a.k.a. Anjou

It's fairly true that

- Melville's original elevated language erasure turnes the show into a common drama

- gay marriage erasure is a shame

- pip's insanity erasure is a shame

- Mr. racist subplot and the fistfight with stubb is a stupid

- Interactions between Ishmael and Ahab as a way to explain how the hell Ishmael knows everything that's going on the ship are pointless since Ishmael is no narrator

- cgi is obnoxious

But it didn't spoil my watching experience and I couldn't give a single fuck about the cgi because the show in itself has perfect pacing, captivating performances, it's fresh, it's breathing and it's still rooted in the novel.

It's stated several times in the book that Ahab tries his best to seem normal in order to have the crew on his side. It makes perfect sence for him to be humorous, charismatic and easygoing in his interactions with the crew. As it makes perfect sence to show him struggling with his disability, trying to adapt and to mask his trauma.

Most of the characters were humanized that way and this is valid cause in the book they're not marble statues made only to symbolize "larger-then-life" philosophical concepts either. They are very detailed living people who have lots of interactions that can and should be dramatized. (I say "they" but mean mostly Starbuck whom I consider perfectly book-accurate and my personal torture-kitten.)

Any adaptation is more gripping if doesn't try to be a pretencious artificial moralite, but makes a bet on realistic human experience. What's great about 2011 show is that it's engaging in a way that gives you footing and energy to further explore the novel.