The Shannara Chronicles

Surely neither Tyrande Whisperwind nor Malfurion Stormrage would agree with such a take on elves and druidism. I didn’t think anything would beat The 100 in its stupidity and lack of logic. Well, this epic almost did. I can totally hear the casting instructions: young and preferably attractive. The script was full of gaping holes and generally dysfunctional. Ten full episodes failed to explain why elves, goblins, and trolls appeared on earth after some sort of great war. I don’t think I’ll ever find out as I value my time too much to waste it on watching another season of this. (01/21/2017)

The first (and for me also last) season is thankfully over, and I can rush to YouTube to get over the depression caused by that soundtrack. The target audience of the series (preteens and teenagers) certainly came into their own, but I wanted to see a fantasy series, not a high-school musical. I did laugh a lot during scenes when I probably wasn’t expected to. (01/21/2017)

I'm guessing this series is aimed at a younger audience since everyone here is young, beautiful, and restless — except for the elf king, who looks like a Leprechaun, and the druid, who resembles Crixus. I'll definitely keep watching because I'm curious about why elves look just like humans with pointy ears, why trolls wear gas masks, why work boots are the footwear of choice, and why there are helicopter wrecks near Elfland. Plus, after meeting Eritrea, I'm looking forward to seeing if her sister Somalia will make an appearance. (01/20/2017)

The second episode felt a bit better overall, though I did find myself laughing a few times when the plot veered off from the dialogue. The line, "Nobody else is to know," delivered in a room with six humanoids and a dog, was peak conspiracy. The only thing that topped it was, "This conversation would be much less awkward if you were dressed." If it turns out that Will is gay later in the series, I'll definitely take back that comment. Anyway, props to the IT team — the demons looked great! (01/20/2017)

Another dip in quality, but luckily there were still a few moments that made me laugh. The younger actors' performances remain unconvincing, and the costumes are odd — like the elf king, who looks a bit like a Union Navy officer. I'm still puzzled by the presence of various wrecks and corrugated metal. However, the suspenseful ending saved the episode. Oh my gosh, I'm on the edge of my seat — will the princess survive??? (01/20/2017)

The episode delivered a teenage party, a baby-faced prophet, and a Mystique who lost a few rungs on the beauty ladder, all set to an unbearably saccharine soundtrack. My fondness for The Shannara Chronicles is quickly plummeting to the same level as The 100. (01/20/2017)

Yay, I'm halfway through! The script is downright silly, the soundtrack is awful, and only James Remar is trying to give a decent performance — though it's a tough job with this material. The star goes to the team handling the demons; the latest one is actually pretty cool. (01/20/2017)

I was wrong — the series isn't meant for a younger audience, it's clearly aimed at young women. The opening scene could fit perfectly into the Twilight Saga, with increasingly frequent moments of melodrama. The story feels more like a centipede limping on every leg. (01/20/2017)

Well, the seventh episode explains a lot, but unfortunately, it's not good news for the series. After six episodes of suspense, we finally learn the origin of the wrecks and corrugated metal. Our civilization was destroyed by war, and suddenly, new races like elves, demons, and Roc birds popped up. What an epic nonsense! And as if that wasn’t enough, the creators added a Frodo and Sam journey to Mordor, but instead of a Ring, they’re carrying a Sword. Oh boy... (01/20/2017)

Finally, the moment I've been waiting for! The creators have managed to turn this so-called fantasy into pure garbage. The attempts at romantic moments might only appeal to those with raging hormones. The scriptwriter could do us all a favor by retiring from the industry, but not before dealing with whoever's responsible for the dreadful music. And as for how the trolls look? Let's not even go there... (01/21/2017)

Things have really gone downhill. The story's a complete mess, and the desperate attempts to build tension are laughable, if they manage to evoke any reaction at all. Oh well, just one more episode to endure before I can move on to something better. (01/21/2017)

I can honestly say I've never seen an episode of a series or a movie (including adult films) where the most frequently used word was "seed." The battle on the fields of Pelennor was not as epic as in The Return of the King. The painfully awkward love triangle finally concluded, perhaps thanks to some advanced gardening techniques, and yeehaw, it's over. (01/21/2017)