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General Purpose US TV thread
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Author:  Findus Fop [ Mon Mar 30, 2015 10:27 ]
Post subject:  Re: General Purpose US TV thread
Hearthly wrote:
I started watching Dexter last night, because I'm right there with the Zeitgeist I am. (It's all on Netflix UK.)

However there are lots of seasons, and I'm thinking it's probably going to jump the shark at some point.

I enjoyed the first episode and will be watching another tonight, is there a point at which you should just stop watching and pretend that all subsequent seasons don't exist?

IIRC there was a bit of a kerfuffle about the final episode of the final season being crap too.


personally I stopped at the end of series 4 (I think? The one with John Lythgoe at any rate). Enjoyed all four series immensely up to that point, and the 4th series is arguably the best. I understand things took a nosedive after that. Probably because I stopped watching.
Author:  Trooper [ Mon Mar 30, 2015 10:38 ]
Post subject:  Re: General Purpose US TV thread
Heroes is coming back. "Heroes Reborn" with a lot of the original cast in it.
Fingers crossed it is the quality of the first season, and not the last...
Author:  asfish [ Mon Mar 30, 2015 10:48 ]
Post subject:  Re: General Purpose US TV thread
Trooper wrote:
Heroes is coming back. "Heroes Reborn" with a lot of the original cast in it.
Fingers crossed it is the quality of the first season, and not the last...


Its just 13 episodes though with no plan for anymore?

X-Files is doing the same as well
Author:  Mimi [ Mon Mar 30, 2015 13:36 ]
Post subject:  Re: General Purpose US TV thread
Findus Fop wrote:
Hearthly wrote:
I started watching Dexter last night, because I'm right there with the Zeitgeist I am. (It's all on Netflix UK.)

However there are lots of seasons, and I'm thinking it's probably going to jump the shark at some point.

I enjoyed the first episode and will be watching another tonight, is there a point at which you should just stop watching and pretend that all subsequent seasons don't exist?

IIRC there was a bit of a kerfuffle about the final episode of the final season being crap too.


personally I stopped at the end of series 4 (I think? The one with John Lythgoe at any rate). Enjoyed all four series immensely up to that point, and the 4th series is arguably the best. I understand things took a nosedive after that. Probably because I stopped watching.


Was that before or after the series with Julia Stiles in it, because that series was awesome.

Also the series that had the scene with the four horsemen of the apocalypse: that was one of the most harrowing bits of Tv I have ever seen. And it was awesome.
Author:  MaliA [ Mon Mar 30, 2015 13:46 ]
Post subject:  Re: General Purpose US TV thread
<perk>
Author:  Findus Fop [ Mon Mar 30, 2015 13:49 ]
Post subject:  Re: General Purpose US TV thread
Mimi wrote:
Findus Fop wrote:
Hearthly wrote:
I started watching Dexter last night, because I'm right there with the Zeitgeist I am. (It's all on Netflix UK.)

However there are lots of seasons, and I'm thinking it's probably going to jump the shark at some point.

I enjoyed the first episode and will be watching another tonight, is there a point at which you should just stop watching and pretend that all subsequent seasons don't exist?

IIRC there was a bit of a kerfuffle about the final episode of the final season being crap too.


personally I stopped at the end of series 4 (I think? The one with John Lythgoe at any rate). Enjoyed all four series immensely up to that point, and the 4th series is arguably the best. I understand things took a nosedive after that. Probably because I stopped watching.


Was that before or after the series with Julia Stiles in it, because that series was awesome.

Also the series that had the scene with the four horsemen of the apocalypse: that was one of the most harrowing bits of Tv I have ever seen. And it was awesome.


I think that was the fifth series, so I've missed out clearly. Will see if Mrs Fop can be enticed back to Dexter.
Author:  Mimi [ Mon Mar 30, 2015 13:56 ]
Post subject:  Re: General Purpose US TV thread
I think you should give it a go. I didn't enjoy the last series at all because it shifted the balance and everyone's motivations changed in a way that kind of broke the pact of disbelief that I took part in until that time.
Author:  Satsuma [ Mon Mar 30, 2015 14:35 ]
Post subject:  Re: General Purpose US TV thread
I think you should ignore it. I watched two seasons and my bloody was boiling by how crap (and sometimes how downright stupid) it was.
Author:  Findus Fop [ Mon Mar 30, 2015 14:44 ]
Post subject:  Re: General Purpose US TV thread
there's only one thing for it.

