Finished TV series—who watches?

[Pifanjr]

There was a second one!? I saw the first and liked it a lot.

Yeah, released in December 2023. Season 3 was released December 2024.

 

[Pifanjr]

I finished the first season of Dr. Stone. I read about it somewhere and the setting sounded intriguing. It's an anime about a 19 year old whiz kid who wakes up 3700 years after a strange light turned everyone on earth to stone. Pretty much every trace of human civilization has disappeared, but he immediately decides he will speedrun scientific progress until he can fulfill his dream to go to space while also finding a way to revive every other petrified human.

The main draw of the series are the (fairly) accurate scientific processes the main character uses to create new tools. It's fun to see how, with the right knowledge, you can use rudimentary tools and resources to create stuff that took humanity thousands of years to discover.

Sadly, that is pretty much the only interesting part of the series. It almost completely ignores the other struggles living in the stone age would bring, as well as any mental problems someone would face if they woke up 3700 years in the future with the world as they knew it just gone, with no idea if the people they loved can be revised.

There is only one real source of conflict in the series in the form of a rival tribe that wants to prevent scientific progress because they're worried that reviving all of humanity will also bring back all of the inequality. They would prefer using this opportunity to restart humanity with a clean slate. Which could have been an interesting conflict, but the show refuses to seriously debate the pros and cons of such an idea.

The show also refuses for anyone to be in any actual danger, so there is never any kind of real tension, which is a shame for a setting that could have been much more interesting.

 

[Zloth]

The BBC is releasing a whole bunch of old Doctor Who shows on YouTube, including some that never went to DVD. I've been having some fun watching those over dinner!

Doctor Who: Classic

Welcome to the Doctor Who: Classic channel! Travel in the TARDIS with full episodes dating back to the Doctor's first incarnation. See the Doctor meet the Daleks and Cybermen for the first time, watch all of their regenerations and relive friendships with companions like Sarah Jane Smith, Ace...

www.youtube.com

 

[March's Ghost]

So yesterday I discovered that there is a 4 part animated series based on the manga Uzumaki on Max. I recently read the Uzumaki manga at the start of the month (a gift from my son).

Watched all 4 parts straight through and in roughly two hours they pretty much managed to cram most of the story in. They were very crunched together and events moved rather quick, but I think it was a great show.

Some parts from the book were way better when animated , so it added to the horror factor. I would recommend it.

 

[isleepinabed]

Everyone knows Mr Bean, perhaps the most recognizable (almost) silent comedy character post Chaplin's "The Tramp", even if a lot more basic and "grosser."

When something gets so popular it becomes part of the cultural fabric it's sometimes easy to dismiss. Mr Bean's original TV series were so much better than any of the movies.

But what is even more surprising is that, having created this iconic silent character, Rowan Atkinson also excelled at one of the wittiest characters in british TV, that of Blackadder. It had been decades since I had last seen the show and I had forgotten some of the details but not the broad strokes. As its four seasons follow four distinct characters in four distinct time periods (each a descendant of the next), what is curious, and a detail I had forgotten, is that their standing within their own universe is different. In the first season, Blackadder is the cowardly second son of Richard IV, and he intends to become king. In season two, he's now a witty and sarcastic Lord councillor of Elizabeth I, and he intends to put down his archrival Lord Melchett as the Queen's favourite. Then in number 3, he's now a butler to the oaf Prince George, future King George IV, and he intends to become rich to escape this ghastly life. Finally, in the last season, he's a captain during WWI, and he intends to survive or escape war.
It's hard to say which is the best as they're so different. The fact that it revolves around historical reenactment and not a character that's set in stone allows for a lot of variety in terms of episodes, which pretty much are all classics (just 6 episodes each season - plus a few specials with characters in different eras).

Often we are doomed to think "oh, if they ever did another season..." but, like many classic shows, there'a certain quality in it being a complete finite piece, even if (almost) everyone's still alive. A product of its time, sure, but also the fact that it was what it was, warts and all, and the episodes that do exist become a lot more special for it.

 

[Johnway]

Whilst watching the rest of Fraser, i had been watching other things. This time its the second series of SAS: Rogue Heroes

its based on the book of the same name by Ben Macintyre. The second series continues where we left off, With the SAS now under the control of the volatile Paddy, who true to form begins season 2 getting into trouble and ending up inside a military prison.

