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- Addison Horsell
The Mysterious Benedict Society (2021) Season One: Review
Updated: Aug 17, 2021
I could tell by the first episode that The Mysterious Benedict Society would be a satisfying and well-made adaptation. The first couple of chapters in Trenton Lee Stewart‘s book are absolutely iconic, and the beginning of the show stayed true to its brilliant concept and introduction to the main characters. The portrayal of the entry tests into the society was all that I hoped they would be.
Watching these scenes brought back so many childhood memories of reading the original book. I remember being enthralled as I watched Reynie decipher all the tricks in the various tests and how his soon-to-be friends found their own unique ways to pass.
The Cast
Speaking of the characters, here are my thoughts on the main cast and their performance: Tony Hale (A Series of Unfortunate Events) was magnificent as both Nicholas Benedict and the villain of the series, Mr. Curtain. His range and depth of emotion and ability to make each of the characters so distinct were absolutely amazing. Though these characters were both considerably older in the books, I thought after seeing his performance that casting Hale was a great choice.
Reynie, Sticky, Kate, and Constance were all a joy to watch, and I loved the way their actors (Mystic Inscho, Seth Carr, Emmy DeOliveira, and Marta Timofeeva respectively) portrayed them. Constance, of course, stands out as a fan favorite. None of us can get enough of her darkly witty lines.
One of the highlights of the show for me was Milligan, portrayed by Ryan Douglas (Remember the Titans). In my opinion, his character was really enhanced by his live-action portrayal. It was amazing to see this somber, enigmatic man brought to life in this way.
And finally, Number Two and Rhonda Kazembe were masterfully played by Kristen Schaal (Last Man on Earth) and MaameYaa Boafo (Bluff City Law) respectively. They managed to add a lot of flair and depth to these two characters, giving them their own side plot and character arcs alongside Mr. Benedict, Milligan, and Miss Perumal (Gia Sandhu).
The Show vs The Book
One of the biggest differences between the show and the book is the greater attention they gave to the adult members of the Mysterious Benedict Society. We get to watch as they build a cabin in the forest, work through issues, communicate with the children, and eventually hatch a plan to extract them from the institute.
I thought this was a valuable addition to the plot, giving additional viewpoints and layers to the conflict, so, by the end, you feel close to each of the characters. I think this came with the expense of removing some of the more detailed progression of the story from the viewpoint of the kids, as it was so thoroughly developed in the novel. But this change worked well for the television format, giving all the actors more time to shine.
Another plot point that was added was the backstory for both Mr. Benedict and Mr. Curtain. The story they provided for us differed a lot from what we previously knew about these characters from both the first book and the prequel to the series, The Extraordinary Education of Nicholas Benedict.
However, I believe the writers knew what they were doing as they made these changes, as they give more gravity and emotional weight to the plot. As you realize how personal of a problem the conflict is for Mr. Benedict, even though it affects the entire world, and how he blames himself for what‘s happening, you start to care even more.
The novel had its own ways of making the reader care about the plot, one of which was putting most of the emotional weight into the younger characters and their personal stories. But I believe the decisions made here make sense for a series that has limited run time for each episode, and they accomplished the same overall feeling either way.
My Final Thoughts
This series, in large ways and small, has really been an enjoyable and fun adaptation. From the unforgettable introductions to Kate and Constance’s conflicting personalities to the eerie whisperer to Mr. Curtain's subdued rage, this series is both impressive and heartfelt. I loved every moment of it, and I truly hope we get a second season! Book two, The Perilous Journey, is my personal favorite of the series, and I can't wait to see what they'll do with it.
What did you think of The Mysterious Benedict Society? Have you read the book, and if so, how does this series compare? Please leave your thoughts in the comments below!