Hulu’s ACOTAR Show Must Expand One Relationship Early To Overcome A Harsh Truth About Season 1

Sarah J. Maas’ best-selling series A Court of Thorns and Roses sets itself apart from other romantasy books, but the TV adaptation must change one specific relationship issue in season 1 to succeed. Part of what makes Maas’ books so captivating is the profound transformation of Feyre Archeron, a transformation that impacts far more than just her arc between the series’ namesake novel and A Court of Mist and Fury. Despite the complicated Court of Thorns and Roses timeline and profound themes, in the midst of it all is a deeply touching love story.

However, every good love story takes time to develop, and before Feyre finds her mate, she spends the majority of the first book with the wrong love interest. Hulu’s long-delayed A Court of Thorns and Roses TV show must make some changes from the source material to curb criticism of the slightly toxic romance that dominates the first book. While Feyre’s first real relationship with Tamlin taught her a lot, it is only part of the narrative for the duration of one book for a reason.

Hulu’s Court Of Thorns & Roses Show Needs To Face A Harsh Truth About Season 1’s Romance

Tamlin’s Romantic Side Should Be Left In Book And Season1

Feyre literally finds herself in a whole new world in A Court of Thorns and Roses, which might explain why she finds herself in the arms of Tamlin. As High Lord of the Spring Court, his character was portrayed as charming at first, causing Feyre’s naive narration to make him seem wonderful. Before long, Tamlin’s possessive behavior began to rear its head, and a character that once seemed like a stereotypically protective love interest became villainous. Red flags that Tamlin portrays in the first book already made him less likable in Maas’ story and won’t play well in Hulu’s adaptation.

While Tamlin’s ACOTAR redemption arc is inevitable, many viewers of Hulu’s show will have already read through the disappointing romance plotline. Ultimately, a lengthy story centering around Feyre and Tamlin’s futile relationship won’t be as appealing to Maas’ fans, who know who Feyre’s true mate is. As a result, Tamlin and Feyre’s romance plotline should not be extended throughout multiple seasons, and could even be parsed throughout episodes to dilute its weight in the overall plot. When adapting this dynamic for the screen, Hulu should tell the story at a faster pace, containing it within the first season and preparing audiences for Tamlin’s looming downfall.

The ACOTAR Adaptation Needs To Expand Feyre & Rhysand’s Relationship Early To Compensate

Feyre’s Endgame Relationship Holds All The Series Romantic Intrigue

Hulu’s adaptation has the chance to fix common series complaints about ACOTAR, but the show must also capitalize on what makes the series great in the first place. Feyre’s endgame romance with Rhysand was a classic slow-burn in the books, building the anticipation for the two characters to accept their mating bond. This relationship fully contrasted what Feyre had with Tamlin, erasing the negativity of that relationship and becoming a central point of this series. Feyre and Rhysand’s love story could be further extended in Hulu’s show to begin earlier and develop intrigue far sooner.

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Hulu’s Court Of Thorns & Roses Can Solve Its Biggest Rhysand Challenge Using A Beloved 2000s Teen Drama

Hulu’s Court of Thorns & Roses show could have a hard time selling Rhysand’s character, but the series could learn a lot from a beloved teen drama.

Hulu’s creators can add more scenes between Feyre and Rhysand in the A Court of Thorns and Roses show than Maas provided in the first book. Additional moments where the two connect early on would make their chemistry more noticeable from the start. Doing so will help Hulu compensate for the lack of romantic allure and audience investment in Tamlin and Feyre, ensuring there’s some romantic tension before the events of ACOMAF unfold. This will not only give the show a more interesting start, but will also keep viewers engaged while laying the groundwork for the series’ central love story.

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  A Court of Thorns and Roses (2015)

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  Based on the A Court of Thorns and Roses fantasy novel series, A Court of Thorns and Roses is a television adaptation that follows Feyre Archeron, a young woman dragged into the world of faeries after slaying one of their kind. The series will follow her journey through the lands of Prythian and her relationship with one of its lords, Tamlin.