On October 12th, Amazon Prime launched an anthology series about the fictional descendants of the Russian Royal Family, the Romanovs. They are most remembered for their relationship with the controversial monk Rasputin, their execution at the hands of the Bolsheviks, and the romanticized notion that Anastasia Romanov may have survived. One hundred years after their deaths, Amazon hopes the name Romanoff (it can be spelled either way) will draw viewers. Each individual movie length episode incorporates someone who is or claims to be a descendant of the Romanov Royal Family.
New Methods
Abandoning the traditional formula of streaming services, Amazon chose to release one episode a week over eight weeks. It’s a gamble to see if audiences will continually tune in with no ongoing story to tie each episode to the next. Perhaps creator Matthew Weiner (Mad Men) is counting on the star power of Diane Lane, Christina Hendricks, John Slattery, Noah Wyle, and others to create a win. The reviews however, are mixed.
Slow Start
The name Romanoff evokes an aura of scandal, luxury, and blood. One might expect modern day Romanoff stories to involve high speed chases, espionage, or sex. The premier episode, “The Violet Hour,” depicts a quiet story of an unlikely friendship. It’s not exactly a rip-roaring introduction to the series. I would have expected a more provocative premier episode to capture the audience. Episode 3, “House of Special Purpose,” might be more what viewers expect, providing a mysterious atmosphere and a twisted ending.
Uneven Results
As with any anthology series, there are likely to be hits and misses. Having seen 4 of the 8 episodes, my feelings about the series are mixed as well. Episode 4, “Expectations,” felt particularly slow, even with a shorter run time than the previous episodes. Each story idea is compelling enough, exploring family identity, confronting the past and dealing with the consequences of choices, but the execution is lacking. The reviewer consensus seems to be that the series is beautiful but dull.
Unhappy Romanovs
Apparently the Grand Duchess Maria of Russia, the great-great-granddaughter of Czar Alexander the II, has multiple issues with the series. She was offended by the reenactment of the family’s execution to the anachronistic song Refugee, by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers and disliked the use of little people in portraying Russian history at a gathering of Romanov descendants (which is in poor taste but historically accurate). The Grand Duchess would have preferred a historical account of her ancestors, which has been done well over a dozen times by various countries and as recently as 2017.
Should you watch?
I enjoyed the first 3 episodes of The Romanoffs. Being a fly on the wall of someone else’s drama appeals to me. I guess I’m just nosey. Although the series is not completely intoxicating, I do plan to view the rest of it. The Romanoffs is akin to a long walk in the park. Some of it will be beautiful and interesting, some of it will be plodding. I don’t think it has wide appeal and I’m not expecting a second season, but for those interested in the intimate details of the lives of strangers, it may be a stroll worth taking.
