Daisy Jones and the SLAY

On March 3, 2023, Amazon Prime released the first three episodes of Daisy Jones and The Six, an adaptation based on the novel by Taylor Jenkins Reid of the same name, which follows a fictional 70’s band, Daisy Jones and The Six, in an interview format on their rise to fame, in becoming the biggest band in the world. Starring Riley Keough, Sam Claflin, Suki Waterhouse, Camila Morrone, Will Harrison, Sebastian Chacon, and Josh Whitehouse. This article WILL contain spoilers, so spoiler alert ahead!!

“I love the way they did the music.” Said Charlotte Heads, Central Sophomore, “And I love the way they had Suki Waterhouse do it, that they have her playing Karen. So perfect.”

Something that stood out to me right away was the show’s casting. I think the casting was absolutely amazing, all the actors they brought in had fit each of the characters so well, bringing these beloved characters to life on screen, especially the casting of Daisy Jones played by Riley Keough. Having THE granddaughter of Elvis Presley depict Daisy Jones? Just seemed like perfect casting to me, she plays the role so well and it made Daisy Jones feel so real as if she was a real person being portrayed through a biopic. In my head, she IS Daisy Jones.

Though I loved the casting of Sam Claflin as Billy Dunne (my book adaptation king), I found it odd how old he looked to be playing a twenty-something-year-old in the show. Even though it’s not unusual for shows to have an older cast for a younger role, the show ended up making Claflin seem older rather than younger in my opinion, which just irked me in some scenes.

“I think the casting was almost perfect, except Sam Claflin was far too old to play his role, and they didn’t even try to make him younger. I love him and he was fantastic but it was a little weird cause he’s like 35.” Says Bess Chamley, Central Junior.

The show had done a tremendous job of bringing in minor and major changes to the show from the book, while still staying true to its source material. Many of the changes made had been ones I thought were great, helping to expand on certain dropped or brief plotlines and really bring the show to life.

One of my favorites had been expanding on Simone’s whole storyline. Often in the media, the “POC side character best friend” is often used to further the protagonist’s arc and later disregarded when they no longer served their purpose, which I worried would ensue when Simone moved to New York. Thankfully, they gave Simone an arc of her own, expanding on her music career, which wasn’t as prominent in the books, giving more insight into her as a character and having a whole episode dedicated to her. 

“I’m so glad they dived deeper into Simone’s storyline.” Said Giulia Bedini-Jacobini, avid DJATS fan.

Simone, played by Nabiya Be, moves to New York to meet with a woman, Berniece or Bernie, and to broaden her music opportunities. When I saw they gave Simone a queer storyline, I was SO excited, queer POC relationships aren’t as commonly represented in the media and I think it’s extremely important to have that representation for the LGBTQ+ POCs who rarely get to see themselves portrayed on screen.

“They really focus a lot more on Simone in the adaptation and I’m just getting to that now with her in New York, that- I think was a really good choice, and her music is also really good!” Said Heads, “They had a chance that the book didn’t, to explore that, and I’m glad they did.”

Another change I loved was the hotel scene between Billy and Camila in the finale. In the books, the scene of Camilia talking to Billy had originally been Camila talking to Daisy, which revealed the plot twist that the interviewer had been Julia Dunne, Billy and Camila’s child, the entire time. The oh scene of Julia realizing she had been there in that moment, recalling the memory had been done so well, it was a scene that had brought her and Billy together and closer, which I found so heartwarming to watch. 

Next, THE MUSIC. Many fans had been looking forward to the music, the second the adaptation was announced, with it being a great component of the book’s entire plot. And when it was announced that Phoebe Bridgers would be working on the music, I was over the roof. I was beyond excited for what the show’s music would ensue. 

On January 25, more than a month prior to the show’s release date, Regret Me by Daisy Jones and The Six came out, which had been a song included in the novel, getting fans excited for the adaptation and raising hopes for its soundtrack. Then, later it was announced that the entire Aurora album from the book would be released on music streaming platforms, vinyl, and CD for fans to listen to, which I thought was brilliant marketing. To be able to actually listen to the songs that I had only read about in a book only brings the show to life all the better.

“The songs are really good, they didn’t modernize them too much,” says Heads, “I was scared it was gonna be like- 2020-type songs that we were gonna be getting. But it is very era-appropriate.”

Though I’m a big fan of the music the show released, I’m upset that they had to cut a few songs and change up some lyrics, especially the iconic and fan-anticipated ones. This makes sense that they had to change things up for better flow and overall improvement for the show, it’s just disappointing coming from someone who read the book.

“I was disappointed with some of the songs, like when they removed the song Impossible Woman, which was the one I was most excited for from the book.” Said Chamley.

Daisy Jones and The Six has been one of my favorite book-to-TV adaptations yet and I have high hopes for the upcoming The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo (another novel by Taylor Jenkins Reid) adaptation that is in the works. The show was just so beautifully done and paid tribute to its fandom. 

“I think it is one of the best book-to-screen adaptations made in the past couple of years.” Said Chamley. 

As of now, the entirety of the first season is released on Amazon Prim,e and online rumors among fans are teasing a potential Daisy Jones and The Six international tour with the cast reuniting with posts of band practices on social media. If there is one, I will SURELY be getting tickets. 

“Please watch it. It’s so good. I love it so much, and I miss it, but there won’t be a second season (and there shouldn’t) but I love it. Please watch it.” Says Chamley.