The TV Series discussion thread

Originally Posted by danutz_plusplus
Was curious about these two series, The Haunting of Hill House and The Haunting of Bly Manor, and started with Bly Manor first. From what I understand it's more of a creepy series with less jump scares. And it's pretty good so far. The visuals are great. I love slow and creepy movies that take place around huge manors. They have something intrinsicly creepy about them.

Are you still enjoying it? I haven't watched more than a couple of episodes of Hill House personally (didn't dislike it, just didn't keep going), but some friends loved Hill House but bailed on Bly Manor.

I've been loving The 100. I barely got 10 minutes into the pilot a year or so back, but I tried again a month or so ago and it clicked big time. It gets a lot better in season 2, and season 3 was perhaps even better. I love finding a show that has ~100 hours of eps that I geniunely get into.

Just finished watching the first episode of season 2 of The Mandalorian.

It was actually pretty good. I was very underwhelmed by the first season, but imo this episode was better than any of the previous.

Also, longtime SW fans are in for an interesting surprise.

Originally Posted by JFarrell71
Are you still enjoying it? I haven't watched more than a couple of episodes of Hill House personally (didn't dislike it, just didn't keep going), but some friends loved Hill House but bailed on Bly Manor.

I realized I started too many series recently, so I put Bly Manor on hold for now. I’ve seen 3 episodes and it’s pretty good so far. No complaints. But I understand it’s not a horror series with jump scares. More of a thriller. Which is fine with me.

I went back and am 6 episodes into season 1 of The Leftovers. I had originally seen the first 2 seasons, but never managed to finish the 3rd. It’s pretty fantastic.

Amazon is showing the American revamp of what some see as a cult British Tv series. I watched the British version last month (only the 1st series) and have just finished watching the US version today.

The problem I have with the US version is that it follows the UK plot too closely. You know where it is going. Yes there are some changes in who the villians are and it is in a different country but I don't think that is enough.

I suppose I would recommend watching one or the other but not both unless you have plenty of spare time.

Most of current telly shows that I see, those made in the past five to ten years seem to spend far too much time trying to shove some agenda down the viewers' throats, and whinging about their feelings far too often. They just don't seem to actually tell a coherent and enjoyable story, so I find myself re-viewing shows from the past, ones that I already know won't disappoint.

Carnifex - I agree with most of what you say but I think that TV writers/ producers etc have always had an agenda. I just think that it is more explicit and in your face than previously. In the 1990s DS9 came on our screens with a black man (also a single parent) in charge, a woman as his 1st officer, a best friend that had a sex change (I know that's not technically correct) and all sorts of diverse cultures being embraced (Klingon food - yuk). There are many other shows I could mention but that would be boring.

Economics also plays a part here. The latest stats seem to suggest that amongst the young the enthic groups are a larger proportion of the total which has been rising steadily for many years. If you want them to watch your programs then you have to provide them with what they want. Then your TV programs make money and you get richer.

Originally Posted by SleepingDog
Carnifex - I agree with most of what you say but I think that TV writers/ producers etc have always had an agenda. I just think that it is more explicit and in your face than previously. In the 1990s DS9 came on our screens with a black man (also a single parent) in charge, a woman as his 1st officer, a best friend that had a sex change (I know that's not technically correct) and all sorts of diverse cultures being embraced (Klingon food - yuk). There are many other shows I could mention but that would be boring.

Economics also plays a part here. The latest stats seem to suggest that amongst the young the enthic groups are a larger proportion of the total which has been rising steadily for many years. If you want them to watch your programs then you have to provide them with what they want. Then your TV programs make money and you get richer.

In many ways you are right. I can deal with agenda to an extent but its the constant whinging about their "feeling" is where I draw the line at!

I think DS9 is a good example of writers using the ideas presented by diversity, which make perfect sense in the context, to create a well-written show. I don't think the problem is having an agenda, as such, but I do think some contemporary shows suffer from "virtue signalling" - look at the positive thing we're doing! I do think heavy-handed writing is often bad writing.

Originally Posted by Ripper
I think DS9 is a good example of writers using the ideas presented by diversity, which make perfect sense in the context, to create a well-written show. I don't think the problem is having an agenda, as such, but I do think some contemporary shows suffer from "virtue signalling" - look at the positive thing we're doing! I do think heavy-handed writing is often bad writing.

Also DS9 and old star trek in general does it very organically and nothing is in your face "virtue signalling" . They setup the arguments first then come the "liberal" punch line so you had the time to process the arguments and if you are reasonable person buy into it.

