I have not read the book. Apparently that's a plus as overall reviews are split. Divided by those who are not happy with the deviations and parts skipped. I do not have that baggage, thus I can watch on just the merits of the series.
I thought the next to last episode would be a good time to weigh in with some thoughts. The set-up of all previous episodes are beginning to culminate in whatever outcome may be. It has been a bumpy ride as everything is still unclear as to what action Jake will be taking as this episode ends with Lee Oswald making preparations with his gun only a few hours prior to the assassination. Jake seems to be invested in Oswald being the actual killer. Like everything Jake has experienced up to this point there is no clear plan. This is the most frustrating, and by it's nature involving part of this time travel yarn.
Watching all previous episodes I have often felt frustrated. Jake's purpose seemed to be to find out if Oswald was the man responsible for JFK's assassination, but all kinds of setbacks have ensued. In the story it's supposed to be what is called "the past pushing back" which is a kind of cosmic resistance to changing the future. At times it's been just that, things out of Jake's control as well as things his actions may have forced. Other times it's Jake's poorly executed approach and, particularly, his association with Bill who poses as his brother. Suddenly we're past all of that now as it's crunch time and all that's left is Jake with just his girlfriend Sadie. While it's still unclear how Jake, and even if, he's going to take out Oswald - nothing matters except if he can actually change history.
Though it's been a bumpy ride, overall it is an excellent premise done pretty good. I can accept the book being better without even reading it simply because, mostly, book adaptations go this way. As for the series, even in this last important build-up to the ending there is a kind of excellence in there really isn't any inkling of what is about to happen. If you can accept Jake's unfocused approach as being part of the mystery it works pretty well. I'd like to say this is a review of all the episodes save the finale and I have to give it a 7. It could have been higher, but I feel the final episode is the only factor that can make this go up or down. We shall see in less than a week.
I thought the next to last episode would be a good time to weigh in with some thoughts. The set-up of all previous episodes are beginning to culminate in whatever outcome may be. It has been a bumpy ride as everything is still unclear as to what action Jake will be taking as this episode ends with Lee Oswald making preparations with his gun only a few hours prior to the assassination. Jake seems to be invested in Oswald being the actual killer. Like everything Jake has experienced up to this point there is no clear plan. This is the most frustrating, and by it's nature involving part of this time travel yarn.
Watching all previous episodes I have often felt frustrated. Jake's purpose seemed to be to find out if Oswald was the man responsible for JFK's assassination, but all kinds of setbacks have ensued. In the story it's supposed to be what is called "the past pushing back" which is a kind of cosmic resistance to changing the future. At times it's been just that, things out of Jake's control as well as things his actions may have forced. Other times it's Jake's poorly executed approach and, particularly, his association with Bill who poses as his brother. Suddenly we're past all of that now as it's crunch time and all that's left is Jake with just his girlfriend Sadie. While it's still unclear how Jake, and even if, he's going to take out Oswald - nothing matters except if he can actually change history.
Though it's been a bumpy ride, overall it is an excellent premise done pretty good. I can accept the book being better without even reading it simply because, mostly, book adaptations go this way. As for the series, even in this last important build-up to the ending there is a kind of excellence in there really isn't any inkling of what is about to happen. If you can accept Jake's unfocused approach as being part of the mystery it works pretty well. I'd like to say this is a review of all the episodes save the finale and I have to give it a 7. It could have been higher, but I feel the final episode is the only factor that can make this go up or down. We shall see in less than a week.
