The US in the 1920s have always fascinated me so the period setting was initially one of the factors that appealed to me. It always seemed like the most beautiful, flashy and most promising era to live in as in the 1920s I wouldn't have had the knowledge that I do now. Drinking, smoking and drugging isn't bad for your health and to openly live a life of excess is garish but of course people of the time wouldn't know this and even if they did they wouldn't care. This was their American dream. The affluent population didn't seem to be bogged down because of the prohibition, wars or the impending recession and were able to partake in what they believed to be enjoying life at its fullest. Obviously there were consequences to their way of life which could be devastating but it does make a terrific watch. Or read if you're into The Great Gatsby. Z doesn't skimp on the beauty, debauchery, chasing the American dream or the great downfalls which makes it an enthralling series.
Even if you take away the period setting and set the series in modern times I think I'd still find it enjoyable thanks to the main character, Zelda. Sampling the pilot when it was released during pilot season made me wary as it was around half an hour long when dramas like this are usually around the hour mark. Given the limited amount of time in the series I didn't think I'd be able to connect with Zelda but I'm glad to say I was wrong. At the opening of the series Zelda is a young woman in a small town who's vibrant personality attracts the townsfolk as well as gaining a fair amount of disparagement. She has been shielded from the world by her conventional family which in turn forces her to rebel and fall in love with a visiting F. Scott Fitzgerald whom her father doesn't see as a suitable husband. Eventually she moves to a larger city and although she is intimidated at first she manages to display a facade of confidence to conquer the social circles she is know inhibiting.
Of course her character arc isn't as simplistic as I'm stating but I would rather you actually go and watch the series than have me describe everything that occurs in the series. Zelda goes through a range of emotions throughout every episode which is portrayed beautifully by the criminally underrated Christina Ricci. Ricci has been absent to mainstream audiences for quite a while and I believe this is a prime role to get back into the public consciousness and make people see she can act! There's just something about her face that screams sympathy which is ideal for Zelda because she is a tragic character, on the outside it seems as if she is living a joyful existence put on the inside she is going through severe emotional torment. Sometimes she believes she is happy but that quickly turns into doubt and/or anguish which the audience can see clearly.
If anyone knows anything about the lives of the Fitzgerald's will know that this series is very capable of going far. They were married for twenty years and seemingly had a loving and passionate relationship but it was also full of anger, resentment as well as co-dependency which is never good. They didn't stay stationary and lived in Europe for a time which would also mean a change of scenery for the show and the only thing more interesting than the US in the 1920s in Europe in the 1920s. Not only could they move to Paris they could also introduce other prominent members of history like Ernest Hemingway, perhaps they could even convince Corey Stoll to play the character again! Not likely. Maybe they could get Tom Hiddleston to reprise the role of F. Scott Fitzgerald! Again, not likely but maybe they should think about a recast of Scott...
The only problem I see with the show is the casting of F. Scott Fitzgerald. It's understandable to me that the character would be downsized as Zelda is the main focus of the drama but he was a significant part of her life and should be a force of nature in the show but he comes across quite bland. I have a hard time faulting the writing because there are certain scenes that are emotionally charged which most actors would dream of so Hoflin should excel but he fails to do so. I have seen Hoflin in shows prior to Z and although he is fine in minor roles if he has more than a few lines it's obvious to anyone that he isn't capable of bringing characters to life, he's just too dull. I have trouble seeing him play out the life that Fitzgerald led and I have no idea why he was cast in this role.
That being said I have still found Z a solid series and hope it continues for at least a couple more seasons so we can see Parisian drama unfold. And maybe Owen Wilson will be cast as a time traveler visiting from the 21st Century. Wait, maybe I could be cast as a time traveler from the 21st Century!
Live Long and Blog!
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