What TV Shows Are You Watching ?
Oct. 10th, 2013 09:03 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
shadowkatBecause I'm curious...please advise which of the tv shows below you are watching. Note I did not list all of them nor ones I've yet to see, or ones that just premiered and haven't shown more than one episode yet.
[Poll #1938215]
[Poll #1938215]
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Date: 2013-10-11 01:10 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2013-10-11 01:17 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2013-10-11 11:15 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2013-10-11 11:56 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2013-10-12 01:05 am (UTC)LOL!
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Date: 2013-10-11 01:26 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2013-10-11 10:46 am (UTC)Tim Minear is an executive producer on the show and has said that this season’s themes are "oppression of minorities of all kinds, and within that idea, minority groups going after each other and doing the work of the larger culture." He added, "While there is a strong feminist theme that runs throughout Coven, there are themes of race and themes of oppression, and themes of family — especially mothers and daughters."
The show has gorgeous cinematography and the costume/set designs and has a really original tone unlike any other show on TV. Be warned, it does not shy away from showing some really triggering stuff (the premier episode has two scenes that have caused a lot of controversy) but I really think it’s worth giving a shot if you haven’t already. I thought this week’s episode was pretty great but I think it’s going to get much, much better and Minear is writing the second episode.
It's a love/hate show and you either embrace the show's particular rhythm or you don't. But last season had some incredible character arcs (I recommend watching it as well -- it's called "Asylum") and whilst people find it’s plotting manic I think it really works. It’s really great with female characters which I also think you’ll appreciate.
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Date: 2013-10-11 05:17 pm (UTC)Part of my problem right now is that I don't actually have TV, and so it takes extra effort to seek out and watch things. (I have *a* TV, and I have Netflix on it, but nothing else.) Even more than that, there aren't even really any easily accessible DVD rental places nearby. These aren't strict impediments, because there are Other Ways to get TV shows, but it does make it slightly bit more of a chore.
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Date: 2013-10-11 10:17 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2013-10-12 12:11 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2013-10-11 11:57 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2013-10-12 01:14 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2013-10-12 02:43 am (UTC)This may explain why I couldn't watch Misfits (the British series) except by "other means" - ie, flake_sake kindly sent me the DVDS. Netflix didn't have it.
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Date: 2013-10-12 12:10 pm (UTC)Canada and US are the same region -- we're both R1. It happens occasionally that DVDs will be available in one country and not the other, but that is very rare, because the countries' borders are pretty porous for this type of thing. However, Netflix Streaming options are very different, and for the most part Canada has less, though there are a few counterexamples. I was just trying to find but to no avail a chart showing what movies/shows are available in US, UK and Canada Netflix Streaming; I can't seem to find it, but some blogger put a complete one up.
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Date: 2013-10-12 02:52 pm (UTC)Have noticed video stores outside major urban areas are drying up. They are still around in NYC, but not in outlying areas such as Hilton Head, South Carolina. Annoying that. I miss video stores...why can't we have both mail order/online streaming and video stores? People are such extremists.
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Date: 2013-10-11 05:17 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2013-10-11 11:21 pm (UTC)Both are uneven at times - but they've consistently surprised me, and they have by far the strongest and most complex female characters on television.
I'd rec those two of the list above. Also Once Upon a Time is better on DVD, it's almost made for it.
Scandal is a tour de force satire of The West Wing, but you have to get past the first season and again DVD is best.
(But keep in mind - I was bored by Agents of Shield, so your mileage may vary on this.)
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Date: 2013-10-12 01:14 am (UTC)My gf watches both The Good Wife and OUAT and likes them both. I do want to watch them -- I'm just, you know, behind on everything.
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Date: 2013-10-12 02:39 am (UTC)Unfortunately AoS reminds me a great deal of the Buffy comics, which admittedly were better than AoS or rather they held my attention longer and I know you liked the comics quite a bit...but there was a distinct feeling that Whedon was not as heavily involved as fans were lead to believe and that showed. The comics felt more like Dark Horse's baby than Whedon's. This similarly feels more like Marvel's baby than Whedon's - so a lot depends on what Marvel wants. They are already planning another spin-off from the Avenger's movie as a tv series, if this one works out.
