What TV Shows Are You Watching? Series VI - Programmes of Power

[Birdjaguar]

I just read that season 9 of the Blacklist has been given the green light.

Spoiler :

I wonder how they are going to get on without the female protagonist? Liz Keen was kind of a rather important sort for the show, and she will leave a bit of a hole in it. Perhaps Red Reddington will grow his vagina back? Is he really her mother? Everything I saw on the last episode made it look like he was (holy major surgery, Batman). That is definitely a successful disguise attempt if it's true.

The best part about the show is watching James Spader chew the scenery. He is beautifully over the top, and IMHO, he has created one of television's more iconic characters.

But that's just me. YMMV.

Every role he plays is wonderful. Boston Legal! The secretary! Blacklist! IIRC he was in an early Molly Ringwold teen flick too.

 

[Lemon Merchant]

IIRC he was in an early Molly Ringwold teen flick too.

He was a staple in some of the early Brat Pack movies in the 80's and was in a number of John Hughes classics. He always played the rich jerk.

 

[Birdjaguar]

Hit and Run on Netflix is an excellent spy thriller series.

 

[Samson]

I really like Risking it All. I am sure there is some sensationalism in it, but it feels really real and is a window into unappreciated hardships around the world. Trying to find a good exemplar my favorite from Afghanistan is no longer available, neither are most others, but the new one is out today at 17:30 BST, Risking It All : Madagascar. There is an old one on youtube.
.

 

[EgonSpengler]

Every role he plays is wonderful. Boston Legal! The secretary! Blacklist! IIRC he was in an early Molly Ringwold teen flick too.

He was a staple in some of the early Brat Pack movies in the 80's and was in a number of John Hughes classics. He always played the rich jerk.

Spader went to Phillips Academy, so he had already done a lot of research when he played those guys. Less Than Zero is an underrated movie, imo. I saw it again 10-15 years ago, and I thought it held up well. I have fond memories of Wolf too, but I haven't seen that again since it was in theaters (and I remember the SFX being a little cheap-looking, even then). Stargate was an almost startling swerve for Spader, playing the nerd (and I would forgive anyone who'd completely forgotten that Spader was in that movie, after Michael Shanks took the role from him - rewatching the movie years later, it felt like Spader was the one playing someone else's character).

EDIT: I always forget that John Hughes didn't actually direct Pretty in Pink. It was Howard Deutch, who also directed Some Kind of Wonderful. Hughes wrote both of those, so I think it's fair to call them "John Hughes movies." In fact, I think you could use "a 'John Hughes movie'" even more broadly than that, to describe a whole subgenre, whether Hughes was actually involved or not. 10 Things I Hate About You, maybe? Can't Hardly Wait? There was an Elisabeth Shue movie I remember liking, Adventures in Babysitting, that had kind of a John Hughes-adjacent vibe. (Hey, this is funny: Anthony Rapp, from Rent and Star Trek: Discovery, played one of the kids in that movie.)

Hit and Run on Netflix is an excellent spy thriller series.

I've been looking for a satisfying spy story. I tried Condor and Treadstone, but neither could hold my attention for long. I also had access to Berlin Station while I had Epix, but when my 99¢ month expired I didn't want to pay full price for another, and I never got around to it. I've also heard good things about The Bureau, but I don't have the sub for that streaming service either.

 

[Synobun]

Superman & Lois season 1 is over now. The finale was somewhat mediocre, but in general, I found the show to be strong compared to the rest of the current CW crop. A comfortable 7.5/10.

 

[EgonSpengler]

Superman & Lois season 1 is over now. The finale was somewhat mediocre, but in general, I found the show to be strong compared to the rest of the current CW crop. A comfortable 7.5/10.

I haven't watched the finale yet, but I agree, Superman & Lois is a full length ahead of the other The CW shows in almost every area. I could see a difference immediately, in the first episode, just by the quality of the visuals. I know nothing about photography, but it looks more "film-like" somehow. Tyler Hoechlin and Elizabeth Tulloch are already my favorite Clark/Superman & Lois since Dean Cain and Teri Hatcher.

