Tear Jerker / Watership Down (2018)

• Strawberry's situation in Cowslip's warren is notably sadder here than in the book. In the book, Strawberry's life in the warren seems to have been generally pleasant, even with the constant threat of the shining wires hanging over them — he had friends and a mate, and really only decided to leave when his mate died. Here, the warren is far more fatalistic and cult-like, and Strawberry is a Sad Clown who is clearly starved for affection and companionship. Every so often, her Genki Girl mask slips to reveal the sadness underneath.
  • It's perfectly illustrated by the scene where she excitedly calls for her neighbor Kingcup to come meet Hazel and discovers that he's no longer around. In the book, Kingcup is hinted to have been long gone and Strawberry mainly called for him as a way of avoiding unpleasant questions, but in the series Strawberry genuinely didn't know Kingcup was gone. She enters the empty burrow, kind of deflates and says in a small voice: "Oh. I didn't realize."
• Hazel's death is possibly even sadder in the Netflix series, because here we get to see his final conversation with Fiver. It's very clear from how Fiver acts, and from the tone of his voice, that he knows this is the last conversation he'll ever have with Hazel but can't bring himself to actually tell Hazel that.
  Hazel: What news, Hrairoo?
  Fiver: Oh, nothing much. I just wanted to come and sit with you for a moment, if I may.
  (pause as they lie in the grass, side by side, and watch the pond)
  Fiver: What a path we've walked together, eh? It... it's been such a pleasure and honour... (voice shaking) ...and a real privilege.
  Hazel: Hmm. Are you all right, Fiver?
  Fiver: (choked) Yeah, yeah, I'm fine. I just came to say good night to you. My leader... my brother... my friend. So... (long pause) Good night.
  Hazel: Good night, Hrairoo.
  • Hazel also dies a lot younger here than he did in the book. It's uncertain just how much time has passed after the defeat of Woundwort, but all the others are still in their prime when Hazel passes, so he clearly did not live to be a very old rabbit like he did in the book. It does make sense, given how in this version of the story he never let himself rest and heal up after getting shot, and was constantly pushing himself throughout — when he finally could rest he'd pushed himself beyond what his body could handle and never fully recovered.

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