TV Show Discussion

[TheMightyEthan]

Honestly, the biggest problem with the "trilogy" is it wasn't given to anyone. They made TFA with no plan as to what would happen after, then they gave TLJ to someone entirely different, who had an entirely different idea about where it should go, then they gave ROS to the first guy again. Calling it a trilogy is generous, because that implies some kind of overarching direction. The way they did it it's like they were trying to make it an incoherent mess.

[danielpholt]

I've been watching two shows of late. 

 

The Office (US). Technically I don't think this counts as a rewatch because for some reason I decided to take a break mid-way through season 4 waaaaay back in the day, and that break never ended sooooo. Yeah, I'm working my way through it. It still holds up. It's still cringy as fuck at times, but on the whole I find it to be the perfect distraction from the state of the world. Definitely plan on finishing the entire run. Even if the final two years of the show suck ass.

 

And now for something completely different. Succession. What an absolutely incredibly bit of television this show is. Watching a group of the richest, most out of touch assholes in the world tear themselves apart on a daily basis, whilst also being pretty damn funny, and incredibly tense all at once is just...fascinating. It's from the mind of a former Peep Show, Thick of It and Four Lions writer, and it's totally worth a watch. 

 

It's still very much an ongoing show, but if it continues its current form for the rest of its run, I'd be hard pressed not to consider it one of HBO's best shows ever. Definitely up there with West Wing, Sopranos and The Wire. 

[Mal]

On 12/30/2019 at 3:09 PM, deanb said:

Watchmen - Took me a few episodes to get into but then once I was in I was totally in and binged it all in like 2 days. Certainly one for the book readers, if you've just seen the films you might be a bit thrown (though if you've seen the film and know what was changed that might be enough).

Definitely takes a few to get going but when it does, it landslides. The final episode is yes and a no but I for sure like it. I loved the journey to it though.

[Hot Heart]

I've watched a few things recently.

 

The Longest Day in Chang'an

This is probably not super familiar to a bunch of people given that it's a Chinese drama, but it is superb and was available on Amazon Prime. It must have had a huge budget, similar to that of a Zhang Yimou film because the production quality is incredibly high and is a painstakingly researched recreation of Tang Dynasty-era China. It's also packed with quite a bit of action and is 48 episodes long.

 

I believe the book it's based on took some inspiration from Assassin's Creed, which makes sense because this is a like a historical drama mixed with an action film (there's also some bizarre 'Prince of Persia' character in there). The premise is very "24" since it takes place across twenty-four hours but the journey it goes on is far more profound and all-encompassing (plus it doesn't map exactly hour by hour and has some heavy doses of flashback, too). Basically, on the day of the Lantern Festival, the biggest celebration of the year, it is discovered that some sort of terrorist plot is afoot. Without going into too much detail, a former soldier, 'sleuth-hound' (sort of police/spy role) and death row convict is tasked with the job of investigating and stopping this, only to discover there is far more to it. I can't go into all the details, but it seems to represent a breadth of daily Tang-era life, with many great characters and, given the importance of this time, probably a lot of more poetic elements that went over my head.

 

Surprisingly, the story has engrossing characters and a plot with enough twists and turns and new developments to sustain it over 48 episodes. The ending lets it down a little (given what I've read up on the real world influences) but it has stuck with me for a while since it finished. I've never seen anything quite like it.

 

If you are giving it a watch, please let me know. I think it's fun to 'learn' about the world of the show as it goes, but I could always help if you get a little lost early on.

 

This is a music video, which gives you a taste

 

 

Cobra Kai

I remember checking this out when it first arrived on YouTube Red and thinking it was incredibly good, but not £10 or whatever good, so I was glad to see it arrive on Netflix (along with the first film).

 

I definitely recommend watching the original 1984 film first, even if you've seen it before (I'd forgotten most of the details). However, it weaves in enough of the flashbacks so it's not a requirement.

 

The premise is so great in that vein of "the characters you knew but now older/dads" approach. It takes Johnny Lawrence, the "villain" from the first film and puts him at the centre, with William Zabka giving a great performance as an endearingly charming asshole. He is the '80s bro who never grew up, being faced with his modern perception of kids becoming "pussies" and teaching them how to be badasses. It sounds terrible from that description, but it is done with a great deal of sensitivity and doesn't punch down, figuratively speaking (for the most part). You know Johnny is a relic (a bit like Andy Sipowicz) and must also learn from his wards, redeeming himself in the process. Most importantly, it is very funny and the interplay of the relationships is great.

 

The initial hook is an alternative take on the original Karate Kid story of the bullied kid being able to stand up for himself, except he's being taught under the mantra of "Strike first, strike hard, no mercy". From there, you have the old rivalry with Daniel LaRusso as well as all sorts of complications through family ties.

 

In an age of so many streaming dramas having hour-long episodes that just drag on and first seasons that feel like they were just setting up the cool stuff for next season, it is incredibly refreshing how tightly written this is. Episodes are typically half an hour and the way the plots intertwine and scenes quickly get to the point feels quite old school now. It probably would've been easy to just reboot the franchise as more of a remake, but the way everything is recontextualised is so smart, too. I mean, I can't believe I'm so engrossed with the "high school drama" elements even at my age...

[deanb]

Finished off Schitt's Creek. Took a little bit to grow on me but in the end was rather charming, and one of the few positive examples of LGBT representation in TV.
While I was familiar with Catherine O'Hara from many things, and Eugene Levy from American Pie, much of the rest were new to me to the point it took a while to twig that David was literally Eugene Levy's IRL son.

