Anxious People - The Netflix Show

Estimated time to read: 2 minutes

I wrote a little about the book this show is based on, earlier this year. I'd absolutely loved it and ever since a dear friend, Reema, told me that the trailer for the Netflix show was out, I'd been excitedly awaiting its release, slated for December 29, 2021, which if you've still managed to keep track of time, was yesterday.

It was a little late in the day that I realised that it was here and I waited for meeting after meeting to get over so I could start watching the show.

I started episode one with a mixture of expectations - prepared for, but dreading disappointment, but hopeful that somehow it just might turn out to be a good adaptation. Because you know, in a book, it's easy to leave out a lot of details chapter after chapter, and perform reveals slowly. I won't tell you what can be left out because the smallest of hints are enough to ruin the experience of both reading and watching this book/show if you haven't yet. But I digress. Episode one turned out to be extremely promising. Both the policemen grow on you - the father seems perfectly cast as I imagined him in my head but the son, enhhh, not so much. But eventually even he seems to be a good fit as the dynamics between them play out per expectations. And yes, my benchmark for the show (as all adaptations are) is the book :)

I made myself a cup of Maggi and settled down for episode two, deciding to turn in after that but somehow I've completed Episode three as well! Speaks to the well-made-ness of the show I suppose. Now, so far, there Has been some divergence from the book. Right from the beginning. Well, of Course there has. Like I said earlier, the sleight of hand that's possible in a book can't be transferred to the show in totality. But I'll tell you what hasn't changed. Lennart. His goofiness is extremely heartening to watch and the chemistry between Lennart and Zarah is beautiful. As is how they're setting up Ro and Julia to be in Episode 4 that I've just started. Anna-Lena is also an excellent cast although I can't really say if the husband couldn't have been played a little better. But I'll reserve harsher judgement for when I've seen a little more of him in the upcoming episodes.

For now, my first impression, I'm glad to say, has been one of relief.

3 episodes down. 3 to go :) And yes, I will be rereading the book.