There is plenty of cleverness in this mini-series, both in setting and in characters. Furthermore most of the actors are very good (except for those who are... well... not). In better hands this could have been a brilliant production. Some people clearly love this show, but to do that, you have to turn a blind eye to its failings. (Love is blind, though, is it not?) In good fiction, the plot feels like a natural extension of the characters choices. In this production, the characters are dragged from plot point to plot point like some absurd relay race. It strained my suspension of disbelief until it snapped. By the third act, I was literally throwing my hands in the air in frustration.I instead recommend "The Enchanted Forest Chronicles" novels by Patricia C. Wrede.