'The Ersatz Elevator' to me is one of the better entries in the popular book series. It may ever so slightly lack the suspense of 'The Austere Academy', as far as the previous books in the series go, but the mood gets even darker than before, the mystery thickens and becomes even more engrossing (everything with VFD) and it has one of the series' juiciest supporting characters, and even characters overall as well, in Esme Squalor.
Although Season 1 that adapted the first four books was far from flawless and was a bit unsettled (especially understandably the very first episode "The Bad Beginning: Part 1"), it was very promising and with a lot of fine things. Both parts of "The Reptile Room" and especially the second part of "The Miserable Mill" were especially good. Season 2 that adapted the next five books was even better, where things got darker and more mysterious and the story became more eventful. The repetitiveness wasn't as strong and the characters generally intrigued more. "The Ersatz Elevator" is part of the second season and a very good representation of why 'A Series of Unfortunate Events' had improved.
Mr Poe, and am aware that people are probably tired of me saying this, is still the most annoying and intolerably so character of the adaptation. So inept in a face palming way, K. Todd Freeman overdoes it (especially that cough) and he doesn't even fit very well within the story that well.
Despite the interjections and narration being entertainingly written and didn't interrupt the flow of the story too much, they were not always necessary and we didn't really need to be told so much that things were going to get more unfortunate.
However, saying that the production values, which was always one of the most cosistent primary strengths of the adaptation, are truly impressive is a big understatement. The photography is so atmospheric, the use of costumes clever and almost symbolic (of the series the best at this was probably "The Austere Academy") 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, oddball nature and increasing mysteriousness) and it succeeds in being both suspenseful and high in entertainment value. The storytelling is also true in spirit, even if Part 2 is more eventful in terms of events this didn't feel too much like set up while establishing things well.
Although there is a lot of criticism for the acting of the Baudelaires, to me they by now had become more confident and engaged, their chemistry flowing more. It's the adult cast that dominate (excepting Freeman). Patrick Warburton is a very enjoyable choice for Snicket and Nathan Fillion is equally inspired, the character not feeling too much like padding. 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.
Summarising, great. 9/10
