couple of friends who have not read the books are enjoying the series — vive la difference!
I was at the new book introduction with Louise Penny and of course the discussion turned to the series. She said they had to find a village to make this, as Knowlton was too far for the unions and also due to Covid, it had to be very isolated. So they adopted a small almost empty village, planted the pines (thus scrawny, not sure if they could find better ones), repainted some houses, dug up a pond, etc. But it doesn’t have the same atmosphere that we all imagined from the books. I agree with your about the weight and its significance, plus it’s like Gabri and Olivier castings were flipped! For several episodes I thought Gabri was Olivier and Olivier was Gabri…am I the only one? Clara is totally wrong, too young and not disheveled enough. It must have been hard to distill the books into two short episodes each but still they could have made them more accurate.
I don’t get the role/character reversal of Gabri and Olivier. Gabri should be plump, Olivier slender,. This is too much, in Hangman!!
The only thing that has bothered me about this series is that they reversed the names of Olivier and Gabri. I don’t see this mentioned anywhere except in your comment. If people are such devotees how cone they haven’t noticed
I have struggled with this series. Why is Gamache so maudlin? Why have Gabri and Olivier been switched? Yes to all the weight issues! And so many casting mismatches? Like Clara’s artistic messiness and crazy hair and clothing? And why is Jean Guy so weak instead of hard and impeccable? Nicole doesn’t match her book character, but she is delightful. I did like the highlighting of very real indigenous issues.
Flipping Gabri and Olivier was the final straw! I thought I was crazy…!
I am relieved but saddened to learn I have so much company in my disappointment. Three Pines the village was atrociously portrayed, the bistro unwelcoming, the “pines” too scraggly for serious consideration. Clara was too young (with no potato chips in her hair) as was Myrna. Jean-Guy was scruffy and terse, Gabri and Olivier interchanged, Reine-Marie bland, and Agent Nichol a goofball.
I have ached for Louise after watching all 8 episodes, waiting for something remotely akin to her beautiful, evolving characters, who are so human yet so lovingly connected and forgiving, to show up somewhere. And her never preachy respect for all people and their histories was ignored among Three Pines residents. With the possible exception of the weird “responsibility” an 8 year-old Armand may have had for his parents’ deaths. What?
I thought I was alone in my bewilderment, but while misery may love company, the hacking and ignoring of her writing, goodness, and always engaging, relatable characters was clear to most devoted readers.
It appears the producers MUST have failed to read the books. Or thought making the series as dark and cold as most series/movies currently being released, a wise choice. The entire series is so inferior to the gorgeous storytelling, characters, themes and writing Louise has graced her millions of readers with for almost twenty years, that except for the names of people and places, her genius was almost unrecognizable. She deserved so, so much better.
Season one, episode 4. Looks like autumn. Have 2 seasons gone by? Or is this poor production? Last episode there was SNOW!.
Very well said, Karen! I made it as far as episode 4 and I’m so disappointed in what the writers and producers have done, I don’t think I can finish. They had such amazing source material…why? I don’t get it. I hope they don’t hold the rights indefinitely. I’d love to see someone do justice to Louise Penny’s work with a true-to-source production in the future.
Thank you – your critique is right on target and comprehensive. The people who created this series don’t know or understand the books. Expanding on your comments I am finding the buildings and interiors, jarring because they seem foreign to the originals in most cases, but occasionally familiar. I like the bistro and the gallery. Those seem to fit.
“Inert and passionless.” That’s it exactly! There’s a lot of angst among the characters, but that isn’t what LP wrote about. The villagers aren’t living their lives, they are waiting to be found out, like suspects rounded up in a cozy mystery. And Molina, an actor I enjoy, is not filmed as a man of authority and presence, but as a rather rumpled and puzzled guy who impresses no one. His near breakdown as he phones Reine-Marie is not surprising (and is rather tedious) because he doesn’t come across as a man of self-control or substance. Even she seems less alarmed about his state of mind, but more exasperated, as if this happens regularly. So disappointing that the show runners didn’t take the time needed to get to know the characters.
Yes, wrote my own comments but yours really nails it. That Gamache isn’t French Canadian says it all.