Is A Series of Unfortunate Events Season 2 Worth Binge Watching?
Binge-watching is a sport—and Canadians are winning. According to Netflix, Canada is the country that clocks in with the highest percentage of 24-hour finishers. But who can blame us? There’s a unique sensation that comes from being first, whether it’s the finish line of the 100-meter dash or the closing credits of a hot new television series.
But even Netflix’s A-list stars think it’s time for us to slow down. Surely not all entertainment is suited for high-speed consuming. On the set of A Series of Unfortunate Events season 2, Neil Patrick Harris let a candid thought slip. “I don’t think this is the best show to binge-watch,” he said, catching the attention of the Netflix publicist sitting in on the interview. “I also wouldn’t like to binge a lovely bottle of wine. You kind of want to sip it and enjoy it.” Nice save, NPH.
Netflix’s ASOUE is based on the popular children’s novels from Lemony Snicket, a 13-book series that chronicles the mysterious, dark and (sometimes) comical lives of three orphans. The story of each book stretches over two 45 to 60 minute episodes of the Netflix original, making each season of the show feel like four back-to-back movies. “We’re basically doing a feature film every two episodes in terms of length, ambition, production design and story,” says Barry Sonnenfeld, ASOUE director/producer/show-runner.
In the movie-like Netflix series, Harris plays Count Olaf, the horrible man who torments the Baudelaire orphans in an attempt to steal their family fortune. He’s described as a greedy, hideous villain with poor hygiene and bad acting skills—essentially, he’s everything the Tony- and Emmy-winning actor is not. “I never thought I’d be doing something where I looked so unlike myself,” says Harris. “There’s something freeing in being disguised.” But the two men do have one thing in common: Neil Patrick Harris is a showman, and in the role he leans into the idea that Count Olaf loves, above all else, to put on a great show. And A Series of Unfortunate Events is just that—whether you watch it all in one night, or sip on it slowly like an aged Merlot.
 comical lives of three orphans. The story of each book stretches over two 45 to 60 minute episodes of the Netflix original, making each season of the show feel like four back-to-back movies. "We're basically doing a feature film every two episodes in terms of length, ambition, production design and story,” says Barry Sonnenfeld, ASOUE director/producer/show-runner.
In the movie-like Netflix series, Harris plays Count Olaf, the horrible man who torments the Baudelaire orphans in an attempt to steal their family fortune. He’s described as a greedy, hideous villain with poor hygiene and bad acting skills—essentially, he’s everything the Tony- and Emmy-winning actor is not. “I never thought I’d be doing something where I looked so unlike myself,” says Harris. “There’s something freeing in being disguised.” But the two men do have one thing in common: Neil Patrick Harris is a showman, and in the role he leans into the idea that Count Olaf loves, above all else, to put on a great show. And A Series of Unfortunate Events is just that—whether you watch it all in one night, or sip on it slowly like an aged Merlot.
Is A Series of Unfortunate Events season 2 worth binging? Decide for yourself:
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