Bill Stirling (david stirling's brother who was one of the original founders of the SAS) notifies paddy that the SAS are seen as violent savages and unsuitable for future campaigns. Bill stirling gives paddy an ultimatum: rebrand the SAS to the SRS and change up tactics suitable for campaigns in Europe itself or face being disbanded.

From there Season 2 follows the SAS campaign in Sicily and Italy before returning home to prepare for DDay. On a side story, with Bill stirling captured in season 1, he tries to find ways to escape from his Italian prison without much success.

i found the show entertaining enough. Although there were points in the show that made me think that perhaps it moved surprisingly quickly or side characters are killed off quickly or the plot armor was apparent. The show seems to make great pains to stress that the show should not be used as a historical learning piece, so its mostly an embelished WW2 action drama. I guess i'm fine with that. not quite as harrowing or epic as Band of brothers or the pacific (none of the main members die or anything) but still entertaining none the less.

 

[SleepingDog]

Everyone knows Mr Bean, perhaps the most recognizable (almost) silent comedy character post Chaplin's "The Tramp", even if a lot more basic and "grosser."

When something gets so popular it becomes part of the cultural fabric it's sometimes easy to dismiss. Mr Bean's original TV series were so much better than any of the movies.

But what is even more surprising is that, having created this iconic silent character, Rowan Atkinson also excelled at one of the wittiest characters in british TV, that of Blackadder. It had been decades since I had last seen the show and I had forgotten some of the details but not the broad strokes. As its four seasons follow four distinct characters in four distinct time periods (each a descendant of the next), what is curious, and a detail I had forgotten, is that their standing within their own universe is different. In the first season, Blackadder is the cowardly second son of Richard IV, and he intends to become king. In season two, he's now a witty and sarcastic Lord councillor of Elizabeth I, and he intends to put down his archrival Lord Melchett as the Queen's favourite. Then in number 3, he's now a butler to the oaf Prince George, future King George IV, and he intends to become rich to escape this ghastly life. Finally, in the last season, he's a captain during WWI, and he intends to survive or escape war.
It's hard to say which is the best as they're so different. The fact that it revolves around historical reenactment and not a character that's set in stone allows for a lot of variety in terms of episodes, which pretty much are all classics (just 6 episodes each season - plus a few specials with characters in different eras).

Often we are doomed to think "oh, if they ever did another season..." but, like many classic shows, there'a certain quality in it being a complete finite piece, even if (almost) everyone's still alive. A product of its time, sure, but also the fact that it was what it was, warts and all, and the episodes that do exist become a lot more special for it.

I must admit that I liked series 2 to 4 where the Blackadder character was blessed with intelligence and a cutting wit but not luck. Series 1 - just does not work for me. It is interesting to note that one of the co-writers for the first series stopped writing to be replaced by Ben Elton from series 2 onwards. Perhaps it's a reflection of what I find funny.

 

[isleepinabed]

I must admit that I liked series 2 to 4 where the Blackadder character was blessed with intelligence and a cutting wit but not luck. Series 1 - just does not work for me. It is interesting to note that one of the co-writers for the first series stopped writing to be replaced by Ben Elton from series 2 onwards. Perhaps it's a reflection of what I find funny.

Yes, indeed.. it was surprising to rediscover that. I had vivid memories of Brian Blessed but didn't remember Blackadder being so squeamish in the first series.

In a way, it made sense opposite such a charismatic King like Blessed's, but I also thought there were hints of Bean in that cowardly manner and self-satisfaction of Blackadder I.

In a way, while there's more continuity than with the original, even the characters of 2, 3 and 4 are still somewhat different. Particularly their standing in life and their goals, which ends up shaping up the episodes.

I'd also say the final scene of the last episode of the last series... Great scene to end with. Loved it.

 

[Johnway]

Yes, indeed.. it was surprising to rediscover that. I had vivid memories of Brian Blessed but didn't remember Blackadder being so squeamish in the first series.

In a way, it made sense opposite such a charismatic King like Blessed's, but I also thought there were hints of Bean in that cowardly manner and self-satisfaction of Blackadder I.

