The Dresden Files

wolf • Jan 21, 2007 10:04 pm
Thanks to a friend, I just started reading the books by Jim Butcher. I'm 3-1/2 books in, which gives me a pretty good feel for the character, storylines, etc.

I had not held much hope for the SciFi Channel series, since they have a tendency to take something really good and figuring out the shortest distance to total stink.

My impression of the first episode:

Wrong Coat
Wrong Car
Wrong Apartment
Wrong Relationship
Wrong Bob
Wrong Murphy

I'd be interested in the impression of someone who hasn't read the books, though.

The storyline wasn't completely excreble, but it wasn't based on any stuff from the books I've read so far.
MaggieL • Jan 22, 2007 8:46 am
Well, I haven't read the books...although I gather Gwen has. My reaction was: it didin't stink as much as too many SciFi channel things do, and it wipes the floor with Charmed. I admit it looks a little pale standing next to BSG, but that's a different genre altogether.

I wonder if they're going to pick up Torchwood though?
cowhead • Jan 22, 2007 11:04 am
I knew I had seen that name somewhere! I only managed to catch the last 1/2 after work lastnight, the g/f caught me up pretty quickly on the base story of the episode. all told it seems to be a great premise that has been watered down for the general public (and perhaps made a little weaker (on the darkness angle) for tv. I think it was potential, give it a little time and I'm sure it'll be alright. but I really liked the raven people.. the first scene I saw was where the kid is sitting in the darkened room with all the menacing fellows in black surrounding him.. slowly one rises with a cold look on his face and hands him a can of spray cheese... cracked me up.
wolf • Jan 22, 2007 1:10 pm
It was whipped cream for the banana split the kid was calmly having, but yes, I thought that was a completely nice touch. Unfortunately, completely nice touches will not save the show.
cowhead • Jan 27, 2007 12:11 pm
well.. yeah after watching the whole thing again last night. .yeah.. I dunno.. I'll give it a chance, but no real high hopes. (and oops, yeah I guess it was whipped cream)
Perry Winkle • Jan 27, 2007 1:53 pm
Sounds like it would have been more interesting if it were spray cheese...
cklabyrinth • Jan 29, 2007 9:47 pm
I forgot about it and missed the first episode. I'm glad I did, though, since the series deviates from the books. The previews for the series did look cool, though.
Cloud • Feb 14, 2007 6:45 pm
I am a fan of the books. There are a lot of differences in the series which bug me, but most of them are considered compromises between the author and the requirements of tv.

I remain cautiously optimistic and will probably watch every ep.
Sundae • May 3, 2007 12:43 pm
wolf;309226 wrote:
Thanks to a friend, I just started reading the books by Jim Butcher. I'm 3-1/2 books in, which gives me a pretty good feel for the character, storylines, etc.

I had not held much hope for the SciFi Channel series, since they have a tendency to take something really good and figuring out the shortest distance to total stink.

My impression of the first episode:

Wrong Coat
Wrong Car
Wrong Apartment
Wrong Relationship
Wrong Bob
Wrong Murphy

I'd be interested in the impression of someone who hasn't read the books, though.

The storyline wasn't completely excreble, but it wasn't based on any stuff from the books I've read so far.

I picked one up one of the books by mistake in the charity bookshop. By mistake I mean it was my "lucky dip" book - I get one every visit. I was a couple of pages in and the names started nagging at the back of my mind, and it was a relief to realise it was because you'd mentioned them as a series of books.

I am 3/4 through and I can't remember what it's called (a problem with my random selections). It's Halloween and Harry is trying to stop three necromancers from becoming demi-gods. I'm really enjoying it so far and look forward to scouring bookshops for the rest of the series when I finish it. One thing that does bug me though - what is ot with the eyebrows? Everyone "arches" them at the end of every sentence. In fact there have even been some double arches. Hmmmm.

Who knows, I might even get to watch the TV series one day!
bluecuracao • May 4, 2007 2:24 am
I didn't realize this series was based on books...I caught part of the first episode, and thought it was kind of intriguing. If it were on OnDemand, I'd probably keep up with it. It bugs me that the only show SciFi has on OnDemand is friggin BSG.
Cloud • Mar 26, 2008 11:39 pm
okay, so the tv show is defunct (RIP Harry), but the newest book in the series comes out April 1. Yay for Amazon pre-order!
Sundae • Apr 10, 2013 8:27 am
wolf;309226 wrote:
Thanks to a friend, I just started reading the books by Jim Butcher. I'm 3-1/2 books in, which gives me a pretty good feel for the character, storylines, etc.

I had not held much hope for the SciFi Channel series, since they have a tendency to take something really good and figuring out the shortest distance to total stink.

My impression of the first episode:

Wrong Coat
Wrong Car
Wrong Apartment
Wrong Relationship
Wrong Bob
Wrong Murphy

I'd be interested in the impression of someone who hasn't read the books, though.

The storyline wasn't completely excreble, but it wasn't based on any stuff from the books I've read so far.

Do I win a prize for the latest reply EVER?
I caught the Dresden Files on TV early the other morning. Like 02.00-early.
I started reading the books due to recommendations here, and did remember someone mentioning the TV series.

Given that it's been a very long time since I read a Dresden book I was quite satisfied with the TV programme.
Fleetingly, through my head, I wondered why they changed his coat. Seems so silly when men in long coats are so much more dynamic (the Doctor, Captain Jack etc) but I could forgive them their other tinkering.

I've chilled out a few degrees re screen adaptations. I think it was Bruce who took me to task about it, and he was right. I'm still not going to watch Where The Wild Things Are though :p:
footfootfoot • Apr 10, 2013 9:11 am
whatever happened to cowhead?
Gravdigr • Apr 10, 2013 10:06 am
I liked the Dresden Files somewhat...never read the books.
jimhelm • Apr 10, 2013 11:00 am
I've read the first three books. Never seen the show. He writes the books like he meant them for tv or movies.
Happy Monkey • Apr 10, 2013 12:11 pm
The actor is now on Arrow as the primary cop tracking down Green Arrow. I remember liking the Dresden Files show, but never read the books.
Sundae • Apr 10, 2013 2:17 pm
Oh. My. Gosh.
That's where I knew him from!

He is still a handsome devil. Well, wizard back then, cop now. Not the devil.
But he has the kinda looks I like. For a thin man.
Gravdigr • Apr 10, 2013 2:52 pm
Sundae;860157 wrote:
For a thin man.


Reminded me of this:

"Fat Man" by Jethro Tull

Don't want to be a fat man,
people would think that I was
just good fun.
Would rather be a thin man,
I am so glad to go on being one.
Too much to carry around with you,
no chance of finding a woman who
will love you in the morning and all the night time too.

Don't want to be a fat man,
have not the patience to ignore all that.
Hate to admit to myself half of my problems
came from being fat.
Won't waste my time feeling sorry for him,
I seen the other side to being thin.
Roll us both down a mountain
and I'm sure the fat man would win.
Sundae • Apr 10, 2013 3:02 pm
I like me a man with a bit of heft.
I'd rather have a man hung like a mouse with the weight to hammer it home than a beanpole with a... beanpole I guess!

Actually I fall for people (romantic and friends) like falling downstairs anyway. It's fast and hard and can be bruising. I put a bicycle lock on my heart a while back. But friends still managed to sneak in and steal it. And break it. Still, I think it's probably only scar tissue left these days.

Anyway - Dresden's coat. What's up with that?