Alina’s emotional journey is worth taking, but is it hindering the show?
Last episode, with the introduction of General Kirigan and ride to the Little Palace, Alina’s storyline was interesting, but not as thrilling as the Crows running around Ketterdam making a mess of things. Now it’s even less thrilling than the Crows acquiring a goat, gambling away all their money, and boarding a rickety old train in a suicidal attempt to cross the Fold. The Crows are F U N, but it has the unfortunate side effect of making Alina’s story feel painfully slow.
Because of how complex and rich the world of the series is, it’s beneficial to take some time to develop Alina’s feelings, her growth as a character, and the social ramifications of her time in the Little Palace. We’re introduced to Genya, a wonderful character (my personal favorite) who is endearingly direct and superficial with Alina. Her warmth adds a little bit of much needed humor. We also get introduced to the Grand Palace and the despicable royal family, an introduction of the fomenting West Ravkan revolution, the self defense instructor, the creepy Apparat, and, most importantly, Baghra. Another direct and assertive woman figure who tells Alina to only return for lessons when she knows who she is. It’s a lot to take in, and Alina herself is feeling overwhelmed, and spends most of her time pining for Mal, thinking about how special he is to her.
My last post might have made it sound like I’m sick of the lovers yearning for each other. I’m not. I actually really enjoy their relationship and the show does a good job of portraying how close they feel to each other. The importance of their sacrifice as kids – to lay hidden in a field instead risk getting separated from each other – comes back over and over as all they want is to open their eyes and see the other one laying there. It’s a visual trick that is used often across media but doesn’t always feel specific or weighty enough. Here it does.
But the consequence of Alina’s storyline delving into feelings of inadequacy and disorientation leaves the narrative in the same place. Compare to the Crows antics barreling along at full speed. Not only are the characters more active, but there are connections and elements that readers have never seen before. Inej sees the names on the wall of West Ravka before Alina does. The Conductor and crossing the Fold is an entirely new premise and adventure. The characters are in uncovered territory (literally), which gives a bit of a unfair boost to them. Then again, life in the Grishaverse is rarely fair. The contrast sets an uneven pace and tone that doesn’t quite connect as well as it should, given that these two sets of people are on course to collide. Alina has at least two weeks before the Crows cross the Fold, I hope she’s ready.
NOTES W/BOOK SPOILERS
- “Calm down, hug the goat.” Can’t wait for Grishaverse emotional support goat plushies
- The kefta are beautiful!
- So who’s this guy riling up the masses in West Ravka?
- I didn’t even have space to mention Nina and Matthias because although Nina is kind of tied into the regular plot, they’re really out on their own there. The changes to her backstory are interesting though. She seems like a much more harmful character.
- Alina vs. Zoya is on. Don’t hate me but I might be Team Zoya.
- Some foreshadowing of Jesper being an Fabrikator there with the guns. Seeing as how Inej and Kaz both already know in the books maybe this is when they find out. Takes a neat narrative beat out of the Ice Court heist though
- If you’re as invested in Milo the goat as I am, follow him on twitter