Television reviews...
Oct. 14th, 2019 12:15 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
shadowkatWell, it's a beautiful day today -- perfect one to have off. Must go for a walk around one or two. It's noon now. Despite all appearances to the contrary, did get some stuff done this morning. Took the recycling and trash out. Cleaned out sock and underwear drawers. Had breakfast. Wrote a bit. Read a bit. And watched a television show while eating.
I've pretty much seen all the new broadcast television series. Haven't seen the cable or streaming ones. There's only so much I can watch. Also, the streaming ones I can catch later.
1. Keepers or the Best of the Lot.
Of the one's I've seen to date, that are brand new - the following appear to be keepers:
* Bob Hearts Abishola -- surprised me, too. I didn't expect to like it. But it is the funniest mixed ethnic/race comedy that I've seen in a while, and doesn't fall into stereotype. Also I like the Nigerian immigration element, and how conservative the Nigerians are and how they don't relate well to the African-Americans, which I've noticed is weirdly true. (seen three episodes of it so far, and I like everyone but Bob's family, and since they are rarely seen? It's not a huge issue.)
* Prodigal Son -- also surprised me. I think the cast and the focus on relationship drama over criminal procedural makes this one work for me. (I don't like procedural drama mainly because I know it's BS. So the less they focus on it the better the show is in my opinion. And I'm not a fan of gore or how they did the murder, prefer the why. So the less focus on the how, the better. This is a long way of explaining why this show is working for me and so many of its predecessors didn't. But mainly it's the cast -- I really like the lead, I sort of have a crush on him. He's the type of actor that turns me on. I do not know why. Also, I love Bellamy Young (who was among the best things in Scandal), Michael Sheen (Good Omens, The Queen, and Little Drummer Girl), Lou Diamond Phillips (Longmire, and various other films of my youth -- it's odd to see him older).
It's not for everyone. But I like it. Don't feel the need to analyze or write about it online though. So lucky you.
* Batwoman -- also surprised (although much like Prodigal Son, I went in with low expectations and did not expect to like it at all.). The lead in this one, much like the above, makes the show. As does the relationship drama or family drama.
It's more focused on relationship drama than crime fighting, which sort of works for me. I find crime-fighting by itself sort of boring. I find relationship drama by itself can get old. The two together work very well.
* Stumptown -- it's not quite as good as I thought it would be (went into this one with high expectations) but it is good. Strong lead, much like the above. I think the bar tender is the weak link. He's just sort of there. Want more of Donal Logue, who was in the third episode, but would be nice if he was a regular. Although the older women or martiarchial power dynamic is nice -- with the Native American Casino Owner vs. the Lieutenant as Dex's two antagonistic maternal role models. Logue plays up the Daddy issues, then turns out to be an ass, disappointing Dex much like all the men in her life. Then we have the bar owner/ex-con, and the sexy cop vying for her attentions. She's slept with both, both have sort of put up boundaries in their own ways. The bar owner -- decided to just be friends. The cop is more interested in sharing information and quick hook-ups.
I'm enjoying it. But I'm not excited about it. That said, it's at least different and I love private dick noir, particularly when the private dick is female. And bonus? It's not episodic but serial and it combines the mystery/noirish crime fighting with the relationship drama. And does a good job of it. The one's who don't? Lose my interest.
2. On the Fence about...
* Nancy Drew -- it could be good. I'm giving it a few more episodes. I like Nancy for the most part, but am rather ambivalent about everyone else. The atmosphere isn't bad, nor is the small town feel. Although small towns in Maine don't tend to be this ethnically diverse. Unless things have changed drastically in the last ten years -- which is more than possible. When I was last there -- it's only claim to ethnic diversity was the Amish and Mennonites. Which, no. I think it should have been put in California or in North West. Also, I'm not sure why they felt the need to make the father look...guilty of something. And I think Scott Wolf is odd casting.
* Emergence --- too much focus on mysterious conspiracy plot not enough on relationship drama. I finding it difficult to care about these people and I should. It's not the actors -- I've seen them in other things and am basically watching it for them. No, it's the writing and the plot. Also, it may well be that I've burned out on this specific trope and am not that interested any longer. I'll give it two or three more episodes before giving up.
