Ask Matt: Two Views on ‘9-1-1,’ Adapting ‘3 Body Problem,’ ‘Abbott’s New Superintendent & More
Welcome to the Q&A with TV critic — also known to some TV fans as their “TV therapist” — Matt Roush, who’ll try to address whatever you love, loathe, are confused or frustrated or thrilled by in today’s vast TV landscape. (We know background music is too loud, but there’s always closed-captioning.)
One caution: This is a spoiler-free zone, so we won’t be addressing upcoming storylines or developments here unless it’s already common knowledge. Please send your questions and comments to [email protected]. Look for Ask Matt columns on most Tuesdays.
Is 9-1-1 Better Than Ever or Jumping the Shark?
Comment: Last week’s episode of 9-1-1, the second of three in the cruise ship disaster arc, was absolutely incredible. The cruise ship scenes were cinematic in scope. Angela Bassett delivered an Emmy-worthy performance. (If it was a movie, I would give her an Oscar.) The subplot was solid as well, unlike the previous week’s awful subplot (a couple having sex in a hot tub who couldn’t detach). That had to be the stupidest one yet. And that’s saying a lot because 9-1-1 has its fair share of silly rescue stories. — Fred
Comment: I’ve been watching 9-1-1 for many years, but this move to ABC seems to be a “jump the shark” moment and not because they are doing it with a new version of The Poseidon Adventure. While the 9-1-1 shows get preposterous at times, these opening episodes become increasingly silly. I also found the dialogue between Athena and Bobby as they were facing certain death very badly written. I like seeing that Hen was Captain, and there could have been a more in-depth exploration of her promotion instead of a storyline where she made a decision that could maybe get her fired. Being a new season, the rest of the cast has been wasted in these first episodes. I’m not sure about you, but perhaps it should have been a 10-42 for the team at 9-1-1 when it was canceled at Fox. I always enjoy your writing! — Steve
Matt Roush: I love when I get responses that are so diametrically opposed, reminding us that one person’s treasure is often another person’s trash. But in this case, I sense a fondness from both viewers for a series that so frequently goes above and beyond — the professional term is “over the top” — that I’m not sure it’s possible for a show like 9-1-1 to ever “jump the shark.” It would just add the shark to the recurring cast, or at the very least build an arc around it. Seriously, though, I get what 9-1-1 and ABC are doing with this cruise-ship Poseidon Adventure homage. As the show has in past seasons, and especially now with the switch of networks, it only makes sense to make noise to launch (so to speak) with a Big Event. And as cheesy as it may play to some, this is right in 9-1-1’s wheelhouse, and if you’re not watching with the occasional eye roll, you might need to go in for a checkup.
When Does an Adaptation Stray Too Far from the Original?
Question: I’m writing this the day before 3 Body Problem debuts on Netflix. I am a big fan of the series of novels it’s based on, but from everything I’ve seen about the adaptation, David Benioff and D. B. Weiss are taking some serious liberties with the story as envisioned by the author. There appears to be a definite attempt to “Westernize” it, perhaps to make it more palatable to a larger audience. The Chinese adaption of the first novel, currently running on Peacock, seems to run much closer to the original source material, and remains an interesting and intriguing show.
While I understand that changes have to be made when adapting a book to a different medium, since the new medium demands a different sort of storytelling, at what point does an adaptation stop being an adaptation? Shouldn’t it just become something “inspired by” the source material? If they’re going to slap the 3 Body Problem label on the show for name recognition value, there should be an attempt to stick a little closer to the original novel(s). Thanks for all you do to help us navigate the ever-changing TV landscape. — Tony M.
Matt Roush: I tend to give adaptations a fair amount of leeway in terms of plot and characters if the filmed result at least mirrors the tone and spirit of the original. (An example: Showtime’s superb limited-series adaptation of A Gentleman in Moscow, premiering later this week.) I’ll be very curious to hear from Tony once he has watched the Netflix series.
My understanding of the Chinese adaptation of 3 Body Problem (which I haven’t watched) is that it is quite faithful to the book trilogy, while Netflix’s version does indeed invent new characters (including the English-speaking “Oxford Five”) and short-change others in an attempt to make this sprawling story more appealing to a global, and specifically American, audience that might not be inclined to tackle those dense novels (with which even I struggled when doing my homework). My take on the Netflix 3 Body Problem is that the series, being more linear, makes the story more accessible while still conveying the visionary ideas and existential long view of the books. The new characters didn’t work for me dramatically, but for me the real issue here is that much of what works on the page (with the exception of the stunning sequence aboard the Judgment Day tanker ship) doesn’t make for an especially exciting screen experience. Could be, though, that I’m just not the right audience for this one. It happens.
