(Not gonna lie, Aramis has been my favorite Musketeer since I was a kid so I'm hella protective of him) Their relationship is very fairytale isn't it? I agree if they took a more realistic approach to it, I'd probably enjoy it far more. But the relationship in my eyes isn't a healthy one so it's not something I could ever get 100% behind. I think S2 might go for that darker turn, I know they want to turn up the mature themes now that they have a later time slot, so we'll see how that goes.
Athos has always been #1 favourite musketeer. Santiago’s Aramis is amazing though. He is more jovial, but at the same time has darker and more troubled past, is less pretentious, but more flirty and less devious. I really love this character in BBC series and I admit that now he is not simply #2, but almost #1 along with Athos (who is always delightful in all adaptations, maybe except for John Malcovich, whom I deeply dislike, but that’s a personal thing).
Yes, their relationship is very sugarcoated. But it is somewhat a leitmotif of the whole season, since like you mentioned it was a prime time show that forced it to be more family/kids friendly.
I am hoping that the creators of the show have prepared a very strong and mature and logic plots for Season 2. I have faith in them all, including Jessica Pope. I don’t want this show to go downhill after such a great start. Too many good shows get cancelled and too many promising shows turn into an utter crap (I am looking at your Teen Wolf). So, I am keeping all fingers crossed.
Yes, if Anne/Aramis storyline makes sense in S2, then I will be ok with it. If not, and they make a total blunder out of season 2, I am going to be so disappointed and sad, i don’t even want to contemplate it. It will break my heart. I have been a fan of these books since I was 6 years old and this is the first adaptation that even though is far from the original, it is wonderfully done and is so delightful.
I am in love with this show. But I can’t help feeling that Anne/Aramis storyline makes me apprehensive.
I want more mature themes, darker story lines, more challenge and heartbreak. I want it to be real.
I am praying I won’t be disappointed.