So I finally finished Penny Dreadful and...

...it's sometimes hard to believe that this show exists?? It's just such an over-the-top, more-is-more, capital-G-Gothic confection, and sure, it gets ridiculous in places, and the finale had its problems (there were parts I wasn't completely satisfied with, but no parts I was completely unsatisfied with, if that makes any sense), but when everything gels together and works...boy, does it work. I've watched shows with a really strong aesthetic and atmosphere that left me cold when it came to the characters, so for a long time I stalled out on the first two episodes or so of s1 figuring I'd have the same problem. The found-family dynamics that I love to bits did take a little while to get off the ground, but by the s1 finale I was hooked and s2 ended up being my personal high point for the show (specifically episode 3 of s2, because nothing will top the devastation of its last couple of scenes for me--NOTHING). If I had to pick a least favorite season, I'd have to go with s3, solely because it's the last one and I had to watch every episode knowing I was getting closer and closer to the absolute end. It's still a really lovely story, though, and brought everything to a (for me, anyway) mostly-satisfying close.

Then, of course, I went looking for fic. ( Spoilers? )

All of these stories focus on what became my favorite part of Penny Dreadful: the fact that, yes, so many of these characters have made less-than-perfect choices and become deeply screwed-up because of them, but they love each other, and rely on each other, and look out for each other because...well, if not them, then who else? And of course half the time they won't or can't admit how much they really do care for each other, but that's all part of the angsty, over-dramatic goodness that is this show. Gosh, I'm going to miss it.