TV Shows - General Discussion

[lwien]

X-Files is back!

Yeah, but it's not same. I watched 3 episodes and then stopped watching. The acting in the first 2 episodes was atrocious.

 

[woolspinner]

I have only read the last couple pages. I like to binge watch on Netflix and Hulu. My sibs got me into the Marvel Universe. I loved Jessica Jones, but think Daredevil was just better overall - more nuanced. And...one person said she would have watched Jessica Jones sooner if someone had told her it was porn. I am no prude, but ometimes sex on t.v. just seems a gratuitous way to get men and romance readers to watch a show.
Now waiting for Agents of Shield to start up again and Fear the Walking Dead. Gave up on Walking Dead after the Governor did not die the first time. Just got sick of the characters.
I hope Dark Matter comes back. A bit of Firefly in that one, it seemed.
I love all the BBC stuff on Netflix. Although, pair my love for Midsomer Murders with my love for NCIS and one might think I am a retired lady! I have been told both shows attract the older set.
Have not watched Peakey Blinders yet.
I also enjoy some of the reality shows like Bar Rescue and Ink Master. But on Ink Master, I jump all the made up household conversations and stick to the actual tattooing.
How did I not see this thread before? I am going to have to search for a few of these shows.
Now, if only someone would resurrect Terra Nova...

ETA

The Knick with Clive Owen will be back in October. I'm looking forward to that one. I watched The Player and I wasn't that impressed.

Clive in a series - wheeeeeee!

 

[grokit]

Yeah, but it's not same. I watched 3 episodes and then stopped watching. The acting in the first 2 episodes was atrocious.

Episode one was about setting the context, it was a bit busy but did the job effectively.
I thought episode two was awesome, it tapped back into the mythology of x-files with aplomb
Episode three was your standard monster episode, to be taken as comic relief as always.

How about that, a difference of opinion

 

[Shit Snacks]

I have only read the last couple pages. I like to binge watch on Netflix and Hulu. My sibs got me into the Marvel Universe. I loved Jessica Jones, but think Daredevil was just better overall - more nuanced. And...one person said she would have watched Jessica Jones sooner if someone had told her it was porn. I am no prude, but ometimes sex on t.v. just seems a gratuitous way to get men and romance readers to watch a show.
Now waiting for Agents of Shield to start up again and Fear the Walking Dead. Gave up on Walking Dead after the Governor did not die the first time. Just got sick of the characters.
I hope Dark Matter comes back. A bit of Firefly in that one, it seemed.

Agent Carter is actually pretty great too, good SHIELD filler. The DC shows Arrow and Fladh are fun as well

Dark Matter will be back for season two along with Killjoys

Walking Dead has gotten more interesting since then imo, they mixed it up a lot more. But agree Fear is just more interesting now

Last night I watched on ABC Bernie Madoff mini series. It will be on tonight too. I was interested because I didn't understand what exactly happened with him and the investment company he owned and ran.

Richard Dryfus does a great job playing Madoff. Blythe Danner plays his wife.

HBO is also doing one wih Robert Deniro called Wizard of Lies...

@lwien Expanse is fun, still need to watch the finale now

Colony on USA is intriguing, same creator from Lost that now does Bates Motel and The Strain as well. Busy guy

Comedy wise there's a lot of great stuff around too... Could go on forever

 

[CarolKing]

I watched the rest of Madoff, well worth it. At the end actual people that were portrayed in the movie were interviewed. Interviewed was Madoff's secretary and his daughter in law whose husband committed suicide. Folks that lost their life savings. It was a total of 3 hours last night and it was 2 hours Wednesday evening.

I will watch the HBO version and compare the two movies.

 

[lwien]

How about that, a difference of opinion

Yup. And I totally respect your opinion.

For me, with a new TV series, I'll usually watch 3 episodes before I make up my mind if I like it or not. Typically, it takes that long for a new series to jell. I've seen programs where I hated the first episode but by the third one I was hooked but if it doesn't float my boat by the third episode, I bail.

 

[Shit Snacks]

Yup. And I totally respect your opinion.

