'Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events': A Deep Dive Into the New Trailer

Lemony Snicket (Patrick Warburton)

The Series of Unfortunate Events books are narrated by Lemony Snicket, who makes it his life’s duty to share the stories of the Baudelaire children — though he’s often left following their tracks. But seeing as Snicket is sharing a streetcar with the kids, perhaps the Netflix series (which premieres Jan. 13) will have him comment, and share different aspects of Violet, Sunny, and Klaus’ story as it’s happening in real time.

Mr. Poe-ned

Mr. Poe: “Perished means killed.”

Klaus: “We know what perished means.”

Purists can rejoice as banker Mr. Poe’s (K. Todd Freeman) interaction with the kids has both parties quoting The Bad Beginning right down to Klaus reiterating that they’re just children, not stupid.

Inventions!

An oft-repeated fact about the oldest Baudelaire is that she’s a gifted inventor. As evidenced by Violet’s pulley-inspired gizmo, the show will be featuring (and possibly tweaking) more of her inventions — even the ones that could be considered potentially dangerous.

(Count Olaf Has His) Eye On You

One of the distinguishing features of the fiendish and disguise-prone Count Olaf (Neil Patrick Harris) is a tattoo of an eye on his left ankle. It looks as if the show, much like the books, will also be keeping up this theme of surrounding the villain with eye-inspired imagery.

V.F.D.

Though as the trailer suggests later on, that same symbol — which can be spotted in multiple places — is related to the Violet, Klaus, and Sunny’s parents who’ve left them some kind of object bearing it. In the books, the symbol belongs to a secret organization called the Voluntary Fire Department (better known as the V.F.D.). However this isn’t really a part of the first four books, which the Netflix show’s first season is based on, which might mean that the show is tackling this storyline earlier so as to not wait to dive into the mystery.

A Picture Is Worth A Thousand Words — Most of Which Are Questions

The trailer also features a mysterious photograph that presumably includes not only the Baudelaire kids’ parents and Lemony Snicket, but also their soon-to-be guardians Uncle Monty and Aunt Josephine. Additionally the photo also shows two mysterious figures that appear to be played by Will Arnett and Cobie Smulders. Current speculation has the duo playing Jerome and Esme Squalor in upcoming seasons, though nothing has been officially announced.

The Men (and a Woman) Called Uncle and Aunt.

Given the casting of Aasif Mandvi, Don Johnson, and Alfre Woodard as Uncle Monty, Sir, and Aunt Josephine, it seems like all three roles will be adjusted to give characters more to do (and reveal). This can be seen in how Josephine excitedly tells the kids that she and their parents used to come up with “secret codes,” while Monty uses a VFD-related spyglass to decode a message meant for him. What’s more, Sir (who is depicted as simply having a smoke-covered face in the books) is the owner of the Lucky Smells Lumbermill, which can be spotted in the VFD photograph.

The Sebald Code

Though Uncle Monty does take Violet, Klaus, and Sunny, to see the film Zombies in the Snow in the second book, there is no mention of the Sebald Code (which we see him potentially decoding in the trailer) until the later books.

The Henchmen of Count Olaf

Of course, Olaf isn’t able to execute his dastardly plans of stealing the Baudelaire fortune all on his own. Hence he has a group of goons doing his bidding, including, the Hook-Handed Man, the Bald Man, the Powder-Faced Women, and lastly, the Hench-person of Indeterminate Gender. Seeing the group in costume like this suggests that they too will have extended roles in the show.

Master of Disguise

As an actor, Count Olaf has no shortage of costumes, which can be seen in the different disguises he wears in the trailer as he dresses up as Stephano, Captain Julio Sham, and of course, Shirley.

A Klaus Call

Based on the Klaus predicament above, it seems that viewers (and readers) will get to see more of optometrist Dr. Georgina Orwell (Catherine O’Hara) and her less-than typical treatments for eye-related problems.

Charles!

Sir’s partner (and employee?) at the Lucky Smell Lumbermill will not only appear in the Netflix show (where he will be played by Rhys Darby) but will also most definitely have his life threatened.

Is That a Harpoon Gun?

Another of the show’s big mysteries is just who the woman in gold is — especially as she doesn’t seem to be an ally to Count Olaf, even going as far as to threaten him with a harpoon gun. Currently there are two theories regarding her: One, is that she could be a gender-swapped Jacques Snicket (older brother to Lemony), the other, that she might be future guardian to the Baudelaires (and potential love interest for Captain Olaf), Esmé Squalor. However, the more likely bet is that she’s an original character created specifically for this series — which would make sense since there are already a number of small changes taking place.