TV Review: NBC's Dracula

So anyone out there watching "Dracula"?  (I supposed it's only NBC's Dracula in the US.)  I've now watched the first two episodes and I feel able to give some sort of opinion.  (Yes, 4 episodes have aired, but I've been busy and I'm always watching TV way late.)

First, obviously I have an interest in Victorian era productions and costuming.  Second, there has definitely been an attempt in this production and its marketing to appeal to the steampunk aesthetic.  Third, I've pretty much been obsessed with Dracula since the age of 13 or so.  I've read and watched a LOT of Dracula adaptations, good and bad.

Dracula's Steampunk Lab

In the case of this TV show, I think my knowledge really works against my enjoyment.  The show is already rather infamous among historical costumers for being hilariously inaccurate, and that's certainly difficult to ignore.  Similarly, when you really know your Dracula, the show is practically designed to make you splutter and shout, "WHAT?" at your television.

If you want to see some of my own spluttering after watching the first episode, see my initial reaction on Tumblr.  The premise of the show and the ways in which it has twisted the Dracula story would take a really long time to explain.  I do think in general the show would probably be better if it didn't call itself "Dracula" and had just gone for an original story.  Dracula is now trying to sell the world on Nikola Tesla's technology  his wireless energy plan in order to stop a secret society named after him who kill vampires and people who might or might not be witches and look I can't even explain this.   Mina is a medical student, Harker is a journalist, Lucy is rich, Renfield is both black and doesn't eat bugs.  Things are....different.

But ok, after the initial WTF factor of the first episode, the second episode is a lot less difficult to

Mina and Lucy in their prom dresses.

swallow.  Even the costuming and set design seemed to have calmed down to at least TRY to look Victorian. (But really, those ball gowns in the first episode?? WTF WERE THOSE?  As I said on Tumblr I obviously have no problem with Victorian-esque-but-not-period-accurate-fashion.  It's kinda my whole thing, in fact, but these were just UGLY and HORRIBLE.  There are so many better things that could have been done!)

The second episode was much less offensive in its costuming.  Mina's blue and white outfit wasn't really period, and she will persist in wearing her hair down like she's 12 years old, but I can overlook those things.  And although there are a number of plot elements that I am still a bit dubious about, I'm willing to see where they go and try to enjoy the weird ride on the ay.

I'm SO jealous of Dracula's ride.

As far as the steampunk elements of the series, the first episode included not only a lot of Tesla-derived science, but also an entire lab where you imagine the set designer's direction was "make it as steampunk as possible."  I'm not counting the fugly dresses as steampunk because steampunk isn't synonymous with "inaccurate attempts at Victorian style".   The second episode features a very cool horseless carriage that, while really freaking steampunk is also period accurate to what steam-powered cars actually looked like.

Overall, whether you enjoy "Dracula" or not is going to depend on your taste.  If you like overblown gothic romance, then this is right up your alley.  The whole time I'm watching the show I'm aware that the teenage version of me would fall head over heels in love with it.   Now, I do have to say that I'm looking forward to watching more and that it's fun, in a brainless sort of way.  (Don't try to really follow the plot, is my advice.) And even when I'm rolling my eyes or groaning at some wretched costuming, I'm still ENJOYING doing so.  My husband, on the other hand, is unabashedly enjoying it.

Have you watched it?  What did you think?