 

[BenitoChavez]

I've started watching Game of Thrones. I'm only 5 episodes in so far but I quite like it. I know a few spoilers and I know that most people hated the 8th season so I'm ready to be disappointed. But 6-7 good seasons is still a good show right? I'm not quite sure why I never got into it before. I guess certain shows get so hyped that I think they couldn't possibly live up to it. Also the gruesome violence always turned me off. It still does to be honest. But the political intrigue and great characters make up for it.

 

[Zardnaar]

I've started watching Game of Thrones. I'm only 5 episodes in so far but I quite like it. I know a few spoilers and I know that most people hated the 8th season so I'm ready to be disappointed. But 6-7 good seasons is still a good show right? I'm not quite sure why I never got into it before. I guess certain shows get so hyped that I think they couldn't possibly live up to it. Also the gruesome violence always turned me off. It still does to be honest. But the political intrigue and great characters make up for it.

6-7 is watchable there's a noticeable decline from season 5 though.

 

[Gorbles]

Finished the Bad Batch (until the next season anyhow), which is me finally caught up on all things Star Wars. Apart from the old holiday and Ewok cartoons. Nope. No thanks. As big of a Star Wars nerd as I am, I have my limits

Started Marvel's new What If...? First episode I watched with the better half, but as much as she generally enjoys the MCU stuff, she couldn't get into the animated format. Second one I watched last night, and I loved it. Was weird hearing Boseman's voice in "new" material (recorded obviously before his untimely passing). They really crammed a lot into the episode, haha, but it was a better example (to me) than the first (as much as I loved Peggy Carter as Captain . . . Britain? Effectively) of how an entire universe can change around one singular small event.

Also binging the relatively new Transformers: War For Cybertron on Netflix. Naturally, as the three-part series has now ended, whoever's in charge of these things (Hasbro?) has already moved onto some kind of new continuity in the comics and whatnot (gotta sell those toys!), but I'm really enjoying the fresh take on the origin story between the Decepticons and Autobots. I've just finished the second chapter (Earthrise) and I'm about to start Kingdom.

Spoiler :

I didn't grow up with G1 Transformers, despite having a G1 Optimus Prime, and my brother having the early camo-pattern kinda-G1 Megatron tank - not the original pistol version of him. As cool as the toys were, the movie and show was a little before my time, hah. When they came back to TV in the late 00s, it was a little too late for me.

I grew up with Beast Wars.

I loved Beast Wars.

And that's where we're going with Kingdom. Dinobot turns up at the very end of the last episode of Earthrise, the original, non-Transmetals Dinobot (obviously). With six episodes to go I don't think they're going to re-introduce the Transmetals line (Beast Wars had a whole thing dedicated to this), and they've already dealt with Scorponok in a G1 context, not his "unkillable Spark of doom" Beast Wars context. So it'll be very interesting to see where they go with Optimus Primal and the gang (Rattrap? Please say Rattrap. His cynicism was one of the funniest things about Beast Wars, from episode to episode).

We've already had the Golden Disk(s) introduced (by Galvatron from another timeline, because of course), so that's obviously a Beast Wars MacGuffin callback thing already. But I'm more interested to see what happens with Optimus. They've kept him conflicted for a lot of the series so far, and though this is an origin story, it feels a bit a times like they're beating him up to keep him down, because he's Optimus Prime and he can single-handedly go toe-to-toe with most Decepticons on a good day. But I'm enjoying it nonetheless. Also really good to see bots like Arcee and Wheeljack getting some of the attention they deserve.

The interesting thing about the WFC trilogy is they're trying to mesh together all the disparate series and reboots they've had over the years, and it mostly works. I feel like the chapters could have done with an additional episode or two per chapter (they have six each), but then again that might just be me wanting more time in the specific storylines. It could easily trend to filler, or cameos for the sake of cameos. As it is, six episodes per chapter keeps the pace moving almost ferociously. I'll be sad when I'm done with Kingdom, but it's been well worth the watch so far.

