Good ongoing tv series?

[Colon]

When or why did she say that again?

I'm a bit annoyed there will be a third season of Twin Peaks to be honest. I will have to rewatch all of the original 2 seasons to remember what's what again. And I will have to do it within the month because FB will be bulging with spoilers. That's not something to unreservedly look forward to, because I have a hate/love relationship with Lynch and his style.

 

[Colon]

The Expanse is really good. I heard that it was better than the book it's based on, which is a rare feat.

It's on my to do list. Does the series feature aliens?

 

[Zelig]

Also just watched the American Gods pilot. Recommended.

It's on my to do list. Does the series feature aliens?

Kind of, but not really.

 

[AdrienIer]

It's on my to do list. Does the series feature aliens?

As Zelig said, kind of but not really. It's focused on the early-ish stage of galactic colonization, when humanity has colonized Mars and has built some stations on the various moons of the solar system + stations in the asteroid belt. Earth and Mars are in a sort of cold war.
I'm no physics expert, but apparently the authors of the book (who are executive producers on the show) made insisted on having the science stuff be as real as possible.

 

[EgonSpengler]

The best seasons of television I've watched in the last year(-ish). I don't have cable and rely on the streaming services, so I'm as much as a year behind on many shows.

The Americans, season 4 - Season 5 is airing now.
Preacher, season 1 - Season 2 premiers in June.
Mr. Robot, season 1 - Season 2 aired last Summer, season 3 premiers in the Fall.
Legion, season 1 - It's been renewed for a 2nd season, but I don't think a premier date is scheduled.
Halt and Catch Fire, season 2 - Season 3 is available on streaming services, but I haven't watched it yet; it's been renewed for a 4th season, but I don't think it has a premier date.
Orphan Black, season 4 - Season 5 begins in June.
The Magicians, season 1 - Season 2 recently concluded, and it's been renewed for a 3rd. I blew it off for a long while because somebody told me it was "Harry Potter for adults", which didn't make me want to watch it. Hell is real, and it smells like Axe Body Spray.

 

[EgonSpengler]

I'm no physics expert, but apparently the authors of the book (who are executive producers on the show) made insisted on having the science stuff be as real as possible.

They impose one flight of fancy on the technology, a magical drive system for spacecraft that doesn't require massive amounts of chemical fuel. After that brief moment of hand-waving, they try to take a "hard science fiction" approach.

 

[Colon]

No sound in space then?

 

[EgonSpengler]

No sound in space then?

Y'know, I can't remember. The scenes external to the ships are of course interspersed with scenes of the characters inside the ships, so you hear things that the characters hear. But I can't remember if the audience also hears things that the characters wouldn't hear - for example, I don't remember if we hear an explosion outside the ship that doesn't somehow interact with the ship.

 

[EvaDK]

When or why did she say that again?

I'm a bit annoyed there will be a third season of Twin Peaks to be honest...

In the very last episode, under circumstances I won't reveal, because I don't want to spoil anything.

They originally planned for a third and last season back in the 90s, but it was cancelled due to fewer and fewer people watching the show. Lynch made somewhat up for it with the prequel film Fire Walk With Me, which was released in theaters. But the tv series ends with a cliffhanger that has never been resolved or commented upon by Lynch or Frost... until now.

 

[Honor]

The Last Kingdom - give it a shot if you enjoyed Vikings

 

[civvver]

The Americans is probably the best show on TV.

I was going to say this if you are looking for current. I haven't started the latest season yet, I think it stays on demand until June or so and I prefer to binge watch one or two per day rather than slow roll 1 a week.

Better call saul is also really good and different. You can tell it has same writers/creator/influences as breaking bad but it's a totally different show. It's not action, comedy or drama but like a mixture of all three, very unique. I thought this season started a little slow but it's still really good. Acting is outstanding on it.

The Leftovers season 3 (final season) just started too. I haven't dived in yet cus I know it'll be one I don't want to put down so I'm waiting for it to be near completion. Again my binge watching issues. This is probably my favorite tv show right now. Game of thrones is more exhilarating, legion was more artistic, better call saul has better acting and writing etc, but there is not a single show on tv that makes you feel like leftovers does. It is heart wrenching all the time. I literally balled my eyes out during the whole season 2 finale and that was not the only time I cried watching this show. It is emotionally powerful. Maybe not everyone will relate to it the way I do, but man it is strong. Game of thrones has it's tense and sad moments but you kind of just accept it and move as part of the show, since season 1 it's been killing people you love. I got a little weepy at parts of sons of anarchy for same reasons, characters dying, but again the show is almost like fantasy.

Even though the premise of leftovers is very fantastic, the characters are completely relateable to me. Kevin is basically the epitome of living a quiet life of desperation and I see myself reflected in him constantly, all his emotions and actions. My life is not nearly as dramatic as his, but I very much relate to his unending love for his family and his fight to get back to them and keep them together through everything and the way life just throws him around sometimes. Outstanding character, and just one of many on this excellent show.

If you don't get a little misty watching it you're either a heartless bastard or one of those people who never cries at anything imo. Give it a whirl.


Oh and if you want a good lighthearted quick show, Archer is on. Funny and short, perfect for lunch breaks.

 

[civvver]

And don't even get me started about Sons of Anarchy. Fantastic program, but sadly, not available on Netflix right now. But you might want to get the DVD sets. It's that good.