These days you just get the punch line and not the arguments. Or if there is an argument then its something about "my feeling" and nothing more.

Also back then writers were very cleaver at hiding their agenda and that means you have subconsciously bought into to it!

Originally Posted by lostforever
Also DS9 and old star trek in general does it very organically and nothing is in your face "virtue signalling" . They setup the arguments first then come the "liberal" punch line so you had the time to process the arguments and if you are reasonable person buy into it.

These days you just get the punch line and not the arguments. Or if there is an argument then its something about "my feeling" and nothing more.

Also back then writers were very cleaver at hiding their agenda and that means you have subconsciously bought into to it!

For me, good writing dissolves the whole notion of an agenda or argument - the writing proceeds from an interest in human experience. I think, to a talented writer, it's quite natural to explore the "issues" of the day, because they are simply a good source of ideas.

Originally Posted by Ripper
but I do think some contemporary shows suffer from "virtue signalling" - look at the positive thing we're doing! I do think heavy-handed writing is often bad writing.

An unfortunate truth. The Walking Dead is a prime example.

Shows like Deep Space Nine did such things without preaching about it. It's the constant preaching, being in your face to the exclusion of any plot or story that gets my goat. The worse violators are these sycophants that take an established franchise, such as Star Trek, Dr. Who, or Star Wars, and attempt to bend it to their will. No, I mean, what kind of bloody hubris do you have to have to think YOU get to change established fifty year canon?? NO. I'll go out of my way to prevent a single dime going to such shills, not just mine but friends, family, and anyone else that will listen to common sense.

@Carnifex I've been saying the same thing for years but always told I'm exaggerating or just making things up. Anyway I loved DS9 but cant stomach the new shows.

Here's another the new James bond is an empowered black woman.

If that's true, then at least I've what, twenty-six Bond films that I can enjoy classicly, as well as many pretty damn fine novels. I won't be giving anyone that meddles with a franchises canon a single dime anymore, nope. I see them for what they are now, you fooled me once but no sir, no more. And honestly, the only Craig Bond that I thought was decent was Casino Royale.

Originally Posted by Carnifex
If that's true, then at least I've what, twenty-six Bond films that I can enjoy classicly, as well as many pretty damn fine novels. I won't be giving anyone that meddles with a franchises canon a single dime anymore, nope. I see them for what they are now, you fooled me once but no sir, no more. And honestly, the only Craig Bond that I thought was decent was Casino Royale.

She's officially a 007. The announcement was teased last year.

Lashana Lynch, the actor playing a "female version" of 007 in the new Bond film, has revealed how Daniel Craig's character reacts to her introduction. In June 2019, it was reported that the character would be introduced in No Time to Die as part of a "popcorn-dropping moment"

Looks like the movie is a test run, and she might be a spin-off.

Link - https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-e…r-b747189.html

Today I watched the season finale for TWD Season 10 (A Certain Doom). Actually, not the finale since AMC decided to add another 6 episodes to the 10th Season early next year.

Anyway, what a TV show it used to be. And I write this with sadness in my heart. The show now is boring, for a lack of a better word. It offers nothing new to us viewers

As of now, I'm rooting for the zombies and/or bad guys to kill some of the (large) cast.



Since I've read the new TWD: World Beyond is a meh show at best (no, I didn't even dare to touch it) so I can say the franchise is doomed. Well, since I've watched all 10 seasons, there is no other way than watching the last one (11th).

So far I have watched 7 episodes. I think that for most people they were probably expecting something more like TWD or TWD:FTWD where the zombie's played a major part with death always just around the corner. (I should say I only watched the first 2 or 3 seasons of both).

TWD: WB is a different beast. It is more about the teens coming of age and how the adults became what they are. In addition there is a side story about stupid human politics. So zombies play a small-ish role. If this is not acceptable then you will hate the new show.

I like lots of different genre with the only requirement being that the story is good and that I care whether the characters live or die (or even I am hoping the bad people get their comeuppance). Sometimes it is enough to want to know how matters end.

I only made it through the first four episodes of World Beyond before losing interest. Imo, it's not even as good as Fear The Walking Dead, and that's saying something.

Anyone else watching Season 2 of The Mandalorian?

I finished the first season of Avenue 5. It's quite funny, and gives nice social commentary to the state of society. Hugh Laurie is nice in it, but nothing extraordinary.