10 Key Omissions in Amazon's Adaptation of the Book Revealed

Amazon Prime Video's Expats successfully brought to life the world of Janice Y. K. Lee's The Expatriates in its adaptation. While the drama effectively portrayed the central stories of Margaret, Mercy, and Hilary as they navigated the aftermath of Gus's disappearance and Hilary's marriage troubles, some details and characters from the original story were left out in the series. Despite key events closely resembling the book, Expats made significant changes and omissions, altering the overall narrative.

Margaret's Expat Acquaintances Were Never A Part Of Expats

Margaret's relationships with other expats, such as Essie and Puri, were not included in Expats. The show focused more on the characters of Mercy, Charly, and Hilary, leaving out these important connections that added depth to Margaret's expat experience. This omission changed the dynamics of the story and prevented viewers from seeing the broader perspective of expat life through Margaret's interactions with her acquaintances.

Attending events with them created a sort of community, although they were often obtrusive

Brian Tee as Clarke Woo and Nicole Kidman as Margaret in Expats episode 1 - Attending events with them created a sort of community, although they were often obtrusive - Margaret's Expat Acquaintances Were Never A Part Of Expats

Mercy's Mother's Trip To Hong Kong Turned Into A Move Early In The Expatriates

Mercy's mother's visit to Hong Kong quickly turned into a permanent move in the early chapters of The Expatriates. Her initial trip was meant to be temporary, but unforeseen circumstances led to her decision to stay longer in the city.

She decided to live with Mercy as she knew she was pregnant, while Expats treats her visit as a trip

Ji-young Yoo as Mercy in Expats episode 6 - She decided to live with Mercy as she knew she was pregnant, while Expats treats her visit as a trip - Mercy's Mother's Trip To Hong Kong Turned Into A Move Early In The Expatriates

The show did not highlight the class divisions among the locals.

The reaction of Hilary's driver, Sam, prompted such a reflection in The Expatriates

Poon Pak Shing as Sam and Jack Huston as David in Expats episode 2 - The reaction of Hilary's driver, Sam, prompted such a reflection in The Expatriates - The Class Divisions Among The Locals Weren't Highlighted In The Show

Daisy's refusal to show problematic websites to her classmates in Expats was a clear display of her integrity and commitment to ethical behavior.

Instead, she fixated on the disappearance of a plane over the ocean in the show

Tiana Gowen as Daisy in Expats episode 5 - Instead, she fixated on the disappearance of a plane over the ocean in the show - Daisy Never Showed Problematic Websites To Her Classmates In Expats

Hilary's Secret Expat Blog Fixation Was Never In The Show

Gus’s disappearance affected Philip and Daisy differently in Expats, with Philip turning to Jesus for solace while Daisy became fixated on news of a plane vanishing over the ocean. Despite this, The Expatriates depicted Daisy's distress following the loss of her younger brother through troubling interests. One instance involved a classmate's mother reaching out to Margaret after discovering that Daisy had exposed her daughter to self-harm and child-loss websites. The mother wanted Margaret to intervene and seek help for Daisy. Unfortunately, due to the limited focus on other expats like Mercy or Hilary in the book, this particular detail was not included in Expats.

Her interest in it eventually led her to discover they talked viciously about her on it

Sarayu Blue as Hilary Starr talks to her estranged father in Expats episode 6 - Her interest in it eventually led her to discover they talked viciously about her on it - Hilary's Secret Expat Blog Fixation Was Never In The Show

Unlike Expats, The Expatriates Showed A Pattern Of Mercy's Inattention

Margaret worried about Mercy's focus more than once before G's disappearance in the book

Bodhi del Rosario as Philip Woo and Ji-young Yoo as Mercy in Expats episode 2 - Margaret worried about Mercy's focus more than once before G's disappearance in the book - The Expatriates Showed A Pattern Of Mercy's Inattention Unlike Expats

Mercy's Mother Apologized After They Began Living Together In The Book

Mercy & her mother's heart-to-heart included an actual apology in the book, not just staunch support

Ji-young Yoo as Mercy in Expats episode 6-1 - Mercy & her mother's heart-to-heart included an actual apology in the book, not just staunch support - Mercy's Mother Apologized After They Began Living Together In The Book

Expats Episode 6's Emotional Ending: Mercy's Reunion with Her Mother

The ending of episode 6 of Expats introduced Mercy's mother late in the story, leading to a conflictual relationship that did not initially offer Mercy much support. When they finally met at the airport and her mother noticed Mercy's pregnancy, Mercy broke down before being embraced and eventually supported by her mother. Despite the initial tension, a beautiful moment unfolded between them in The Expatriates. Mercy's mother apologized for making Mercy feel unworthy of good fortune and reminded her that she had the power to create her own luck, just as she did by leaving Mercy's father and starting a new life in Hong Kong.