In a way, while there's more continuity than with the original, even the characters of 2, 3 and 4 are still somewhat different. Particularly their standing in life and their goals, which ends up shaping up the episodes.

I'd also say the final scene of the last episode of the last series... Great scene to end with. Loved it.

Ah blackadder a personal fav of British comedy. Witty and hilarious, i agree that blackadder only became good in the second series onwards. i do like Stephen fry's wellington in blackadder 3.

 

[Frindis]

View: https://youtu.be/ycjhqN4LTq4?t=38


I'm also a sucker for Fawlty Towers and Black Books:

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=izAqFoLtzKM

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B5a5vBzwLkM

 

[isleepinabed]

View: https://youtu.be/ycjhqN4LTq4?t=38


I'm also a sucker for Fawlty Towers and Black Books:

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=izAqFoLtzKM

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B5a5vBzwLkM

Another brilliant show where every episode is a classic in just two half-season series.
I hope the talked about new series does not happen as it would only mar what it is by the sound of it.

 

[Johnway]

So in between watching reality tv, documentaries i decided to watch some drama. in my case Welcome to Chippendales (2022) The rather seedy story of the rise of the male strippers Chippendales. In more ways then one.

8 episodes long, story involves around Somen Banerjee trying to make it big in America and his eventual downfall when his shady business dealings finally catch up with him. At first the story is a feel good rags to riches story but over time as banerjee's business begins to struggle he switches up to underhanded tactics ranging from arson to straight up murder to remove the competition and anyone who gets in his way.

The show tries to portray Banerjee as a complex character, someone who wants the american dream but his life experiences and upbringing defines his personality and business dealings. Mainly in the form of narcissism, social awkwardness, controlling and (unintentional) racial discrimination.

The show was ok, i had expected a bit more and sure, the actor performances are all good. its just that perhaps it goes at a break neck pace and it only really picks up in the second half of the series when everything falls apart and banerjee goes off the rails and down the road of ruin.

Would i recommend it? meh, its ok. I didn't hate it but i can't help but feel that such a crazy/wild story of somen bannerjee could have been much more.

 

[Johnway]

Another drama watched, this time its Virdee A detective drama set in bradford where previously racial tensions between the asian community and the white population.

The show starts with new simmering tensions in Bradford between the rival crime gangs in the drug trade, at first its a single kidnapping. But very soon various members of the drug gangs get murdered in very symbolic (asian) fashion and it risks in spilling into all out war.

The stakes are soon raised as a prominent policeman's son is kidnapped by the murderer and to make things more complex, to the perpetrator, its very personal against Virdee himself. But who is the killer and what is his motive?

Overall i found it ok. Again, not quite compelling or exciting the mystery is... ok i guess no sluething no parlour scene the suspect eventually makes himself known and explains the whole thing. Its not terrible or boring, just ok.


Christ, i need to watch some good drama. Hopefully the snowpiercer series delivers (seen the movie but i'll watch it again).

 

[GreenPaws]

i love waiting for seasons to be completed before watching the serie! i remember the first time doing it was with Smallville

 

[Pifanjr]

My wife and I randomly decided to watch Last One Laughing: Australia while looking for something funny. The premise is quite simple: put 10 comedians in a room together and the last one to laugh wins $100,000.

You would think 10 comedians doing their very best to make others laugh would be funny to watch, but it turns out that a person whose passion it is to make people laugh will go absolutely insane when stuck in a room of people who aren't laughing at their jokes. Especially if they're stuck in that room for 6 hours straight.

There were definitely a couple of funny bits, but I think we mostly kept watching out of morbid curiosity.

 

[March's Ghost]

My wife and I randomly decided to watch Last One Laughing: Australia while looking for something funny. The premise is quite simple: put 10 comedians in a room together and the last one to laugh wins $100,000.

You would think 10 comedians doing their very best to make others laugh would be funny to watch, but it turns out that a person whose passion it is to make people laugh will go absolutely insane when stuck in a room of people who aren't laughing at their jokes. Especially if they're stuck in that room for 6 hours straight.

There were definitely a couple of funny bits, but I think we mostly kept watching out of morbid curiosity.

Something like 30 years ago I saw Robin Williams in a group with 4 or 5 other comedians and they did something similar to that. Robin took the lot of 'em down not 10 seconds after they started. I don't think he would have lost to anyone.

