How much does The Shards expect us to care?

With the first season of The Shards concluding its run, A.V. Club news editor Drew Gillis and TV critic Saloni Gajjar dissect the many alterations made when translating the book to the screen. Gajjar notes that the TV adaptation significantly deviates from the source material, with events in episodes six and seven taking a completely different turn in the novel.

For instance, the tense moments leading up to Bret's suspicions about Robert's possible involvement in a serial killing are far more subdued in the show, featuring elaborate Homecoming parade floats and Shakespearean dialogue for Susan and Thom's heated argument.

Gajjar finds the show's embellishments, such as the irrelevant dance-off episode, a way to extend the story for Murphy's proposed three-season plan, but she appreciates the increased focus on Susan, Debbie, and Liz's storylines. She likens the series to Murphy's other work, emphasizing the show's over-the-top, stylized approach to exploring how people perceive themselves and the societal implications.

Drew Gillis, however, expresses disappointment in how The Shards neglects the novel's central theme of gay coming-of-age. The original book is sexually graphic, and it effectively parallels the objectification of bodies in the story. Gillis found it exciting to see Murphy tackle this subject matter, as it aligns with his style of confronting sordid, seedy, and queer narratives.

However, he believes the show sidelines Bret's story, focusing more on the adult characters and their relationships. Gillis also criticizes the decision to downplay the explicit content, particularly the graphic description of disturbing crime scenes, in favor of a more glitzy and soapy drama.