Also, and this bears at least some thought...what made Dollhouse, Firefly, Buffy, and Angel interesting series was a great writing team (outside of Whedon, Whedon didn't write all of the episodes, although he did write more of them in Buffy than in any of the other series that he created - which is interesting), a hands-off network (they really were -as much as Whedon complained about Fox, UPN, and WB, he was spoiled), and great casting. I think Whedon had more control over the casting and development of those series than he does with SHIELD.
Totally see where you are coming from on TV Shows. People are raving about Homeland...but I've no time to watch it nor can I afford to get Showtime. (already considering cancelling HBO). Have never finished watching the Sopranos, Six Feet Under, nor got around to viewing Deadwood or Carnival. Too many tv shows, too little time. I barely watch half the shows I DVR, before long I'm going to have to start deleting again without watching. One of the many reasons I decided to give up on Shield.
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Date: 2013-10-12 12:17 pm (UTC)I agree that AoS seems more clearly Marvel's baby than Whedon's. I think that Whedon has hit on an interesting idea -- "what is it like to live in a world with superheroes, i.e. in which huge powerful events happen over which you have no control" -- and has articulated it well in interviews. Jeff Bell did well showrunning Angel and so I have some hope that it might be able to pull together. But it might be that they're just trying to find some reason to justify the show other than as truckloads of cash. I have not been impressed by Clark Gregg as the series lead, but I thought he was very good as Leonato in Whedon's "Much Ado About Nothing" and so have real hope for him.
I really liked Deadwood, for the record. I was a little bit burned by aspects of BSG (which I overall liked) and so am a little reluctant to check out Carnivale. Ron Moore is a very interesting writer, but he has certain excesses when it comes to more fantasy-oriented things that I want to steer clear of.
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Date: 2013-10-12 03:08 pm (UTC)Oh I'd agree. I actually enjoyed the comics pre-Twilight arc. But there were better writers involved and Whedon was more heavily involved and less distracted by other venues. You can sort of tell when Whedon stopped caring about the comics and began to phone it in so to speak or hand it over to others. Writer burn-out, not a pretty thing. This is why most tv shows shouldn't last more than 5 seasons and why there's a lot of turn-over in writers for on-going print serials.
I don't necessarily dislike AoS, it just doesn't interest or compel me at all. But part of this is due to what interests me in stories - which is quite different than what you describe above. A college friend used to call me "character girl", she was always interested in the plots or thematic structure, while I cared about the characters and how they handled things and their struggle. This is why Buffy worked for me but Dollhouse and Firefly not as much, because I didn't care that much about the characters and felt those shows were more thematic than character oriented. It's also why I've lost interest in Whedon, he seems to be more interested in "meta-narrative" and exploring specific ideas, than he is in creating and building complex characters. Which is okay, nothing wrong with that - it just doesn't interest me. It's also why I have a love/hate relationship with the novelist Neil Gaiman - because he's more interested in the world and themes, then he is in character - as a result his characters often feel flat or cyphers, I'm noticing this with Whedon as well.
It's why I enjoyed BSG more than you did and LOST, the themes I could care less about - I was interested in the characters journeys and how they handled difficult problems. The difficulty I have with The Wire is that it often is more interested in message/idea/theme than character as well - and to me that feels preachy. It's a personal thing.
The other issue I have Agents of Shield - is I was an X-men fan. And in the X-men, Shield and the Avengers are portrayed as fascist/mainstream superhero groups, while the X-men are the outcasts and disenfranchized minority. Shield's casting choices, and use of Clark Gregg as a lead sort of reinforces that feeling.
And...I admittedly do not see the appeal of Clark Gregg's Coulson. I don't dislike him, he just...doesn't register as interesting? I forgot about him after the movies. Which is a big problem for me as a viewer - in order to watch or read a story - I have to find at least one character "engaging or interesting" - they don't have to be likable, they can be a nasty piece of work like Walter White, but as long as they intrigue me and I care what happens to them next or am curious - I'll watch. AoS - five minutes in? I was surfing the net, and half watching. Not a good sign.
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Date: 2013-10-12 11:58 pm (UTC)But yeah, AoS is weak on a character front. I like Clark Gregg's version of Leonato in Whedon's Much Ado -- and that is part of the reason I think that Coulson could work out. I even like Coulson as author insert fanboy. But he is a very questionable series lead. The scene at the end of episode two, where Fury chews Coulson out, is a good example of what is not working about the show -- because it positions Coulson as the renegade cop being chewed out by his superior officer, which is a cliche to begin with, and totally does not fit the way we've seen Coulson behave. And that is the big thing that will probably ultimately turn me off AoS, is that they are trying to present them as outsiders.