 

[Zardnaar]

Finished the Bad Batch (until the next season anyhow), which is me finally caught up on all things Star Wars. Apart from the old holiday and Ewok cartoons. Nope. No thanks. As big of a Star Wars nerd as I am, I have my limits

Started Marvel's new What If...? First episode I watched with the better half, but as much as she generally enjoys the MCU stuff, she couldn't get into the animated format. Second one I watched last night, and I loved it. Was weird hearing Boseman's voice in "new" material (recorded obviously before his untimely passing). They really crammed a lot into the episode, haha, but it was a better example (to me) than the first (as much as I loved Peggy Carter as Captain . . . Britain? Effectively) of how an entire universe can change around one singular small event.

Also binging the relatively new Transformers: War For Cybertron on Netflix. Naturally, as the three-part series has now ended, whoever's in charge of these things (Hasbro?) has already moved onto some kind of new continuity in the comics and whatnot (gotta sell those toys!), but I'm really enjoying the fresh take on the origin story between the Decepticons and Autobots. I've just finished the second chapter (Earthrise) and I'm about to start Kingdom.

Spoiler :

I didn't grow up with G1 Transformers, despite having a G1 Optimus Prime, and my brother having the early camo-pattern kinda-G1 Megatron tank - not the original pistol version of him. As cool as the toys were, the movie and show was a little before my time, hah. When they came back to TV in the late 00s, it was a little too late for me.

I grew up with Beast Wars.

I loved Beast Wars.

And that's where we're going with Kingdom. Dinobot turns up at the very end of the last episode of Earthrise, the original, non-Transmetals Dinobot (obviously). With six episodes to go I don't think they're going to re-introduce the Transmetals line (Beast Wars had a whole thing dedicated to this), and they've already dealt with Scorponok in a G1 context, not his "unkillable Spark of doom" Beast Wars context. So it'll be very interesting to see where they go with Optimus Primal and the gang (Rattrap? Please say Rattrap. His cynicism was one of the funniest things about Beast Wars, from episode to episode).

We've already had the Golden Disk(s) introduced (by Galvatron from another timeline, because of course), so that's obviously a Beast Wars MacGuffin callback thing already. But I'm more interested to see what happens with Optimus. They've kept him conflicted for a lot of the series so far, and though this is an origin story, it feels a bit a times like they're beating him up to keep him down, because he's Optimus Prime and he can single-handedly go toe-to-toe with most Decepticons on a good day. But I'm enjoying it nonetheless. Also really good to see bots like Arcee and Wheeljack getting some of the attention they deserve.

The interesting thing about the WFC trilogy is they're trying to mesh together all the disparate series and reboots they've had over the years, and it mostly works. I feel like the chapters could have done with an additional episode or two per chapter (they have six each), but then again that might just be me wanting more time in the specific storylines. It could easily trend to filler, or cameos for the sake of cameos. As it is, six episodes per chapter keeps the pace moving almost ferociously. I'll be sad when I'm done with Kingdom, but it's been well worth the watch so far.

I'm G1 and I liked the new trilogy.

Bad Batch was ok.

 

[Valka D'Ur]

Stargate was an almost startling swerve for Spader, playing the nerd (and I would forgive anyone who'd completely forgotten that Spader was in that movie, after Michael Shanks took the role from him - rewatching the movie years later, it felt like Spader was the one playing someone else's character).

Spader was the only part of that movie I liked. That led to me checking out Boston Legal (no, Shatner was not sufficient reason).

On Saturday I turned on PBS, expecting to watch my weekly Britcoms. But lo, it's yet another pledge drive, with a music theme. Something about "folk rock" music, and I spent most of the time trying to figure out why one of the bribespledge offers was a CD set that included songs by The Irish Rovers and Tommy Makem, when neither song had anything to do with rock.

The program after that was enjoyable, though. It was a documentary about the Carpenters, and I always enjoyed listening to Karen Carpenter sing. She had an amazing voice.

 

[Takhisis]

More on the Italian front: Petra.

 

[Sofista]

Thanks. I'll be looking for it.

 

[tjs282]

Now finished Stranger Things S3, so I'm ready for S4 ... when it finally drops. Watched the first of the Beyond Stranger Things round-tables out of curiosity, but this type of improvisational podcast-style show (still) doesn't really grab me. Also finished Supergirl S3 (from which I am now going to take a break) and Violet Evergarden.

