# Emerald City - New show on NBC (some boxed spoilers) **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [January 9, 2017, 7:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/emerald-city-new-show-on-nbc-some-boxed-spoilers/776707 "2017-01-09T07:43:07Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Sigmagirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c89c15/32.png) [@Sigmagirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigmagirl)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2017, 2:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/emerald-city-new-show-on-nbc-some-boxed-spoilers/776707/21 "2017-01-11T14:12:36Z")
> [@MrDibble](#): > > I read that as the long-term, not the immediate: “What has giving up magic and living as a madam in his city done to you? What have you let yourself become? You junkie whore!” not “what \*just \*happened?” Possibly, but they already had been through that, when they met at the city gates after a 20-year absence and North tells West how terrible she looks. This seems to be something else and something worse. ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2017, 2:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/emerald-city-new-show-on-nbc-some-boxed-spoilers/776707/22 "2017-01-11T14:36:33Z")
> [@Sigmagirl](#): > > Possibly, but they already had been through that, when they met at the city gates after a 20-year absence and North tells West how terrible she looks. This seems to be something else and something worse. I read it as her showing up drunk for work. Sure, Glinda may have known she was a lush, but this just drove the point home. ---
**Author:** ![Loach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/loach/32/350_2.png) [@Loach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Loach)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2017, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/emerald-city-new-show-on-nbc-some-boxed-spoilers/776707/23 "2017-01-11T15:56:01Z")
> [@DrForrester](#): > > It didn’t help that much of the action is “in medio res” with no explanation whatsoever. I get that shows are done this way to prolong certain tension. But, I often am simply left behind. > > The really irritating thing (for me) was that the Scarecrow was Jesus. Found on a cross, punctured in his side, has a beard, has dark hair, etc. They also don’t give the guy a lot of lines … and those that they do give him are all supposed to be cryptic and so forth. > > I enjoyed the “woman and the child” elements … but, once again, I have to say that I didn’t understand any part of it because we weren’t given any back story because we aren’t supposed to know if the woman was “good” or “bad”, “sane” or “bat-shit”. Her magic wasn’t all that powerful… but, clearly, she was using magic. Goodness knows that a healthy adult can’t be expected to imprison a sickly child without magic. > > I hope that the show goes somewhere … quickly. Maybe I’m getting slow in my old age but it confused me. I know it’s supposed to create mystery. You’re not supposed to know if the witches are good or bad or what’s up with the Wizard. It just seems like a mess not a mystery. What the hell is up with Dinofrio’s accent? His weirdly wooden performance is very disappointing after watching him in Daredevil where even when he is quiet and still he is still acting his ass off. ---
**Author:** ![Sigmagirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c89c15/32.png) [@Sigmagirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigmagirl)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2017, 4:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/emerald-city-new-show-on-nbc-some-boxed-spoilers/776707/24 "2017-01-11T16:08:35Z")
I think they’re just demonstrating that the Wizard is a fraud. Maybe he’ll have a scene with someone who knows/learns his secret and he’ll use his real Oscar Z. P. I. N. H. E. A. Diggs Omaha voice. ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2017, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/emerald-city-new-show-on-nbc-some-boxed-spoilers/776707/25 "2017-01-11T16:50:31Z")
I didn’t much care for it. For one thing, I’m a little tired of the steampunk look they gave the Emerald City. But I like the fact that there’s a whole coven of witches. I hope the producers drop houses and police cars on them on a regular basis. Oh my God, they killed a witch! You BASTARDS! ---
**Author:** ![singular1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ba9def/32.png) [@singular1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/singular1)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2017, 5:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/emerald-city-new-show-on-nbc-some-boxed-spoilers/776707/26 "2017-01-11T17:05:57Z")
I gotta admit, I’m right in there with the “Sharknado-esque” writing. Yeah, the visuals are gorgeous, but how they could wring this fetid puddle of Mediaevalist hallucinogenic disco Eurotrash out of one of the most thoroughly American works of literature is beyond me. I couldn’t make it all the way to the end – once Mr. singular left the room there was no one to share snark with, and my urge to make it through to the end left the room with him. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2017, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/emerald-city-new-show-on-nbc-some-boxed-spoilers/776707/27 "2017-01-11T17:27:05Z")