* All Rise --Not enough realtionship/interpersonal drama and far too much procedural drama, which leads too didatic issue of the week. I find the court room and legal procedural stuff boring -- mainly because I already know it, so it's hardly informative and for the most part wrong, so mis-informative (which annoys me). Although the second episode was slightly better than the first one. I like the cast. And my favorite character is the Deputy DA, who I have a little crush on. (Yes, I have a type.) And it gets a bit on the self-righteous preachy side, which pushes up my blood pressure. The case of the week irritated me for multiple reasons. (I agree with the show's point of view and message, but I was also pissed and wanted to kill the bad guys. So...)
* Bluff City Law -- see All Rise. Has the same problems. Too much court-room procedure and issue oriented cases. Not enough relationship drama, or just enough to keep me watching but not enough to make me invest in the people. And it slides into cliche in places.
* Almost Family -- too much relationship drama, not enough of the other. And the relationship drama is a little...difficult to relate to. So we'll see.
3. Gave up on completely...
* Mixedish -- the first episode annoyed me, and there was no reason to keep going after that. Too preachy and slapsticky/parody/satirical not enough clever wit and subtle humor. I found it cringe-inducing. Also, don't like anyone.
* The Unicorn -- I tried three episodes for Walter Goggins. Gave up during the first fifteen minutes of the third. Too much sex comedy, not enough relationship comedy. Only character I like is Goggins, everyone else I want to smack upside the head.
* Sunnyside -- to much like Community with less likable characters, humor based mainly on stereotype satire, and not enough wit. Don't like anyone but the two characters I rarely see -- the councilwoman and his sister.
* Perfect Harmony -- too wholesome, and stereotypical, leans heavy into cliche. And I don't like anyone.
[Hmmm...maybe I just am not into modern sitcoms?]
*Evil -- I get what they are trying to do, but it didn't work for me. For one thing I don't like the Judeo/Christian demon/angel metaphors in fiction unless it is being done by Terry Prachett and Neil Gaiman who have a healthy sense of the whimiscial about it and do it a bit more irreverently. And the other, if you are going to set up one character as a skeptic -- keep them a skeptic, don't have demons visiting them and their kids at night -- it's jarring. Also don't set up a sexual tension betwee the leads, when there isn't any and one of the leads is in training to be a priest and the other one's boss, it's cliche and sort of creepy. Particularly when there's a heavy metaphor going on about sexual violence, and sex being equated with immorality -- as satire.
In short the whole thing irritated me and reminded me of what I did not like about The Good Fight and the later seasons of the Good Wife -- the writer's got a bit heavy handed on their political satire and gender politics.
YMMV.
I've pretty much seen all the new broadcast television series. Haven't seen the cable or streaming ones. There's only so much I can watch. Also, the streaming ones I can catch later.
1. Keepers or the Best of the Lot.
Of the one's I've seen to date, that are brand new - the following appear to be keepers:
* Bob Hearts Abishola -- surprised me, too. I didn't expect to like it. But it is the funniest mixed ethnic/race comedy that I've seen in a while, and doesn't fall into stereotype. Also I like the Nigerian immigration element, and how conservative the Nigerians are and how they don't relate well to the African-Americans, which I've noticed is weirdly true. (seen three episodes of it so far, and I like everyone but Bob's family, and since they are rarely seen? It's not a huge issue.)
* Prodigal Son -- also surprised me. I think the cast and the focus on relationship drama over criminal procedural makes this one work for me. (I don't like procedural drama mainly because I know it's BS. So the less they focus on it the better the show is in my opinion. And I'm not a fan of gore or how they did the murder, prefer the why. So the less focus on the how, the better. This is a long way of explaining why this show is working for me and so many of its predecessors didn't. But mainly it's the cast -- I really like the lead, I sort of have a crush on him. He's the type of actor that turns me on. I do not know why. Also, I love Bellamy Young (who was among the best things in Scandal), Michael Sheen (Good Omens, The Queen, and Little Drummer Girl), Lou Diamond Phillips (Longmire, and various other films of my youth -- it's odd to see him older).
