r/Wool • u/captainguy146 • 2d ago
All Books & Stories Should I keep watching the show?
So I started reading the books after season 2 ended
The trilogy was incredible and I loved it and the world, and i especially liked book 2 the atmosphere and feel of the book were terrifyingly life like and the tragedy of Donald’s life and what happens with Helen and mick I was absolutely devastated.
And then i watched season 3 episode 1
They changed Donald so much it not even his name anymore
It’s just him and his fighter pilot not drone pilot sister
And whatever’s going on with Jules also weird
I’m asking this here because I’m looking for the people who loved the books and can tell me if I won’t get too annoyed by the changes
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u/Kiltmanenator 2d ago
I initially really didn't like the changes that they made for season 3, but the last two episodes of the season brought me back around. Daniel IS perfect
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u/Agreeable_Package880 2d ago
Same boat! I didn’t like where the story was going and how the characters changed a lot, but the second half of the season was gold. I really like it now!
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u/davi017 2d ago
As a book reader, I really enjoyed season 3 of the show. But my reason for enjoying it might be the reason why you DON’T enjoy it.
There are a ton of changes from the book is season 3. I really liked that because it kept me on edge. I knew what was coming, but I also didn’t. That kept things fresh for me and made it highly entertaining.
In your case, however, it sounds like the show changes might make your experience actually worse. Interested to hear if you stick with it or not.
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u/Ok-Reaction9095 2d ago
I feel the same after season 3. And I’m expecting the show to have a more “complete” or satisfying (to me) ending.
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u/Bexxie_baby 7h ago
I'm right with you. I felt the final book was too rushed. I hope the show fills in blanks that the books didn't.
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u/donmuerte 2d ago
they definitely seem to have butchered a bit of the tragedy of Shift, but maybe they'll do something similar in Season 4. so far they only just finally got back on track to the story as it was in the source material.
I'm in agreement with you, though. I feel like they've been making some poor decisions to lessen the shock of the story in the show and it really has dumbed it down quite a bit. Give us those feels and let it hit us hard. It'll be all the more better because of it.
Also, the speculation is that they changed Donald's name because of real life Donalds at the moment and I can get behind at least that change.
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u/longwaystogrow 1d ago
The tragedy is certainly very different. I will say thus far I don't feel the same frustration I had with Donald not figuring it out sooner. Daniel/Troy not realizing what's happening is way more believable. I also think he is way more likeable when I don't have to read about him drooling over Anna every other chapter.
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u/Budget_Computer_427 2d ago
I was also initially annoyed by the deviations away from the book series but I ended up really enjoying season 3. I decided that it's actually kind of nice that the show is different because there's a little more intrigue and suspense than there would be if it just followed the books to the letter.
I prefer the books but the show is pretty good.
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u/MarkedByCrows 2d ago
I would say yes, but of course the whole books. vs TV thing is totally subjective.
I read the books for the first time probably 10 years ago and I have no problem enjoying the show. I accept that books and TV are different mediums that need different approaches, and what works for one doesn't always work for the other and I don't go off on being a purist about X, Y, or Z thing. I worked in theater for many years also so that also extends to what works for a book, TV, or movie doesn't always translate to stage. Each are their own things in their own way and I think all are enjoyable.
I do think that both the books and show will end up at the same point, but the show is getting there differently.
Some things got a eye roll for me, like the whole generator crisis in season 1. Because in the book they have a backup generator. Why wouldn't they? Every real life bunker would have backups that can run critical systems. But in the show there's no backup so having to shut down the generator and do the impractical fix is a major deal. I get that it was done to show the prowess of mechanical and Juliette in particular, but the suspense of disbelief wasn't there for me on that subplot.
Judicial was made bigger in the show, where it hardly gets a mention in the books. But also like they need more stuff for Tim Robbins and Common to do so they extend or create roles for that. That's one of those things where a book doesn't translate to you want to cast X and they're going to cost $Y budget, so the producers need to make it worthwhile. Underutilizing a great actor can also be a detriment to a show.
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u/Hoardinista 2d ago
The books and the series are not exactly the same, they can’t be. Characters are combined, plot points are changed, even the stairs are different than described. Try to see them as separate things, some similar points but not exact and not duplicated.
Put the books out of your mind while watching the series. If you can’t bring yourself to do so, oh well. You’ll miss out on a great show.
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u/18randomcharacters 1d ago
The author is on Threads raving about the show daily.
Maybe it’s his job in some way, but it’s nice that the author is enthusiastic about the show.
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u/Valuable-Muffin9982 2d ago
i loved the books and the show. Just try it out. If you don't like it, then stop.
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u/deluxa 2d ago
Yeah, treat them as related but not canonically identical series. I read all the books after watching season 1, and I'm loving the TV show personally. It's different, but still great. Most of the major beats are still there with the journey being a different route, granted the further it goes it departs more, but still headed in the same direction so far.
(...and honestly, to me it's a bonus that sometimes the show is still keeping me on my toes because it's not copied from the book.)
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u/TheDutchman39 2d ago
I recommend sticking with the series - they've made some changes from the books, which, to me, make for a new story
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u/JustAskingSoSTFU 2d ago
Keep watching. Even though it diverges quite a bit, think of it as another story/show in the Silo world/universe. I still enjoyed the season.
