Although the first episode of Around the World went by quickly, and was largely enjoyable, I have that schism in my enjoyment due to changes in the characters from the book to the small screen.
Phileas Fogg, in the books, is a precise man, unflappable, never panicking, brave when it's needed. In the PBS adaptation, he's weak, unreliable, and he can barely manage anything. He's a buffoon. This is a terrible thing to have done with the character, and I hope they'll give him a story arc where he improves.
I'm also disappointed in the way Passepartout is made to be somewhat dishonest, a cad, a liar. Given that Passepartout really has the bulk of the adventures in the book, and that he's honorable, brave, and a good friend. Ack. It looks like maybe they'll be able to let Passepartout be that character in the series, but I would rather they had let Fogg and Passepartout be partners.
Abigail Fix taking the place of Detective Fix is a bit sad too, because Fix was such an odd, obsessed man, that he was a fascinating character. The friendship Passepartout and Fix developed looks like it will play out differently here, and that's fine.
I'll recover for next week's adventure.