> [@singular1](#): > > I gotta admit, I’m right in there with the “Sharknado-esque” writing. Yeah, the visuals are gorgeous, but how they could wring this fetid puddle of Mediaevalist hallucinogenic disco Eurotrash out of one of the most thoroughly American works of literature is beyond me. I couldn’t make it all the way to the end – once Mr. singular left the room there was no one to share snark with, and my urge to make it through to the end left the room with him. So very true. But nice to look at, I agree. ---
**Author:** ![magnusblitz](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b4bc9f/32.png) [@magnusblitz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/magnusblitz)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2017, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/emerald-city-new-show-on-nbc-some-boxed-spoilers/776707/28 "2017-01-11T19:14:00Z")
Watched the first episode (first hour) and found it pretty tepid. I agree that it’s nice to look at visually, but that’s about it, other than curiosity as to how they design certain characters. I found the Wizard himself to be pretty disappointing. The witch of the East killing herself with the gun was grade-A hilarity. ---
**Author:** ![Sigmagirl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c89c15/32.png) [@Sigmagirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigmagirl)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2017, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/emerald-city-new-show-on-nbc-some-boxed-spoilers/776707/29 "2017-01-11T19:31:51Z")
> [@kunilou](#): > > For one thing, I’m a little tired of the steampunk look they gave the Emerald City. I love it. I want to live in the Wizard’s bedroom. With the Wizard. ---
**Author:** ![Knowed\_Out](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/knowed_out/32/7380_2.png) [@Knowed\_Out](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knowed_Out)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2017, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/emerald-city-new-show-on-nbc-some-boxed-spoilers/776707/30 "2017-01-11T20:28:19Z")
I liked it. It was a totally different take on the classic story, with none of the treacle. Dorothy is pragmatic, doesn’t act all helpless, and acts as the driving force to the rest of the cast. I didn’t think the Scarecrow was supposed to represent Jesus. He was abused like he was a scarecrow, hung from a cross-like structure scarecrows usually hang from. He couldn’t remember what had happened to him, as if he lacked a brain. Moreover, he acted thick and clueless enough to get on Dorthy’s nerves. I’m thinking the two children are the equivalents of the Tin Man and the Cowardly Lion, as the boy uses an axe and the girl was confined by her guardian, not allowed to leave the hut, because of fear of the outside world. The scene where the Wizard had removed his wig and sulked did indeed drive home the point that he was phony and had no actual powers. He used psychological brainwashing to keep the witches helpless and the Oznians wary of magic. Airing on Friday nights is pretty much a death sentence, but maybe it’ll be picked up by Syfy or something. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2017, 9:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/emerald-city-new-show-on-nbc-some-boxed-spoilers/776707/31 "2017-01-11T21:02:46Z")
> [@Knowed\_Out](#): > > I didn’t think the Scarecrow was supposed to represent Jesus. He was abused like he was a scarecrow, hung from a cross-like structure scarecrows usually hang from Wound in his side, exact place Jesus was supposedly speared. ---
**Author:** ![MoonMoon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/moonmoon/32/2959_2.png) [@MoonMoon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MoonMoon)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2017, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/emerald-city-new-show-on-nbc-some-boxed-spoilers/776707/32 "2017-01-11T21:09:56Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > Wound in his side, exact place Jesus was supposedly speared. Lettering on the cross above his head, barbed wire (thorns). ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2017, 9:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/emerald-city-new-show-on-nbc-some-boxed-spoilers/776707/33 "2017-01-11T21:24:26Z")
> [@MoonMoon](#): > > Lettering on the cross above his head, barbed wire (thorns). Neon sign with flashing arrow pointing to him saying “Jesus Symbol, HINT, HINT”. 😃 But subtle. ---
**Author:** ![MoonMoon](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/moonmoon/32/2959_2.png) [@MoonMoon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MoonMoon)\ **Post date:** [January 11, 2017, 9:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/emerald-city-new-show-on-nbc-some-boxed-spoilers/776707/34 "2017-01-11T21:43:34Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > Neon sign with flashing arrow pointing to him saying “Jesus Symbol, HINT, HINT”. 