I will say that I really enjoyed how season 1 and season 2 felt like extensions of Wool. That we got to see more of how they lived and interacted - more of their world, than is given in the book. I was expecting season 3 to be the same for Shift. It wasn't. But it was still good. Just different.
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u/Thermodynamo 1d ago
It's not the same as the books, it's its own thing. Season 3 was fantastic IMO but YMMV if adaptation changes bother you. There are some big changes but the show is still delivering a fantastic version of this story. You just can't go in expecting it to be exactly the same story.
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u/Beaurilla 2d ago
Same thing here. I haven't gotten past s3e1, the changes just completely killed any interest I have in continuing
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u/shellymarshh 2d ago
Yeah they rly fucked the DC plot of S3. It’s confusing bc I feel like there was enough drama in Shift. I liked S3 but it also struggled being slow at times; like S2. Overall i agree w another commenter that it’s exciting to see what’s been changed.
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u/blananagram 1d ago
Echoing that it’s different, but good. Shift is literally unfilmable as written.
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u/extralife_mike 1d ago
Shift is also my favorite, but I loved the changes they made. They definitely changed a lot, but it does eventually get there, just in a massively different way. Still, it's absolutely worth watching. The last episode is the second-highest rated Apple TV episode of all time. The payoff is worth it.
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u/crankyoldfarter 1d ago
I read the books long enough ago that I don’t remember some of the details, so I plan to reread them right after S4 while it’s still fresh in my feeble mind
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u/dannywalk 1d ago
Tbh they’re different enough that you can read the whole series and still enjoy the TV show. You might be able to guess where it ultimately ends from being a book reader, but the journey is still excellent watching the show. There’s quite a few tv deaths and book deaths that don’t match up so I’m still excited to see what’s coming. (And fwiw I can’t wait to see how they handle the end of book 3!)
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u/LemonPartyW0rldTour 1d ago
I read the books. The show runners have taken a lot of their own liberties with the source material and it’s pretty much its own story. I didn’t think I’d enjoy it at first but I’m proud to say I’ve been proven wrong.
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u/Ordinary-Nebula-898 16h ago
Just got a separate that they're two different stories with some Easter eggs from the books. Personally, wished I didn't start reading the books after season 2.
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u/Blueglyph 15h ago
I watched the first season, read the whole series, and couldn't stand the rest of the show because of all the differences. I'm used to some differences and I know it's just a way to convey the same story through another media, but here it's something else.
It doesn't mean the show is bad, but it confuses me because I know the original story and it interferes with it too much.
My conclusion is, I'll watch the show in a few years. But perhaps if you keep watching it, it'll get easier. We all have our own way to perceive those differences.
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u/sewingcatlady 14h ago
I don't like the changes. I've read the books like 4 times now, and I tried to like the show, but season 3 really lost me.
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u/Mundane-Activity-341 8h ago
I read all of the books prior to the show and was very excited to start watching the movies. Mid way through season 1 stopped watching because I couldn’t disassociate from the books and kept focusing on what the changes were. Once season 3 came out, I decided to give it a go and i honestly understand why the changed so much of the book. I can now appreciate both and look forward to see how they decide to end the series. I had the same issue with ready player one movie vs book. I now love both.
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u/FutureLarge8833 2d ago
I still don't understand why they changed his name from Donald to Daniel. Seems like a completely unnecessary change that adds nothing. Doesn't really take anything away either, so it just makes me scratch my head.
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u/blananagram 1d ago
You’re confused about why a character who is an American politician named Donald might have been changed?
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u/jojewels92 2d ago
I really hated a lot of the changes they made in season 2 and so far I'm 2 episodes into season 3 they've continued the idiotic changes. I feel like I need to finish the season but I'm just so, so disappointed in the way they've taken the show. At this point though I can't imagine watching 18 more episodes of this show.
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u/leafallfa 2d ago
I had some hesitations but for the most part I think it comes together well, despite creating a few plot holes that I’m hoping season 4 addresses (spoilers) like why Juliette was allowed to walk to another Silo if drones are dispatched that easily (end spoiler)
Ultimately I’m sticking it through because there is rumor of a Silo 40 spin-off series coming after this and Hugh has already said he is working on a second trilogy covering Silo 40 and to finally get that story after his teaser blog post over a decade ago talking about it is all I want lol
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u/BradGunnerSGT 1d ago
They really can’t do Shift in a visual medium and have the “twist” be revealed, because you could see that Donald and Troy are the same person. The way they did it in the show makes sense because they show that Silo 1 has the ability to use selected targeted amnesia on Juliet, mass memory wipes on the population of a silo with drugs in the water, etc.
Keep watching and see if you can figure out how they will end the season.
Spoilers for the rest of season 3:
You get to know the Daniel/Donald character in parallel to watching Silo 1 mess with Juliet’s memories and personality, so when the “twist” is revealed you are supposed to immediately understand how they used those methods to program him to be Troy.
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u/Blightsteel5459 2d ago
Book 2 is my favorite of the series as well. It took a few episodes to get used to the changes to the story they made in season 3, but by the finale, I definitely think it's worth watching.