For some reason or another, NBC’s Dracula is on its last legs and on the verge of cancellation due to the lack of viewership. Sure, it IS on the Friday night death slot, but that doesn’t seem to be hurting Grimm much (a point very much against Dracula). The problem is that viewers just decided to stop tuning in (its first night DID do well).
Maybe you tuned in for the first couple of episodes, got bored, and stopped watching, or maybe it was a show that got lost on the DVR, shuffled in between shows of greater importance. Whatever the story, Dracula lost your notice. But I am here to tell you why the show (with only two episodes left) is worthy of a second chance.
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First of all, I must confess that I liked the show right from the start, so I do come from a biased place. Nevertheless, I can recognize the slower feel to the series might have encouraged some eyeballs to turn elsewhere.
It seemed like forever waiting for a romantic scene between Mina and Dracula/Grayson. Also, why did the plot with Van Helsing have to drag (particularly with how long it takes to get Grayson into the sunlight)?
I am happy to report, however, that the series has picked up its pace. Now that the show is starting to move faster, I can’t help but wonder why so many people left without giving the show a chance to find its voice, which I think it most certainly did.
So, because I think the show deserves more time AND a second season, I compiled some reasons as to why Dracula deserves saving and worth some old (or even new) viewers coming back before it is too late:
This Dracula makes a fabulous Byronic Hero!
Moody, obsessive, seductive, holds a strong disregard for rank, a monster on the outside of society with the desire to be more human, and obsessed with his Byronic love are just some of the traits that make Grayson such a fascinating character.
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Easily typed as a Byronic Hero, Jonathan Rhys Meyers’ acting plunges into this fascinating dark path of revenge and focused love. I would even venture to say that in the past couple of episodes (particularly this last week’s episode), his Byronic traits have intensified the series’ intrigue. Dracula is beginning to lose it, and his desperation makes for great television and acting moments.
Lady Jayne Wetherby: Vampire Hunter Extraordinaire
Not since Buffy has there been such an awesome and layered female vampire hunter. Certainly, I thought it a bit cliché to take this ‘strong’ woman and make her the typical overly sexualized character. Then, she started to show layers. She became vulnerable and vengeful (what she does to Lucy is just downright nasty).
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Plus, the last episode of her taking down some vampires to find out about the old one was fantastic. I can’t wait to see what she does next, particularly when she learns Grayson is Dracula.
Steampunk
I love that the creator has taken a familiar story and turned it into something unique. For those unfamiliar with the word steampunk, it is a subgenre of science fiction that often takes place in an alternate history to the Victorian period, using technology as the Victorians would have imagined it. These stories can include fantasy and horror.
In NBC’s Dracula, if you look at this series NOT as an accurate portrayal of Victorian England with sides of horror like most tellings of Stoker’s novel but instead an alternate one rich in steampunk technology (how Grayson is taking down the big bad) and even characters, I think the perspective becomes quite different. I have to say that I love this take personally
The plot has picked up steam…no pun intended
Now that the characters have had time to settle in, the action has really picked up, and everything is starting to fall into place. While the earlier episodes had some duller, drawn-out moments, each and every scene now has a purpose. The plot is going somewhere (Grayson’s plans are starting to emerge) and is just becoming exciting.
Renfield is Awesome
Best portrayal of this character hands down in my opinion. He’s strong, fascinating, loyal, and unafraid to stand against Grayson. If you left early on, you probably missed his backstory and why he joined up with Grayson. He has great characterization that really picks up in the later episodes and his presence on screen is amazing.
Well written dialogue
Say what you want about the show being slow, but the dialogue is well done. The writers know how to write period dialogue, which is something usually lacking in American productions. They understand the rhythm and the way the words flow, which is just refreshing.
Compare the dialogue to the plot, which has picked up the pace, and I think this show is really going in the right direction.
Believable acting
If nothing else can sell this, then I think the acting should. The acting in this series is top-notch notch, with some of the greatest British actors around from some of the best period dramas.
For a few episodes, I even enjoyed Roger from Wives and Daughters… Seriously though, besides Roger, we have Morgana from Merlin, Thomas from Lark Rise to Candleford, Edith’s OLD love from Downton Abbey, and the always amazing Jonathan Rhys Meyers in the title role. The actors have really stepped up lately with even more to work with.
High Production values comparable to a BBC Period Drama
Say you love BBC Period Drama…I am a total fan and collector of the movies. There’s just something so special about the way their productions are because they don’t ‘feel’ like Hollywood. BBC and other British networks like ITV just get how to do period right. Dracula feels similar with costumes and sets comparable to the BBC.
I don’t know about the rest of you, but a lot of period drama done in America comes across as cheesy in contrast (with some exceptions, obviously, and they have at least been improving). Dracula does not have a cheesy production.
The Romance
Okay, I admit that the relationship between Mina and Grayson had a VERY slow start. I liked them, but I wanted more, and then they danced. Everything changed from then on as the two became more and more drawn to one another (something that became apparent to others as well).
While this relationship has improved by leaps and bounds from the first couple of episodes, I have to say that last week, their romance became epic. Grayson’s Byronic rage when Mina scorns him is astounding to watch, making several other Byronic love examples on TV almost weak in comparison. He has become almost Heathcliff-like in his obsession, revenge, and devotion to his unearthly love.
Van Helsing’s story just got juicy.
I mean that literally, as the last episode ended on a cliffhanger, and I cannot WAIT to see what happens next. Thomas Kretschmann as Van Helsing is inspired (he’s so good he was just cast as a villain in the next Avengers movie).
The casting choice finally starts to pay off as his vengeance against the man who killed his family begins to unfold. To say more would be to ruin the compelling surprise in store.
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Hopefully, at least one of these ten reasons will convince you to tune back in. So give it a shot, and PLEASE try to tune in live before the end. Also, spread the word. Now that the show has found its voice, it would be a pity if it got canceled just when it got interesting.
EDIT: Dracula did get canceled, but you can now watch the show in its entirety on DVD or digitally or buy it on Amazon.
Content Note: TV-14 was rated for violence and sensuality.
What do you think of Dracula? Already love it like me? Willing to give it another chance…or not?
Photo Credit: NBC
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I may give it another chance. There was a story early on that really annoyed me and I tuned out for a week or so to let it settle and never went back (I did catch that dance though!). I’ll set ye ole DVR tonight and we’ll see what happens. 🙂
What story was it that annoyed you? Hope you watched and gave it another chance…though you might just have to catch up first. Last night’s episode was amazing.
It was the Grayson uses the token gay couple to further his agenda storyline, especially because it played out the way it did. It probably made sense from a dramatic perspective but I have a problem with story lines like that.
I did catch it last night and you are right about it getting better. I’m especially curious as to how Lucy will fit in to the finale. That should be interesting to say the least!
And I thoroughly enjoyed the Grayson/Mina scenes last night
Thankfully, that story ended early on. But I’m glad you caught it and gave the show another chance! I loved last night’s episode and how they ended on Grayson turning Lucy. I can’t wait to see what they do with her in the finale. And the Grayson/Mina scenes really are getting good. I loved everything about the roses and the eerie connection Mina has to the past somehow.
I really love Dracula and if this is the end of Dracula I will miss it terribly. I can only hope that Jonathan Rys Meyers Gets something else soon I Just adore him.