The Rook: Chapter 1 Show Only

June 30, 2019 6:25 PM - Season 1, Episode 1

Myfanwy Thomas goes to the world of the Checquy, where she is a high-level operative. (Starz Channel, US broadcast premiere, adapted from the novel)

TV Line - Premiere recap

TV Line - The Rook: 4 Things to Know About Starz's Sleek, Supernatural Thriller

IndieWire Review: A Silly, Slow, Semi-Superhero Story on Starz - Sans alliteration, "The Rook" tries to split the difference between a spy thriller and superheroes-as-outcasts allegory, but neither really clicks.

posted by oh yeah! (10 comments total)

I haven't read the book, so, whoever else wants to post a 'Books Included' thread, please go ahead.

I was hoping this would fill the void left by Counterpart, but, I didn't feel particularly drawn to the characters or the mystery. Still, it's only an 8-episode season, and it's genre, so, I'll probably be watching till the end.
posted by oh yeah! at 6:30 PM on June 30, 2019

I quite enjoyed the book, but read it long enough ago that the details are fuzzy enough to not be sure what's coming. I quite enjoyed the episode and can't wait to see the next one.

And it has Mickey Bricks (from Hustle) who I enjoy watching in anything.
posted by Marticus at 1:19 AM on July 1, 2019 [1 favorite]

I don't have Starz, but since I really enjoyed the book I'm interested in seeing how this goes. From the trailers the tone looks really different, plus there are a lot of changes made to the universe that seem like it's in service of more grit, which, meh.
posted by PussKillian at 9:29 AM on July 1, 2019

The wife and I should watch this. We thoroughly enjoyed the audiobook (and sequel!). What's the best way to watch it for cable cutter like ourselves? We have Prime and could watch it through Starz add on I bet....
posted by RolandOfEld at 4:25 PM on July 1, 2019

I can believe all of it except how they pronounce Myfanwy.
posted by fullerine at 2:05 PM on July 8, 2019

I believe in the book they say it’s oronounced like Tiffany. Which was disappointing to me then, too. Love this book so much-not sure yet about the show.
posted by purenitrous at 8:35 PM on July 8, 2019

Marticus - agreed! I liked the flavour, too, on top of his trademark confidant/ competent role.

I'm liking Emma Greenwell a lot, especially when she's bullshitting.
posted by porpoise at 8:49 PM on July 8, 2019

Myfanwy looks Welsh to me. They do all sorts of weird stuff with Ws & Ys.
posted by scalefree at 9:36 AM on July 10, 2019

Possible minor spoiler: the book doesn't belabor the point but it is established that she does not pronounce her name correctly. When she eventually meets someone with a connection to her past that person addresses her using a more traditional Welsh pronunciation of Myfanwy.
posted by Nerd of the North at 1:27 AM on July 11, 2019

Y'all, can one of you please just post 'books-included' threads? It's kind of disheartening to have this thread keep popping up in my Recent Activity with book-related comments.
posted by oh yeah! at 4:30 AM on July 11, 2019