FIGHT!

Welcome to 2003. Please leave your shoes at the door, don't mind Myspace, he'll be going soon.
Author:  myp [ Mon Mar 30, 2015 14:46 ]
Post subject:  Re: General Purpose US TV thread
Season 1 was an excellent self-contained story. I started watching S2 and stopped halfway through as it was rubbish. I'd be interested in seeing the reboot as it specifically mentions getting back to the sort of thing that happened in S1.
Author:  Mimi [ Mon Mar 30, 2015 14:59 ]
Post subject:  Re: General Purpose US TV thread
Saturnalian wrote:
I think you should ignore it. I watched two seasons and my bloody was boiling by how crap (and sometimes how downright stupid) it was.


I didn't enjoy the second season very much, either. However, I thought the seasons with Lithgoe and Stiles were both excellent.
Author:  Curiosity [ Mon Mar 30, 2015 20:57 ]
Post subject:  Re: General Purpose US TV thread
S3 of Dexter was a bit rubbish, but 4 and 5 were really good.

Unless I am forgetting which was which. Anyway, Lithgoe and Stiles were good. Though I also liked that other girl too.
Author:  MrChris [ Mon Mar 30, 2015 21:14 ]
Post subject:  Re: General Purpose US TV thread
I sort of lost interest after S1, but Mrs K kept going. I watched bits and bobs after that, and Lithgow (note spelling) was indeed some proper quality. But then he always is, isn't he? It's not a great series overall.
Author:  Grim... [ Thu Apr 02, 2015 18:50 ]
Post subject:  Re: General Purpose US TV thread
Future Warrior wrote:
Season 1 was an excellent self-contained story. I started watching S2 and stopped halfway through as it was rubbish. I'd be interested in seeing the reboot as it specifically mentions getting back to the sort of thing that happened in S1.

Same. S1 was awesome, but I gave up really soon into S2.
Author:  Dr Zoidberg [ Sun Apr 05, 2015 21:47 ]
Post subject:  Re: General Purpose US TV thread
The second half of Outlander's first series has started, and tonight we get the second half of Mad Men's final season.
Author:  MrChris [ Mon Apr 06, 2015 15:57 ]
Post subject:  Re: General Purpose US TV thread
I can't work out if grim and myp are talking about dexter or heroes...
Author:  RuySan [ Mon Apr 06, 2015 18:55 ]
Post subject:  Re: General Purpose US TV thread
Findus Fop wrote:
Hearthly wrote:
I started watching Dexter last night, because I'm right there with the Zeitgeist I am. (It's all on Netflix UK.)

However there are lots of seasons, and I'm thinking it's probably going to jump the shark at some point.

I enjoyed the first episode and will be watching another tonight, is there a point at which you should just stop watching and pretend that all subsequent seasons don't exist?

IIRC there was a bit of a kerfuffle about the final episode of the final season being crap too.


personally I stopped at the end of series 4 (I think? The one with John Lythgoe at any rate). Enjoyed all four series immensely up to that point, and the 4th series is arguably the best. I understand things took a nosedive after that. Probably because I stopped watching.


first 2 seasons of dexter were good (specially the 2nd which was awesome). The 3rd was crap, but the 4th redeemed it and it was pretty great. The fifth was terrible, and after seeing a few episodes of the sixth, i got to the conclusion that the show was taking a nosedive, and didn't bothered since.

EDIT: one thing of note. If you want to enjoy dexter, and are used to quality shows such as Mad Men, and most stuff from HBO, turn off your brain. Because even at its best, the show is pretty stupid.
Author:  Mimi [ Mon Apr 06, 2015 19:02 ]
Post subject:  Re: General Purpose US TV thread
Curiosity wrote:
S3 of Dexter was a bit rubbish, but 4 and 5 were really good.

Unless I am forgetting which was which. Anyway, Lithgoe and Stiles were good. Though I also liked that other girl too.