That said, I still like Skye -- and think that there is a possibility that there is an interesting story in where her loyalties are, what that says about her. Because, and I may just be projecting, I think I see myself in the way she is presented -- idealistic, sort of, but in a somewhat uninformed, shallow way, and a little easily swayed by alternate belief systems. Well, that's a harsh read of myself, so I don't want to say I believe that totally, but I think I can see Skye falling into her anarchist beliefs almost by accident, and falling out of it just as easily. I *think* that the show is maybe setting up for her to develop real conviction and I want to see that happen -- it's just that I hope it isn't conviction that hyper government control is great.
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Date: 2013-10-13 07:19 pm (UTC)From all the reviews I've read? I think whether you like Agents of Shield has a great deal to do with whether you can relate or find one or both of these two actors engaging, interesting, relateable or likeable:
Skye
Coulson
If you find neither likable or engaging? The show won't work for you.
Which to be fair, is actually true of all tv series. If none of the characters appeal to you personally, you'll give up on the show regardless of how interesting the plot or set-up is or how well or badly written. At the end of the day it comes down to - I find so and so interesting and relateable or I really really don't.
Sigh. Television watching and criticism is definitely a subjective sport. ;-)
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Date: 2013-10-13 07:28 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2013-10-13 07:37 pm (UTC)I was hoping to get into Ming Na-Wen's character - Belinda May, the world-weary ace pilot who despises field action (ie. if Starbuck had lived and made it to 50). But she's barely in it and doesn't have enough to do to hold my interest.
I really wish they'd kill off Wade and find a new and more interesting actor/character. I think he's supposed to be the male lead.
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Date: 2013-10-14 05:20 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2013-10-11 01:30 am (UTC)I can't seem to focus on tv anymore!
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Date: 2013-10-11 11:59 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2013-10-11 02:29 am (UTC)On the other end of things, I will be watching this week's ep of Glee, but I don't generally watch the show.
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Date: 2013-10-11 09:17 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2013-10-11 11:22 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2013-10-11 11:08 am (UTC)I haven’t watched Supernatural since midway through S7 but I checked out the S9 premier out of curiosity. I haven’t made my mind up yet if I’ll continue watching but I found the episode really dull. At this point I feel the show is extremely repetitive and there are only so many times you can recycle the same storylines before you start damaging the characters, perhaps irreparably so.
I have been very unimpressed with SHIELD so far but since I always think a Whedon show is worth watching I’m finding it difficult letting go right now. I think it’s obvious he’s not much involved and that even if he was, the things I appreciate about his writing are being seriously toned down by Disney/Marvel/ABC. I admit it’s boring me to tears and my biggest concern is that unlike all of his other shows I find this cast to be seriously bland and poor. Even if the writing does improve I don’t see these actors being able to do it justice. Dollhouse had a very shaky start too but it’s ambition to be something better was evident right from the beginning and you always knew that with the right material, it’s talented cast of actors/actresses (Olivia Williams, Enver Gjokaj, Fran Kranz, Amy Acker etc) could blow you away. There’s literally nothing about this show that gives me hope it can grow into something better other than that Whedon’s name is attached to it – and that might be futile since his involvement in this series is minimal.
I’m watching Sleepy Hollow but I don’t really know why? The writing is pretty average and I don’t see them being able to stretch this plot out through multiple seasons. And I’m no history expert, least of all any kind of expert on American history, but I’m fairly confident that there’s not a chance in hell Ichabod is being written as an accurate reflection of his time. Nevertheless, both leads have a certain charisma and I enjoy Abbie in particular. It has had the occasional great line (Ichabod being offended that he’d be accused of endorsing slavery and Abbie’s response – “wait, you’re offended?”) and I do appreciate that they have an African American woman starring in the lead role. The cinematography is also really nice and I give them props for at least trying to give some depth to Abbie’s characterisation in a way that isn’t corny and clichéd (*cough* AoS *cough*). I don’t know if it will hold my interest but I’ll keep watching for now.
