Shadow and Bone (TV Series) No Funerals (2023) User Reviews

In an alternate universe

[movieturtle2013 · 7/10 · 16 March 2023]

(This is more of a season review) This season feels like a fever dream, something that could happen in an alternate universe. It's not that completely new things are introduced. Most of the decisions the characters make are at least considered in the book (if that makes sense). For example, Mal realizes in the book and in the show that his only purpose of his existence was technically just Alina. And in the show he acts on it by the end wants to find his way. He gets to be an interesting character (at least somewhat).

There is a lot of narrative whiplash and clunkiness. One plot point jumps to the other and the viewer is dragged along with little time to breathe. This happens throughout the whole season.

That being said, I get that this show is technically 'based on' the books of Leigh Bardugo, but half way through it does change quite a bit. A new McGuffin is introduced, which I don't mind. It is a way to introduce Shu Han earlier in the story and gives the crows something to do, but like the other things in the season, it is rushed.

There are nods to the books that I enjoyed (elements of dialogue and character interaction) but some of them felt misplaced, especially certain lines that were seemingly just picked from the books and thrown into the show without the intended context and that removed the meaning entirely.

Obviously the books are a presence and something for the show to fall back on, but I feel like the show would have difficulty standing on its own-if there weren't any books to read up on. I mean the show draws from moments of the book so heavily (not story-wise) that it forgets that there might be viewers that haven't read the books.

For example the show often assumes that character dynamics are already known by the viewer before it bothers to introduce those dynamics which is not good. It never dives deeper into those characters. Inej and Kaz for example: I know what their deal is and why they mean so much to each other because I read the books, but I can imagine that for an average viewer their relationship might just come off as weird. And that is kind of what I'm getting at. This show isn't for the 'average viewer' but for those who read the books, which is sad because the point of an adaptation is to draw in more potential fans (without them necessarily having to read up on everything).

The new dynamics we get-between Inej and Tolya for example-is something I enjoy and I imagine the average viewer enjoys as well, because I feel like this was the only dynamic that doesn't assume anything already established in the books because it is new.

An example of a relationship dynamic that is rushed would be Zoya and Alina, Nina and Inej, Waylan and Inej (I found it weird that he was concerned after she got hurt when he didn't really interact with her in a way before that made me think that he'd be concerned about her).

In the end, the story diverts a lot from the books and I didn't mind it. I think the show will dive into Alina's hunger for power that was merely brushed upon in the books. I also like how Mal gets to be an actual character in the end.

But the problems i had with the first season are also present in the second: rushing the story, weird dialogue, plot convinces and clunky action scenes and sequences (sorry, but the fight Nikolai and company against Kirigan's minions was ridiculous). There are once again many convinces (the crows showing up at the final moment, Inej with superhuman-like abilities, Nina sorta sticking around in case she is needed and than taken out and then returning again (if you've seen the last episode, I think you get what I'm on about)).

The set design and costumes were great. The score as well and this season is enjoyable, but I wouldn't be surprised if it isn't able to gain more fans outside of those who read the books and can appreciate the characters being thrown into all kinds of situations.

Rating of second season: 7/10.

Admirably Explored & Well-Balanced - Season 2 Review

[JoshuaMercott · 8/10 · 21 March 2023]

First Impressions:

Emotional webs, high-octane action, magical intrigue, and beautifully explored character arcs made this the best season yet for "Shadow and Bone". Though it is still early to say that about this TV adaptation, the team certainly did not waste time doing right by Leigh Bardugo's novels, creative liberties included. Case in point, they successfully delivered a thrilling second season.

Story Analysis:

Alina and Malyen were making their way from Ketterdam to Ravka. The Fold, meanwhile, was showing signs of spreading. And Alina's nightmares were, in truth, visions of recent events. Season 2 of "Shadow and Bone" thus started off on admirably dark notes and gained pace.

Despite being the vaunted Sun Summoner and having defeated (temporarily, anyway) General Kirigan, aka the Darkling, in the previous season, Alina was still encountering hurdles, personally and psychologically. In an alternate vein, she and Mal were figuring out what they meant to each other.

Author Leigh Bardugo's TV-Grishaverse did not disappoint. As someone who is yet to start reading the novels - which I intend to soon, time willing - the show gave me ample reasons to dive into the pages of the original book trilogy.

Ravka, Kerch, Fjerda, Novyi Zem, Shu Han, and the Wandering Isle comprise all the nations and cultures in the Grishaverse. I got a good look at Ravka in S02, which was beautiful and well-detailed.

The magic users at the heart of this series included Etherealki who are known for summoning natural elements, Materialki who are adept at manipulating glass and metals (among other substances), and Corporalki who can control the living bodies of people. Season 2 showcased these powers well.