 

[Johnway]

Another drama series finished, this time its Under the banner of heaven (2022)

Based on a true story, set in the 80s a brutal murder on a young wife and baby child is discovered within the LDS community (aka morman community). Detective Jeb Pyre is tasked with investigating and solving the murder. A devout Morman himself, the brutality of the crime compounded by home problems begins to test his faith. its not long before he digs into the unsavory history of Morman past to solving the crime testing his resolve even further. To compound things the LDS community applies pressure on the detective and his family and bury the case when its not long that the suspects maybe the victims morman brother in laws (the laffertys). Time and again, the community reminding him that gods law is above human law.

The show got good ratings and it does have a good cast, i think the problem with the show is that it is a slow burner as it takes the time to frame the backstory of the lafferty family, their troubles and not long their downward spiral into the original teachings that drove them to extremism and ultimately murder.

it was alright i guess, despite a top cast it didn't grab me as it seemed like it had to teach me more about morman religion and history. Complete with all the unsavoury elements like how they were persecuted, falling into polygamy and instigating violence murdering innocent men, woman and children and framing the local indian allies in the process.

My personal favourate character is probably Bill Taba as he plays as Jeb's more experienced second in command and also as a stablizing force to jeb reminding him of his humanity and keeping him grounded and focused solving the case.

Would i recommend a watch? eh, not sure. I was hoping for more detective work, but i guess the writing was on the wall when the Dan lafferty starts spouting anti government teachings, not paying taxes, justifying polygamy and believing god is speaking to him. Its more an interesting sight in how they all descended into madness after so many hardships and problems. Plus the dire consequences for the women tried to pull those back from the brink and under the thumb of the madness.

 

[Zloth]

The Wheel of Time series is getting much better reactions this season. It seems about as good as Season 2 to me, but whatever.

 

[Pifanjr]

The Wheel of Time series is getting much better reactions this season. It seems about as good as Season 2 to me, but whatever.

Maybe everyone who had a bad reaction stopped watching.

 

[Zloth]

Maybe everyone who had a bad reaction stopped watching.

Quite a few for sure, but they also upped the production values. Also, the characters are properly developed, so they can get more into the meat of the show. Also also, the book lovers might be becoming more used to having big things change.

 

[Johnway]

been watching more drama again, this time is the recent series of beyond paradise on BBC , Whilst Humphrey solves crimes around town in this series he has to contend with the responsibilities of parenthood having started adoption policies. Just like Death in paradise and the previous series of beyond paradise, its a guilty pleasure of mine.

I seem to be in a Sean Bean season of sorts as 2 of the drama's i've been watching stars the actor in his typical roles of either being a villain , dying or both.

Currently i'm watching the drama adaption of Snowpiercer, the dystopian story where the last humans live on the snowpiercer, a train of 1000 carriages long. The population of the train are highly segregated between the rich, who live at the front of the train and the poor who live in the tail end of the train AKA tailies. For the Tailies enough is enough, and revolution is in the air as they seek to overthrow the current order to regain some equality. i'm currently on the 3rd series, i won't spoil it but its a pretty good adaption of the material. it doesn't follow the movie and its very much its own story so nothing is spoiled if you watched the fantastic movie. In fact the series comes with its own twists and turns of its own.

But the main highlight is This city is ours a tense drama set in Liverpool revolving the Phelan crime family lead by patriarch Ronnie Phelan (sean bean). it all starts with a drug shipment that suddenly goes missing. Michael Kavanagh (Ronnies long time friend and second in command) goes into damage control to find the drugs and try to placate the suppliers (the Colombians). Things get complicated when the culprit is none other then Ronnie's hot headed and impulsive son Jamie.

The paranoia ratchets up when the entire crime family go to Spain for holiday and both Ronnie and Michael try to beg for time to fix the mess of the drugs going missing. Michael's paranoia ratches up even further believing that Ronnie will make him the fall guy to protect Jamie. Michael decides to make the first move murdering his old friend Ronnie during the night.

