It’s a bloodstained love letter to a classic, beautifully and delicately scented with just the faintest hint of ham gothic yarns need; a homage to all the great Counts who have gone before, but still entirely its own thing. And again, like the best of Gatiss and Moffat’s Sherlocks, with the searching intelligence that promises to flesh out the foundational story. Enjoy sinking your teeth into it all.
Parts of the premiere's first half are a bit slow and some of the script’s attempts at humor and modern dialogue feel off in terms of tone, but the action really kicks in for the final half-hour in a way that makes it almost impossible for you not to watch another.
“Dracula,” the latest in a long, long line of genetic mutations fathered by the 1897 Bram Stoker novel, is quick with a quip. And no small amount of irreverence. ... While there is humor in this “Dracula,” there is also real dread. ... Mr. Bang, who plays Drac rather louche, can also bring a visceral ferocity to the scenes in which his character is challenged or—heaven knows—thwarted.
To call his retelling tedious is understating the problem. ... Laggardly scripting also obscures performances that might otherwise win over the audience. ... [Dolly] Wells’ Agatha is the first episode's saving grace. She gets some of the funniest lines and delivers them with a dry, peppery mien that gives one hope that she’ll survive.
Whether it’s introducing farcical, overwritten solutions to things like navigating Dracula’s mazelike castle or miniature plot twists that are easy to guess, the series simply feels tiresome in its relentless pleading with us to be impressed.
Not surprisingly, lots of people don't like the new "Dracula" because it doesn't follow the original plot of the book, but there're lots of versions that all seems to be the same - we all know Count Dracula's story. Gattis and Moffat brought the new vision that rethinks the whole story. Undoudtedly, although the last episode might be a shock, we should admit that that twist in a plot is really extrodinary and gripping to watch. Moffat and Gattis have shown a boldness and an unusual mindset that cannot be underestimated. No matter what you have to see it.
In general, I'm quite open to changes in stories like this one, but I feel this series or miniseries (I don't know if it will have a second season) It started very well and derailed in an very ugly way.
The first episode had a great atmosphere and was evidently the most rooted in the original story but then the story opted for other directions and the attempt didn't go well.
The second one, for example, starts well, but then muddles itself and the very length of the episode ends up playing against it.
The third episode doesn't feel like a closure at all, it felt quite rushed and also gets rid of the best character of the show besides Dracula which was Agatha Van Helsing.
Needless to say, this was a good attempt but it was more good intentions than actual substance.
The first 2 episodes were decent, and the 3rd turned into a completely different show. I'm not sure what show I'm watching with episode 3 but it's not Dracula anymore. The series was an 8 but episode 3 was so bad I had to drop it down to a 4 overall.
I don't know why this series has such great reviews from critics. Penny Dreadful was far more researched, more cleverly scripted, and had much better acting. This show injects some really odd humor that just lands with a thud, and feels out of place in the serious situations and surroundings of Dracula's castle. The makeup and practical effects were pretty good, but felt hokey and out of place within the bad script. The lead has potential with better material, and seemed to possess the gravitas that Dracula needs, but his accent sounds kind of like an American one by the end. The ending reveal is pretty hokey too. Episodes are way too long, and dragged on. I recommend skipping this series.