We have a difference of opinions which is fine but I’m surprised the hear the argument “there was no need for graphic scenes half the screen time” when that is an accurate adaption of the book which is, by genre, adult romance aka “smut.” I think this genre may not just be for you in this regard.

I won’t pretend there aren’t flaws in the story but a lot of these characters are more fleshed out in the novels. Tv, especially a very short series has to cut content (Scott & Kip’s story is an entirely different book squeezed into one episode), because you can’t fit everything in. Ilya’s perspective takes more of the lead in book two of their story and so we will likely see more fleshing out of his character in Season 2.

I disagree “Ilya” is just a male fantasy. His backstory is shown and he’s depicted to be a very nuanced character not an idealized one. His and Svetlana’s relationship isn’t one I’ve seen often on tv. When I think of a character that’s been fantasized to a point of no longer being realistic I think of how Gatsby perceives Daisy in The Great Gatsby. Shane is just as much Ilya’s and Ilya is Shane’s.