Meanwhile in the story, Kaz, Jesper, and Inej were in dire straits back home, especially with their contract-giver Dreesen. Their 'nest' was taken over by Pekka Rollins and the authorities were also after them, adding to the thrills this season.

Nina and Matthias continued to be a couple to watch. Even forcefully separated, they gave off sparks and not a small amount of tragic uncertainty. Discovering that the one you loved used her magic to make you compliant certainly came with a hefty emotional bill.

As for Nina, I wish they gave her more fighting scenes. She has been doing outstanding justice to all her fight choreography, and that's doubly hard to achieve while dressed head to toe in Victorian-era garb. Me thinks the Heartrender deserves a spinoff all her own.

Newcomers to the series included Wylan (demolitions expert), who added to the diverse characters enriching "Shadow and Bone" S02. His same-sex relationship with Jesper could've been explored in some detail, mainly because the two had history.

Other new names included a privateer named Sturmhond, whose royal connection made him a captivating character to keep an eye on. Patrick Gibson had great screen presence and delivered all his lines well.

Then there were Tamar and Tolya, who were pirates on a mission. They each gave their characters a singular flourish worth appreciating.

The Darkling, previously presumed dead, was back in the game. This time, he came with the newfound ability to harness "merzost" (creation magic) to control numerous "nichevo'ya" (shadow monsters). Ben Barnes continued to captivate in the role. His every scene was gripping and memorable.

I also liked everything that Baghra brought to this season. Zoë Wanamaker's acting was impressive to a fault. She lent enviable 'Shakespearean' gravitas to her character.

Alina had to retrieve the Sea Whip and the Firebird, two important amplifiers, if she was to gain an edge over the Darkling. I wish they prolonged the Sea Whip encounter - the creature deserved more, imo.

This season adapted elements from books 2 and 3 - "Siege and Storm" and "Ruin and Rising". It also borrowed from Bardugo's "Six of Crows" novels, a creative move carried over from season 1. This 'crossover' was intentional and intended to streamline the plot for the TV show. S02 saw them adapting a few 'prequel' events leading up to the "Six of Crows" storyline.

Editing and VFX were exemplary. Art direction and set decoration were great. Sound effects were amazing. Stunts were admirable. Hair-makeup and costume design were fantastic. Musical scoring was outstanding. Cinematography was great. Screenplay was neat. Direction was praiseworthy.

Final Notes:

It didn't even feel like two long years had passed since season 1 of "Shadow and Bone". The second season, though criminally short (only 8 episodes) managed to contain all the bits and pieces luxuriously detailed in the books.

I'm yet to start reading the books myself. This was probably why that twist with Malyen took me by surprise. It was amazing to watch that arc unfold in the season-2 finale. To be honest, I did come across other essential lore connections shared online by Bardugo's fans. Though spoiled a little, I enjoyed the show nonetheless.

Romance, tragedies, and intricate character arcs made this season a treat to watch. It felt immersive and emotional in equal measure. The pacing in S02 was outmatched by its attention to detail. Then again, this particular shade of excellence was something the "Shadow and Bone" team had already achieved in the first season.

Whenever season 3 of "Shadow and Bone" comes along, they can only go up from here. I feel there is so much more to explore in the Grishaverse. As a fan of this show - and who is also keenly interested in starting Bardugo's books when time permits - I believe this series has the potential to become a major magical franchise. That's if Netflix plays its cards, and its Crows, right.

[7.2] Netflix - season 3!

[cjonesas · 7/10 · 22 March 2024]

A solid season entry in the realms of the show bearing thrill, action , adventure and some drama. It could have been more solid like the previous season and have the same shininess.

Unfortunately, it got lost in endless semi-realistic picturesque romance that the series didn't obligatory need, too few bright action sequences in each episode, though episode 7 was one bright one and the ending makes me wish there would be a season 3.

Alina Starkov never ceases to amaze me!

• Screenplay/storyline/plots: 7
• Development: 8
• Realism: 7
• Entertainment: 7
• Acting: 8
• Filming/photography/cinematography: 8
• VFX: 9
• Music/score/sound: 8
• Depth: 7
• Logic: 3
• Flow: 7
• Action/adventure/drama: 7.5
• Ending: 7.

Finale: 'No Funerals' - A Riveting Finale of Sacrifice and Resilience

[Vaynrat · 10/10 · 22 November 2023]

In the gripping Season 2 finale, "No Funerals," the besieged fort becomes the battleground for Nikolai, Wylan, and the ominous Nichevo'ya. The stakes escalate dramatically as Alina bravely executes their plan, sacrificing Mal in a heart-wrenching moment that unleashes a torrent of energy, obliterating the Fold.