I plan on watching The Walking Dead when S4 starts. Loved S3!!! Though I’m one of few fans who really liked Andrea and felt for her last season so I’m going to miss her a lot.
Watching American Horror Story and I LOVE IT. Hands down my favourite show on TV right now and it’s the series I was most looking forward to this fall. There’s just no show like it on TV and it’s cast is just amazing. I could watch an entire episode of Jessica Lange reading the phone book and I’d be mesmerised. The show deserves major props for casting a bunch of superb actresses over 40+ (a sin in Hollywood) and having a cast predominately made up of women. Plus any series that wants to tackle such themes as oppression of minorities, mothers/daughters and feminism is worth giving a chance if you ask me. This should isn’t everyone’s cup of tea and it can be really quite brutal but it’s amazing to look at it and it does do a marvellous job with female characters. Plus Tim Minear is executive producer which is a bonus IMO. I loved this week’s premier and can’t wait for the season to continue.
I’m also watching The Crazy Ones which wasn’t an option on your poll. I tuned in for SMG but I’m actually sticking around. The show hasn’t made me laugh out loud once yet but SMG and Robin Williams have a really nice chemistry, James Wolk is bloody hot, and I think it’s improving from week-to-week.
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Date: 2013-10-11 11:45 pm (UTC)You appear to have given up on it around the same time I did. Once they finished their initial arc to save the world...I got bored. I think the show should have ended with S6. It's gone on too long. But I feel that way about most television series - they really only should go 5 years. Going longer than that and the show-runner gets bored and takes a hike - letting his second take over, who unfortunately is also burned out on the series. So we'll either get absurd storylines and weird experimenting (the writers daring the network to cancel them) or repetition.
I have been very unimpressed with SHIELD so far but since I always think a Whedon show is worth watching I’m finding it difficult letting go right now. I think it’s obvious he’s not much involved and that even if he was, the things I appreciate about his writing are being seriously toned down by Disney/Marvel/ABC. I admit it’s boring me to tears and my biggest concern is that unlike all of his other shows I find this cast to be seriously bland and poor. Even if the writing does improve I don’t see these actors being able to do it justice. Dollhouse had a very shaky start too but it’s ambition to be something better was evident right from the beginning and you always knew that with the right material, it’s talented cast of actors/actresses (Olivia Williams, Enver Gjokaj, Fran Kranz, Amy Acker etc) could blow you away. There’s literally nothing about this show that gives me hope it can grow into something better other than that Whedon’s name is attached to it – and that might be futile since his involvement in this series is minimal.
THIS articulates my feelings about AoS in a nutshell. I wholeheartedly agree. I can't say I hate it or anything. I just don't care about it one way or the other. It'll probably do very well. Which is odd, because the other series Whedon wrote, which in my opinion where much more interesting and more captivating...did not do well in ratings and were always on the verge of cancellation or about to be cancelled. Not sure what that says...exactly.
On AoS, I gave up after the 3rd episode.
RE: Sleepy Hollow? On the fence. I like the characters, the story...I'm not so sure about.
American Horror Story is on my DVR, haven't seen the first episode of this season yet. Skipped last season, in part because I did not like the first season that much - I have a love/hate relationship with horror and mixed feelings about Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuck's writing which dates back to Nip/Tuck. But after your glowing review, I may check it out...admittedly curious due to the excellent casting.
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Date: 2013-10-11 12:11 pm (UTC)I am not sure if we will watch Downton in January, due to the spoiler I saw. I really hate that as a plot device.
We are still in season 2 of Once Upon a Time, but have not been watching lately since we were getting caught up with Dexter and Breaking Bad. Now that they are done, maybe.
Favorite show at the moment is still Homeland (halfway through season 2 and dvr'ing 3.) We also watch New Girl (meh,) Crazy Ones (like it, but RW is a force that is hard to get noticed next to,) Modern Family (it is better this season, but may not last much longer,) and are dvr'ing, but have not seen Masters of Sex.
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Date: 2013-10-11 02:32 pm (UTC)Kathy watches a few more of those regularly, and I wander by while the TV is on, but I couldn't say I'm paying attention.
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Date: 2013-10-11 03:02 pm (UTC)And I don't watch both Bones and Castle, but the poll made me choose one. I did watch Bones for several seasons, but stopped and didn't want to come back.
I watched Downton Abbey, but didn't feel love, and now don't want to come back at all.