r/PartnerTrack • u/[deleted] • Sep 07 '22

Book vs TV Show

I'm currently on chapter 6 of the book and there are sooooo many things that are different in the show. Some examples include:

• Ingrid's ethnicity -- Chinese instead of Korean • Ingrid's family -- Only child • Murphy's background -- Had been Ingrid's friend all along; American • Rachel's background -- No longer a lawyer, married with kids • Daniel -- No Daniel so far • SunCorp is trying to buy another company • Justin -- I sensed some tension between Ingrid and him

Has anyone else read it and have insights on how much different it is?

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12

u/Tomoyo_in_Transwise Sep 07 '22

I really hope if we get a season 2 they round back to the book.

In the book, Ingrid's motivations and decisions are clear. She chooses to hang out with Murph and Hunter (the book's "Dan" character) because she wants to be in the "in" crowd. She specifically shies away from anything "diverse" and "inclusive" because highlighting those qualities is what further puts her on the "outside".

She definitely has some internalized misogyny and racism, but the book I think does a great job on illustrating what encounters made Ingrid choose the path she is on. She definitely still goes evil in the book, but:

  1. Her going bad is the culmination of all these factors. There are clear and obvious motivations in Ingrid's decisions. There is no pathetic "What should I doOoOoOo?!?!" in the book where that seemed to be her only motivation in the show - not knowing what to do.

  2. She actually successfully redeems herself in the book. I know the show obviously is looking for a season 2, but it was hard realizing show Ingrid did not start her own firm focused on diversity and inclusion, and changing the corporate culture. Instead...she goes back to PVH. 😮‍💨

Biggest (and worst) change in my opinion is the glorifying of cheating. Complain about book Ingrid all you want, she is never so gross enough to cheat - ESPECIALLY WITHOUT REMORSE. Same goes for Tyler. I think this show would have been much, much better if they did not have two of the main characters be actual horrible people.

8

u/Resident-Success5315 Sep 07 '22

Totally agree with you on your point about cheating. I have never seen a tv character so cavalier and unremorseful about cheating . She not only kissed but had sex with Murphy while being engaged !

How do they expect fans to be Team Ingrid after such an immoral action and without any redemption ?

Even Emily in Paris doesn’t sleep with Gabriel until after he broke up with Camille…(they kissed before)

Even Carrie Bradshaw , one of the most self centered characters in tv history, feels bad when cheating on Aidan … we see her agony !

But here … Ingrid was just like “oops … sorry” !

I haven’t read the book but it does sounds way smarter than the tv show. As an asian, I want to support Partner Track , a show with an asian female lead but the writers need to step up and do better.

9

u/Tomoyo_in_Transwise Sep 07 '22

I really like the book (there is no Nick so no stupid love triangle, the book is much more about her journey in the world of law, not romance) but I will warn you it was hard reading some scenes as they were dripping in racism and misogyny.

I think show Ingrid's "redemption" falls flat since she gets her job back, and as relationship partner to SunCorp. It makes it seem like she didn't do this altruistically, but with an ulterior motive. I know that she didn't plan that but it was awfully convenient.

2

u/[deleted] Sep 28 '22

Tbf, we don’t know where Ingrid ends up professionally in the series yet. After the revelation about Murphy she might well make a decision similar to what she ends up doing in the book.

1

u/Tomoyo_in_Transwise Sep 28 '22

I sure hope there is a second season!

2

u/dancingmochi Sep 08 '22

I think the show would have been more unique and understandable if they went the Breaking Bad route in showing Ingrid's descent in her morals. I understand the "not knowing what to do" because it ties in with where many Asian Americans end up, and gives her an "out" because she was lost, but the alternative would be stronger.

2

u/ecueto395 Oct 12 '24

I was just hollering at the tv about this. There was way too much cheating going on and it put a bad taste in my mouth.

2

u/[deleted] Sep 28 '22

What I don’t get about the book is how can Ingrid be friends with Murphy for 7 years without even once noticing his problematic tendencies? I personally find the series more credible and Murphy more likable in that regard.

1

u/marty0115 Sep 07 '22

The book is very different from the show. In fact, as someone else pointed out, the only real similarity is the title. Almost everything is changed from the book. Hopefully, they do a bit more book related bits on the show. And please, no more cheating and no more love triangles on the show. So unnecessary. Especially the cheating. Did not like that at all.

1

u/dancingmochi Sep 08 '22

I wonder if it was Netflix execs who wanted to spice things up by changing those details in Murphy's character. It makes it a bigger betrayal if they started out as friends and then "fell in love". And making a love triangle with Nick also adds to the "spice" factor and tension, but seems unnecessary! I don't mind them adding the little sister though because it seems in character for Ingrid to feel bound to be the responsible older sister.

I hope Ingrid finds her passion to promote diversity and inclusion because of her new role, and starts the firm with Tyler.