Netflix has a new original series: The Baby-sitters Club! The first season covers the first eight books plus a sort of adaptation of of the second super special, Baby-sitters Summer Vacation. AND...it's set in the present day (2019/2020), updated accordingly, and much more diverse. The plots are broadly the same as the original books. Here are some things that I noticed:
What stood out as surprisingly (not necessarily good or bad) different to me:
Dawn goes on her first sitting job (for the Barretts) without much fuss aside from resentment from Kristy, because the Baby-sitters Agency didn't send fake recruits earlier.
Mary Anne's room redecoration includes the whole club, and even Dawn's mom. But they overstep by not talking with Richard first, and appearing to disrespect his late wife's memory by not knowing what touches were hers.
Buddy goes with his dad for swimming lessons, like has always been the plan, and he brings Buddy back after, making his actions less antagonistic.
Kristy comes over to help Dawn when Buddy's missing. Seeing a father still involved in his child's life, shortly after seeing Dawn having a relationship with hers, pushes Kristy over the edge and she finally lets out her anger at her father.
What I was happy stayed the same:
The Barrett house is appropriately insane, and the kids are out of control but good-natured.
The tension when Dawn realizes Buddy is missing is intense.
Though Dawn and Kristy bond differently here than in the book, their bonding is satisfying to watch.
Other interesting touches:
A lot of people in Stoneybrook recognize Dawn's mom, which makes perfect sense as she grew up there.
Richard Spier is a great balance between awkward and eager.
Dawn's mom and Kristy's mom chat about Richard.
Dawn's mom talks to Natalie Barrett directly.
Dawn's dad calls over Facetime daily.
2 comments:
They really made Mrs Barrett unsympathetic compared to the book. Rather than just been scattered she came across as selfish and thoughtless.
That's true. In the book she came across more "overwhelmed" than "all about ME!"
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