"The Ersatz Elevator: Part 1" started off one of the better adaptations of Season 2 (where the quality had improved by quite some way, although Season 1 was promising but not quite as interesting) excellently. One character and the odd reservation with the narration aside, which were general problems with the overall series in general though too. Bringing out everything that was good about one of the better books in the book series too from the page to the screen with ease.
With more going on, the intrigue and suspense mounting and expertly setting things up for what was to come in the later adaptations, the second part of "The Ersatz Elevator" is even better. An already darker, more mysterious and more engrossing (compared to the first four books and adaptations in the series) story expanded/built upon so those qualities are even stronger here in "The Ersatz Elevator: Part 2".
Hated Mr Poe from the very beginning in the previous five two parters and the hatred continued here and in the succeeding episodes to his last appearances. Although Mr Poe is not the brightest bulb on the block in the books, he is not this inept and he is certainly not this irritating, the more the series went on the more unnecessary he and K. Todd Freeman felt.
Not all the narration was necessary either and sometimes explained too much or spent too long describing something. At least it was actually entertaining and stuck to the spirit of Snicket's interruptions in the books.
On the other hand, there is an awful lot to recommend about "The Ersatz Elevator: Part 2". The photography is so atmospheric, the use of costumes clever and almost symbolic but faring best is the set design. Which includes the most unique penthouse you'll find anywhere. The music is a perfect match for the adaptation's mix of quirkiness and gloom in a way worthy of a film, and one cannot praise the superbly and clever designed and scored opening credits sequence.
Like the previous five two part adaptations, the writing is very close in spirit to Snicket's way of writing (the quirkiness, dark humour, the strangeness and increasing sense of mystery) and it succeeds in being both suspenseful and high in entertainment value. Esme and Count Olaf have the best lines and love their chemistry and there is a priceless bit between Sunny and the Hook-Handed Man. The storytelling is also true in spirit, everything with the VFD shows so much promise and definitely makes one wants to continue watching.
Malina Weissman, Louis Hynes and Presley Smith have for me grew as the adaptation went on, the Baudelaires are not particularly fleshed out characters despite having great resourcefulness and skills and they seem more confident and at ease more by now, Smith (Sunny was a scene stealer in parts) faring the best. Really like how deadpan and enigmatic Patrick Warburton made Snicket and Nathan Fillion, Jacques not coming over as padding, was quite an inspired and enjoyable casting choice that one doesn't expect to work. Tony Hale also does well in making a fairly dull, almost passive, character have a stronger presence. Best of all are Lucy Punch, looking as though she was having a great time, and particularly Neil Patrick Harris, his Count Olaf was a tour de force throughout the series and one sees that perfectly in every regard here.
In conclusion, great second part that is even better than the great first one. 9/10
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