 

Its ending did have one of those "and they all lived happily ever after" things but can't really blame them. It had fairly naturally grown to that point. I think some of the characters aren't as likeable as they could be (tbh my favourites are probably Jocelyn and Ronnie. I never really got on with Bob's character). Was a fun time sink. Now to the fun of finding a new show.

[TheMightyEthan]

My wife and I got a few episodes into that and decided it was more irritating than funny. Glad you liked it though.

[Mister Jack]

Final Fantasy IX is getting an animated series.

[danielpholt]

Ted Lasso gets an awful lot of crap for how utterly..... saccharine it is but you know what, I don't feel the need to defend it because I adore the show for that. I don't know that a TV show has ever been a more perfect antidote to how my brain is working right now. 

[danielpholt]

Finished: Ted Lasso S2

 

All in all it's another good season of the show, albeit maybe not as original or well written as the first. Still enjoyed it massively however, and can't wait to see where the third season goes. We can all see the arc, however they stick the landing and don't force more episodes into the shows run that don't need to be there.

 

Started: John Adams 

 

An HBO show from the late naughties staring Paul Giamatti and Laura Linney amongst others. Obviously it's about the 2nd President of the United States, John Adams and two (very long) episodes in and it's checking all the boxes for me. 

[TheFlyingGerbil]

GamesMaster is back and I don't know if the format aged badly but it is very unlikely I will watch episode 2.

Do/can videogames ever work on TV?

[Thursday Next]

I enjoyed GamesMaster, I think it knows itself and as a result gets away with being a bit cheesey/cringey.

[danielpholt]

On 11/24/2021 at 11:23 PM, TheFlyingGerbil said:

GamesMaster is back and I don't know if the format aged badly but it is very unlikely I will watch episode 2.

Do/can videogames ever work on TV?

 

The only program I watched (and enjoyed) with games being a core component of them was that old Total War show from 20 years ago where they'd use the game to simulate battles with a team of real humans decided where to position troops and stuff. No idea what it was called but it was super serious and teenage me thought it was great. 

 

Time Commanders

 

This program was on in 2003. That's both yesterday, and almost 20 years ago.

[TheMightyEthan]

When I was a kid there was a show I loved that I can't remember the name of, it was one of those kid game shows, and all I remember about it is that at the end the final contestant had to play this "VR" side scroller game. I have no idea what it looked like from their perspective, what the audience saw was obviously green-screened, where we saw them side-on with the game background scrolling behind them, and they had to physically jump over obstacles and duck under lasers and stuff. It was badass.

[Mister Jack]

Perhaps this?

Edited November 30, 2021 by Mister Jack

[TheMightyEthan]

No, that's not it, though now that you mention it I do remember that one too. The one I'm thinking of was similar but jankier.

[danielpholt]

The Terror

 

Not nearly as creepy as you might believe based on the opening episode, but still a truly memorable season (I've only done season one) of television that does a remarkable job of keeping you invested across the ten episodes of constantly and unrelenting misery and hardship. 

 

IIRC the show originally aired in the days after my first child was born, so I may be misremembering but I don't recall anyone talking about this show, which is a shame because it's a really strong bit of work. 

[TheFlyingGerbil]

it was on my iplayer list and only 20 days left so I'd better get on that

[deanb]

 

Pretty hype for Sandman. Looks like it'll be decently put together. Kind of hoping that it'll do well and not end up in Netflix's "one season and canned" pile*. Seems like it'll be a good adaptation (in like style and such - I'm not sure it'll be a straight page-by-page type adaptation), and at the very least look pretty.

 

*saw a good thread a bit ago that maybe one aspect of Netfllix's current issues is that aside from a few shows they can a bunch after just a few seasons so it makes a bit less engaging to pop onto and start a new show when there's a high chance it'll just go poof.

 

 

 

[Thursday Next]

12 hours ago, deanb said:

Pretty hype for Sandman.

 

Gaiman's adaptations have generally been spot on. Neverwhere, Coraline, and Good Omens were all great.

[TheMightyEthan]

17 hours ago, deanb said:

*saw a good thread a bit ago that maybe one aspect of Netfllix's current issues is that aside from a few shows they can a bunch after just a few seasons so it makes a bit less engaging to pop onto and start a new show when there's a high chance it'll just go poof.

 

Yeah, that's definitely an issue I have, I can't get excited for new Netflix stuff because I don't believe for a second that they won't cancel it halfway through.

[Mister Jack]

I will never forgive Netflix for canceling The Dark Crystal

[TheFlyingGerbil]

Been watching the New Zealand Task Master which I thought I'd read was a good one. It's just not the same as the UK version which was more than proven with the return of the original this week which is already great after one episode  while I'm only just warming to the NZ lot halfway though

[deanb]

 could be interesting, though tbh some of Primes output has been a bit scattershot of late unless it's got Seth Rogen attached (though I'm feeling I should really give Reacher a go - not read the books but folks bang on about them)

[TheFlyingGerbil]

Just finished Ghosts. I watched the first season when it aired. Not sure why I didn't keep up - probably found all the ghosts being loud and self-centred a bit annoying. I still did, but enjoyed the whole thing quite a lot and was a bit sad at the last bit - though it's nice it got a proper ending which I think was well done.

 

Anyone watch the US version? Wonder if it's worth a watch?

[TheMightyEthan]

I haven't watched it but Nate on the Rock Paper Shotgun Electronic Wireless Show said he and his wife actually like the American version better than the UK one, despite being British themselves.