By Christine Tran

Staff Writer

4.5 Stars

On Jan. 13, the TV show adaptation of the popular children’s books “A Series of Unfortunate Events” released its first season on Netflix.

The books revolve around Violet, Klaus, and Sunny Baudelaire, who are sent from home to home after the deaths of their parents. Tragedy follows them in the form of Count Olaf, a horrible man after the fortune left to the Baudelaires.

He trails the children as they move around and is the main cause of the series of unfortunate events that surround the Baudelaire children.

When the show first starts off, the viewers are introduced to the characters and their situation. It was during this time when I noticed something peculiar.

While it has been some time since I’ve read the books, I dusted off my copy of the “Bad Beginning” and cracked it open. That was when I realized that many of the lines coming out of the characters’ mouths on screen were directly from the book. It was as if they had jumped right off the page.

I applaud the screenwriters because while they stayed true to the books, they were not afraid to make a few additions of their own. The script was brilliant, filled with many clever one liners that are sure to make anyone chuckle.

One addition that I loved was a short musical number performed by Count Olaf in the first episode. It fit in well with the quirky feel of the books and was as equally entertaining.

I also appreciate how well-planned every aspect of the series was. The sets matched everything described in the books, right down to the pile of rocks next to the Baudelaire’s bed. The costumes and makeup were not as over the top as I was expecting them to be.

The one flaw of the show is that it fails to capture the attention of people who are not already fans of the series. In the books, there are many breaks in the storyline to explain the meanings of certain words used. This is because while the books were written for children, the author also incorporated advanced vocabulary in children’s books.

But with the addition of a whole new storyline that includes an intriguing secret organization, it is hard to imagine that viewers will not ultimately be captivated by this show.

Overall, I can say the season was an impressive start to the Netflix series and is sure to make Lemony Snicket proud.

Fans of the book series should let out their sighs of relief because their beloved books are in good hands.