For me, with a new TV series, I'll usually watch 3 episodes before I make up my mind if I like it or not. Typically, it takes that long for a new series to jell. I've seen programs where I hated the first episode but by the third one I was hooked but if it doesn't float my boat by the third episode, I bail.

Some shows really do get better further in, but this is most true for comedies vs. dramas.

You definitely should try Colony lwien, first 3 eps hooked me, it should get more and more intriguing. A worthy follow up to Mr Robot for USA dramas' new "brand"

 

[lwien]

You definitely should try Colony lwien, first 3 eps hooked me....

Been recording it. Haven't watched it yet though. LOVED Mr. Robot btw.

 

[grokit]

LOVED Mr. Robot btw.

Me too! We agree on that one

I will be checking out colony, because...
I just found out that I can watch usa (now) network on my apple tv
There's commercials that I can't skip through though

 

[grokit]

Colony on USA is intriguing

I'm enjoying it so far, pretty good casting. Another one with a great cast is billions.
Both shows feature an actress from prision break, another good one

 

[nosmoking]

If you guys like Colony I think you should also try the 100. It takes about 4-5 episodes for it to start getting good but by the end of Season 1 it's a real hooker. Season 2 was good as well. Not so sure about Season 3 but I will watch as it comes out.

Right now I am not sure if I like the direction Colony is going. It's a lot of relationship building so far which leads to a lot of drama and less of the interesting plot lines that intrigue and entertain me. For instance, I want to understand more about the occupation, not more about what it's like to argue with your husband in your own home during an occupation. This is a waste of my TV time, as I can live that moment on my own.

 

[Shit Snacks]

If you guys like Colony I think you should also try the 100. It takes about 4-5 episodes for it to start getting good but by the end of Season 1 it's a real hooker. Season 2 was good as well. Not so sure about Season 3 but I will watch as it comes out.

Right now I am not sure if I like the direction Colony is going. It's a lot of relationship building so far which leads to a lot of drama and less of the interesting plot lines that intrigue and entertain me. For instance, I want to understand more about the occupation, not more about what it's like to argue with your husband in your own home during an occupation. This is a waste of my TV time, as I can live that moment on my own.

Yeah Colony is still set up as a family drama, so we'll see what they do...

Yeah 100, surpised that one has stuck around as it has, interested me at first when it launched... So some day I'll check it out but my list is ridiculously huge I assure you

 

[grokit]

some day I'll check it out

I know the feeling, I've been saying that about the wire for years.

Colony has that family drama thing going on but it's still miles better than under the dome, which really ruined a great stephen king premise. Is that show even still on, I have no idea.

 

[lwien]

I know the feeling, I've been saying that about the wire for years.

Don't miss it. Great show.

 

[Shit Snacks]

I know the feeling, I've been saying that about the wire for years.

Colony has that family drama thing going on but it's still miles better than under the dome, which really ruined a great stephen king premise. Is that show even still on, I have no idea.

Haha yeah bailed on Dome before the end of season2, it was canceled after 3, was silly to drag it out and it was so so bad imo

The Wire is great ofcourse, but still far from a favorite (loved season 4, and 3, the most)

 

[lwien]

Haha yeah bailed on Dome before the end of season2

I balled before the end of season 1. Some shows start out with a bang and then just fizzle while others start of slow and then just get better and better.

 

[HellsWindStaff]

No love for the Making a Murderer? I am truly surprised. I finished it up since I last posted, and am really just quite unsure of what to make of it. The documentary is obviously biased in his favor. That said, it truly doesn't seem like he got a fair shake of justice, "guilty until proven innocent", which kind of makes for a mindfuck, for me at least. I feel the police took some liberties to get this guy behind bars, and it's hard for me to tell otherwise if the guy is guilty or not. So, if he is truly a murderer, he may potentially get set free because the police did not follow proper procedures. If he isn't a murderer, he's been sitting in jail for a long time now just rotting away while someone got away with a terrible crime. All in all a story where there are no winners.

Been meaning to check out The Colony, heard decent things.

