EMERALD CITY (2017): NBC REIMAGINES THE ‘OZ’ LEGEND IN THIS UNIQUE URBAN FANTASY

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Miniseries with a limited run is a trend that seems to appear and disappear on TV screens before I blink. One of these is NBC’s Emerald City, an urban fantasy that tweaks, and in most instances reconstructs, the classic known as The Wizard of Oz.

Emerald City (2017) Miniseries Review

Dorothy Gale (Adria Arjona) is a bright, hardworking young woman who has been raised by her aunt (Holly Hayes). All she knows of her biological mother is that she left Dorothy with Em decades ago. Twenty some years later, her mother (Gina Bellman) mysteriously returns, perhaps with the intention of a reunion. Dorothy’s complicated emotions make seeing her difficult, especially when it’s Em who Dorothy thinks of as a mother.

Everything she trusts is suddenly stripped away in the aftermath of two events. The first being the discovery of her mother bleeding. The second, a tornado catches Dorothy in its fury. It sweeps her far from home where she later wakes in a land called Oz. And then there is the stranger Dorothy rescues. He’s a man who cannot remember his past or name. Dorothy calls him Lucas (Oliver Jackson-Cohen), and with little fanfare, she finds herself a traveling companion.

The Wizard of Oz isn’t a favorite fable, but when the mood strikes, I enjoy revisiting the world. The one thing I most admire about fairy tales that re-imagine the story is the creativity. If nothing else, I admire the manner in which writers blend two worlds (vintage and modern). Though a second series is never to be, Emerald City is a unique juxtaposition.

You got your wish. – Dorothy from Emerald City

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‘EMERALD CITY’ (2017): NBC REIMAGINES THE ‘OZ’ LEGEND IN THIS UNIQUE URBAN FANTASY. A preview of my full-length review on Silver Petticoat. #Fantasy #TVReview Share on X

The finale gives “enough” closure, but answering “what’s next” would be nice. When I began to watch this, there wasn’t a “wow” factor. Entertaining, yes, but beyond this, I didn’t know if the “hook” was enough. The writing came across stilted at times with dialogue that isn’t always natural, but the story board set itself up well along with the unique costumes. The further things progress, the more intricate they become.

Some episodes are more interesting than others. Primarily this is a result of the story stalling without pushing its premise forward. Almost as if the writers hit the “pause” button. My theory for this is there is a need to end with a cliffhanger, and the story requires a slower pace. But one element that cannot be accused of being dull is the characters. All of them inspire suspicion (even those we desperately want to believe in), but whether they’re good or bad, everyone is fascinating. Jack’s story inspires curiosity. We also see Stefani Martini from Doctor Thorne play in this plus Lark Rise to Candleford star Oliver Jackson-Cohen. Everyone in the cast bring their A-game, and it’s especially nice to see a relative unknown take on the role of Dorothy.

Perhaps the most unique thing about Emerald City is how the familiar comes to be. The introduction to iconic characters like the Tin Man or Scarecrow is clever. The romance is “slow burn” and complications (after all, they do try to kill each other), but I’d be lying if I said I didn’t ship it. (All I’ll say is, observe the iPod scene.) If you’re a fan of escapism fantasy series (or SyFy’s Tin Man), this is the perfect weekend binge-watch material. It’s a terrifying and beautiful world of adventure, magic and of course, romance, too.

Stream, at publication, with Peacock or on Roku; or digitally purchase on places like Prime Video

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This is a revised and updated review; it first appears on Silver Petticoat Review and was published, in part here on March 20, 2017.

Content: there are adult situations (including 2-3 sexual situations) plus backside nudity. Other issues (if it bothers you) like a transgender character or magic; the use of magic tortures characters. There’s swordplay, and other instances of violence. During a vicious battle there a decapitation of one character. Characters die and experience torture (usually with magic). Most episodes are TV14.