The TV Thread

[Jaimoe]

Finally watched the debut episode of the BBC's Ripper Street. So far so good. Matthew Macfadyen (Pillars of the Earth, Three Musketeers, Anna Karenina) is a major talent.

[e_wind]

Just finished the Wire. I almost got emotional because it was over. It's seriously the best show ever. The opening scene is so damn good after seeing the whole thing:

The Wire Season 1 Opening & Intro

THE WIRE - 100 Greatest Quotes (spoilers)
Clay Davis starting at 8:38 is hilarious

Now I just started watching Oz. I'm on the first episode. So far all i know is that watching a bunch of people in prison makes me uncomfortable because I'm somewhat claustrophobic... I hear its an amazing show though.



If anyone has any suggestions for HBO dramas, I'm looking for a new show. Not the Sapranos or The Wire.

[Penny Lane]

?
If anyone has any suggestions for HBO dramas, I'm looking for a new show. Not the Sapranos or The Wire.

Agree about The Wire! I just started The Shield and it's awesome...I would also recommend Californication and I heard Justified is incred.

[ManNamedTruth]

Really enjoyed the first two episodes of NBC's Hannibal, it's got a pretty great cast. The actor who plays Hannibal Lecter takes awhile to get used to (the accent throws you off a bit), but he really brings a creepiness to the character. Bates Motel has only been OK to this point, Vera Farmiga is great but the writing has been pretty spotty. Bates Motel already signed on for season 2 though, so i'll be very disappointed if they cancel Hannibal.

[capt. scotty]

Just finished the Wire. I almost got emotional because it was over. It's seriously the best show ever. The opening scene is so damn good after seeing the whole thing:

If anyone has any suggestions for HBO dramas, I'm looking for a new show. Not the Sapranos or The Wire.

Yeah, its been 5 years since The Wire ended and I dont think Ive seriously attempted to watch any other TV series because simply nothing is as good as The Wire. I started Justified, it was pretty good, but I still havent got thru Season 2. I do love American Horror Story but even that I still need to watch the 2nd half of the Season 2. Saw Season 1 of Walking Dead when it first aired, but havent felt the pressing need to continue watching although I know I will at some point. Same thing with The Killing. While all of these shows still gave me that "I gotta watch the next episode NOW" feeling, The Wire gave me that "I gotta watch the rest of this season NOW" feeling (I started watching the show before Season 5 aired, watched the 1st 4 seasons in like 3 weeks). Its sort of sad to know I'll never see a better TV show for the rest of my days, or see The Wire for the first time again, but I think Ive finally reached the point where Im ready to go all-in with another series thats still on, probably start with Breaking Bad, and go on to another show thats still airing, etc.

As for your recommendation of HBO drama, I havent seen it but Deadwood is the consensus favorite after The Wire and The Sopranos. Also havent seen it and its more miniseries than show, but Band of Brothers is supposed to be excellent.

[capt. scotty]

Really enjoyed the first two episodes of NBC's Hannibal, it's got a pretty great cast. The actor who plays Hannibal Lecter takes awhile to get used to (the accent throws you off a bit), but he really brings a creepiness to the character. Bates Motel has only been OK to this point, Vera Farmiga is great but the writing has been pretty spotty. Bates Motel already signed on for season 2 though, so i'll be very disappointed if they cancel Hannibal.

When I first heard about Hannibal I laughed it off since its on a major network, but the trailers I saw looked interesting and it appeared they didnt back off the violence/gore which is what I wouldve expected for a major network. It was also getting surprisingly good reviews. Ive liked Mads Mikkelsen in pretty much everything Ive seen him in, I think he could be a great Lecter. I doubt I watch this until the 1st season is done though and I know it gets renewed for another season.

[johnnYYac]

My recommendations would be...

FX:
The Shield
The Americans
Justified

AMC:
Breaking Bad
The Walking Dead

HBO:
Boardwalk Empire
Band of Brothers
The Pacific (not as good, but has moments)
Bored to Death

I've purchased the entire Deadwood series on bluray for this summer and hope to do the same for The Wire at some point.  I was also a huge fan of Hill Street Blues, which is available cheap on DVD these days. 

