General Open Thread – TV Shows (3)

[Dentarthurdent @dentarthurdent]

@janetteb   I’ve got Good Omens 1 sitting on top of my pile of DVDs-to-rewatch (when i finish with the extras of the Dr Who movie).   Prompted by recently watching ‘Neverwhere’, (the book of which arrived in the mail today), followed by the movie of Stardust.   So I’m having a sort of Neil Gaiman mini-season at the moment.

[Rule1 @rule1]

janetteB

hello every one I have just watched all of good omens series 1&2 and the new transformers movie (spent a bit of time watching all the other movies before), it has been brilliant, just wondered if any one else has watched the new series and transformers?

best wishes

Rule1

[nerys @nerys]

Hello, all! I see that Unforgotten is set to air a new season on PBS starting tomorrow. I’d read that they were committed to a new season, but wondered how they would pull it off sans Nicola Walker. Now I get to find out!

[Shepherd @shepherd]

Good Omens was a great adaptation of the book. The acting was wonderful and the storyline was funny and unique. Sadly, too many times, the sequel does not reach the level of the original. Good Omens 2 has scenes that drag out slowing down the action. Unlike the first where David Tennant and Michael Sheen performed like a season comedy team, their interaction in 2 looked and sounded forced. All of Season 2 writing and acting, seem forced. As if they were trying too hard to use the show to push something else.

I am a big Disc World, Sir. Terry Pratchett, and David Tennant fan. I was so looking forward to season 2. After watching it I read several reviews hoping I had missed something. It turns out that many of the reviewers were working hard to convince themselves that there is some great meaning or social insight to season 2. It turn out to be cheesy, forced, and too full of stereotypes.

I will watch season 3 in the hope that the mistakes of season 2 will be corrected.

[nerys @nerys]

We’re halfway through Season 5 of Unforgotten, and I’m finding it every bit as engaging as the previous four. I was afraid they would be heavy-handed with the interpersonal conflict in the void left by Cassie’s death, and the introduction of a new DCI, but I think they are handling it deftly. Conflict would be expected on many levels, given the circumstances, but they’re not making it melodramatic. Exceptional acting by the entire cast, and it’s good to see the other regular cast members getting more screen time now. It feels more like an ensemble cast, which I think it was meant to be until Cassie’s storyline took over.

Somehow I missed the news that Nicola Walker is in another series, Annika (also on PBS). We’ve been fans of hers since Touching Evil, so we’ll have to check this out.

[winston @winston]

@nerys  I have watched the 1st series of Annika and I really enjoyed it. I am waiting for the 2nd series from the library. It has great acting and writing and the beautiful scenery sometimes steals the show( for me at least). I think you will like it if you like Nicola Walker because she is very good in this.

stay safe

[nerys @nerys]

@winston Thanks for the thumbs-up. We just started watching the third season of Breeders … not realizing that the fourth season is also available. So we’ve got some catching up to do. After that, we may start with Annika. I think you’re right, and I will like it.

(Post-tropical storm Lee was not as bad here as I’d feared. We had storm surge, but not devastating, thank goodness. And the wind and rain turned out not to be as severe as we were warned it might be. The damage from this massive storm actually turned out to be far worse northeast of us. So we lucked out. But others in our province did not.)

[janetteB @janetteb]

@nerys. First fires then storms. Mother nature is not being kind to Canada at the moment. It seems that this year we are really beginning to see just how pissed nature is though humanity has a frightening capacity to forget a crisis very quickly. I think it takes a couple of days from memory. My S/O did some research on that when he was working.

Anyway glad to hear that you were not overly battered by the storm. Lets hope that your part of the world gets a break now to recover.

We have not been watching any tv of late. The S/O is lost in a computer game which gives me time to catch up on my own work. We are looking forward to watching Ashoka now and last night I finally watched the trailer for the upcoming Dr Who specials and they look fun.

cheers

Janette

[nerys @nerys]

@janetteb I agree with you about Mother Nature. Sadly, things have felt apocalyptic here this summer.

[Missy @missy]

Anyone seen Shadow and Bone on Netflix?

Missy

[Craig @craig Emperor]

I’m just gonna put this here. I have been watching The Crown on Netflix and it has finally ended.

