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It’s no secret that BookTok enthusiasts often go wild when their favorite novels are turned into TV shows or movies. However, the adaptation of Margo’s Got Money Troubles stands as a testament to how tweaks to the original material can actually work in favor of the story.
**Spoiler Alert for Margo’s Got Money Troubles Episode 5, currently streaming on Apple TV**
The latest episode of this Elle Fanning comedy series, crafted by creator David E. Kelley and executive producer Eva Anderson, opts for a fresh take on Shyanne’s (played by Michelle Pfeiffer) wedding to Kenny (Greg Kinnear). In contrast to Rufi Thorpe’s novel, where this event is scarcely mentioned, the show transforms it into a significant storyline. Unlike the book, where Margo isn’t even present for her mother’s wedding to the kind-hearted youth minister, the series transports the entire crew to Las Vegas for the ceremony.
The adventure kicks off with Margo and Shyanne setting out in a convertible, heading east towards Sin City, with Jinx (Nick Offerman) and Bodhi following closely behind. Readers of the book might find themselves taken aback as the episode, titled “Flamingoes,” delves much deeper into this plotline than its literary counterpart ever did.
For Anderson, altering the storyline was a logical decision, enhancing the narrative and character development throughout the series. The executive producer is particularly enthusiastic about the Vegas subplot and the changes it brings, despite the significant deviation from the original book.
“I hope the fans love the Vegas episode. That’s something that happens off-screen basically in the book. Shyanne disappears to Vegas and we were not there with her. We kind of lose track of her,” she told DECIDER, adding that it meant a lot to keep Pfeiffer and Fanning’s characters close for such an important moment.
In the book, Margo and her mom have a falling out ahead of the wedding that leads to Margo being disinvited. For two people who have only ever had each other, though, the writers couldn’t stomach ripping them apart at a moment like that, or pass up the opportunity to take the whole gang out to Vegas to craft a slightly-altered but elevated storyline out of it.
“The fact that we went to Vegas and shot with our core, you know, Kenny, Shyanne, Margp, Jinx and Bodhi in these weird parts of Fremont Street and the Plaza Hotel, that was such a blast to shoot, and I hope the fans like seeing that kind of expanded part of the story,” Anderson said.
It may end up being a controversial choice with those who love the book deeply, but anyone who is a fan of a good story — even if it comes at the cost of following the blueprint step by step — it might end up being an all-time gold standard in how to depart from the OG and still make it worthwhile.
The first five episodes of Margo’s Got Money Troubles are now streaming on Apple TV. New episodes release Wednesdays.
Apple TV comes with a seven-day free trial for new subscribers and has just one ad-free streaming plan available for $13.99/month.