Following the destructive aftermath, Kirigan seizes the opportunity to manipulate Alina's grief, proposing a twisted relationship. Alina, resilient and empowered, resoundingly rejects Kirigan's advances, choosing justice over darkness as she fatally stabs him. The narrative takes an unexpected turn as Alina defies warnings and taps into merzost to resurrect Mal.

The intense showdown against the Darkling's Nichevo'ya, coupled with the burning of Kirigan's body to thwart relic creation, adds layers to the emotional complexity of the finale. Mal, mourning David's death, decides on a new path, joining Inej, Tamar, Tolya, and Nadia on their flying ship.

Nina's journey to Hellgate for Matthias, who bravely resists his drüskelle beliefs, unfolds with a poignant resistance against injustice. Meanwhile, Kaz unveils a new job involving the smuggling of jurda parem, a powerful Grisha-enhancing drug.

The coronation ceremony, meant to symbolize hope, takes a dark turn as an assassin, fueled by jurda parem, attempts to thwart the celebration. Alina, now wielding shadow powers, confronts the assailant, culminating in a powerful and unexpected conclusion.

"No Funerals" masterfully navigates the intricate threads of sacrifice, resilience, and the relentless pursuit of justice, leaving viewers eagerly anticipating the next chapter in the spellbinding world of "Shadow and Bone."

A Fitting Extension

[umarbashir213 · 9/10 · 20 March 2023]

This is a season 2 review. I have read the books and personally, I didn't like how it ended for Alina. The ending felt too good to be true. This season finale adds a more real touch to the story. I was expecting this season to only cover the second book but, it covered the third one as well and now we have entered the 'uncharted' territory. For me, it would have been better if Alina interacted with Kirigan the way she did in the books in the finale (kept it as spoiler free as possible). Nikolai was fun just like he was in the books (a lil worried here tho). I actually think Alina n he connect better. Who knows what night happen now that we have left the pages. There are so many arcs branching out and m excited to find out how they will come together. Please Netflix, for the love of all that is good, don't freaking cancel it or m gonna 'cut' you!!!

Intentional tonal shift.

[W011y4m5 · 10/10 · 21 March 2023]

Having now completed all 8 new installments in their entirety, in my opinion, I think it's fairly safe to state that "Shadow & Bone" S2 is pretty decent for the majority of the series' run-time (acting as an enjoyable, if slightly unremarkable Netflix fantasy, satisfyingly continuing on as a sequel to the first) & then suddenly (much to my surprise), astonishingly talented director Mairzee Almas (already recieving recent critical acclaim for her handling of "The Sandman" launch) comes along for the final block of episodes & does to the show what renowned filmmakers like Miguel Sapochnik or Alan Taylor did to HBO's mega-hit "Game of Thrones". Hence, there's a noticeable elevation in quality & genuine artistry behind the camera which is simply staggering to witness on screen - resulting in a masterfully crafted, slow-burn denouement, totally reinventing & re-contextualising the narrative we (as audiences) have gradually grown accustomed to (of inherent pure V evil; light v dark), birthing a maturer, morally ambiguous tale (where the lines between good & bad are less distinct) & the clarity of purpose (of predestined magical destiny to become "the saviour") intentionally births a far scarier, relatable scenario in which peace must be preserved through the complex difficulties of diplomacy (people no longer reliant upon the threat of the shadow's expansion & the differences of ideological perspective - dictating how individuals choose to respond to the changing world - being as conflicting as night & day) not an instillation of fear amongst the traumatised & subjugated populace - to ensure the prior conformity.

Therefore, there's no denying "No Funerals" feels unlike its predecessors, yet that was deliberate & I hugely admire the added layers of depth / nuance, always appreciated.

Completely opposite to what the characters would do.

[hannah-shuttleworth · 1/10 · 24 March 2023]

Alina and Mal going there separate ways would never have happened, completely unrealistic. They worked so hard to be together and work together to stop the darkling, to just walk away like that is stupid. The show runners just want to milk this series for as long as they can and they rushed through it way too quickly to give the last two books any justice. Concluding Alina and Mal's story here and having them live an ordinary life together would have been perfect, sure they could travel. But it flip flopped, Mal said he wanted an ordinary life...which is not a privateer and Alina would have chosen Mal over the crown which is what she did by bringing him back. None of this makes sense for the characters. The only good thing on the last episode was the crows. Alina is not the character she has been at this point. They should redo the last episode Mal and Alina go off to do there own thing, and the crows can move to the heist which I'm excited for.

