Book adaptations. Whether you think they should have an unhindered ability to make the story for a new medium or will inevitably butcher the source material with the slightest change, they will still be made. A lot, as long as the powers-that-be believe they can capitalize on the preexisting popularity. The majority hit the big screen, but every once in a while, a printed story will make the jump to a television series. Season 1 of The Shannara Chronicles aired on MTV in the spring of 2016, and not without its fair share of alterations.
Based in the vast Shannara universe created by Terry Brooks, one of the most celebrated fantasy authors of all time, the series draws from the second book in the original trilogy, The Elfstones of Shannara. (Listing his entire collected works would take the remainder of the article.) And draws from is an unfortunately accurate term. Most of the major major plot points are the same, but purists, or anyone who enjoyed the book, will be left wondering why some of the changes were made. From the very first episode, there is so much manufactured conflict and feelings, that them not being from the book is not even the most infuriating part about it. Amberle, played by Poppy Drayton, is forced into what can be only described as a blindfolded cross country race in order to gain her calling to protect the Ellcrys, a sacred elven tree holding back an ancient demon army. It’s fleshed out much better in the book, don’t worry. Wil (Austin Butler,) one of the other protagonists, has a fresh new drive to save the world after he cannot save his mom. Both of their beginnings aren’t bad by themselves, even if they aren’t from the source material, but they do set a tone of cheap feelings and teenage angst that unfortunately continues throughout the season.
Fans of Brooks can find redeeming qualities if they keep an open mind, however. Manu Bennett does the grim and terse Allanon justice. His gravitas matches up quite well with druid Terry Brooks wisely selected to send the saviors of the four lands on their adventures. And fantasy fans will smile as John Rhys-Davies plays the elven king Eventine even after he swore to “Never trust an elf!” in the LOTR trilogy. And the Shannara Chronicles continues the long-standing tradition of doubling as New Zealand tourism commercials.
But simply, it comes down to too much MTV for the show’s own good. Most of the cast are attractive 20 and 30-somethings that find reason after convoluted reason to take their shirts off. Too much of the storyline follows love triangles and lost loves, many having no basis in the original stories. The timeline is also compressed, understandable considering they had to introduce the world in the second installment of Brook’s world, but since there is so much that is left out, it brings into question so much more what is added. And there is a good story in the first season of The Shannara Chronicles, it’s just buried underneath a layer of attempted relatability and young adult drama.
