First things first...the acting the pacing...the visuals...this was all great. There's no argument that it was a well put together series.
I read the book years ago and there were just certain things you NEED when a story is heart-wrenching and throws so much sadness at you. You need a tiny spark of goodness for the protagonist.
They totally skipped out on a story line with Joy that would have given you hope for Dominick. He thought his family was cursed. He thought that was playing out in real life...cutting down the people and things he loved. It also reveals the true depth of Dominick's heart...that he still had kindness even for people who hurt him that he was under no obligation to forgive. I feel like we only see the exterior emotion of Dominick throughout the show. That his care was out of obligation over love.
It also left out a small nugget of information that makes Ralph's care for Thomas less mysterious & begrudging.
I saw how long the last episode was and thought "oh this is probably the final episode"...and then when it just ended the vague way it ended...I thought it certainly has 1 more to go? And nope. It was a sort of crushing end to a long, sad story.
For those who are never going to read the book - Joy comes back after a few years b/c she has AIDS. Her child is going to be left without anyone when she dies. Dominick & Dessa end up caring for Joy & the child and ultimately come back together to raise the little girl as a couple. While the movie shows Dessa & Dominick meeting again at the hospital...it just plants a vague idea that they get along. Not that they go on to raise a little girl together.
I read the book years ago and there were just certain things you NEED when a story is heart-wrenching and throws so much sadness at you. You need a tiny spark of goodness for the protagonist.
They totally skipped out on a story line with Joy that would have given you hope for Dominick. He thought his family was cursed. He thought that was playing out in real life...cutting down the people and things he loved. It also reveals the true depth of Dominick's heart...that he still had kindness even for people who hurt him that he was under no obligation to forgive. I feel like we only see the exterior emotion of Dominick throughout the show. That his care was out of obligation over love.
It also left out a small nugget of information that makes Ralph's care for Thomas less mysterious & begrudging.
I saw how long the last episode was and thought "oh this is probably the final episode"...and then when it just ended the vague way it ended...I thought it certainly has 1 more to go? And nope. It was a sort of crushing end to a long, sad story.
For those who are never going to read the book - Joy comes back after a few years b/c she has AIDS. Her child is going to be left without anyone when she dies. Dominick & Dessa end up caring for Joy & the child and ultimately come back together to raise the little girl as a couple. While the movie shows Dessa & Dominick meeting again at the hospital...it just plants a vague idea that they get along. Not that they go on to raise a little girl together.