😃 > > But subtle. Subtle, like the lingering shot of the mailbox with “GALE” on the side in giant letters, just in case people hadn’t put two and two together yet. _snarksnarksnark_ ---
**Author:** ![Prof.Pepperwinkle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/prof.pepperwinkle/32/13627_2.png) [@Prof.Pepperwinkle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Prof.Pepperwinkle)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2017, 1:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/emerald-city-new-show-on-nbc-some-boxed-spoilers/776707/35 "2017-01-12T01:21:39Z")
> [@Knowed\_Out](#): > > I liked it. It was a totally different take on the classic story, with none of the treacle. Dorothy is pragmatic, doesn’t act all helpless, and acts as the driving force to the rest of the cast. > > I didn’t think the Scarecrow was supposed to represent Jesus. He was abused like he was a scarecrow, hung from a cross-like structure scarecrows usually hang from. He couldn’t remember what had happened to him, as if he lacked a brain. Moreover, he acted thick and clueless enough to get on Dorthy’s nerves. > > I’m thinking the two children are the equivalents of the Tin Man and the Cowardly Lion, as the boy uses an axe and the girl was confined by her guardian, not allowed to leave the hut, because of fear of the outside world. > > The scene where the Wizard had removed his wig and sulked did indeed drive home the point that he was phony and had no actual powers. He used psychological brainwashing to keep the witches helpless and the Oznians wary of magic. > > Airing on Friday nights is pretty much a death sentence, but maybe it’ll be picked up by Syfy or something. No, the kids are characters from other Oz books, as was Mombi. Tip is actually Ozma, the rightful ruler of Oz. Jack is Jack Pumpkinhead. It says so right in the IMDB credits. ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2017, 5:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/emerald-city-new-show-on-nbc-some-boxed-spoilers/776707/36 "2017-01-12T05:58:01Z")
> [@Knowed\_Out](#): > > I’m thinking the two children are the equivalents of the Tin Man and the Cowardly Lion, as the boy uses an axe and the girl was confined by her guardian, not allowed to leave the hut, because of fear of the outside world. The girl is definitely Ozma, the boy probably Jack Pumpkinhead-to-be. The Tin Man is going to be either that guard captain if he gets killed later \*or \*the guy he already dismembered, reassembled. ---
**Author:** ![Knowed\_Out](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/knowed_out/32/7380_2.png) [@Knowed\_Out](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Knowed_Out)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2017, 3:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/emerald-city-new-show-on-nbc-some-boxed-spoilers/776707/37 "2017-01-12T15:48:17Z")
> [@DrDeth](#): > > Neon sign with flashing arrow pointing to him saying “Jesus Symbol, HINT, HINT”. 😃 > > But subtle. What, no link to tobacco conspiracies? What purpose would be served by making Scarecrow a Jesus figure? Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar. ---
**Author:** ![DrForrester](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/8edcca/32.png) [@DrForrester](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrForrester)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2017, 2:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/emerald-city-new-show-on-nbc-some-boxed-spoilers/776707/38 "2017-01-13T02:24:01Z")
> [@Knowed\_Out](#): > > What, no link to tobacco conspiracies? > > What purpose would be served by making Scarecrow a Jesus figure? Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar. Purpose? Maybe just something thrown in to reassure the ultra-religious set that the show (possibly) won’t all be pagans writhing about in orgiastic dances … or, rather, heretical ceremonies. Personally, I’d just skip over about 50% and try to keep the plot moving right along. But, that’s just me. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2017, 3:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/emerald-city-new-show-on-nbc-some-boxed-spoilers/776707/39 "2017-01-13T03:40:22Z")
**[Moderating]** **Knowed Out** , do not drag in contentious topics from other threads. This thread is for discussing the show Emerald City, not for continuing feuds with other posters. Save that for the Pit. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2017, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/emerald-city-new-show-on-nbc-some-boxed-spoilers/776707/40 "2017-01-13T18:15:24Z")
> [@Knowed\_Out](#): > > What purpose would be served by making Scarecrow a Jesus figure? Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar. Well, if it was just me, but it’s also several other posters here and: > **[11 'Wizard Of Oz' Easter Eggs In 'Emerald City' That Bring The Classic Into...](https://www.bustle.com/p/11-wizard-of-oz-easter-eggs-in-emerald-city-that-bring-the-classic-into-modern-times-28362)** > > NBC's Emerald City premieres on Friday night with a way different vision of Oz than most people know. In the new series, Dorothy (played by Adria Arjona) doesn't have ruby red slippers, The Scarecrow is a human man, and the Yellow Brick Road is made… > **[‘Emerald City’: Enough F\*\*\*ing ‘Wizard of Oz’ Reboots Already](https://www.thedailybeast.com/emerald-city-enough-fing-wizard-of-oz-reboots-already)** > > Emerald City is a dark and bloody—and boring—trip down the yellow brick road, as if Dorothy took a detour to Westeros on her way to Oz. Dorothy, girl, just stay home already. > **[Wait, WTF Is Emerald City About?](https://www.vulture.com/2017/01/emerald-city-wtf-moments.html)** > > All the moments that will have you raising your eyebrows and thinking that there’s no place like home. and more. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/emerald-city-new-show-on-nbc-some-boxed-spoilers/776707.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/emerald-city-new-show-on-nbc-some-boxed-spoilers/776707.md?page=3)