From there things slowly start to spin out of control. After Ronnie's funeral, a power struggle begins as both Michael and Jamie try to angle themselves as the new leader. At first its simple passive aggression as they race seize control of the "lost" drugs. But when neither succeeds, it escalates to open conflict, first in an honorable fight and soon making hits on each other. All the while the big question as to how to pay off the tab for the lost shipment looms.

The first episode is quite slow, but the second episode onwards, its a fantastic tense thriller as things balance on a knife edge and is jolly entertaining. Well worth a watch.

 

[DXCHASE]

Been watching The Last of Us. I absolutely do not get all the hate around it mainly because its coming from people who didnt play the game and are just, at heart, trash because they think the actors look ugly and dont play the role well or whatever reason they can find to justify their prejudice.

Yes, it has some faults. They did change things from the game in ways i can see people not agreeing but i have found them to be fine enough for the show.

If you played the game, watch the series, you wont be disappointed, unless you were already disappointed with how they did The Last of Us Part 2.


I am also currently watching:

Mobland- (Paramount Plus) (Pierce Brosnan, Tom Hardy, Helen Mirren)

Good, if not generic, English mob series. Directed by none other than Guy Ritchie, so i was attracted right away. Its got its intense moments and mob mentalities. Again it isnt really showing anything i havent seen in mob stuff, but the acting is great and the relationships between everyone work well so far.

Eternaut (Netflix)

South American series on Netflix set in Buenos Aires. It follows a group of people who try to figure out why all of a sudden a deadly snowfall hits their city. The snowfall is so deadly that even walking outside kills you, unless your body is completely wrapped and protected. Not a bad apocalyptic-style series. Its subtitled too if you do not understand Spanish.



Wrapped up-

The Four Seasons- (Netflix) (Steve Carell, Tina Fay, Will Forte, Coleman Domingo)

So its an 8-episode show based on a 1981 film with the same name by director Alan Alda (who makes an appearance in the show). They made 1 significant change but it works to me. It has its funny moments and maybe a thin plot, so you might not be engaged with this like i was. This is one to watch with your significant other for sure. We laughed and looked at each at certain parts where couples were arguing or being sweet like we do (most people who are married do).

So, the biggest downside is people said the chemistry between the couples was off. I can see that, sometimes it didnt seem like they clicked, but it wasnt too bad to be like "why are they even together". Id say a 7/10.


Solo Leveling (Anime/Crunchyroll)

Amazing anime. It follows this guy that levels up like you do in RPGs but hes the on ly one that can do it. Set in a world where demons from hell seep into earth through portals (something a lot of animes do lol). Where humans have "awakenings" into different Tier Ranks (just like games). So the main character started off as an E rank, so lowest of the low and the shows 1st and 2nd season follows him boosting his level up.

Animation is great (even if some super die-hard fans want to disagree for the sake of arguement). Plot develops at a good pace and the action is good and gore-y but not too bad (Not like Beserk which i also highly recommend watching) I give this a 10/10.

 

[Pifanjr]

Solo Leveling (Anime/Crunchyroll)

Amazing anime. It follows this guy that levels up like you do in RPGs but hes the on ly one that can do it. Set in a world where demons from hell seep into earth through portals (something a lot of animes do lol). Where humans have "awakenings" into different Tier Ranks (just like games). So the main character started off as an E rank, so lowest of the low and the shows 1st and 2nd season follows him boosting his level up.

Animation is great (even if some super die-hard fans want to disagree for the sake of arguement). Plot develops at a good pace and the action is good and gore-y but not too bad (Not like Beserk which i also highly recommend watching) I give this a 10/10.

I've heard about this before. From what I've heard it's indeed a good action series, but the plot is a bit lacking, or at least it lacks character growth.

I think I'm still paying for Crunchyroll, so I might check it out.

EDIT: I started watching while waiting for the shaders to compile for Dune Awakening and it's great so far.

 

[Pifanjr]

I binge watched both seasons of Solo Leveling and it was indeed pretty great. The action is great and the setting is interesting. The story is decent as well, though it'll depend a bit on how well the mysteries that are being set up will pay off.

There is definitely a lack of character growth though. If anything, I think the protagonist's personality was more interesting in the first episodes. For someone who seemingly survived only because of his wits and perception he's stunningly oblivious and lacks almost any sense of curiosity. Even when he's supposed to become more intelligent it doesn't really seem like it from the way he acts.