Apple TV+’s Changeling finale was startling in its intent
Adaptation of Apple TV+ from Victor LaValle’s novel The changeling ended last week with “Battle of the Island.” The episode ended the season – as a whole a fascinating exploration of parenthood, grief, folklore, and the hidden reaches of New York City-with several huge question marks.
At just 30 minutes, it was significantly shorter than all the others Changeling episode, and while it ends roughly where LaValle’s novel ends, it deviates from the book, having presented a fairly faithful adaptation up to that point. It was so mysterious about the fate of its characters that it actually felt quite frustrating – especially since Apple TV+ hasn’t announced a second season yet. It turns out that this was the intention of showrunner Kelly Marcel and LaValle, an executive producer on the series, who spoke about “Battle of the Island” and their hopes for the future of the series a new interview with the Hollywood Reporter.
“One of the great things Kelly did in the adaptation was that she specifically expanded, [the stories of The Changeling’s major female characters, Emma and Lillian]. We needed to experience so much more of their journeys, but there was no way we could just fit the whole book and all of that into eight episodes,” LaValle told the industry. “Then people would say, ‘It was just too hectic.’ So it felt like two seasons to tell the whole story, to make everything bigger, wilder and more disturbing.”
Marcel fully admitted it wanted Viewers shout “What the fuck?” at the end of the first season. “If there is a second season, which of course we hope, we would pick up the story where we left off, but you will also be taken back. Season one was full of questions and season two is the answer to all of those questions,” the showrunner explained. “There are so many secrets, Easter eggs and hidden things in the series that I’m sure people haven’t seen yet. I’m surprised how many people don’t see that there’s something in the water. Every time you see the water, there is something in the water. But we’re going to go back and take a look and then we’ll answer all of these questions.”
A second season of The changeling would be very welcome indeed, and Here’s hoping Apple TV+ delivers.
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