"An age which is incapable of poetry is incapable of any kind of literature except the cleverness of a decadence." Raymond Chandler
"By denying scientific principles, one may maintain any paradox." Galileo Galilei
The Netflicks addiction continues.
I have downloaded the first and only season of SyFy's The Dresden Files (based on Jim Butcher's novels). When I saw Harry's vintage Jeep, I knew the series was worth trying--what else would a wizard drive? Surely not a Volkswagen.
Technology's aversion to Dresden alludes to the conflict of science and magic, superstition and reason: a dichotomy in which science has been privileged since--well for a long time. Computers, CDs, phones all malfunction around him; they stop working. Technology itself is in denial of any alternative reality.
Dresden's name ties him to a city renowned for beauty, as well as one of the most horrific bombings of WWII. The name captures the tension between the artistry of Europe and the mindless destructiveness of science. Back to his Jeep--a symbol of American industrial-military power (a much more appropriate vehicle than the VW in the novels). At its best, The Dresden Files balances on that precipice, contrasting the two worlds. An aside--Pan's Labyrinth creates an evocative, thoughtful reflection on the clash.
After watching seven episodes, I can see the network driven constraints, as the show slips into tired cliches. At times the script sounds like a poor parody of Chandler or Hammett.
Technology's aversion to Dresden alludes to the conflict of science and magic, superstition and reason: a dichotomy in which science has been privileged since--well for a long time. Computers, CDs, phones all malfunction around him; they stop working. Technology itself is in denial of any alternative reality.
Dresden's name ties him to a city renowned for beauty, as well as one of the most horrific bombings of WWII. The name captures the tension between the artistry of Europe and the mindless destructiveness of science. Back to his Jeep--a symbol of American industrial-military power (a much more appropriate vehicle than the VW in the novels). At its best, The Dresden Files balances on that precipice, contrasting the two worlds. An aside--Pan's Labyrinth creates an evocative, thoughtful reflection on the clash.
After watching seven episodes, I can see the network driven constraints, as the show slips into tired cliches. At times the script sounds like a poor parody of Chandler or Hammett.
Still, Dresden is worth a visit--whether or not you are dealing with neighborhood trolls.
Bayard
3 comments:
From what I remember of the books, they seem to be a pale Chandler stories too.
I like Bob though. We could all use a talking skull..or a telepathic, sarcastic jhereg.
And I prefer my trolls on the internet.
The show was meant to be fun. They may have been going for some kind of symbolism in their choice of the jeep over the beetle. Let's be honest, the beetle has lots of character and history, but it doesn't exactly inspire thoughts of manly wizardry. Whereas Harry literally goes to war against evil all of the time. This would make the jeep seem like a better choice of vehicles. Once exception that comes to mind is in the 4th book, Summer Knight, when the Chlorofiend smashes down on the hood of the beetle and Harry notes that his vehicle would have flipped if it wasn't for the motor being in the back.
I don't believe Jim Butcher was going for some kind of message with the vw beetle other than the simple fact that it is recognized as one of the easiest cars to work on (as noted a few times in the novels<-- it was a suggestion from Harry's favorite mechanic). The DIY person at home can literally do almost all restoration and repair work (including full dissassembly) themselves with the beetle. The earlier beetles, especially, had very simple wiring and electrical components.
In my opinion, the show simply serves as a nice visual for some of the story arcs of the book; nothing more. I especially liked Bob in the show (even though he doesn't have a corporeal form in the books).
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