Time to Split

[sirpadfoot · 9/10 · 20 November 2023]

I enjoyed this whole show as a whole but I feel like it's really set up to be two shows that have crossover episodes rather than all in one show. I feel like both story lines suffer for it but especially the Crows who I may be biased towards because I read that duology rather than Shadow & Bone- but I actually really like Alina and Mal too. I really hope that this can be a splitting off point for the shows- I think the Ice Court Heist would make a fantastic miniseries and we have already set up many of the characters and relationships so there would be time to expand them. Inej in particular I think deserves more time spent on her story.

Ridiculous

[dsirianni-59035 · 1/10 · 4 April 2023]

Alina and Mal would have never separated. Absolutely ridiculous. Two seasons of fighting to be together and have a normal life for Netflix to decide they know better and make this change. Even without comparing to the books it make no sense that they would choose to separate them and her to choose Nikolai and a crown. It does not even go with the shows character development or should I say rushed development. Practically speed thru 15 stories in 8 episodes. All of these people are warriors been training for yearssss but the last two episodes of this season they literally ran around and cried and didn't even use their powers to fight.

Rating Season Up to this Episode 10, This Episode 3!

[Scotslad_007 · 3/10 · 24 April 2023]

My overall review of the season up to this episode was excellent, as basically you could have ended with just a season with just part of this final episode. But NO, like an artist who created a magnificent painting but can't stop thinking of ways to adjust it the wheels fell off in not just one storyline but multiple. If I was to guess these guys are not sure season 3 is guaranteed so they decided to get an early start but instead of getting us more intrigued they burned all they built in the first 2 seasons to the ground? What amazes me in how well they built up so many story lines and interweaved them over all of season 1,2 but rather than celebrate let the end breath and let us enjoy it... they quickly trigger a whole new set of dark and foreboding storylines.

Reminds me of Lost, so much potential built with the end being the defining moment!!! BAM with the snap of a finger within the last 20+ minutes they attempt to T everything up for another season and cast all the journey's into disarray and doom. How are you supposed to walk away from that and say "That was a Great season!?"

I enjoyed all the characters and the world that was created before our eyes. I enjoyed the depth of each character and the complexity of each' s journey.

A disappointing final episode will give me pause to attempt to watch another or recommend the show.

Completely Unsatisfying Ending!

[a_tia · 3/10 · 15 September 2023]

SPOILERS!!

What the heck?! They spend the entire 2 seasons building up these characters to be together and they all walk away from each other?! What was the point of reviving Mal for he and Alina to not eld up together? And now he's a Pirate?!

Then there's Kaz and Inez. All that longing. All that build up for a nod.

And poor Nina and Matthias. The bad guy wins in prison.

I might have been able to handle all this if the last few minutes weren't ridiculous. A super drug to make all the Grisha's 1000 times more powerful?! Just out of the blue like that?! And at the very last cut before black, Alina turns evil?! WHY???!!!!

The whole point of the show was completely lost by that one smirk. I want my 14 hours back!!

Damn

[akaslammin · 1/10 · 29 April 2023]

At the start of this episode I had assumed Netflix had decided not to continue this series. The storylines were concluded, the characters seemed content. And I was pretty pleased about that because the last half of season two was really really bad. The use of clearly secondly rate writers and directors for the last four episodes, I surmised, was clearly due to Netflix not wanting to invest money or effort into what they had decided was a show that had no future.

Unfortunately, the base story was intriguing enough to make me want to watch to the end - I did fast forward through a fare amount of the last four episodes - because even though it was pretty predictable I wanted to know how they closed it all out. There is not much positive to say about the final episode other than it concluded and Aleksander Morozova died which meant an end to the terrible acting of Benjamin Barnes (it's not a spoiler because we all knew it would happen).

It also meant I saw the final scene and therefore was enormously disappointed to find out that it seems Netflix does have a plan to continue it. But if the end of the final episode is anything to go by it's going to be even worse than what we have seen in the second season.

7.3 for the season and

[isaacmizrahii · 3 April 2023]

Good/strong ending episodes...and who CARES what the characters of the books would have done? Who ARE these people who are, supPOSEDly reviewing a series and rating the series based on a BOOK? This is NOT a BOOK review site, in case those people haven't noticed... i thought the second season had a lot of ups and downs...some very strong moments and, unfortunately, really weak ones. I felt the first season was a lot more 'even keeled' which, yes, is a pun of sorts...this includes the density of the characters themselves...and not because of the actors...i think they all did a good job, given how they were written. And that is where the weaknesses occurred in places. In the writing.

If i DO watch the 3rd season, assuming there IS one...i will give it two episodes to decide whether or not i want to watch the whole season. It will HAVE to be better than this second season for me to want to watch the whole thing.