[capt. scotty]

What I am looking forward to is The Americans. I was sad that Rubicon lacked momentum and love a good spy thriller done well (Three Days of the Condor, No Way Out,  Day of the Jackal). I'm hoping this one will be worth planning around.

Man, I really liked Rubicon and was pissed it didnt get at least a 2nd season (probably why I wont watch a show from now on until I know its renewed). The storyline unfolded very slowly - probably why it got cancelled, people's attention spans werent long enough - but the writing was excellent and acting solid, thought James Badge Dale was very good as the lead. I mean, you cant discover and unfold the mystery of a conspiracy of that level quick, right? Although even I found the 1st half of the season to be a somewhat tedious watch, the last few episodes were fantastic and I was really looking forward to the next season.

I was DVRing The Americans but once I realized a couple weeks ago they were just taking up space on my DVR, I deleted them and figure I'll watch when the time comes. At least I know that show has already gotten renewed for another season! 

[capt. scotty]

That show looks great, I need to get into it...the onion's avclub stated that it was very low in the ratings the second and third week, let's hope FX doesn't have another Terrier's on their hands...it's sad that American tv values quantity$ over quality

Ugh, another show I watched when it first aired, liked it a lot, and didnt get renewed. That show is probably the most poorly marketed show Ive ever seen and I blame FX for that show's demise.

NEVER WATCH A SHOW UNTIL YOU KNOW FOR SURE IT WILL LAST MORE THAN 1 SEASON!!!!!!!!!!!!!1!1!!!!11!!!!!!!

[capt. scotty]

Any of you guys watch House of Cards on Netflix? I just have a couple episodes left to watch, and have really liked it.

Ive heard only great things about this show. Scratch what I said earlier, Im going to watch this show in the next week and then cancel my Netflix subscription. The quality of what they offer on instant watch just isnt worth it to me anymore (granted, the TV shows on IW are the best thing about it and like I said Im way behind on shows).

Probably the biggest reason Im cancelling though is because I found this website....

http://www.thedarewall.com/tv/

...and its amazing. Its like the pornhub of TV and movies. It seemingly has everything Ive searched for so far. Even has movies recently in theaters. No downloading/risk of virus as everything is there streaming for your free enjoyment. God Bless the interwebs.

[e_wind]

Just finished the Wire. I almost got emotional because it was over. It's seriously the best show ever. The opening scene is so damn good after seeing the whole thing:

If anyone has any suggestions for HBO dramas, I'm looking for a new show. Not the Sapranos or The Wire.

Yeah, its been 5 years since The Wire ended and I dont think Ive seriously attempted to watch any other TV series because simply nothing is as good as The Wire. I started Justified, it was pretty good, but I still havent got thru Season 2. I do love American Horror Story but even that I still need to watch the 2nd half of the Season 2. Saw Season 1 of Walking Dead when it first aired, but havent felt the pressing need to continue watching although I know I will at some point. Same thing with The Killing. While all of these shows still gave me that "I gotta watch the next episode NOW" feeling, The Wire gave me that "I gotta watch the rest of this season NOW" feeling (I started watching the show before Season 5 aired, watched the 1st 4 seasons in like 3 weeks). Its sort of sad to know I'll never see a better TV show for the rest of my days, or see The Wire for the first time again, but I think Ive finally reached the point where Im ready to go all-in with another series thats still on, probably start with Breaking Bad, and go on to another show thats still airing, etc.

As for your recommendation of HBO drama, I havent seen it but Deadwood is the consensus favorite after The Wire and The Sopranos. Also havent seen it and its more miniseries than show, but Band of Brothers is supposed to be excellent.

If I don't get into Oz, I think I'll go with Deadwood. I have seen some of Deadwood, but its been so long I can't remember it.

