Episode 8: "The Day in Question"

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raggedyman79

Well-Known Member
Sep 6, 2013
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602
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Baton Rouge, Louisiana, United States
So here we are, at the end, and it hit all the right notes for me. I can't imagine anyone would take issue with this episode, seeing as how it's the closest we've had so far to what was in the book. I was wondering if they would stay faithful to the ending of the novel, and I'm torn; I liked that it stayed faithful to the book, but I'd have been okay if they'd allowed Jake to go back to Jodie and start over, leaving JFK and Oswald and all of it alone and living a quiet, peaceful life with Sadie. As it was, the final scene with her in Lisbon was very touching, and seeing her during the dance in the end was too. That poem she read at her award ceremony was very beautiful; I Googled it, but couldn't locate it. Does anyone know its origin? Was it something Bridget Carpenter wrote specifically for this project?

Anyway, there wasn't much of anything to nitpick. Everyone did an amazing job, as usual. A specific mention must go to Leon Rippy; his two scenes were so powerful, and it was nice to see him get substantial screen time, seeing as how he was part of the impetus for the whole story. I'm not ashamed to say I actually teared up when Jake apologized to him for not being able to save his family.

All in all, a very well-done miniseries. I would like to see Hulu tackle more of SK's work in this format. Peace out, folks!
 

Spideyman

Uber Member
Jul 10, 2006
46,336
195,472
79
Just north of Duma Key
Bit of trivia for those interested: The poem Sadie reads was actually written by SK at the request of Bridget Carpenter, the showrunner. I tried to Google it to find out where it came from and ended up Tweeting her.

View attachment 15142

raggedyman79 - is there is copy of the poem? Would love to read it. Have not seen the show.
 

raggedyman79

Well-Known Member
Sep 6, 2013
126
602
44
Baton Rouge, Louisiana, United States
“We did not ask for this room or this music; we were invited in.
Therefore, because the dark surrounds us,
Let us turn our faces toward the light.
Let us endure hardship to be grateful for plenty.
We have been given pain to be astounded by joy.
We have been given life to deny death.
We did not ask for this room or this music.
But because we are here, let us dance.”
 

Spideyman

Uber Member
Jul 10, 2006
46,336
195,472
79
Just north of Duma Key
“We did not ask for this room or this music; we were invited in.
Therefore, because the dark surrounds us,
Let us turn our faces toward the light.
Let us endure hardship to be grateful for plenty.
We have been given pain to be astounded by joy.
We have been given life to deny death.
We did not ask for this room or this music.
But because we are here, let us dance.”


Thank you very much!!!:grinning:
 

bigkingfan91

Well-Known Member
Mar 1, 2014
190
921
32
WV
Wow thank you for posting that!! I had no idea SK wrote it, good stuff!! As for the series, and the finale. WOW. That finale blew me away and has stuck with me all day long nonstop just like the book did. Perfectly done! Bittersweet & heartbreaking but so poignant at the same time. I've enjoyed the show and have no complaints. There's just something about this story that really gets to me deeply and for me it translated to film perfectly with great acting. My favorite book of all time and I was just dying to see that ending translated to film. And that scene at the bus station.. The music that starts right when a certain someone sees someone they know.. WOW as if I hadn't already done enough crying! Lol Absolutely perfect!
 

The Nameless

M-O-O-N - That spells Nameless
Jul 10, 2011
2,080
8,261
42
The Darkside of the Moon (England really)
I thought this was a fantastic episode and was as faithful to the book as they could have made it. I am actually amazed that they didn't leave it open for a season 2, it was as nicely wrapped up as the book was, the only way it could have been closed up any more would have been to mention that Al's diner was to be removed and the rabbit hole with it - as per the book. I guess that is the only thing that could suggest a 2nd season, but would have to be a completely new story. Aside from 1 or 2 little things, I have loved the series, it was better than I could have hoped.

I was pleasently surprised with the acting in general (LHO being the main exception), as I don't watch much film I had never even heard of James Franco and was concearned after reading so much criticism of him, however, I thought he did a fine job. He squinted a bit too much, always looked like he was contemplating something, but other than that he did a good job. Bill (as much as I didn't really care for his extended role, even though I understand why he had one) I thought did a good job too, so did Deke, Ms Mimi, Frank, Harry, Marina (even though she didn't have that much of a part), and Al. However, the stand out by a country mile was Sarah Gadon. Her smile is absolutely radiant, I was disapointed at first when Sadie wasn't cast as she appears in the book but boy was I proven wrong. Next time I read the book I will be unable to picture anyone other than Sarah as Sadie, and that will make her even more lovable as a character.

I wish they had of made this an 18-20 part series, then it could have been even truer to the book and not felt as rushed (there were some major time jumps even after removing 2 years from the book).

11/22/63 is my 2nd favourite book, and I think this show did it justice. Well done to Stephen and this JJ whatever his name is for doing right.
 

Patricia A

ReMember
Jul 10, 2006
12,887
13,846
63
Puget Sound
Very cunning. Nicely played Hulu. Now I have to keep you so I can watch it again.

That poem played my heartstrings.
“We did not ask for this room or this music; we were invited in.
Therefore, because the dark surrounds us,
Let us turn our faces toward the light.
Let us endure hardship to be grateful for plenty.
We have been given pain to be astounded by joy.
We have been given life to deny death.
We did not ask for this room or this music.
But because we are here, let us dance.”
Thank you for finding this and posting it.
 

raggedyman79

Well-Known Member
Sep 6, 2013
126
602
44
Baton Rouge, Louisiana, United States
I thought this was a fantastic episode and was as faithful to the book as they could have made it. I am actually amazed that they didn't leave it open for a season 2, it was as nicely wrapped up as the book was, the only way it could have been closed up any more would have been to mention that Al's diner was to be removed and the rabbit hole with it - as per the book. I guess that is the only thing that could suggest a 2nd season, but would have to be a completely new story. Aside from 1 or 2 little things, I have loved the series, it was better than I could have hoped.

I was pleasently surprised with the acting in general (LHO being the main exception), as I don't watch much film I had never even heard of James Franco and was concearned after reading so much criticism of him, however, I thought he did a fine job. He squinted a bit too much, always looked like he was contemplating something, but other than that he did a good job. Bill (as much as I didn't really care for his extended role, even though I understand why he had one) I thought did a good job too, so did Deke, Ms Mimi, Frank, Harry, Marina (even though she didn't have that much of a part), and Al. However, the stand out by a country mile was Sarah Gadon. Her smile is absolutely radiant, I was disapointed at first when Sadie wasn't cast as she appears in the book but boy was I proven wrong. Next time I read the book I will be unable to picture anyone other than Sarah as Sadie, and that will make her even more lovable as a character.

I wish they had of made this an 18-20 part series, then it could have been even truer to the book and not felt as rushed (there were some major time jumps even after removing 2 years from the book).

11/22/63 is my 2nd favourite book, and I think this show did it justice. Well done to Stephen and this JJ whatever his name is for doing right.

"This JJ whatever his name is"? LOL
 

Brooks

Well-Known Member
Nov 4, 2014
99
429
44
I agree with other posters. Great finale!

I think this book was tough to replicate into a movie because: 1.So much fact and fiction information intertwined together 2.Such a memorable ending to the book (possibly SK's best chapter ever!)
I don't think this episode could have been better scripted and acted any better. For all the frustrations and changes done to the previous episodes, this one nailed it. And, considering the project as a whole, it was done very well and very enjoyable.

Thank you Hulu, SK and JJ!