Hulu’s upcomingA Court of Thorns and Rosestelevision series is already highly anticipated thanks to the masterfully crafted story created by Sarah J. Maas.TheACOTARbooksare not lacking in emotional depth or intensity, with their high-stakes storylines and complex character building. And yet, Hulu’s upcoming show has the unique opportunity to capitalize on the most thrilling moments of the books and make them even better on-screen. One scene that received a lot of criticism and could definitely be improved on-screen is Rhysand’s Death inA Court of Wings and Ruin.
TheA Court of Thorns and Rosestelevision showhas more than a few advantages that will help it live up to the hype. IfACOTARepisodes are released weekly, Hulu can drag Rhysand’s death out slightly better than the books did to defuse criticism that the moment wasn’t very impactful. In the books,Rhysand’s death scene missed opportunities to be suspenseful and even heartbreaking. The show could use its unique format to make this scene less predictable and way more interesting; without straying from the source material too much, Hulu’s take on this scene could outshine the original.
Rhysand’s Sacrifice In A Court Of Wings & Ruin Is Incredibly Underwhelming
Rhysand’s Death Scene Is Missing Just A Few Key Elements
InA Court of Wings and Ruin, Rhysand sacrifices himself for the good of everyone and Feyre Archeron feels him die. Given the stakes and poignancy, this moment should have been far more devastating and impactful than it was. Aspects of this scene, including predictability and pacing issues, made it difficult to fully invest in the plotline or believe that Rhysand was gone forever.It was too clear that Rhysand’s death wasn’t permanentbecause Maas had already established that characters could be resurrected when Feyre died. Rhysand’s resurrection was anticipated almost immediately which really reduced the stakes and emotional impact this scene could have.
There was virtually no pause between events, which ultimately leaves no time to process what Rhysand’s death means for Feyre and the Night Court.
Another factor that makes this scene underwhelming in the books: Rhysand’s death and immediate resurrection occur in rapid succession, leaving little time for the emotional weight to sink-in. There was virtually no pause between events, which ultimately leaves no time to process what Rhysand’s death means for Feyre and the Night Court. If Rhysand were actually gone forever,it disrupts the entire course of the story and could cause a major upset in theACOTARuniverse. Yet, other characters’ reactions were fleeting and failed to create any sort of gut-punch moment that would be expected from such a significant sacrifice.
Hulu’s Court Of Thorns & Roses Show Can Make This Rhysand Moment More Emotional
Thankfully Hulu’s Show Can Improve This Scene With Ease
The episodic nature of a television show automatically allows Hulu to add suspense and intrigue to Rhysands death, both of which the scene is severely lacking. By breaking the sequence of the scene and not portraying the immediate resurrection Maas chose, episodes could create a devastating cliffhanger.Time is crucial when allowing a scene like this to sink in. Using multiple episodes to portray this sacrifice may be the key to ensuring it has the emotional impact that a main character’s death should and everyone’s reaction mirrors Feyre’s. Her thoughts in the aftermath exemplify how the audience should feel:
“And Rhysand was gone. The mating bond, the bridge between our souls, went silent. And went dark. Gone. He was gone. I was shaking. Dying. The void that surged in me was swallowing me whole.”
Themulti-media opportunities provided by a TV show format can build tension leading to Rhysand’s deaththrough dialogue, music, and quick cuts to other characters. Hulu can ramp up the suspense and uncertainty of this scene to add some ambiguity around Rhysand’s fate. Without completely changing the plotline, it’s possible for Hulu to delay the introduction of the solution to his death and show beloved characters scrambling to find a way to bring him back. There is much potential within this plot-line to cause deep emotional reactions that have a lasting impact and Hulu simply must capitalize on it.
Breaking Between Episodes Could Keep This ACOTAR Moment Suspenseful In The Show
Hulu Should Capitalize On The Biggest Advantages They Have
Theevents of theACOTARseriesare complex throughout the narrative, but Hulu has the chance to break up the traditional story-telling format and capitalize on what makes a television show so captivating. By breaking Rhysand’s death scene up between episodes, and evenadding more originalACOTARcontentlike the rest of the Inner Circle’s reactions to this sacrifice, Hulu can add more importance to the scene. Rhysand’s sacrifice is a big deal and comes at a critical moment inACOWAR;using episodes to drag out the effects of Rhysand’s death would make this more clear.
Hulu’s Court Of Thorns & Roses Show Needs A Rhysand Change That Could Be Controversial
Hulu’s ACOTAR TV adaptation faces a big challenge: balancing Rhysand’s popularity without overshadowing other characters’ growth and roles.
Acting will be another crucial element of theA Court of Thorns and Rosestelevision show that will separate it from the books. To portray this scene on-screen in the most emotional way possible,the actor playing Rhysandneeds to convey the full weight of his decision to sacrifice himself. Feyre’s grief should also feel raw and believable during this moment to increase the intensity of the sacrifice. Further, other cinematography effects like the use of slow-motion, close-ups, and muted colors will emphasize the gravity of Rhysand’s death in a way that pages of a book could never.
