I saw this pilot a while ago when it came out. Afterwards, I noticed that the series is based on a novel by Michel Faber, author of "Under the Skin" (adapted into an interesting art movie).
I read "Under the Skin" years ago and enjoyed it. It was an interesting novel: entertaining but interested in discussing big ideas in an accessible manner. I liked it quite a bit, so I picked up "The Book of Strange New Things" (the source material for Oasis).
What's the verdict? The novel was very good, but I'm worried about the show. I don't think TV/film should adapt the source material slavishly, but so many plot elements seem to have been removed in the show.
-The relationship between the main character in his wife is central to the novel whereas she appears to die in the pilot.
-The planet (Oasis) in the novel is humid, with constant rain and an oppressive atmosphere, not a desert. Food is the main concern for the human colonists, not water.
-Alien life on the planet is a key element in the novel; the protagonist is brought to Oasis to deal with the aliens, not the humans on the base.
Could the series turn out okay? Maybe. But it seems like the more challenging/interesting aspects of the novel have been removed in favor of a more straightforward mystery. That's not a good sign.
It's a pity in a way, because I believe the plot of the book would have been suitable for a closer adaptation.
I read "Under the Skin" years ago and enjoyed it. It was an interesting novel: entertaining but interested in discussing big ideas in an accessible manner. I liked it quite a bit, so I picked up "The Book of Strange New Things" (the source material for Oasis).
What's the verdict? The novel was very good, but I'm worried about the show. I don't think TV/film should adapt the source material slavishly, but so many plot elements seem to have been removed in the show.
-The relationship between the main character in his wife is central to the novel whereas she appears to die in the pilot.
-The planet (Oasis) in the novel is humid, with constant rain and an oppressive atmosphere, not a desert. Food is the main concern for the human colonists, not water.
-Alien life on the planet is a key element in the novel; the protagonist is brought to Oasis to deal with the aliens, not the humans on the base.
Could the series turn out okay? Maybe. But it seems like the more challenging/interesting aspects of the novel have been removed in favor of a more straightforward mystery. That's not a good sign.
It's a pity in a way, because I believe the plot of the book would have been suitable for a closer adaptation.