The original post: /r/television by /u/FartsUnited on 2024-08-14 14:16:40.
If (like me) you were disappointed with the television adaptation of Terry Gilliam’s irreverent Time Bandits I encourage you to give it another chance.
Given the talent involved (Jemaine Clement and Taika Waititi), the series has been surprisingly underwhelming and twee. It’s had its moments of course, but the series has been generally undermined by its approach to time travel.
The hit or miss series seemed more intent on a reverent (if playful) ‘time tourism’ than following the film’s off kilter approach to familiar destinations or personages. It seemed to have more in common with Drunk History than Gilliam’s Time Bandits, and it certainly wasn’t interested in exploring the absurdities of time travel itself.
That all changes, though, with the latest two episodes (7 and 8 out of ten).
I don’t want to spoil too much, but the most recent episodes have come closest to capturing the spirit of the film. The turning point occurs (surprisingly) when the time bandits are reunited with the little boy’s annoying younger sister in the Ice Age (episode 7). She’s now older than her brother and managed to create a civilisation in her image. I say surprising because she felt completely out of place (or unwelcome) in the series and I didn’t want to spend any time with her. And yet when we end up spending more time with her the show’s sensibility comes into its own.
It’s episode 8, though, that seals the deal: it somehow manages to deepen the characters and situations whilst consistently bringing the funny. This episode arguably has more in common with Back to the Future than Time Bandits but it nonetheless manages to be incredibly clever, funny and heartfelt. It’s one of my favourite episodes of television this year - and I have to confess to be completely taken aback by how a seemingly middling show somehow managed to be so good.
It also sets us up for an ending closer to the original film - where the time bandits invariably find their way into hell.
I’m now looking forward to the remaining two episodes, and the possibility of a second season. I’d also encourage you to give the show another chance.