I didn’t watch the first three series but when it got up to my era, with Charles and Diana – and Thatcher (grrrr), I started watching. And it was really good.

There is one incredibly good episode in Series 4 called “Fagan” which is about the guy who broke into the Queen’s bedroom. It’s amazing. It’s like a Ken Loach movie. I always wonder what all the old ladies who love The Crown for all its splendour thought of that episode.

If you only watch one episode of The Crown watch “Fagan” to see what Britain was like under Thatcher (and is becoming again under an ever-changing bunch of a**wipes).

My mother tells me the early series were great too but, then, they were her era. Matt Smith was Prince Philip in those so that ties in to our little site.

But what I wanted to just say is that the final episode is like a Doctor Who special. Honestly. I’m not joking. I won’t spoil anything except to say that The Queen exits the TARDIS. That’s what it felt like to me.

I really didn’t expect that. And I thought it was a great ending. Any other people who’ve watched feel the same way?

[Juniperfish @juniperfish]

I’ve just watched Moffat’s new drama (available on the ITVX app UK) Douglas is Cancelled – Karen Gillan, Alex Kingston, Hugh Bonneville and Ben Palmer were  all absolutely superb.

I won’t post anything too spoilery about it, because it’s really worth watching pre-spoilers.

But episode 3 in particular was heart-in-mouth gripping. Karen Gillan was outstanding.

Moffat has been subject to criticism for the way he writes women, and yes, his women in this are recognisably archetypes (shrewish wife and femme fatale). But Gillan and Kingston bring the fire and the panic to make them real.

And Moffat observes the ways people are cruel to one another, whether thoughtlessly or deliverately, with a biting sharpness.

I loved it.

[WhoHar @whohar]

@juniperfish

I’ve heard it’s excellent, but just need to find out where it is being streamed down here.

FWIW, I have just starting watching Season 3 of The Bear. The first ep was glorious.

Also just finished season 1 of Slow Horses, also great.

And Season 4 of The Boys. Not for the squeamish.

I also got though the first two eps of The Acolyte. Not impressed. I haven’t got back to the 3rd ep, and not sure I will, so would be interested in other views on this. Thanks in advance.

[Juniperfish @juniperfish]

@whohar – yes, sorry – I’m not sure how Douglas is Cancelled is being distributed outside the UK.

Eeek – I know there’s a new season of The Boys out – I could barely deal with the gross factor previously (and struggle with its “ironic” sexism) and I hear this one is even more revolting – will wait for a strong-stomach day. Anthony Starr is excellent as Homelander though, so I will probably buckle up and do it.

I’ve heard so much about The Bear and Slow Horses I’m going to have to give them a go at some point.

I’m looking forward to Interview with the Vampire Season 2 at present.

[S3gfberlin @s3gfberlin]

Hello All

If any one is interested or knows someone who is interested in the complete set of the classic series DVDs ( First 8 doctor’s) then please check out this listing on EBay.

https://www.ebay.de/itm/355829313409?itmmeta=01J1M19TZVYXBNF3SB9H53N87B&hash=item52d9146f81:g:AyYAAOSwBd9mdEDb&itmprp=enc%3AAQAJAAAA4P4qu%2FbVGXFN9%2B8zXnP%2F6qfbq8fm%2BPZq5Yl1bTTgPzkgsqqQFDkp%2BrfcWjMF7WGSlzDYevbCJ15GCqZx0vxMcvUS82nxjtpNToiy4qNHs6lt2qPfeo%2BjSWq8HuURRw7XHgu8FE6hajhZ4Z%2BiXxk0ITkawpEnRPXzLPh3YT2o5Zag75U0CraIfzZJbA1jh1k61XJqGRrrDn%2FfvX2RcB6AW25jVEILan3aRuoiPyBrQhalZzA4sw%2BlvZubncSB0hQOBaNwGvZMjxo24XV0kK9gwDZhG6JsRh563Cq3fbEx8elR%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR4Cwp4GNZA

 

[Craig @craig Emperor]

@whohar @juniperfish

I just binged watched season 3 of “The Bear” this weekend. And it was amazing.

And this might sound weird, but hear me out. My cousin watched Season 1, episode 1 and then gave up. Too much shouting and anger by dysfunctional people was kinda her take.