It's not for everyone. But I like it. Don't feel the need to analyze or write about it online though. So lucky you.
* Batwoman -- also surprised (although much like Prodigal Son, I went in with low expectations and did not expect to like it at all.). The lead in this one, much like the above, makes the show. As does the relationship drama or family drama.
It's more focused on relationship drama than crime fighting, which sort of works for me. I find crime-fighting by itself sort of boring. I find relationship drama by itself can get old. The two together work very well.
* Stumptown -- it's not quite as good as I thought it would be (went into this one with high expectations) but it is good. Strong lead, much like the above. I think the bar tender is the weak link. He's just sort of there. Want more of Donal Logue, who was in the third episode, but would be nice if he was a regular. Although the older women or martiarchial power dynamic is nice -- with the Native American Casino Owner vs. the Lieutenant as Dex's two antagonistic maternal role models. Logue plays up the Daddy issues, then turns out to be an ass, disappointing Dex much like all the men in her life. Then we have the bar owner/ex-con, and the sexy cop vying for her attentions. She's slept with both, both have sort of put up boundaries in their own ways. The bar owner -- decided to just be friends. The cop is more interested in sharing information and quick hook-ups.
I'm enjoying it. But I'm not excited about it. That said, it's at least different and I love private dick noir, particularly when the private dick is female. And bonus? It's not episodic but serial and it combines the mystery/noirish crime fighting with the relationship drama. And does a good job of it. The one's who don't? Lose my interest.
2. On the Fence about...
* Nancy Drew -- it could be good. I'm giving it a few more episodes. I like Nancy for the most part, but am rather ambivalent about everyone else. The atmosphere isn't bad, nor is the small town feel. Although small towns in Maine don't tend to be this ethnically diverse. Unless things have changed drastically in the last ten years -- which is more than possible. When I was last there -- it's only claim to ethnic diversity was the Amish and Mennonites. Which, no. I think it should have been put in California or in North West. Also, I'm not sure why they felt the need to make the father look...guilty of something. And I think Scott Wolf is odd casting.
* Emergence --- too much focus on mysterious conspiracy plot not enough on relationship drama. I finding it difficult to care about these people and I should. It's not the actors -- I've seen them in other things and am basically watching it for them. No, it's the writing and the plot. Also, it may well be that I've burned out on this specific trope and am not that interested any longer. I'll give it two or three more episodes before giving up.
* All Rise --Not enough realtionship/interpersonal drama and far too much procedural drama, which leads too didatic issue of the week. I find the court room and legal procedural stuff boring -- mainly because I already know it, so it's hardly informative and for the most part wrong, so mis-informative (which annoys me). Although the second episode was slightly better than the first one. I like the cast. And my favorite character is the Deputy DA, who I have a little crush on. (Yes, I have a type.) And it gets a bit on the self-righteous preachy side, which pushes up my blood pressure. The case of the week irritated me for multiple reasons. (I agree with the show's point of view and message, but I was also pissed and wanted to kill the bad guys. So...)
* Bluff City Law -- see All Rise. Has the same problems. Too much court-room procedure and issue oriented cases. Not enough relationship drama, or just enough to keep me watching but not enough to make me invest in the people. And it slides into cliche in places.
* Almost Family -- too much relationship drama, not enough of the other. And the relationship drama is a little...difficult to relate to. So we'll see.
3. Gave up on completely...
* Mixedish -- the first episode annoyed me, and there was no reason to keep going after that. Too preachy and slapsticky/parody/satirical not enough clever wit and subtle humor. I found it cringe-inducing. Also, don't like anyone.
* The Unicorn -- I tried three episodes for Walter Goggins. Gave up during the first fifteen minutes of the third. Too much sex comedy, not enough relationship comedy. Only character I like is Goggins, everyone else I want to smack upside the head.
* Sunnyside -- to much like Community with less likable characters, humor based mainly on stereotype satire, and not enough wit. Don't like anyone but the two characters I rarely see -- the councilwoman and his sister.
