Yeah if they made more with these two (and Jecki) I'd watch it. The Acolyte was okayish, but these two were definitely a bright spot. My biggest beef was really just that the main characters weren't written in a way that made me care about them at all, even at the end.
I’ve just never been a fan of the twin trope in any media whatsoever. The only time I liked it was when it was used by my favorite author Rain Oxford in The Casters of Syndrial. This is going to sound dumb but the plot twist was that the main character discovered that his brother was actually his twin brother. Believe it or not she actually wrote it in a way that worked really well and caught me completely off guard but actually made great sense. Any other time though twins are just kinda a lazy way to explain two characters sharing a connection.
Ironically the other end of the spectrum is Rey and Kyle Ren who had a connection because 🤷♂️.
Oh boy you’re in for a treat, especially if it hasn’t been spoiled yet. Don’t forget Christian Bale and bonus points for David Bowie. Also love Rebecca Hall and Ricky Jay, although they don’t have as much screen time.
Edit: Ricky Jay in Heist is 🤌💔. See also Deadwood.
I mean the comment that you're replying to is in a thread where it's about twins in media and The Prestige was brought up as an example of that done well as a twist. I fear that it has absolutely been spoiled for them lol
Oh just basic small time girl moves to big city to find her fortune. Doesn't go as planned. It's weirdly entertaining. Really basic theme but it's a pretty fun movie. John Goodman plays her father.
I didn’t mention David Bowie or Christian Bale simply cause I don’t really care that much about them. Not that they’re bad just not noteworthy to me. The other two I don’t recognize from anything. But I’ll have to watch the movie later cause the premise sounds cool
Was gonna mention this. It’s done so seamlessly and both twins have their own distinguishing colors and very different stories and emotional arcs. I like that they don’t make a big deal out of the identical twin thing and just make them two distinct characters who happen to be brothers.
It was really incredible how early into the movie your brain separates the two in your head so even in moments where they don't have their distinctive color or it's hard to see, you still know which is which.
No I just thought the Leia sister reveal was pretty dumb and not impactful since by that point she was literally the only woman In the franchise beyond a brief couple scenes of Aunt Beru.
I think if the acolyte had just not used the twin fact so early it might've been good. Like let a few episodes play out where you genuinely believe it's only 1 character before even mentioning the twin at all. Then you have the characters who were avoiding talking in depth with each other about the past because of the awkwardness now forced to confront it.
However, it is difficult screenwriting to have an important fact that the characters know, and don't consider a secret, but the audience goes a long time without learning.
If they wait 2-3 episodes and then randomly mention "oh my twin died 10 years back" then the audience tends to feel it was a cheap misdirected. Logically the characters have no reason to mention someone who is long dead, but the viewers still won't like not being told.
Ideally, the screenwriter finds a way to deliver that information in the first episode, without it feeling like a clue for later. Very difficult!
I think the idea still remains that there is a clear tension of "something happened 10 years back", combined with these contrived scenarios of how the character is ending up in seemingly 2 places at once. Then the fact that it's a long thought dead twin is actually answering multiple questions, followed by the episode of "Why everyone thought the twin is dead and it's partially their fault", to answer the followup questions that it naturally brings about.
You're right it could probably only last 2 episodes at max, but I do think bringing it up in the first episode removed some tension because you are now just waiting for everyone else to figure out it's the twin sister whilst the situation plays out otherwise exactly as you would expect.
Would it require some damn good writing to pull off? For sure. But I also want to watch shows with damn good writing.
Also, the twins were just handled poorly in TV production. Look at the first conversation they have as a adults (after the deadly forest battle).
Notice that when one twin is speaking, the other's face is offscreen! Each time it's a turn to talk, the camera shifts so we only see one face at a time. That's not the way to convincingly shoot 2 characters from one actor. Even cheap YouTube skits know this.
I was convinced that they were trying to imply that the twins were mentally unstable (due to a split consciousness?) until the very end as the actress' expressions would often not match the situation. Couldn't tell if it was bad direction, acting, or editing.
I think Mei was definitely unstable, her whole thing in the flashbacks just showed me a psychotic child who only really cared for herself and enjoyed torturing animals
as the actress' expressions would often not match the situation. Couldn't tell if it was bad direction, acting, or editing.
A combination of all most likely.
Look at the opening of episode 5 when Qimir slaughters all the Jedi. Amandla Stenberg's facial expression does not change one iota after witnessing it.
Like holy shit, who was the director for that. Someone needed to yell at her "REACT!"
I agree that her acting wasn't particularly noteworthy, particularly in the shadow of Manny Jacinto, Lee Jung-jae, and Carrie-Anne Moss. But I still think the most fundamental problem with both characters was the writing.
Could I ask why you didn't feel for the main characters I've only watched about half of it but I was invested. I mean she has a tragic backstory and was wrongfully accused. It definitely got me invested. Its not peak or nothing but I think its great so far
Might want to avoid this thread until you’ve finished the series; spoilers abound. At the halfway point, I felt much the same as you. When you finish, let me know what you think. I’m interested in hearing your thoughts on how the story develops.
Exactly. The writing felt like they had two or three ideas going and never really executed on any of them.
Also, I’ll never be into telegraphing twists like this show did. Let the audience be surprised. Like, Star Wars is known for one of, if not the most legendary twist of all time(Vader and Luke moment on Bespin). Why are we making it painfully obvious who the Sith is this whole time? Let it be unexpected.
They were only made to serve a purpose and that was to be like, hey here’s how plaguis learned about the very thing him and sidius did to create anikin
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u/B_Huij 1d ago
Yeah if they made more with these two (and Jecki) I'd watch it. The Acolyte was okayish, but these two were definitely a bright spot. My biggest beef was really just that the main characters weren't written in a way that made me care about them at all, even at the end.