The florist girl? I liked her.
Author:  LewieP [ Tue Apr 07, 2015 0:33 ]
Post subject:  Re: General Purpose US TV thread
I broadly agree that Dexter is a bit all over the place. Lithgow was as always fantastic, and I think the third season and the final season were the worst.
Author:  Derek The Halls [ Tue Apr 07, 2015 14:05 ]
Post subject:  Re: General Purpose US TV thread
I found Dexter too distressing and stopped watching at the end of the lithghow season. There was too much constant perilous upset in the characters lives and it all became a bit much for me. And when the unfortunate event happened that was it. Too much suffering and distress. I prefer my entertainment a bit more light and fluffy.

This isn't to say it's bad but just not really something I enjoy.
Author:  Hearthly [ Tue Apr 07, 2015 15:34 ]
Post subject:  Re: General Purpose US TV thread
I'm enjoying the first season of Dexter, it's utterly nonsensical and very silly, but in a fun sort of way. I also really like the main dude who plays Dexter, his sister is well good too. In fact the cast as a whole are great and the writing is zesty.

Not sure if I'm supposed to find the murders and brutality and stuff distressing or upsetting or what-not but it isn't bothering me. (Maybe it'll amp it up as the season goes on or in subsequent seasons, I shall find out.)

One episode an evening is about right, I certainly don't feel inclined to binge on it like I did Breaking Bad and to a lesser extent The Walking Dead.

Also, how come it's got so much swearing in it? I thought that was a no-no on American telly.
Author:  DavPaz [ Tue Apr 07, 2015 15:56 ]
Post subject:  Re: General Purpose US TV thread
HBO
Author:  Cras [ Tue Apr 07, 2015 16:02 ]
Post subject:  Re: General Purpose US TV thread
Showtime, isn't it?
Author:  DavPaz [ Tue Apr 07, 2015 16:15 ]
Post subject:  Re: General Purpose US TV thread
Cras wrote:
Showtime, isn't it?

Same dif.
Author:  Trooper [ Tue Apr 07, 2015 16:41 ]
Post subject:  Re: General Purpose US TV thread
Cras wrote:
Showtime, isn't it?


[/Welsh Joe Gideon]
Author:  LewieP [ Fri Apr 10, 2015 7:01 ]
Post subject:  Re: General Purpose US TV thread
Spoilers regarding Dexter:
ZOMG Spoiler! Click here to view!
They never should have killed off Doakes



In other news, I really think they have fucked it up by casting Terrible Actor Vince Vaughn in True Detective season 2.



Yes True Detective played a significant role in the McConaissance, but I can't for a second believe we're going to get a similar Rejuvaughnation.
Author:  Bamba [ Fri Apr 10, 2015 9:01 ]
Post subject:  Re: General Purpose US TV thread
LewieP wrote:
Spoilers regarding Dexter:
ZOMG Spoiler! Click here to view!
They never should have killed off Doakes



ZOMG Spoiler! Click here to view!
I don't agree, the tension between the two was a great driver early on but they couldn't have kept it going without either the whole thing becoming toothless over time or jumping through loads of ludicrous narrative hoops to keep ratcheting it up. They had a good idea, they used it well and they let it die when it was time; very laudable I think. Also it was used to good effect later on when it came back to bite him in the ass with LaGuerta becoming suspicious about the whole thing. In the life of a serial-killing policeman there should always be enough drama to go around so if you genuinely need to stick with one of your original ideas the entire way through you're probably doing it wrong.


In general I don't really understand all the Dexter hate here. Yes the quality of it was very patchy but when it was good it was very, very good and was generally tense, well acted stuff with lots of good ideas. I think it's easy to consider it bad in hindsight because the last season or two is uppermost in people's mind and that has a tendency to push out memories of the good stuff that came before. The season with John Lithgow notwithstanding as obviously everyone is remembering that particular high point.
Author:  Bamba [ Fri Apr 10, 2015 9:52 ]
Post subject:  Re: General Purpose US TV thread
Netflix's new Daredevil series is being pretty well received it seems, I'll probably grab it tonight (and then never bloody watch it if experience is anything to do by).
Author:  LewieP [ Fri Apr 10, 2015 10:30 ]
Post subject:  Re: General Purpose US TV thread
Bamba wrote:
LewieP wrote:
Spoilers regarding Dexter:
ZOMG Spoiler! Click here to view!
They never should have killed off Doakes



ZOMG Spoiler! Click here to view!
I don't agree, the tension between the two was a great driver early on but they couldn't have kept it going without either the whole thing becoming toothless over time or jumping through loads of ludicrous narrative hoops to keep ratcheting it up. They had a good idea, they used it well and they let it die when it was time; very laudable I think. Also it was used to good effect later on when it came back to bite him in the ass with LaGuerta becoming suspicious about the whole thing. In the life of a serial-killing policeman there should always be enough drama to go around so if you genuinely need to stick with one of your original ideas the entire way through you're probably doing it wrong.


