The Musketeers

Having read all the books a few times over the years I was really looking forward to watching this, what a disappointment. Why do producers and scriptwriters think they can do better than the author? There is plenty of material to explore within the three books. The locations and visual period feel is well done however the dialogue is dire. Captain of the musketeers "you three my office now" about sums it up. The setting is Paris 1620 but the feel is America 2014, modern cops and robbers in drag really. The only good thing is that it has encouraged me to dust the books off and re read them. This is really well done children's television not for anyone who wants to watch some gritty drama with some depth and decent dialogue to give some form of period feel. Too modern for my taste and too simple.

When I first heard of this show, I looked at wikipedia to get the critics reaction, and found many were lukewarm at first but liked the show after awhile. But for me, this was a winner from episode one, a light-hearted, old-fashioned swashbuckler with a brisk pace and a nice sense of humor.

While I read the book, that was probably 40 years ago, and I mainly remember the Richard Lester movie. Based on the first few episodes, I'm a bit disappointed in the two main women; the good one seems rather bland, and the evil one seems rather uncomplex for what I recall was, in the book, a fascinating character. I'm hoping that improves. But overall, lots of fun.

Well acted, always good and often surprising plot twists, entertaining historical fiction, detailed production, good musical score, convincing character development...recommend all 3 seasons as each has one or more unique plot elements yet they all tie together. Straightforward and fun yet surprisingly thought-provoking. Generally true to time and place if not event, and with contemporary sensibility, these tradeoffs are acceptable and enjoyable aspects of modern dramatization. Tom Burke is excellent as Athos, and there really are exceptionally good cast members and performances even in supporting or special roles for a season or episode. A few nice surprises along the way with occasional indulgences. Good action scenes but nice overall balance with court intrigue, romance, politics, and character arcs. Appropriate for family audiences.

A very nice TV show with a wonderful flair, the sets, the costumes, the actors everything just fits perfectly. The show really makes you feel like being right there in the 17th century. So many interesting characters, you really feel with the characters. I liked every season, there's a lot of variety no episode feels the same.

--8 out of 10 stars--

I'm not one to squabble over mismatches between source material and movies - as long as the story is consistent within its own universe.

From this point of view, this series has managed to put all of the recent Hollywood adaptations to an absolute shame.

First of all, the adaptation is so good that sometimes it's difficult to say where the Dumas novels end and where the adaptation begins. Sure enough, the events from the books aren't borrowed entirely and sequentially but rather they are somewhat transformed and scattered.

The main plot points are there, but with extra background and extended events which strengthen character building.

This is definitely a necessary step especially because the original story (so very popular) has turned the characters, their demeanor, names and status into stereotypes ... and stereotypes can be boring especially when the original context is transformed.

The musketeers keep their names, general demeanor but their background stories are enriched (while keeping the main points).

Aramis is a former priest with a soft spot for the ladies ... but there's much more in the hold. Athos remains somewhat misanthropic with lots of mystery behind him (and with a history alongside Milady de Winter) Porthos gets more of an overhaul especially given the original largely straightforward character type. D'Artagnan in turn seems to be more of a bon-vivant type now and although he keeps his original motivation and history, he is portrayed here a lot more child-like. I'm not saying this is necessarily bad, but we'll have to wait and see what the writers will make of it.

Richelieu gets a great portrayal from the future Doctor Who actor, greatly improving upon the original character with more details and more political plots which are mostly well-thought out as opposed to the incredibly brainless plots of the Hollywood movies. Let's hope they'll keep up the kind of work that we've been shown in the first few episodes.

Obviously, nothing is perfect. There are inconsistencies here and there as well as questions left hanging. But we've got at least a season to see where they lead.