I've seen some if not all of the shows you mentioned and I agree with all of them and more. It seems like every show is okay, but nothing is enough to me keep me interested in watching them the whole way through. The Walking Dead is absolutely awful, in my opinion. The first season is tolerable, but the season 1 finale is so bad that I can't help but feel like I wasted my time, and I never picked up season 2, nor will I.

I've seen 4 seasons of Breaking Bad, and I get it, but it just isn't for me.

I've seen the first season of the Sapranos so I'll probably pick up with that eventually, but I just don't care for the italian gangster shit. I feel like every movie thats the "best movie ever" has something to do with the mob or cartel.

I've heard nothing but great things about the Americans, but the only means of TV watching I have is HBO Go, so thats all I watch.

Game of Thrones, in my opinion, is the second best show. I like it less now that I've read the books, but its still really fucking good. Just like in the Wire, I love stories that arent good v evil. I like how everyone is good or evil, depending on who's perspective you're looking at.

[Penny Lane]

Any of you guys watch House of Cards on Netflix? I just have a couple episodes left to watch, and have really liked it.

Ive heard only great things about this show.

It's SO good..Kevin Spacey is perfect beltway scum!


Thanks for the link, Capt!

[capt. scotty]

I've heard nothing but great things about the Americans, but the only means of TV watching I have is HBO Go, so thats all I watch.

Game of Thrones, in my opinion, is the second best show. I like it less now that I've read the books, but its still really fucking good. Just like in the Wire, I love stories that arent good v evil. I like how everyone is good or evil, depending on who's perspective you're looking at.

Check out that site I linked. It has all 10 episodes of The Americans that have aired thus far, has the 3 episodes from the new season of Game of Thrones already as well (gotta start this show at some point). I will be surprised when I look for a show or movie and it isnt there. That site is seriously gold, Jerry, gold.

[ManNamedTruth]

And don't forget Arrested Development is returning for one season (at least) on netflix soon. Borrowed seasons 1-4 of Breaking Bad a few months back and loved every minute of it. I liked Deadwood too but there should've been at least one more season.

[EverythingChanges]

My all-time 3 favorite shows are:

Lost
Dexter
Game of Thrones

If any of you haven't seen Bates Motel or The Americans this season, you should tune in! Especially Bates Motel.  That show has some of the best acting outside of HBO to date. 

I can't wrap my head around why The Walking Dead has such a large following.  It really isn't that great in any way.  Not to mention, the characters are very VERY poorly written.

[Colfax]

fans of The Wire should check out the impetus for the series - THE CORNER. Either the book or the miniseries.

Simon and Burns literally stood on a drug corner for a whole year and chronicled the lives of those trapped in the game. So compelling!

[Penny Lane]

fans of The Wire should check out the impetus for the series - THE CORNER. Either the book or the miniseries.

Simon and Burns literally stood on a drug corner for a whole year and chronicled the lives of those trapped in the game. So compelling!

The Corner was great but pretty hard to stomach sometimes.

[rincon2]

They had the Corner on HBO on Demand earlier this year. The Wire is to TV what MMJ is to music for me. I watched 2 or 3 episodes. Did not find it entertaining, no matter how well it was made. Need the comedy relief of Bunk/McNulty, and Carver/and I forgot the fat bald Italian/Polish? guys name.

[Angelo]

They had the Corner on HBO on Demand earlier this year. The Wire is to TV what MMJ is to music for me. I watched 2 or 3 episodes. Did not find it entertaining, no matter how well it was made. Need the comedy relief of Bunk/McNulty, and Carver/and I forgot the fat bald Italian/Polish? guys name.

Herc

[rincon2]

They had the Corner on HBO on Demand earlier this year. The Wire is to TV what MMJ is to music for me. I watched 2 or 3 episodes. Did not find it entertaining, no matter how well it was made. Need the comedy relief of Bunk/McNulty, and Carver/and I forgot the fat bald Italian/Polish? guys name.

Herc

Yeah, it came to me at the grocery store. Damn that was a good show. Literally dozens of iconic characters, and not one is really the star.