The trips were fundamental to their stories in the book but would have hurt the show's focus

Nicole Kidman as Margaret Woo watches her family board a plane in the Expats episode finale - The trips were fundamental to their stories in the book but would have hurt the show's focus - Expats Excluded All The Trips Margaret, Her Family & Hilary Took

Margaret, Mercy, and Hilary's narratives in Expats were closely intertwined with their surroundings in Hong Kong. This connection was not always as prominent in The Expatriates, where the expats' opulent lifestyle was often showcased through their frequent international travels. Margaret and Hilary embarked on numerous trips, including one during which Gus mysteriously disappeared. However, the purpose of these trips extended beyond mere luxurious indulgence, serving to illustrate a shift in their perspectives.

Hilary's journey with her mother served to rekindle their relationship, while Margaret's family trip following a personal tragedy left her feeling more alienated from her loved ones than ever before. These trips were crucial in highlighting the stark contrast between the expats' privileged existence and the lives of other characters, as well as in portraying Hilary and Margaret's evolving outlooks. The narrative in Expats skillfully positioned Hong Kong as almost a fourth protagonist, alongside Margaret, Mercy, and Hilary, underscoring its significance in shaping the expats' experiences.

Hilary's Adoptee Julian Is Completely Canceled From The Show

Hilary's journeys in The Expatriates and the show are opposite

Sarayu Blue as Hilary Starr in Expats episode 2 - Hilary's journeys in The Expatriates and the show are opposite - Hilary's Adoptee Julian Is Completely Canceled From The Show

Hilary’s journey in Expats revolved around breaking free from her family's expectations post-divorce, embracing a childless life on her own terms. In contrast, The Expatriates saw Hilary unexpectedly adopting a child, Julian, despite remaining single. Julian's presence was integral to Hilary's narrative, leading to the inevitable conclusion of her becoming his adoptive mother. However, since motherhood was not a part of Hilary's story in Expats, the show had to omit Julian and his significance altogether.

Margaret, Mercy & Hilary's Meetup Was Never Shown In Expats

Margaret & Hilary visited Mercy at the hospital after she delivered her daughter

Sarayu Blue as Hilary Starr, Ji-young Yoo as Mercy Kim and Nicole Kidman as Margaret Woo in Expats episode 6 - Margaret & Hilary visited Mercy at the hospital after she delivered her daughter - Margaret, Mercy & Hilary's Meetup Was Never Shown In Expats

The Expats series ended with Margaret, Hilary, and Mercy reconciling and rebuilding their relationships through honest conversations. However, The Expatriates took a different approach in wrapping up their stories. Despite the focus on motherhood throughout the book, Margaret and Hilary continued to support Mercy, even visiting her in the hospital after she gave birth. This conclusion, while different from what was expected, beautifully highlighted themes of forgiveness and new beginnings in the lives of the protagonists.

Editor's P/S:

The adaptation of "The Expatriates" into the Amazon Prime Video series "Expats" has sparked a lively discussion among fans of the original novel. The article meticulously analyzes the changes and omissions made in the series, highlighting the impact these alterations have had on the overall narrative. While some may argue that certain aspects of the book were necessary for a faithful adaptation, others may appreciate the creative liberties taken to streamline the story for a television audience. The article effectively presents both perspectives, allowing readers to form their own opinions on the adaptation's merits.

One notable aspect of the article is its attention to detail. The author provides specific examples of characters and events that were either omitted or altered in the series, supported by relevant quotes and images from the book. This level of detail adds credibility to the analysis and allows readers to engage with the article on a deeper level. Overall, the article offers a thought-provoking examination of the adaptation process, exploring the challenges and triumphs of bringing a beloved novel to the screen.