It must be region based because it is still on netflix in the US. A quick google said it doesn't show it in canada. That's as far as I got.

 

[Synobun]

I've just seen the first 3 episodes of The Handmaid's Tale. Fair warning: This is not a good time to pick an argument with me about feminism or Christian fundamentalism. Yes, there are some sympathetic male characters in the show.

The episodes are posted on YouTube, if anyone wants to see them (I predict they will be removed soon, though).

I've never read the book and had this show fairly low on the to-do list (Oasis, Mindy Project, X-Files were all above) but I think I might need to move this up to today or tomorrow. The premise is interesting and if the contents within can get someone incensed, that usually means it was done well. I enjoy dystopian settings that immerse you in their horror/misfortune.

The Last Kingdom - give it a shot if you enjoyed Vikings

I watched the first season of this last year and liked it enough to tell all my friends about it which is rare for me. I have not started season 2 yet though as I hate the "one episode weekly" model when it comes to something that is streamed (I vastly prefer the "everything drops at once" model).

 

[GoodSarmatian]

I've seen the American Gods pilot and it really delivers. I'm not sure if I would have enjoyed it so much if I wasn't already a fan of the book. The interludes and dream sequences and general weirdness probably make it hard to follow for somebody who doesn't yet know what's actually going on, but if you're into weird stuff I highly recommend it.
I really like the change to Shadow's character. In the books he was a bit bland and making him angrier works very well.

I've just seen the first 3 episodes of The Handmaid's Tale. Fair warning: This is not a good time to pick an argument with me about feminism or Christian fundamentalism. Yes, there are some sympathetic male characters in the show.

The episodes are posted on YouTube, if anyone wants to see them (I predict they will be removed soon, though).

I didn't even know there's a series. I read the Handmaid's Tale a long time ago in English class. Might be worth checking out but there are currently many other good shows I have to catch up on.

It's on my to do list. Does the series feature aliens?

Kind of, but not really.

The alien thing might be a bit of a spoiler.

Spoiler :

No alien "life" so far, but the discovery of almost certainly alien lifelike technology plays a central role.

The main conflict in the beginning is mostly a cold war between Decadent Earth and Fascistoid Mars, and the asteroid belt is the Third World of the solar system

No sound in space then?

I think there's some sound. Railguns make some noise, but maybe characters would hear on the ship that's firing. Same goes for ship drives.

 

[Zelig]

The alien thing might be a bit of a spoiler.

Not really, it comes up very early in Leviathan Wakes. I avoided any mention of any of the consequences of the alien thing.

The main conflict in the beginning is mostly a cold war between Decadent Earth and Fascistoid Mars, and the asteroid belt is the Third World of the solar system

They're a congressional republic. Books have more internal Mars politicking, with some bits about the prime minister(s).

 

[Valka D'Ur]

I've never read the book and had this show fairly low on the to-do list (Oasis, Mindy Project, X-Files were all above) but I think I might need to move this up to today or tomorrow. The premise is interesting and if the contents within can get someone incensed, that usually means it was done well. I enjoy dystopian settings that immerse you in their horror/misfortune

You should read the book. Atwood's prose style is a bit difficult for some people, since it's so heavily first-person and introspective, but it's worth the effort.

There was a movie made in 1990, starring Natasha Richardson, Robert Duvall, and Faye Dunaway. One thing I noticed about the first episode of the TV series is that some dialogue was lifted word-for-word from the movie - and it's not in the book. Is it plagiarism if the same person owns the movie and TV rights but the movie was made decades before and the scriptwriter was a different person?

 

[GoodSarmatian]

Not really, it comes up very early in Leviathan Wakes. I avoided any mention of any of the consequences of the alien thing.

That's still most of the first season.

They're a congressional republic. Books have more internal Mars politicking, with some bits about the prime minister(s).

I'm not familiar with the books, but showMars comes off as very militant and jingoistic. Of course, Earth doesn't look much better.[/SPOILER]

 

[VicRatlhead5199]

I'd second Egon's suggestion of Orphan Black. Fun show with an interesting overarching scifi mystery.

 

[NovaKart]

You should read the book. Atwood's prose style is a bit difficult for some people, since it's so heavily first-person and introspective, but it's worth the effort.

There was a movie made in 1990, starring Natasha Richardson, Robert Duvall, and Faye Dunaway. One thing I noticed about the first episode of the TV series is that some dialogue was lifted word-for-word from the movie - and it's not in the book. Is it plagiarism if the same person owns the movie and TV rights but the movie was made decades before and the scriptwriter was a different person?

I think the book and 1990 script would be treated differently but perhaps the show creators bought both of them.

 

[Ferocitus]

Any suggestions for tv series to watch?

Better Call Saul
Fargo
The Americans

I agree with other posters - those 3 are exceptional.

The Expanse: Slow scifi, but it is trying to cover a series of long books.

The Night Of: Good standard mini-series. 8 episodes so you can finish it in a
day.

A Series of Unfortunate Events: Beautifully filmed, quirky. I loved it, but it's
not everyone's cuppa tea.

Brain Dead: Why are American politicians behaving weirdly these days?
Now we know!

American Gods: Started yesterday. I'm not a fan of Gaiman, but my family loved
the print version.

Hap and Leonard: Enjoyed the first 2 episodes. I need to watch more before a final
judgement. Season 3 greenlit.

The Colony: Dreadful.