The beginning of this series, book, film, or Netflix, this is the opening chapter that introduces us to the nefarious Count Olaf, a word which in this context means a person who is so terrible that you would rather sleep outside with wolves than spend an evening with them. Now, in the words of Lemony Snicket, "First impressions are oftentimes entirely wrong." And considering that this is only the first episode and we're just diving into this series, I'll be lenient. However, I will say that so far, I'm not that impressed. That's not to say that the entire episode was bad, but it didn't leave me wanting more of the series, that's for sure.

This series, as you can tell, divides each book into two parts. Since there are eight episodes, that means that we stop at book number four, the Miserable Mill. This, of course, gives time for the actors to develop parts of the book that could have been overlooked in the movie or even it's sequel. Now, the easiest way to go over this series, for me, is to actually list and explain the things I liked and didn't like, and then summarize which outweighed the other. Again, if you haven't seen this series, please don't read this. I don't want to spoil anything. Besides, I need somewhere to write before I go crazy. Someone has to have liked the movie!!! Right?

THINGS I LIKED ABOUT THIS EPISODE:

1) Lemony Snicket and the underground system- The series starts off, as like the movie and the books, with Lemony Snicket telling the tale. Because, how in the world can you talk about the Baudelaires without mentioning Lemony Snicket himself? That was actually something I liked. The story shows the author in his natural habitat, alone and hiding, like he says so in his books. Was he a bit more professional than I imagined, yes, but the way that they did it...I loved that!

2) They explain why the children are in gloomy settings- Unlike the movie, I love that it's explained why the kids are placed or visit places that are dark and gloomy. For example, they love Briny Beach on a cloudy day because there's no one there to hog the sand. Count Olaf's house is in complete shambles because, as an actor, he doesn't get enough money to rebuild his enormous house and make sure it's taken care of. If a setting needs to be gloomy, there's a reason for it, and that I like.

3) The kids don't wear dark colors- As much as I love the outfits for the Baudelaire children in the movie, they seemed to stand out in their brightly colored mansion with their parents wearing bright colors. In this series, not only is it modernized with the times in a rather nice fashion, but it also features the children wearing normal looking clothes. Initially I thought I wouldn't like it, but I find I enjoy it a lot more. It just seems to make more sense.

4) The Poe Kids- In the original books, it mentions that the children live with Mr. Poe before being sent to Count Olaf, though they were too miserable to really do much. I liked how they brought this back in, as short as it was. Were there quirks, yes, but I liked the whole concept of it.

5) Neil Patrick Harris as Count Olaf- I was nervous to see this guy as Count Olaf because, honestly, this guy doesn't seem like Count Olaf. Plus, it's kind of hard to top Jim Carey as the ever sinister and clever count. But oh my GOSH did he do a good job! Again, there were some things that were off, but it wasn't the acting as much as it was the character. Neil Patrick Harris did a perfect job of making Count Olaf appear terrible but also amusing at the same time. Like, you could clearly tell he had no interest in the kids and on top of that, he treated them terribly. But he also would make simple noises of irritation or ask a random question, or just casually talk about something, and it was actually kind of funny. Like, I actually laughed in a couple scenes because I was like, "That's a casual way of explaining to them to avoid rats."

6) The man who played Mr. Poe- I like who they cast as Mr. Poe. Why don't I know his name and I know Neil Patrick Harris? Because the trailer made a huge stink out of it, that's why. But this guy did a great job. he was the perfect balance of a clueless banker who is just trying to do his job and take care of these kids who are always stuck in these terrible circumstances beyond his control. Plus, I like that the episode showed that he's a bit dimwitted which is why he put the kids with Count Olaf in the first place, starting the whole Olaf problem.

7) The spyglass, even though it was pretty much broken- In the film, they hinted at VFD in the beginning of the film, though you would never know unless you read the books. You see a perfectly intact spyglass with VFD written in the desk, and then it's briefly mentioned by Uncle Monty and Aunt Josephine, and that's about it. It's never fully answered. (Unless you count Olaf burning the kids' house to the ground). In this episode, the spyglass is introduced and then carried on by Klaus, which is then seen by Justice Strauss, and then we are hinted throughout the episode that this is a secret code of some sort. And so we begin the journey to VFD.

8) The cast of kids- Whoever cast these kids did a great job. I'm still a bit skeptical about Violet's casting since she looks 14, but sounds a bit younger, but I guess I shouldn't judge too much. I especially like that the brought Klaus' glasses back because...guess why. .....Yep...we can properly get into the Lucky Smells Lumber Mill arch.

