David and Lisa Campbell begin a Steinbeck-focused series with an episode on Netflix’s East of Eden (episodes 1–3) alongside the novel. They discuss adaptation decisions, including shifting narrative perspective via Cathy (Florence Pugh)’s narration and focusing heavily on the Trask storyline, and praise the New Zealand-shot production, casting (Pugh, Mike Faist, Christopher Abbott, Tracy Letts, Ciarán Hinds, Hoon Lee), and Zoe Kazan’s involvement. They outline early plot beats—Cathy’s brutal backstory, manipulation, sex scenes as power dynamics, and key events through episode three (twins’ birth, Cathy biting Samuel, sleeping with Charles, drugging Adam, and deaths). They debate whether giving Cathy added abuse backstory is necessary, note Lee’s code-switching is faithful to Steinbeck, and mention Cathy may be inspired by Steinbeck’s second wife.

INSTAGRAM @in2theaustenverse 

TIKTOK  @in2theaustenverse

YouTube @intotheaustenverse

Or email us at info@intotheaustenverse.com