Have I mentioned I discovered Netflix? I think I did, but let me say again, I LOVE NETFLIX. Several years ago, I read a handful of books from Jim Butcher’s The Dresden Files. I really liked them. They had a real noir type of feel to them. Harry Dresden, was your stereotypical private eye, except he wasn’t. He was a wizard. (I know, I know. I read books with magic? You’re all shocked and amazed.) Well, I had no idea that in 2006 there was a 13 episode TV Series made about good ole Harry. Netflix recommended it for me. Thank you, Netflix.
The Dresden Files stars Paul Blackthorne as Harry Dresden and Valerie Cruz as Lt. Connie Murphy. Does that guy look familiar to you? I spent the first ten minutes of the first episode trying to figure out where I had seen “Harry” before. No, I did not immediately pull up IMDB….I was having a moment. Phones, iPad and laptop were not within immediate reach. Yeah, yeah, the ultimate laziness, I know. It happens. Blackthorne now plays Quentin Lance, Laurel Lance’s father in the CW’s Arrow.
Have you notice how the CW in general and Arrow in specific have some great actors that came from other franchises? There’s John Barrowman a.k.a. Captain Jack Harkness from Doctor Who and Torchwood. Paul Blackthorne from The Dresden Files, Stephen Arnell from Private Practice and The Vampire Diaries, Katie Cassidy from Supernatural…sorry, I got a bit side tracked just thinking about it…and looking at www.imdb.com. (It’s a rabbit hole, just stay above ground unless you’ve got some time on your hands.)
Harry Dresden is the best at what he does, actually he’s the only one out there. He’s hung his shingle out and his phonebook ad (yes, as in Yellow Pages) reads:
HARRY DRESDEN — WIZARD
Lost Items Found. Paranormal Investigations.Consulting. Advice. Reasonable Rates.No Love Potions, Endless Purses, Parties or Other Entertainment
The Dresden Files are fast paced, interesting and the magic isn’t half bad either. Admittedly, I was a bit worried about the way they would approach the whole casting spells, etc. for television, but it is really rather well done. Harry’s wand is a drum stick and his weapon of choice…a magically charged hockey stick. Well, this is Chicago after all. The pilot episode is titled Storm Front I’m sure this is no coincidence as the first book in the series bears the same name. I wish my memory was a bit better, because I’d be able to tell you if this is a True Blood sort of thing where the books just play a loose framework for the show or if they stick pretty close. Actually, I’m glad I don’t remember, because I’m going back to check out the books again.
Back when I first read the Jim Butcher books, Harry Dresden didn’t really draw me in as a character. For a girl in her early to mid-twenties, I guess I was looking for books with a bit more…romance maybe? I don’t know. I remember reading and really enjoying the first three or four maybe even five books before moving on to another series, but I didn’t commit. (Maybe the no commitment thing was just me in my twenties…) I think it is time to revisit them. As mentioned, the first book in the series is Storm Front. Don’t worry, I’ll let you know how it goes.
When I was taking a peek to see how much I really remembered about the books, I came across the audio book…narrated by James Marsters. Yes, ladies and gentlemen, Spike is Harry Dresden in the audio books. (Please remember the accent was faked in Buffy.) I don’t typically go in for audio books, for some reason I find them distracting, and the stories aren’t nearly as engrossing for me. However, I can see Mr. Marsters being a very believable Harry Dresden. Maybe I just miss Spike…maybe it’s both. Well, now I have 15 more books to read….that list really doesn’t ever get shorter. It just gets longer!
Did you know you can check out my literary “grocery list”? I’m trying to remember to update my goodreads.com list frequently, so they are all on there and there’s a link on the left hand side of the page near the bottom. Want to make a recommendation? Have you read something and know I really shouldn’t bother? Just want to know WHY something made the list? Comments, questions, and emails are always welcome.
What is your favorite television show?
‘Til Next Time,
Jessica
Related articles
- Storm Front (lacer.wordpress.com)
- Reviewed: The Dresden Files Book 1: Storm Front – Jim Butcher (2000) (muneerhuda.wordpress.com)
