Readers of Sarah J. Maas’ captivating A Court of Thorns & Roses series are eagerly awaiting the Hulu adaptation, but one change for TV could help make the story even more sustainable. ACOTAR is one of several fantasy books getting a live-action TV show. With its rich world-building, intriguing characters, and epic romance, the potential for a compelling TV show is there. However, the show’s true strength may lie in its ability to transcend the limitations of the novels.
A key feature of the novels is characters suspiciously vanishing and returning with big reveals. This can be frustrating at times, but this could be a key opportunity for the TV show to follow those characters and develop them beyond the page. Making the most of the source material and creating a show with longevity would make the delays to A Court of Thorns & Roses production well worth the wait – potentially even improving on one of the novels’ biggest drawbacks.
Hulu’s Court Of Thorns & Roses Show Can Finally Expand On Sarah J. Maas’ Side Quests
Lucien Is A Great Example Of A Side Character Worthy Of Following
Hulu’s TV adaptation of A Court of Thorns & Roses is an exciting prospect, with so many great characters to bring to life. However, it needs to do more than straightforwardly follow the books. Whereas many adaptations would benefit from following the source material more faithfully, Sarah J Maas’ ACOTAR books are an unusual exception. This is because, having a sprawling universe and so many characters from the different courts to follow, supporting players sometimes disappear for long periods. One notable example is Lucien.
In A Court of Thorns & Roses, Lucien is a key character who is immediately likable. Lucien is also a good friend to Feyre. He becomes less sympathetic in A Court of Mist & Fury for being a bystander to an abusive situation. In A Court of Wings & Ruin, he is awkwardly dealt with being mated with the grieving Elain, and he goes on his side quest seemingly to be useful and out of the way. In the adaptation, Hulu could expand on Lucien’s character and his family background at the Autumn Court – this could easily make him a fan favorite rather than the pitiable character he is reduced to throughout the course of the books.
This Court Of Thorns & Roses Change Could Help Hulu’s TV Show Last Even Longer
Developing Minor Characters With Untapped Potential Could Give The Show Longevity
Following the characters’ side quests would improve the show’s world-building and give the fantasy aspect more gravitas. While the A Court of Thorns & Roses series is romantasy and the romance is at the heart of it, following the side characters’ disappearances would give more of a variety of settings. It would fix character disappearances as one of the frustrating things that happen in every A Court of Thorns & Roses book. It could also unlock the potential of the minor characters in the books who do not get as much time – like Jurian, for instance, one of the few likable human characters.
On the topic of humans, it must be pointed out that Feyre’s father’s disappearance and reappearance near the end of A Court of Wings & Ruin is a key plot device. It seems suspicious that he isn’t mentioned for ages, and his arrival with the fleet of ships is an explosive twist. Although this is a terrible habit from the Court of Thorns & Roses books, following his journey too closely would reduce the impact – however, some glances at what Mr Archeron is up to behind the scenes could add a compelling element of the viewer knowing more than the Archeron sisters.
A Lengthier Run Will Make The Original ACOTAR Trilogy’s Ending More Satisfying
The Battle In A Court Of Wings & Ruin Could Have More Buildup
The third book in the ACOTAR series, A Court of Wings & Ruin, has a huge payoff near the end with the final battle in the War with Hybern. However, a longer run in the TV series would make this ending all the more satisfying, as well as tragic concerning key players in the battle. The plot could benefit greatly from being less rushed – particularly with regard to the Cauldron. Before the final battle, the Cauldron tempts Elain away from camp by beckoning her with an illusion.
Building up the Cauldron’s abilities more throughout the adaptation would be a great exploration of the characters’ weaknesses, raising the stakes and emphasizing the Cauldron as a serious threat.
The Cauldron is a sentient character, too, who should not be neglected. Building up the Cauldron’s abilities more throughout the adaptation would be a great exploration of the characters’ weaknesses, raising the stakes and emphasizing the Cauldron as a serious threat. This is especially important since the image of a Cauldron as the source of creation is slightly cartoonish in visual translation – exploring more of its effects on the characters would convey more believable terror. It would also contribute to the character development needed to make A Court of Thorns & Roses work on screen.
