A Series Of Unfortunate Events Season 1 Episode 4
Okay, let's talk The Reptile Room: Part Two, from A Series of Unfortunate Events, Season 1. Prepare yourself for some possibly controversial opinions!
Dr. Montgomery Montgomery: Still the Best Guardian
I know, I know, short-lived. But Dr. Monty was genuinely awesome. He knew stuff! He cared!
He even had a cool reptile collection. And Snappy the Incredible Alligator? Legendary.
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Sue me, but I think Dr. Monty found the best way to handle the Baudelaire orphans. He actually listened to them.
Stephano: Obvious Villain Alert
Okay, can we all agree? Stephano's disguise was terrible. Seriously, nobody questioned that unconvincing beard?
I mean, kids knew it was Count Olaf. How did no adults figure it out faster?
Maybe everyone was too busy admiring the reptiles? Fair enough.
The Incredibly Deadly Viper: Misunderstood Friend?
Here's my spicy take: the Incredibly Deadly Viper wasn't so deadly. It was just misunderstood!
It only licked Dr. Monty, and only because Count Olaf frightened it. Think about it!
Maybe it just wanted a friend. A scaly, venomous friend, but a friend nonetheless.
Gustav Sebald's Death: Conveniently Overlooked
Remember Gustav Sebald? The assistant Dr. Monty fired at the last minute?
He gets like, one mention and then boom, we find out he’s been found dead by Olaf.
How is nobody looking into this man's death more? Feels like we are missing something there!
Justice Strauss: The Missed Opportunity
Justice Strauss shows up again! She's a judge, a lawyer, and a neighbor!
Why didn't the Baudelaires just scream at her for help? I will never understand!
It's like they forgot she existed. Classic unlucky Baudelaire move.
The Acting!
Neil Patrick Harris as Count Olaf? Gold. Absolute gold.
His over-the-top performance is perfect. He captures the villainy and the ridiculousness.
The kids are fantastic, too! They sell the sadness and the frustration perfectly.
Overall: Still a Great Episode
Even with my nitpicks, The Reptile Room: Part Two is a strong episode.
It advances the plot, introduces cool characters (RIP Dr. Monty), and keeps you hooked.
Just try not to think too hard about the adults. Seriously, don't.
Unpopular Opinion Time: The Reptile Room wasn't that Scary
Don't come for me! I said what I said.
Sure, the idea of Count Olaf and the poison is dreadful. However, for a series deemed unfortunate, I just didn't feel the chill in this episode.
Maybe the bright colours or the cute reptiles threw me off.
Let's Talk about Snappy
Was Snappy cute, dangerous, misunderstood, or all of the above?
I think the show did well in creating a reptile that invokes mixed emotions.
I still think Snappy could have protected Dr. Monty better.