This left me still going on Kim's Convenience S2, Community S4, and One Day at a Time S1 (I'm enjoying the comedy, though the 5 minutes' *seriousface* per episode tends to be jarring). With my roster now consisting entirely of sitcoms, I started on Gotham S3, and The Witcher S1, for some GrimDark^TM balance.

Wife has just discovered Downton Abbey and, being far more inclined to binge-watch than I am, is already most (all?) of the way through S2; I've watched the occasional episode over her shoulder. Slower progress is being made on The Blacklist.

Everyone in our house seems to have lost interest in What If...?

 

[EgonSpengler]

Now finished Stranger Things S3, so I'm ready for S4 ... when it finally drops. Watched the first of the Beyond Stranger Things round-tables out of curiosity, but this type of improvisational podcast-style show (still) doesn't really grab me. Also finished Supergirl S3 (from which I am now going to take a break) and Violet Evergarden.

This left me still going on Kim's Convenience S2, Community S4, and One Day at a Time S1 (I'm enjoying the comedy, though the 5 minutes' *seriousface* per episode tends to be jarring). With my roster now consisting entirely of sitcoms, I started on Gotham S3, and The Witcher S1, for some GrimDark^TM balance.

Wife has just discovered Downton Abbey and, being far more inclined to binge-watch than I am, is already most (all?) of the way through S2; I've watched the occasional episode over her shoulder. Slower progress is being made on The Blacklist.

Everyone in our house seems to have lost interest in What If...?

If you have HBO or HBO Max, Mare of Easttown is the best show I've seen this year, by a country mile.

 

[Takhisis]

Wife has just discovered Downton Abbey

My condolences. I suggest that you nudge her into watching Private Eyes instead, if you can get her to gaze at a certain Jason Priestley.

 

[Valka D'Ur]

Kim's Convenience S2

I really did try to get into that show. There is absolutely nothing funny in it. There's a guy on the Star Trek forum I belong to who the Canadians there have decided to make an honorary Canadian. He's so enthusiastic about our sports, our TV, asks me questions about our politics... His favorite show is Corner Gas. I've seen some of that, and it is funny.

Wife has just discovered Downton Abbey and, being far more inclined to binge-watch than I am, is already most (all?) of the way through S2; I've watched the occasional episode over her shoulder. Slower progress is being made on The Blacklist.

I've binge-watched Downton Abbey so many times that I've forgotten how many times (one time was a New Year's long weekend marathon - all six seasons plus the Christmas specials - and no, I didn't manage to stay awake for all of it. I'd have had to not sleep for 3 days straight!). And every time a certain thing happens at the end of a certain season, I call the character an idiot and then start crying.

I haven't seen the movie, though. That needs remedying.

Is your wife into off-beat humor? Some of the cast of Downton Abbey got together and did some brief skits for charity. They're on YouTube, and are absolutely hilarious. Imagine a crossover between Downton Abbey and Star Wars, with Thomas and Bates chasing each other around the castle with light sabres and gleefully maniacal expressions... it's not immediately obvious as to which of them is the good guy and which is the bad guy.

My condolences. I suggest that you nudge her into watching Private Eyes instead, if you can get her to gaze at a certain Jason Priestley.

And what is wrong with Downton Abbey? It's got Maggie Smith, and Penelope Wilson. How can you go wrong with a TV series that has Minerva McGonagall and Harriet Jones, Prime Minister? (recurring Doctor Who character in the Ninth and Tenth Doctor eras). The crossovers practically write themselves. Somebody wrote a fanfic crossover between Downton Abbey and Firefly (sadly they never finished it, but what is there is quite good).

 

[Takhisis]

Valka, Disney!Star Wars has the same actors and even the same characters as Lucas!Star Wars. And that doesn't improve it in any way.

 

[Valka D'Ur]

Valka, Disney!Star Wars has the same actors and even the same characters as Lucas!Star Wars. And that doesn't improve it in any way.

I gave up on Disney decades ago. I haven't bothered with Star Wars since Han was murdered.

But Downton Abbey/Star Wars is hilarious, because the actors aren't even remotely taking it seriously. It's a short little crossover parody done for charity. They did a Christmas themed one later, though that one isn't anywhere near as funny.