But season 3 episode 6 is a flashback episode for one of the characters, and it is beautiful. I have recommended to my family that if they think they may struggle to get into “The Bear”, watch S3 Ep6, then go to S1 Ep1. It really sets everything up.

But I guess that’s not much worse than getting hooked on a Doctor then going back and watching previous Doctors.

Also, huge fan of “The Boys”. Read all the comics. I mean, they are going full-on this season with a divided America now. It’s crazy and amazing. Latest episode was a bit hard for me, as my Dad has dementia, but I thought it was well done in universe.

I shall definitely check out “Douglas is Cancelled”. Moffat rarely disappoints, although I thought his David Tennant as a murderous priest was really bad. I can’t say anything good about that.

[WhoHar @whohar]

@craig @juniperfish

Interesting about the “shouty” in The Bear. I found the 2nd ep of this season a bit too much like that. There was an awful lot in Season 2 and, although a tough watch at times, was done very well.

I’m pacing myself through the rest – I understand ep 6 was well received and directed by Ayo Edebiri.

my Dad has dementia

Sorry to hear that Craig. It can be very confronting, especially in one-on-one situations. I speak from some experience as my parents had dementia. I found it both worrying and somewhat frustrating. For me, it helped to talk to siblings (if you have them) or close friends, and we also found humour to be a bit of a crutch. It’s tough though, and I sympathize.

[Dentarthurdent @dentarthurdent]

I just watched an episode of The Prisoner (the old Patrick McGoohan series) – Living in Harmony, which was a Western, and quite untypical of the rest of the series. Actually, considered purely as a Western, it’s not bad. I think they just wanted to ‘do’ a Western. Many sci-fi and fantasy series seem to do that, sooner or later. Doctor Who did with A Town Called Mercy, which was pretty good IMO. I can call to mind Farscape – Home on the Remains; Firefly did one with actual horses, I seem to recall (though I think I’ve heard it said the whole of Firefly was just a Western with spaceships); Red Dwarf – Gunmen of the Apocalypse.
I don’t know if Star Trek ever did a Western (Google says yes). Anyone know of any others?

[blenkinsopthebrave @blenkinsopthebrave]

@dentarthurdent

The first Who western was a 4 episode Hartnell story called “The Gunfighters” fr0m 1966. I can remember watching it as a nipper. It was cringingly bad.

The combination of The Doctor with a toothache, Steven and Dodo in laughable costumes, all ending up at the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral. It was…embarrassing. And I loved the Hartnell years as a nipper.

 

[winston @winston]

@dentarthurdent  @blenkinsopthebrave     I remember watching Star Trek as a kid and they ended up at the OK Corral  but as the cowboys against Earp and Holiday . I was confused for a few years as to who were the bad guys, I mean it couldn’t be Kirk and the crew. It is funny how many shows do a western.

stay safe

[Shepherd @shepherd]

@winston: The gunfight at the OK Corral, which the 1st Doctor also took part in. (Season 3, Serial 8 April 30-May 21, 1966), has been debated over, and over, and over. The best I can come up with is that there were no good guys at the shoot-out. You can choose for yourself and find a lot of support. It is a case of bad guys vs lesser bad guys, and each can decide who’s who.

Also, remember during the first run of Star Trek Westerns is the main genre. Gene Roddenberry sold Star  Trek as the Wagon Train to the star.

[winston @winston]

@shepherd    Hello!   I used to run home from the school bus everyday to watch Star Trek in the 70s and I always missed the first 15 minutes or so. I started out already confused but I loved the show. I have watched them all many times since but there is nothing like the first time when I was a kid.

stay safe

 

[Dentarthurdent @dentarthurdent]

@winston I missed almost all of Blakes 7 when it first screened. Years later, in the late 80’s, there was a re-run of the entire series on TVNZ. My boss took a dim view of the way I rocketed out the door at 4-45 on Thursdays (of course he didn’t notice that I was far more relaxed about finishing every other day), if I was lucky with the buses I could just catch the start of B7 at 5.30. Obviously there was no way I could tell him I was watching an old sci-fi series. I thought 5-30 was a bit early timeslot to be screening B7, it’s not exactly aimed at the kiddies, someone in TVNZ must have finally noticed because the finale – Blake – didn’t screen, no explanation given, it finally screened weeks later at 10pm.

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