ZOMG Spoiler! Click here to view!
Aye, perhaps. I just know I loved their interaction, and it felt like something was missing once it was gone.



Bamba wrote:
In general I don't really understand all the Dexter hate here. Yes the quality of it was very patchy but when it was good it was very, very good and was generally tense, well acted stuff with lots of good ideas. I think it's easy to consider it bad in hindsight because the last season or two is uppermost in people's mind and that has a tendency to push out memories of the good stuff that came before. The season with John Lithgow notwithstanding as obviously everyone is remembering that particular high point.


Yeah I broadly agree with this. There is certainly more good than bad.
Author:  Curiosity [ Fri Apr 10, 2015 10:56 ]
Post subject:  Re: General Purpose US TV thread
I also agree.

The spoilered thing happens very differently in the books, but then everything does (bar the premise and parts of the first season).
Author:  Cras [ Fri Apr 10, 2015 11:14 ]
Post subject:  Re: General Purpose US TV thread
I think the Dexter hate is mostly down to it starting off brilliant and going so badly downhill after the first 3/4 seasons.
Author:  Satsuma [ Fri Apr 10, 2015 11:38 ]
Post subject:  Re: General Purpose US TV thread
Except it didn't start off brilliant. Natch.
Author:  Cras [ Fri Apr 10, 2015 11:47 ]
Post subject:  Re: General Purpose US TV thread
Wut.
Author:  Satsuma [ Fri Apr 10, 2015 12:05 ]
Post subject:  Re: General Purpose US TV thread
I SAID IT DIDN'T START OFF BRI... etc.

The characters were the main problem: Weak caricatures of comic book characters.

The cop, Doakes, was the worst offender (Hah. Cause he was a cop, GEDDIT?) with his often ridiculous anger towards and pursuit of Dexter. Debra too as the goofy sister who, obviously, falls for the worlds 2nd best serial killer. It was like a terrible James Patterson novel (basically all of them starting with Pop Goes the Weasel). Then there's the latin police chief, LaGuerta, who is about as convincing as a chief captain as Doakes is as convincing as the badass street cop. Rita is this weedy prey for Dexter but soon forgets about her past rapes when she wants some nookie with non-nookie nookie-rookie Dexter. Her voice is also annoying. I quite liked Angel but he's a poor bystander character.

There's a lack of drama, a lack of horror of the things that a serial killer does (which aren't, it turns out, very horrible) and even though Dexter is introduced as the ultimate killer who hides in day light he is quickly unraveled in the first two seasons so we never really see how excellent he is as a psychopath cause he soon starts fucking up and making a load of mistakes. Tut.
Author:  Hearthly [ Fri Apr 10, 2015 12:09 ]
Post subject:  Re: General Purpose US TV thread
Well I'm loving Season One for what it is, entertaining telly that doesn't necessarily stand up to much scrutiny (three episodes left I think). I have to say though, my takeaway from it overall is that to bag the chicks you should be a serial killer.

Also, it has boobs in it.

The tech stuff is a bit embarrassing, but then again it always, always is in telly and films.
Author:  Cras [ Fri Apr 10, 2015 12:09 ]
Post subject:  Re: General Purpose US TV thread
Well your face didn't start off brilliant.
Author:  Cras [ Fri Apr 10, 2015 12:10 ]
Post subject:  Re: General Purpose US TV thread
Hearthly wrote:
to bag the chicks you should be a serial killer.


Heh. Quite literally, sometimes.
Author:  Mimi [ Fri Apr 10, 2015 15:47 ]
Post subject:  Re: General Purpose US TV thread
Cras wrote:
I think the Dexter hate is mostly down to it starting off brilliant and going so badly downhill after the first 3/4 seasons.


