Hulu's Court Of Thorns & Roses Show Must Do More With 1 Aspect Of Tamlin's Character Than The Books
While Hulu's adaptation of Sarah J. Maas' bestselling A Court of Thorns and Roses series is not currently moving forward in development, there's still plenty the studio could be doing to prepare for the project. Taking on an internationally bestselling series is no easy feat, and to bring the world depicted in Maas' fantasy novels to life properly, Hulu will need to do plenty of research. While there are several book moments Hulu's ACOTAR TV show needs to get right, there's one key character they should take care to develop extensively.
The magic system in the ACOTAR books is incredibly unique, with the High Fae in Prythian's different realms each associated with a distinct magical ability. The first High Fae in the series to be introduced is Tamlin, High Lord of the Spring Court. While his character is not well-liked among fans of the series, he still plays an incredibly important role throughout much of the first book and subsequent sequels. As Tamlin would be the first High Lord audiences meet, Hulu should elaborate upon his Spring Court abilities, something the books did not.
As learned in the first A Court of Thorns and Roses novel, the Spring Court's abilities include shapeshifting and air manipulation. However, Tamlin is best known for his shapeshifting ability, often transforming himself into a hulking creature with a bear-like body, lupine head, and elk-like antlers. Tamlin also has the ability to change the shape of others, something he often did when turning members of his court into wolves to venture past the Wall and into the human realm. Tamlin's shapeshifting ability is seen when his temper rises as well, growing claws when angered.
In order to help Tamlin's magic stand out on screen, Hulu should expand upon his shapeshifting powers, showcasing the many uses of such an ability.
While Tamlin's powers to shift are displayed plenty throughout the ACOTAR novels, it's not something readers see much of outside his beast form. The ability to take the form of a beast is technically something every High Lord is capable of, and it downplays Tamlin's ability to shapeshift with more variety. In order to help Tamlin's magic stand out on screen, Hulu should expand upon his shapeshifting powers, showcasing the many uses of such an ability. This would also help audiences who haven't read the books better understand what Tamlin's character is capable of.
The ability to shapeshift should be one of the most powerful in comparison to the other High Lords' unique magics, but it's not an ability Maas explores in great detail — at least not until Feyre. When Maas reveals Feyre has inherited all seven of the High Lord's abilities, it is Tamlin's power to shapeshift that aids her in growing wings and even gives her the ability to mimic the appearance of other characters. However, these aspects of Tamlin's power are never shown being employed prior to Feyre, therefore Tamlin's most powerful ability isn't utilized at all in the early novels.
Hulu's ACOTAR adaptation has the opportunity to add several easter eggs in its first season, and it should address this likely Tamlin mate theory.
Knowing this, there's so much more Maas could do with Tamlin's powers, and hopefully, she plans to develop them further in future A Court of Thorns and Roses novels. It's clear from Feyre's use of shapeshifting that there's much more to Tamlin's power than previously understood, and it's likely the true extent of what he can do with it has yet to be revealed. However, Maas' decision to omit Tamlin's use of his power in this way is questionable, and wild ACOTAR theories suggest it's possible Tamlin has utilized them before without the readers' knowledge.
A Court of Thorns and Roses' magic system is extensive, but it's not truly explored in detail until the later novels, once Feyre begins to visit other Prythian courts. Instead, the first novel sets up the foundations for its world-building, slowly introducing readers to the unique nature of the Spring Court and Tamlin's abilities. This is something the Hulu TV show would do well to emulate, as some audiences may not be well acquainted with the books. However, to properly translate the books' magic system to screens, Tamlin's powers will need to be shown in greater detail from the start.
If Hulu were to begin its A Court of Thorns and Roses adaptation with a greater focus on Tamlin's shapeshifting abilities, it would better set the stage for the other High Lord's introductions in later seasons.
Not only will this help to set ACOTAR apart from other fantasy series, but a larger focus on Tamlin's — and the other High Lord's abilities — will create memorable, cinematic moments in the show for audiences. If Hulu were to begin its A Court of Thorns and Roses adaptation with a greater focus on Tamlin's shapeshifting abilities, it would better set the stage for the other High Lord's introductions in later seasons. The magic system is a big part of the books, and bringing them to life on screen will be just as important to the show's success as its character arcs.
Based on the A Court of Thorns and Roses fantasy novel series, A Court of Thorns and Roses is a television adaptation that follows Feyre Archeron, a young woman dragged into the world of faeries after slaying one of their kind. The series will follow her journey through the lands of Prythian and her relationship with one of its lords, Tamlin.