Similarly with the Leftovers, heard on a podcast that some guy thought Leftovers S2 was best.

Thought Jessica Jones sucked. Loved Daredevil. JJ was just far too slow for me.

Not a fan of the CW superhero shows really. Though, heard Supernatural is supposed to be solid?

New Season of Survivor starts a week from Wednesday cast looks great on paper but we'll see how it goes. The founder of 3 Twins Organic Ice Cream is on, as is retired NBA player Scot Pollard. I don't think either of them will do particularly great lol, but those are 2 names maybe that are more in the public eye? Idk. I do implore ya'll to check it out....YES, it is still on the air if you can believe it (people generally don't seem too? Lol) & has been on a general uptick IMO so I have high hopes.

I haven't watched anything truly great recently though. I've been meaning to check out Narcos but I'm usually watching netflix before bed and the subtitles are a big no no when I'm sleepy.

Mr. Robot I will check out, based in the praise.

I could always rewatch Lost...

I also think, I like Oz more than the Wire. Both quality. But there were a few times the Wire dragged for me. Same with Oz, just feel less so. Been meaning to watch Sopranos.

I'm actually not excited for Game of Thrones..I kind of But, they're passing up the books and I'd much rather read it unspoiled....some shit has already happened in the show that makes me furrow my brows, and this is from a guy who read all the books.

Burn Notice is a show I forgot about but my brother was watching when he was home from school, pretty good. Lighthearted fun. Same with Leverage if anyone ever seen it.

I'm excited for Better Call Saul and that OJ show. I also have been meaning to watch The Jinx, but idk if I really wanna slog through it to see one crazy episode/moment.

Used to watch a lot more TV, would like to find something that really draws me in...problem is I end up devouring it lol. Making a Murderer lasted me 2 weeks, but 70% of it I put down in a lazy Sunday.

I really should rewatch Lost, it's my favorite show and there are so many nuanced things. Never did a full proper rewatch. I implore everyone whose a fan to go back and watch episode 4 "Walkabout" and in the first flashback....listen to the sound the receipt maker/printer makes...that the "main character" of the flashback uses....it's on YouTube and I wish I caught that legit, but I wonder what other nuanced hints they have early on that point to the end game. I don't wanna spoil but if you watched the show it should stick out to you if you're looking for it.

If I think of more I will post em

 

[Shit Snacks]

No love for the Making a Murderer? I am truly surprised. I finished it up since I last posted, and am really just quite unsure of what to make of it. The documentary is obviously biased in his favor. That said, it truly doesn't seem like he got a fair shake of justice, "guilty until proven innocent", which kind of makes for a mindfuck, for me at least. I feel the police took some liberties to get this guy behind bars, and it's hard for me to tell otherwise if the guy is guilty or not. So, if he is truly a murderer, he may potentially get set free because the police did not follow proper procedures. If he isn't a murderer, he's been sitting in jail for a long time now just rotting away while someone got away with a terrible crime. All in all a story where there are no winners.

Been meaning to check out The Colony, heard decent things.

Similarly with the Leftovers, heard on a podcast that some guy thought Leftovers S2 was best.

Thought Jessica Jones sucked. Loved Daredevil. JJ was just far too slow for me.

Not a fan of the CW superhero shows really. Though, heard Supernatural is supposed to be solid?

New Season of Survivor starts a week from Wednesday cast looks great on paper but we'll see how it goes. The founder of 3 Twins Organic Ice Cream is on, as is retired NBA player Scot Pollard. I don't think either of them will do particularly great lol, but those are 2 names maybe that are more in the public eye? Idk. I do implore ya'll to check it out....YES, it is still on the air if you can believe it (people generally don't seem too? Lol) & has been on a general uptick IMO so I have high hopes.

I haven't watched anything truly great recently though. I've been meaning to check out Narcos but I'm usually watching netflix before bed and the subtitles are a big no no when I'm sleepy.

Mr. Robot I will check out, based in the praise.

I could always rewatch Lost...

I also think, I like Oz more than the Wire. Both quality. But there were a few times the Wire dragged for me. Same with Oz, just feel less so. Been meaning to watch Sopranos.