Life After Cancellation on Streaming
Question: What we can we do to save Warrior? It’s a non-stop action series with an awesome storyline and fine acting. Why do they leave so much junk on and want to take away such a great show? — Maria W.
Matt Roush: Welcome to the Warrior party. And to the latest chapter of Netflix breathing new life into a series that was left for dead. Background for those who only recently discovered this evocative martial arts series, Warrior premiered on Cinemax in 2019 during that channel’s waning days of presenting original action dramas. After two seasons, it was resurrected on Max (formerly HBO Max) for a third year, and upon news of the show’s cancellation last December, it was also reported that Netflix would begin streaming all three seasons starting in February. As often happens, this sort of move generates new fans, and whether it will be enough to bring the show back for another season (see Manifest) remains to be seen. It may be a long shot, but stranger things (not to be confused with the Netflix series) have happened.
When Did Abbott Get a New Boss?
Question: All the way back in the pilot of Abbott Elementary, we learned that Ava blackmailed the cheating superintendent in order to get her job as principal even though she isn’t qualified. The superintendent was played by Reggie Hayes in a couple of Season 1 episodes. I remember this because the first time he appeared was the open house episode, which was the first episode I watched, and he checkmated Ava by revealing that he had divorced his wife and remarried the woman he was cheating with. I thought that was hilarious.
But last week, Janine had to get approval for the librarian program from the superintendent, who is now played by Keegan-Michael Key. There is no indication that this is supposed to be the same character, but it’s the same job. Did I miss something about the original superintendent leaving or retiring or something? I am certain I’ve seen every episode of the series. Admittedly, it has been a long time since last season. But considering that the original superintendent is an adversary of sorts for Ava, I think I would remember if that storyline ended. The episode was great, regardless of who the superintendent is, but this seems like an odd discrepancy on a show that is usually really good about attention to detail. — Jake
Matt Roush: These are definitely new characters. Reggie Hayes played Superintendent Denzel Collins in the first season, and the nameplate for Keegan-Michael Key’s new character reads Superintendent Reynolds. I think we should just assume that while the Abbott staff was otherwise engaged, a new superintendent took the top job and we never heard about it. Another thing we can take on faith: When Quinta Brunson and the Abbott producers saw a chance to bring Keegan-Michael Key on for a guest shot (perhaps a recurring character down the line?), they jumped on it and a new superintendent was born.
Murphy’s Law at ABC
Question: I saw that ABC has just ordered a Ryan Murphy medical procedural. Seems to me that answers the question from an earlier Ask Matt column about what will fill Station 19‘s slot on Thursdays. It would make sense to have two Ryan Murphy shows on the same night, plus since one of them is medical, that would fit well with Grey’s Anatomy. The question now would be whether the airing order will change now that they don’t need Grey’s and Station 19 to be back-to-back. Either have Grey’s air first, leading into the Murphy shows, sandwich Grey’s between the two Murphy shows or (most unlikely) slide Grey’s to 10/9c and air the Murphy block first. — JL
Matt Roush: I agree that if Murphy’s new Dr. Odyssey series is ready by fall, it would almost certainly join 9-1-1 and Grey’s Anatomy on Thursdays — unless Shondaland comes up with another Grey’s spinoff (unlikely). I’m not sure it matters to anyone except those behind the scenes whether to air a producer’s shows as a block, and no one doubts Grey’s value as a 9 pm/8c anchor, but should ABC move its longest-running drama franchise to the later hour, and however it fares there, it will be interesting to see if it renews speculation that Grey’s is once again nearing an endgame.
And Finally …
Question: My husband and I are really enjoying the new series Wild Cards on The CW. While watching one of the latest episodes, we saw Max pick her father up from prison in a Porsche 911. We both looked at each other and said, “Doesn’t that look like the same car Jason Priestley drove in Private Eyes?” Please tell me if we are right. Does he own that car? We are hoping the series is going to be renewed. — Nancy W., Mendon, MA
Matt Roush: I reached out to the network and got the good news that you were spot on, that those wheels belonged to the exact same Porsche 911 that Priestly drove as Matt Shade in Private Eyes. Quoting The CW: “The producers thought it would be fun for discerning and loyal fans to experience this classic vehicle again in Wild Cards with an encore performance of Jason in the role of George.” As for Wild Cards’ future: Let’s stay hopeful. As a co-production of Canada’s CBC and The CW, it will need both sides to agree to move forward to get a second season of this enjoyable light-mystery caper.
That’s all for now. We can’t do this without your participation, so please keep sending questions and comments about TV to [email protected] or shoot me a line on X (formerly) Twitter @TVGMMattRoush. (Please include a first name with your question.)
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