What I Think of CW Nancy Drew

In "Figuring Out My Nancy Drew," I wrote about how I respond to filmed versions of Nancy Drew.

The inherent problem with filmed versions of books is that a filmed version cannot replicate what we see in our minds when we read the books.  Filmed versions will always fall short of expectation for that reason.

I am rather open-minded about various filmed versions of Nancy Drew, since I know that they cannot replicate my reading experience.  I do not like some versions very much or do not care about them, but they do not upset me.  I also keep quiet and don't tell other people when I don't particularly care for a certain version.  I don't want to spoil someone's joy or put negativity out there.  It just doesn't matter to me.

Books and filmed media are not at all the same, so there's no point in comparing one to the other.

After exploring my feelings about the different versions of Nancy Drew, I drew the following conclusion.

Regarding the different filmed versions of Nancy Drew, most of them are not my Nancy Drew.  In particular, Bonita Granville is not my Nancy Drew.  She's too silly.  The filmed versions that I like the very best are the 1995 television series starring Tracy Ryan and the 2002 television movie starring Maggie Lawson.  I tend to prefer the modern filmed versions over the vintage filmed versions.

Okay, so I figured it out.  I am a modern Nancy Drew girl.  I prefer the modern filmed versions, and I am quite fond of most of Simon and Schuster's Nancy Drew output from the 1980s to the present day, with the exception of the Nancy Drew Files and Nancy Drew Diaries series.  My Nancy Drew is a more modern version, which is why I am open-minded about new versions.  I just don't see a problem with Nancy Drew changing to fit modern society.

It was a foregone conclusion that I would like CW Nancy Drew.  There was never a question.  Now, let's go over details.

The opening sex scene of the first episode is disgusting.  I made two observations about the scene which skeeved me out tremendously.  One observation will remain unstated.  The other is that Nancy leaves Nick, walks immediately into the diner, and then begins serving tables.  She doesn't wash her hands.  Eww.

So, I hate that scene as much as anyone else, but I can overlook it.  The first episode is the pilot, and pilots are usually off.

Nancy did get some action a second time in the pilot episode and then again in the next episode.  That may be it so far.  It's not like I'm keeping track of Nancy's conquests.  The sex has not been the focus; rather, the show has gone full-on supernatural.

At first, some people thought that there would be a logical explanation for the spirits.  Um, no.  Vapors going into and coming out of objects made it apparent to me that the spirits would be real.  At this point, nobody is still saying that there might be a logical explanation.  The spirits are real, real, and real.

We are seven shows in, and George has been possessed.  Two séances have been conducted, the second one with unmistakable spirit contact.  A toy is currently possessed.  Nancy is being haunted by the ghost of Lucy Sable.  Black shadow figures are after Nancy and her friends.

It turns out that the sex at the beginning of the series was less of a problem than the supernatural aspect.  Some fans bailed at the beginning because of the sex.  Others are now losing interest because of the supernatural.

As for me, I was disconcerted by the spirit vapors and glimpses of spirits during the first few episodes.  It was just so weird for Nancy Drew.  By the end of the third episode, I accepted it.  Fine, Nancy Drew sees and talks to spirits.  Whatever.  It's cool.

I read young adult dystopian novels with really crazy stuff that makes no sense.  If I can suspend disbelief for those books, then I can watch a Nancy Drew show with spirits in it.  No problem.

This show with spirits everywhere is no different for me than any other filmed version of Nancy Drew.  No filmed version replicates what I experience when reading, so I have always seen filmed versions as alternate versions.  Supernatural Nancy Drew is no less real than Emma Robert's goody-goody Nancy Drew or Bonita Granville's silly Nancy Drew.  I have never expected any filmed version to be much like the books, so this one is no less valid than any of the others.

I actually like CW Nancy Drew quite a lot.  The whole supernatural thing is a lark and great fun.  Why not?

The show is like a soap opera.  The story continues from one episode to the next, and each episode features a different mixture of characters, just like in a soap opera.  The story moves slowly for that reason, but the journey is a lot of fun.

I have not heard a single negative comment about Kennedy McMann as Nancy Drew.  Even people who are put off by the sex or the supernatural aspect of the show seem to like Kennedy.  She is outstanding.  Based on her appearance, personality, and delivery of lines, Kennedy is the best Nancy Drew of all time.  She nails it in every way.  I am in awe of her.  I predict that Kennedy McMann will have a very successful career.

Carson Drew is problematic.  I think of him as a weasel.  I didn't dislike him at first like many people did, but I currently do not like him.  I expect my opinion will change for the better once he stops being so shady.  He's hiding something from Nancy, so he comes across as a... weasel.

George is awesome.  She gets all the best one-liners.  Nancy tries to help George carry an ice chest, and George snaps, "Get your hands off my chest!"

George's mother is hilarious.  She can communicate with spirits, and she gets drunk a lot.

I like Bess.  While the Bess from this series has a different background than Bess of the books, this Bess does have a similar personality.

I also like Ace.  I hope he is okay.  The ending of episode #7 has left us wondering about Ace's fate.

I go back and forth on Nancy's boyfriend, Nick.  I liked him at first and not as much currently.  Most likely, my opinion will keep fluctuating.

Ryan Hudson is supposed to be the bad guy.  I didn't like him at first, but I currently do.  The information revealed in episode #6 changed my opinion.

Chief McGinnis is beginning to grow on me.

I am neutral on Laura Tandy and the other supporting characters.

I typically do not watch television.  I used to be devoted to Survivor, but due to my autoimmunity and often feeling bad after a day's work, I lost patience for watching it around five to eight years ago.  Big Brother is the one show that I have continued to watch over the years.  However, I barely watched it this last summer due to my intense dislike of most of the cast, especially Jack and Jackson/Michie.  Ugh.

I watch very little television.

But I am watching this show.  I am making an occasion of it.  I sit in front of the television for the entire hour, doing nothing else.  That's astonishing that I'm actually sitting down and paying attention.

I really like this show.