I'm actually not excited for Game of Thrones..I kind of But, they're passing up the books and I'd much rather read it unspoiled....some shit has already happened in the show that makes me furrow my brows, and this is from a guy who read all the books.

Burn Notice is a show I forgot about but my brother was watching when he was home from school, pretty good. Lighthearted fun. Same with Leverage if anyone ever seen it.

I'm excited for Better Call Saul and that OJ show. I also have been meaning to watch The Jinx, but idk if I really wanna slog through it to see one crazy episode/moment.

Used to watch a lot more TV, would like to find something that really draws me in...problem is I end up devouring it lol. Making a Murderer lasted me 2 weeks, but 70% of it I put down in a lazy Sunday.

I really should rewatch Lost, it's my favorite show and there are so many nuanced things. Never did a full proper rewatch. I implore everyone whose a fan to go back and watch episode 4 "Walkabout" and in the first flashback....listen to the sound the receipt maker/printer makes...that the "main character" of the flashback uses....it's on YouTube and I wish I caught that legit, but I wonder what other nuanced hints they have early on that point to the end game. I don't wanna spoil but if you watched the show it should stick out to you if you're looking for it.

If I think of more I will post em

You mentioned a lot I like a lot, but barely scratched the surface naturally (among the glaring omissions are Justified and Orphan Black, also White Collar actually better than Burn Notice overall perhaps... That show just for really ridiculous later on. But wait actually Psych may be better than both, but ts more of a comedy really... Ah the old USA brand)

Lost is a pinnacle though, had every genre, I'm excited to rewatch that some day soon...

Oh and I'm all fiction

 

[HellsWindStaff]

I generally prefer a well crafted story/drama as well, but I think that's also why the nonfiction shows that appeal to me, appeal to me; MaM unfolded very naturally and just kept me interested the whole time. Not like I can go watch court drama on the regular, but just the general story and "themes" they were trying to present were really implemented well.

Also the reason I love Survivor; it probably sounds ludicrous as someone who doesn't watch, but Survivor has some of the most nuanced storytelling/editing IMO on television. Since it's shot, and then edited, the producers/editors know the result prior to them "telling the story,"; each season is individualistically different by the overarching story that is being told in relation to the characters. Themes like gender equality, identity, self worth, trust, etc. all themes in life usually something like that will hang over the season usually, for better or for worse.

That's not even taking into account the evolution of the literal game of Survivor, which has evolved quite a bit over 16 years lol.

But, for me, I get a lot of fun trying to "predict" the story ahead of time. Trying to figure out the winner by the first few episodes, or at least the end game players. All about the quality of the content people are getting, and their relation to the ultimate "theme" the editors will try to present. Some, ultimately again easier than others, but all part of the fun.

(Spoilers for S30 if anyone cares lol)

Spoiler

Best example I can think of is recently they had a "World's Apart" season, 3 tribes of "blue collar" workers, "white collar" execs, and "no collar" free spirits. Early on, a theme was stressed in the story about needing to being able to be "all inclusive". In the beginning of the game, people are being voted out, but the ones who are staying, they are having big scenes of them being essentially "ugly." Not good people. Not people that we as viewers would want to root for.

So, its obvious that the guy who is the "Captain America" to them all, the guy who goes out of his way to make sure no one is neglected and feels loved, he's going to win. It just didn't make any sense for anyone else to win, based on the story we were shown and the content of the others we were given.

Comparatively, there was a season called Brains, Beauty, Brawn, essentially the same thing, but the overrall theme was about perception not always being reality, and the player who won was someone who at face value clearly looked like one category, was assumed to be as such, and utterly trounced the rest of them by playing up those perceptions

Not to bore you, easy for me to start rambling about it lol, as to your other points I couldn't get into White Collar really, and Orphan Black's premise did not strike me as something I would enjoy, but I will maybe check it out? Justified was on my list of things to check out though and slipped the mind

 

[Shit Snacks]

I generally prefer a well crafted story/drama as well, but I think that's also why the nonfiction shows that appeal to me, appeal to me; MaM unfolded very naturally and just kept me interested the whole time. Not like I can go watch court drama on the regular, but just the general story and "themes" they were trying to present were really implemented well.