9) Count Olaf's acting Troupe- Yeah, I can't remember every single person who was in the book, but you know what, I like that these guys were cast. I like the new spin on them. Instead of gloating with Count Olaf and kind of being the devoted, shy, or clingy lackeys (as humorous as they were), in the film, this troupe is about as intimidating and humorous as Count Olaf. On top of that, they do seem to care about the kids in some respects since they seem to like the pasta the kids make, but they heed Olaf above anything, so when he says, "They hate this food", they immediately spit it out. That's kind of funny. Plus, I like the new looks.

10) Lemony's poem to Beatrice- It was weird to see, but it was cute. I like it. Nothing else needs to be said about it.

THINGS I HATED ABOUT THIS EPISODE:

1) Count Olaf wasn't very subtle- I don't know why, but it really bothered me that Count Olaf was too open about wanting the children's fortune. He says it many times in this episode. I'm surprised no one's called the cops on him. (Though considering that this is Poe we're referring to...). When I think of Count Olaf, movie or book, I think of a sinister man who is able to trick even the eldest Baudelaire child into going along with his plans. Not outwardly complaining to Mr. Poe about how he doesn't get the money until Violet gets older.

2) Sunny's biting and talking graphics- How hard can it be to cast a baby that doesn't even talk, right? Heh heh. Very hard! As cute as this Sunny is, I didn't like how her talking or her biting animations were done. It was very clear that someone was talking over her for a majority of the episode. And on top of that, she's shown to be a biting machine rather than a biter for amusement. When she bites something, she doesn't just bite it. She shreds it. She shreds a rock in the opening scene into a smooth stone and then the parsley into a huge pile later on. It just...it wasn't done right.

3) Mrs. Poe- In the book, she tries to make the kids feel at home by buying them clothes and having them share with her two sons. She tries to be a good mom to them. In the episode, she has no interest in the kids and only believes in good money and good press. She exploits the kids to have them in the newspaper so that her husband could have a better job and then on top of that, she acts like they're not all that sad. (Something one of the kids does when he asks how the children staged the fire). That's all I have to say.

4) Joan Cusack as Justice Strauss- Whoever thought it was a good idea to cast the woman who played Debbie Delinsky from The Adaams Family: Family Values and Jessie from the Toy Story Franchise as the kind and caring Justice Strauss, was sorely mistaken. It's something I'll have to deal with for the next episode, I suppose, since she's supposed to be the judge for Violet's wedding. (Which is in the book and film, so I assume it's in here as well). Plus, whenever I hear her voice, I just think of the woman from the Adaam's family. I know it's terrible, but...her voice just doesn't match her character. Plus, a lot of her lines weren't that great. When you first meet her, the whole conversation is just the most awkward and forced conversation imaginable.

5) Mr. Poe isn't very concerned with the children- In the book, he's a clumsy banker with a terrible cough who's concerned about the children's well being, but is also concerned about his job. Here, he's a dimwitted banker with a nasty cough who, while concerned about the kids, gets easily distracted by his job. Not sure if I like that as much.

6) Justice Strauss seems gullible- That...That's honestly all I have to say about this.

7) Lemony Snicket appears alongside the characters to narrate the story- I don't mind Lemony Snicket being in the story. I love secret locations. However, it kind of bothered me to see him actually appear in the house with the Baudelaire children while they were talking to Count Olaf. Or while Justice Strauss was walking away. Or while the Baudelaire children were testing out Violet's poorly CGIed invention while wearing a swimsuit. It was very distracting to me.

8) VFD was rushed into- The movie's problem was that VFD wasn't explained enough. The problem with this episode is that it's going into VFD too early. In the book, towards the end, the reader is just barely starting to grasp what VFD means and what they stand for. For us, (or me anyway), there are too many things pointing to secrets so far. There's a spyglass, an underground tunnel and trapdoor which shouldn't  have been mentioned until The Slippery Slope, secret codes which shouldn't have even been touched on until The Vile Village, and mysterious people and places and other terrible stuff which shouldn't happen until The Austere Academy. Hint at it briefly, like the strange spyglass connection to Monty, Josephine, and Beatrice which is mentioned by The Wide Window. But my goodness! Pick a good pace!

9) The parents actually being alive at the end- Again, spoiler alert, but yes. The parents are alive at the end of the episode. Or who I assume are the parents.......

ARE YOUR FREAKING KIDDING ME?!

Well, that's about all I have of this episode so far. Good and bad. If I spoiled you, I deeply apologize. I'm just assuming you've all seen this series. In general, this episode was a disappointment. I wasn't a huge fan of it, but I'm determined to get to the end of the season, so hopefully it doesn't break me.