Except it was only good for about two seasons, then was a bit rubbish, then was brilliant, Mr Backwards.
Author:  Cras [ Fri Apr 10, 2015 16:04 ]
Post subject:  Re: General Purpose US TV thread
S4 was John Lithgow!
Author:  RuySan [ Fri Apr 10, 2015 16:13 ]
Post subject:  Re: General Purpose US TV thread
S4 for Lithgow and S2 for naked english lady.
Author:  Bamba [ Fri Apr 10, 2015 17:00 ]
Post subject:  Re: General Purpose US TV thread
RuySan wrote:
S2 for naked english lady.


Heh. "Oops, pardon my tits."
Author:  Mimi [ Fri Apr 10, 2015 17:46 ]
Post subject:  Re: General Purpose US TV thread
Cras wrote:
S4 was John Lithgow!

Exactly.

So, was:

S1: good
S2: good
S3: not good
S4: good
S5: good (this is Julia Stiles' series)
S6: good (this is the series with the four horsemen episode and Mos Def in half the series.
after that it falls apart.
Author:  asfish [ Sat Apr 11, 2015 7:45 ]
Post subject:  Re: General Purpose US TV thread
Bamba wrote:
Netflix's new Daredevil series is being pretty well received it seems, I'll probably grab it tonight (and then never bloody watch it if experience is anything to do by).


:this:

except add Helix, Salam, Justified etc to the list!
Author:  Goddess Jasmine [ Sat Apr 11, 2015 9:08 ]
Post subject:  Re: General Purpose US TV thread
Curiosity wrote:
I also agree.

The spoilered thing happens very differently in the books, but then everything does (bar the premise and parts of the first season).

I'm just finishing the first book and am surprised how much I am enjoying it considering I have seen the series first.
Author:  Curiosity [ Sat Apr 11, 2015 9:15 ]
Post subject:  Re: General Purpose US TV thread
Goddess Jasmine wrote:
Curiosity wrote:
I also agree.

The spoilered thing happens very differently in the books, but then everything does (bar the premise and parts of the first season).

I'm just finishing the first book and am surprised how much I am enjoying it considering I have seen the series first.


I think the third book is where it all goes properly mental. Or maybe the second. I enjoyed them, but VERY different.
Author:  Goddess Jasmine [ Sat Apr 11, 2015 10:31 ]
Post subject:  Re: General Purpose US TV thread
Yes, I'm now interested in picking up the others. I only read this as it was a gift, or I wouldn't have bothered.
Author:  LewieP [ Sat Apr 11, 2015 12:58 ]
Post subject:  Re: General Purpose US TV thread
Daredevil is fantastic.

Makes Gotham look really amateurish.
Author:  Hearthly [ Sat Apr 11, 2015 23:22 ]
Post subject:  Re: General Purpose US TV thread
Well that's Season One of Dexter finished and it actually had me watch three on the trot this evening so it must be doing something right.

I appreciate there's a lot (all?) of it that's totally ridiculous but that doesn't necessarily mean it can't be watchable telly. And I also doff my cap to the guy who plays Doakes as I've never seen anyone do CONSTANTLY ANNOYED for so long and with such incredible consistency.

I like it, looking forward to getting started on Season Two tomorrow.

ZOMG Spoiler! Click here to view!
And I totally didn't see the amping up of Season One to be THE ICE TRUCK KILLER IS YOUR BROTHER either, although it retrospectively makes a lot of the entire season even dafter than it already was, but what the fuck, it was good fun.


Also I recommend COLD IN JULY as a film to watch, (I think I already have done in the movie thread), that's got Michael C Hall in the title role but I hadn't seen any of Dexter before I watched that. I may well go back and rewatch Cold In July now as it'll make his performance doubly interesting. (He was very good in Cold In July, but that was before I'd watched him be Dexter.)
Author:  asfish [ Sun Apr 12, 2015 17:20 ]
Post subject:  Re: General Purpose US TV thread
Game of Thrones (S5) starts tonight

Already some avi of the first 4 episodes on some tracker sites and NG

I'll be waiting as I like 1080p only for this show
Author:  Dr Zoidberg [ Sun Apr 12, 2015 17:27 ]
Post subject:  Re: General Purpose US TV thread
I'm waiting as well. Don't want to wait a month for the rest, having had the poor quality binge.
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