Also the reason I love Survivor; it probably sounds ludicrous as someone who doesn't watch, but Survivor has some of the most nuanced storytelling/editing IMO on television. Since it's shot, and then edited, the producers/editors know the result prior to them "telling the story,"; each season is individualistically different by the overarching story that is being told in relation to the characters. Themes like gender equality, identity, self worth, trust, etc. all themes in life usually something like that will hang over the season usually, for better or for worse.

That's not even taking into account the evolution of the literal game of Survivor, which has evolved quite a bit over 16 years lol.

But, for me, I get a lot of fun trying to "predict" the story ahead of time. Trying to figure out the winner by the first few episodes, or at least the end game players. All about the quality of the content people are getting, and their relation to the ultimate "theme" the editors will try to present. Some, ultimately again easier than others, but all part of the fun.

(Spoilers for S30 if anyone cares lol)

Spoiler

Best example I can think of is recently they had a "World's Apart" season, 3 tribes of "blue collar" workers, "white collar" execs, and "no collar" free spirits. Early on, a theme was stressed in the story about needing to being able to be "all inclusive". In the beginning of the game, people are being voted out, but the ones who are staying, they are having big scenes of them being essentially "ugly." Not good people. Not people that we as viewers would want to root for.

So, its obvious that the guy who is the "Captain America" to them all, the guy who goes out of his way to make sure no one is neglected and feels loved, he's going to win. It just didn't make any sense for anyone else to win, based on the story we were shown and the content of the others we were given.

Comparatively, there was a season called Brains, Beauty, Brawn, essentially the same thing, but the overrall theme was about perception not always being reality, and the player who won was someone who at face value clearly looked like one category, was assumed to be as such, and utterly trounced the rest of them by playing up those perceptions

Not to bore you, easy for me to start rambling about it lol, as to your other points I couldn't get into White Collar really, and Orphan Black's premise did not strike me as something I would enjoy, but I will maybe check it out? Justified was on my list of things to check out though and slipped the mind

Haha yeah I know people who watch survivor... Even had to watch some so no thank you lol

There's this show on lifetime of all places called unReal about how they make a bachelor type show, I bet a show about a survivor type show would also be pretty good...

But yeah Justified, get on that dude!

 

[lwien]

The new Samantha Bee show on TNT last night is the better new Daily Show than the new Daily Show especially being that it was her first show.

The political primaries really needed a Jon Stewart and Samantha Bee could very well be what's been missing.

 

[Shit Snacks]

The new Samantha Bee show on TNT last night is the better new Daily Show than the new Daily Show especially being that it was her first show.

The political primaries really needed a Jon Stewart and Samantha Bee could very well be what's been missing.

It's actually a TBS show they simulcasted across all Turner networks, seems they do believe in it too. Her husband is also doing a sitcom for TBS about a family road trip

 

[lwien]

A good night for TV:

Return of:
"Last Week Tonight"--John Oliver---HBO
"Walking Dead"---AMC

New:
"Inside the Greatest Political Show on Earth" (behind the scenes of the recent political debates)---HBO
"Vinyl"---New series directed by Martin Scorsese and co-written by Mick Jagger about the music industry in the 70's---HBO

 

[Shit Snacks]

A good night for TV:

Return of:
"Last Week Tonight"--John Oliver---HBO
"Walking Dead"---AMC

New:
"Inside the Greatest Political Show on Earth" (behind the scenes of the recent political debates)---HBO
"Vinyl"---New series directed by Martin Scorsese and co-written by Mick Jagger about the music industry in the 70's---HBO

You got that right dude! (Aside from the political one though, not my bag )

And Better Call Saul is back tomorrow too!

 

[Ricardo]

Just watched Vinyl. Gotta say I was sold fom the word go. Oh yes, the Rock Business. I can see the shortcomings (R&R Madmen etc.) but I loved it. Turn up the volume