Look. We all noticed that almost everything about the dynamic between these two was changed onscreen. But I would really like to lay out how I think it damaged something that should never have been touched. I will note that if the version of these two in the show were not meant to be representative of such a carefully developed dynamic, it would definitely be perfectly fine, and would make sense in the context of the show’s events! Unfortunately, that is not the case.
When these two first met in the books, all they shared was surface level admiration, which soon grew to annoyance. And that was okay. Neither of them were ready for a mature relationship at that stage, and they were nowhere near ready to address their own feelings. Jesper was still obsessed with Kaz for much of the first book- something which appears to not even feature in Netflix’s take on the characters.
In the show? They meet through a one night stand. Just for the sake of it. Jesper doesn’t even remember properly. Wylan isn’t scandalised, like the freshly estranged Wylan clearly was at any such implications in the book. While it is worth something that once they get to know each other, both are interested in something more- but of course, as with much of Netflix’s originals, it’s far more hands on than they even thought of until being thoroughly acquainted in the books.
I’m not sure if it was intentional, but it came off as their entire relationship being based on physical attraction, with a few touching moments after the fact. Every time they made any kind of meaningful connect with one another, it was just a poorly timed, twisted version of what could definitely have occurred near the end of the duology. I do not think that this could substitute for the way their relationship was developed through shared struggle, and admiration of strength through this struggle, as in the books.
I will stand by the fact that the pace of their warming to each other was handled perfectly in the duology. Small little moments, and bigger little moments that don’t attempt to undermine the severity of events, but still draw enough attention that you take note of them when Leigh wants you to. It’s a really important balance. They grow more comfortable in their feelings both as they mature, and as they come to understand one another. Both have secrets that they feel their lives depend on, and both are slow to release them.
This was almost attempted in the show, but did not land. Jesper’s being a fabrikator, Wylan’s inability to read- both facts that have very significant value when revealed. Both revealed almost in passing. So when the show eventually focuses on the ice court heist and Van Eck? They may have to rely on original content, new secrets. Perhaps that was the intention, but it still does not excuse taking away those vital moments and subsequent conversations from the context that gave meaning and strengthened their relationship.
As it stands in the show, “getting to know each other” exclusively referred to sharing these secrets and supporting each other through it. Which is all very well. But there is exactly one (1) instance where they manage to discuss it meaningfully and without disagreeing with the type of contemp their characters very rarely display, and then somehow it’s all fine? They’re just deliriously happy together? No fault to the actors of course, they both got mannerisms and expressions down perfectly. But it was the actions that changed everything.
Where was snarky Wylan! Where was bratty Jesper! At the start they were meant to annoy one another- what needed to be changed here exactly? What about “they slept together once and one doesn’t even remember properly but he will soon, they just need to kiss” improved upon this? There was almost no build up to them even being interested in one another. Jesper really just seemed so confused until he found out where he’d met Wylan before- and then all of a sudden they were perfect for one another? They were never meant to be perfect, they were just meant to find each other, then take time to find that they can mean a great deal to each other when they learn to feel vulnerable.
In the show, there’s very little vulnerability, and very little dialogue that isn’t explicitly business or stupidly direct flirting. Wylan isn’t shy. Everything is just placed in front of the viewer. There is very little subtlety, which makes no sense, seeing as so much of their dynamic in the books was BUILT on subtlety. Honestly, the show lacks this a lot. It makes sense, it’s much easier to manipulate the perception of events when it’s done only using words.
For example, the show includes the dialogue from the books “what do you want” “to be buried under the weight of my own gold”. In the books we know exactly what Kaz is thinking. He tells us it’s Inej because we can read his thoughts. And Freddy did an excellent job of the expression and pause that Kaz would absolutely have made in the situation. But that is one of the most powerful lines in the book. It cannot hit as hard if we only have parts of the puzzle. To someone who didn’t read the books, it was a pause of consideration, or of shame at what he really wants. This dialogue was crafted to include his thoughts, and that just is not possible in this adaption. The context and complexity is just not there, so even though it was still a powerful scene, it could never compare to the scene in which the dialogue is included in the book.
To be perfectly honest, the pacing of this series, and particularly of its dynamics is what tears it apart from its source material. It honestly improved upon the mess of Alina’s infatuations that was the Shadow and Bone books (no offence to fans of the original grishaverse trilogy, but the character dynamics were nonsensical and irritating when compared to the balance that was the Six of Crows), but the duology was simply untouchable in the way it balanced characters and relationships with the plot.
Everything got time and consideration, everyone’s intentions were revealed at the perfect time. Leigh portrayed characters as unlikable perfectly, until she wanted you to understand their motives. She also wrote Kaz’ plots in with the perfect air of secrecy, so that a first time reader could never possibly expect his next move unless you were supposed to. She also didn’t let you know that characters had any sort of connection until the time was right. The show again, seemed to be trying to replicate this, and was successful enough when it came to dividing plot focuses between groups of characters and the diverging/converging plots. But for goodness sake, they seemed to show everything about their interactions that just didn’t make sense. Where was the development! Why did they kiss, and clearly do more than that- before we get to what about one another they feel they need to rely on!
They help each other through so much in the books by the time they really open themselves up to one another, it almost seems offensive to just skip straight to the point in the show.
Okay phew. That’s all I needed to say. Please don’t come at me, I just really value my character dynamics!
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