* Perfect Harmony -- too wholesome, and stereotypical, leans heavy into cliche. And I don't like anyone.
[Hmmm...maybe I just am not into modern sitcoms?]
*Evil -- I get what they are trying to do, but it didn't work for me. For one thing I don't like the Judeo/Christian demon/angel metaphors in fiction unless it is being done by Terry Prachett and Neil Gaiman who have a healthy sense of the whimiscial about it and do it a bit more irreverently. And the other, if you are going to set up one character as a skeptic -- keep them a skeptic, don't have demons visiting them and their kids at night -- it's jarring. Also don't set up a sexual tension betwee the leads, when there isn't any and one of the leads is in training to be a priest and the other one's boss, it's cliche and sort of creepy. Particularly when there's a heavy metaphor going on about sexual violence, and sex being equated with immorality -- as satire.
In short the whole thing irritated me and reminded me of what I did not like about The Good Fight and the later seasons of the Good Wife -- the writer's got a bit heavy handed on their political satire and gender politics.
YMMV.
no subject
Date: 2019-10-14 09:11 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2019-10-14 10:47 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2019-10-14 09:22 pm (UTC)On the other hand, the mystery/conspiracy is so stale and uninteresting that I almost feel cheated when they go deep into the murk. Tolman has said that her character has some tough choices ahead of her in upcoming episodes. Might stick around for that, but they need to hurry...
no subject
Date: 2019-10-14 10:45 pm (UTC)Manifest had its issues as did the Passage, but the pacing was better. There's was more of a sense of urgency. And the character relationship drama was more intense, and the conflict more prominent.
Here, it feels all rather passive. As if everyone is sitting around waiting for something to happen and reacting to it as it does -- as opposed to making it happen. These types series work better when the protagonist is more active or pro-active, and less re-active. They have to drive the action, and here it feels like the mysterious group is driving the action and everyone else is well reacting to them.
Shame, I like the actors, and am sticking in there for the actors -- but there's only so far I can go with that. (I actually like the actors in this better than the ones in Manifest and the Passage (with the possible exception of the little girl in The Passage -- she was by far the best child actress that I've seen on one of these things, in that she didn't play it creepy, even though she did end up becoming a monster by the end.)
no subject
Date: 2019-10-15 03:56 am (UTC)When the cyberneticist tried to explain to Jo exactly what Piper is and Jo just wasn't getting it, I think we were as frustrated as that woman (who was risking her life even talking to Jo!).
I think I said "robot" as one of the possibilities after the first episode. Somebody in that group should have guessed robot too. Made them look dumb.
Oh, and:
P.S. Those robot guards dogs were stuuuuuupid.
no subject
Date: 2019-10-15 12:40 pm (UTC)I'd agree. The difficulty with any story -- is when the viewer knows more than the writers of the episode/book/story or characters, they will be taken out of the story. Or if the story goes against their experience of the subject matter in a specific way that they can't relate to it and are taken out of the story. Or in this case, the viewers have seen similar stories or are given enough information to be ahead of the characters, and are way ahead of them...."example dumb robot dogs that aren't really that threatening and can easily be outmaneuvered" or a little girl with weird powers and odd reactions to things, with technology reacting to her? And not questioning it? Hello?
Manifest and The Passage were better written in this respect, the characters seemed to be with the audience, and it was less contrived. They both had similar problems but in different ways. This trope is problematic in that, well, you have to have your entire story and characters plotted out well ahead of time. It's not a trope you can do by the seat of your pants. But the other problem is it has been over done -- how many times have we had the evil corporation that is unregulated and outside of government control? Or the evil government conspiracy that no one can stop? Watching this sort of makes me miss the Passage -- where we got to look at it from the perspective of the well-meaning scientists/government and the victims and the monsters. It had it's flaws (yeah, using a vampiric virus to cure disease on death row inmates is a smart idea - not), but it was at least tightly written and I cared. (Helped it had source material -- adapted from a series of books.) Even Mainfest was a bit more interesting and better put together, the characters while they did improbable things, didn't appear to be nearly as clueless.