‘East of Eden’ Series Review: Florence Pugh Anchors a Gorgeous but Frustrating Adaptation

Zoe Kazan’s adaptation of John Steinbeck’s classic novel, East of Eden, unfolds over seven episodes, but struggles to liberate the character of Cathy from the confines of her literary “life sentence,” as dictated by Steinbeck. Despite Kazan’s efforts to retell the story through Cathy’s perspective, the narrative fails to adequately explain her choices, leaving audiences grappling with the complexities of her character.

Artful Adaptation with Constraints

Set in 1899, the series explores the lives of the Trask family but notably does not succeed in fully fleshing out Cathy, an intelligent and fiercely independent woman. While the original novel necessitates her presence in the town of Salinas, Cathy is presented as remaining too close to her family’s orbit, resulting in a flat characterization that invites viewers to question her motivations rather than accept them.

Kazan’s fidelity to the original material, which anchors Cathy in Salinas, detracts from her potential depth. Given the historical context, there were countless possibilities for a woman in Cathy’s position to free herself from familial ties, such as moving to larger cities like Chicago or New York. However, her continued presence in Salinas raises questions about her choices and the less-than-believable essence of her character.

Character Development

In contrast, Kazan’s portrayal of Lee, the Trask family’s Chinese-American servant, emerges as one of the series’ more successful elements. Instead of an archetypal figure, Lee is depicted as a well-rounded character who has experienced love, loss, and a variety of life lessons. His nuanced upbringing creates relatability, drawing viewers into discussions about his perspectives and experiences. Lee’s character stands out, providing a refreshing contrast to Cathy’s underdeveloped persona.

Plot Overview

The narrative unfolds with Cathy, played by Florence Pugh, showing up at the doorstep of half-brothers Adam (Christopher Abbott) and Charles (Mike Faist). Raised under the abusive influence of their father Cyrus (Tracy Letts), the brothers are pitted against each other. Adam falls in love with Cathy, who, despite her reluctance to embrace a life in California, agrees to marry him. Their union leads to a consequential relocation with a newborn twin while Cathy paradoxically chooses to work at a local brothel, run by Faye (Martha Plimpton), leaving Adam to cope with his depression while raising their children.

As the series progresses, Caleb (Joseph Zada), the more impetuous of the twins, seeks his father’s approval, while his brother Aron (Joe Anders) conforms to societal expectations, falling in love with a wealthy neighbor, Abra (Zoe Phillips). The tension escalates as Cathy’s trajectory sets her on a potentially destructive collision course with her sons.

Thematic Challenges

One of the notable challenges within the adaptation is the weight of Steinbeck’s underlying biblical themes, particularly the story of Cain and Abel, which permeates the novel. Elements such as the title, Charles’s scar, and the parental favoritism displayed by Cyrus create a framework that proves somewhat cumbersome for Kazan’s narrative. It imposes expectations on the characters that can overshadow their individual journeys.

With striking visuals and quotes that hark back to Steinbeck’s text, such as Lee’s poignant declaration, “There’s more beauty in truth, even if it is dreadful beauty,” the series captivates viewers with its aesthetic achievements. However, the central flaw lies in the portrayal of Cathy, who, instead of being represented as a complex individual, becomes more of a symbolic figure steeped in villainy.

A Personal Connection

Interestingly, Kazan’s connection to the story runs deeper—her grandfather, Elia Kazan, was responsible for the 1955 film adaptation, which focused primarily on the latter parts of the novel, featuring the iconic James Dean. In revisiting her family’s legacy, Zoe Kazan has crafted a visually stunning series, delivering a performance by Florence Pugh that is captivating yet constrained by the script’s limitations.

While the adaptation achieves a degree of beauty and relevance, it ultimately leaves viewers wanting a more profound exploration of Cathy as a character, one that could reveal the girl who once found whimsy in stories like Alice in Wonderland, rather than relegating her to the role of a Lady Macbeth-like figure.

East of Eden is currently streaming on Netflix, offering audiences a mix of beauty and frustration as they delve into this complex family saga.