A Discovery Of Witches Season 1

A world full of creatures

Disclaimer: This review has spoilers

For those that read the All Souls trilogy, this show is just a step forward in the great All Souls universe. However for some of you, knowing that the books were going to be adapted to tv, must have been a double sword, both a blessing and a curse. For those in the dark, unaware of the book trilogy existence, it must be a magical surprise.

How many books have been adapted to the big and small screen, leaving a sweet and sour taste in your mouth? How many have you wished never to be touched and left immaculate?

Well, fret not, because with ADOW you have won the gran prize. 

The show is one of the best books to tv adaptations I saw, yet it's not free of some constructive criticism.

With only 8 episodes to develop not only the main characters story but the secondary ones as well, it was forced to twig things a bit (it is an adaptation after all!) and left out other details, leaving non-readers a bit confused or misplaced.

For example, if you're expecting some yoga scenes, forget it.

Due to the face pass, where everything needs to unfold in 8 episodes of 45 minutes each, several details are amiss or not explained at all, such as Martha's tea, or Diana's labs results (present but not fully disclosed) but especially this Matthew scene recorded and present in the trailer but not in the show. What a shame! 😜

Matthew's connection with his lab partners it's not fully explored, leaving non-readers believing Miriam to be in love with Matthew (it is not what is happening people, relax!).

Since certain details about the Covenant were also rushed, several questions have risen regarding why daemons can't interact with other creatures, such as witches or vampires (yes, Matthew does it, but Matthew doesn't care about the Covenant as we all ended up seeing).😁

Fans, unfortunately, didn't get the chance to enjoy much of the Bishop's haunted house and Diana's aunts, especially Aunt Em (she is adorable and I want her for my BFF!).

One master point, the series is full of easter eggs. Have you spotted them all? For example, from Timothy, we only saw his red boot but hey he was there! 

So let's move on to the good(e) stuff, the main characters relationship, shall we?

I'm certain viewers expected more #Bishmont scenes but the ones we've got served with were exquisite, beautiful, touching and some very, very hot. 

The songs chosen enhanced their moments, multiplying fans "heart attacks" all over the world.

One that is specifically unbeatable to me is Go your own way, cover by Lissie in one of the most poignant moments in #Bishmont history (their official first kiss!).

Teresa Palmer started to slowly yet effectively embody Diana Bishop, her transformation from a non-practitioner of magic to the surprisingly powerful witch she is was well performed, and the scenes where she discovers her powers are a few of my favorites.

Matthew Goode seems to be Matthew Clairmont in the flesh. With his deep voice (he chose to make it that way), his deadly eyes, his caring side, and sex-appeal, everything in him screams Clairmont.

We have brief exchanges between the De Clermonts in Sept Tour, but powerful, intense ones. From a mother in law that hate witches and does what she can to make Diana leave, to a brother, head of the family, that has to bow to the head of the Lazarus Knights, everything was spot on.

The show is a Bad Wolf production and it's brilliant in every category: great music, amazing scenography, deeply professional and excellent cast & crew that made this possible.

A brief description of what to expect

In every ending, there's a new beginning

A very charming and appealing voice kicks off the show leading to a glorious dawn colored view of a dashing man standing on a bridge apparently far away in his own mind when someone caught his eye and makes him slowly turn his head. What he glimpses is a young woman rowing, passing him by, without even noticing him.

A supposedly one-time encounter becomes something more.

Dr. Diana Bishop goes to the Bodleian Library, and amidst the requested books for her research paper, she opens a mysterious ancient one, setting her and every other creature's world, upside down.

Creatures are now after the mysterious book and the witch that was able to find it. They will be ruthless and cunning, which prompts the handsome vampire, the man we saw on the bridge, Professor Matthew Clairmont to polish his knight armor and protect her from harm.

Things go south when their partnership goes from one seemingly innocent friendship to a powerful love, a relationship forbidden by the Covenant.

Will they risk it all, or be subdued by the Covenant rules in order to preserve the balance?

One decision will change it all, for everyone and everything, leading to great consequences.

With nowhere to hide and the support of a few friends and family, they need to do something drastic if they want to survive and discover what secrets lie in the book.

A Discovery of Witches Season 1, is the adaptation of the first book of the All Souls Trilogy, written by Deborah Harkness. 

Things are already set in motion to prepare and start shooting season 2, based on Shadow of Night. It was also renewed for a third season, based on The Book of Life.