What was the last TV show you watched?

[Stearmen]

Several Star Trek entries, both original and Next Gen:

"Doomsday Machine" -- probably the TOS's finest space action story, with William Windom as a 23rd-century Capt. Ahab determined to destroy his white whale, the miles-long planet-wrecker of the title. If there's one episode that should have the modern effects -- good as the originals were -- it's this one. The scale is astounding. At one point Kirk is watching the planet-killer on the viewscreen of Windom's ship, and we can see, like a fly buzzing around a bull, the Enterprise . . . and Kirk's ship, we know, is nearly a thousand feet long! That planet-wrecker is BIG!

"A Matter of Honor," in which Riker takes part in an officer-exchange program: He volunteers to serve as first officer on a Klingon ship! Definitely not the kind of story the original would have done, at least not with the Klingons as enemies and rivals, as they were painted in TOS.

"The Measure of a Man," in which Picard, on behalf of Data, demands a hearing to decide whether Data is Star Fleet property, a slave in essence, or has the right to refuse a cybernetics professor's plan to disassemble him to find out how he works. A very Asimov-like, "I, Robot" kind of tale (the original, not the recent movie). It features no less than two scenes where Jonathan Frakes (Riker) proves he is not just a big stiff with a neatly trimmed beard, but a real actor who can make you realize what his character is thinking without pronouncing a single word. One of the best of ST: TNG.

 

[Stearmen]

Chasing Classic Cars. Wayne went looking for a Model A restored by his late father. A nice surprise ending!

 

[Zombie_61]

"Doomsday Machine" -- probably the TOS's finest space action story, with William Windom as a 23rd-century Capt. Ahab determined to destroy his white whale, the miles-long planet-wrecker of the title. If there's one episode that should have the modern effects -- good as the originals were -- it's this one. The scale is astounding. At one point Kirk is watching the planet-killer on the viewscreen of Windom's ship, and we can see, like a fly buzzing around a bull, the Enterprise . . . and Kirk's ship, we know, is nearly a thousand feet long! That planet-wrecker is BIG!

William Windom said he didn't make the connection between Captain Decker and Captain Ahab until years later; it seems so obvious. But then, he reportedly didn't enjoy working on the show because, according to him, William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy weren't getting along and created a tense atmosphere on the set. He also said he deliberately overacted because he thought the episode was silly, but considering his character's rather manic mental state I think it worked perfectly. Also, if you notice Captain Decker is "playing" with a couple of computer disks constantly while he assumes command of the Enterprise. Windom said this was a deliberate homage to Captain Queeg (Humphrey Bogart) and his ball bearings in The Caine Mutiny.

Considering the original "planet killer" was a windsock dipped in cement, you'd think this episode would benefit from the updated effects in the remastered version. But, in my opinion, it succeeds or fails because of the performances, so the enhanced effects add little to the story.

 

[Touchofevil]

Some Modern Family

 

[Ernest P Shackleton]

There were flaws/inconsistencies but none that ruined the overall feeling we had for the mini-series.

"only", as if there was only one or one egregious flaw. The first episode was littered with them; one built upon another upon another upon another. Tens of them. And it wasn't just evidential, it was within almost every relationship as well. A minor, yet key, relationship was between Naz and Chandra, yet they didn't develop it at all. They just threw these huge personality inconsistencies at you to both feed the drama and as unmerited plot devices.

HBO has been making some really crappy shows lately. If they aren't getting better pitches, I'm worried about it being the end of "the golden era" of TV. HBO has access to the best new stories coming to TV, and if this is am example, wow. The shows are pretty, but it is easy to do pretty in 2016. Writing good, or even competent, story and character remain a difficult tasks. I guess there's little money or glory in that.

 

[Touchofevil]

"only", as if there was only one or one egregious flaw. The first episode was littered with them; one built upon another upon another upon another. Tens of them. And it wasn't just evidential, it was within almost every relationship as well. A minor, yet key, relationship was between Naz and Chandra, yet they didn't develop it at all. They just threw these huge personality inconsistencies at you to both feed the drama and as unmerited plot devices.

HBO has been making some really crappy shows lately. If they aren't getting better pitches, I'm worried about it being the end of "the golden era" of TV. HBO has access to the best new stories coming to TV, and if this is am example, wow. The shows are pretty, but it is easy to do pretty in 2016. Writing good, or even competent, story and character remain a difficult tasks. I guess there's little money or glory in that.

"Only"
I guess you must be quoting belfastboy even though you are replying to my response.

 

[Gregg Axley]

The Brady Bunch.
Yeah I know...but I like some of the episodes.
Plus I went through all the Outer Limits episodes.

 

[1mach1]

This

 

[Stearmen]

Wheeler Dealers. Ralph Naider's favorite, a Corvair!

 

[Lean'n'mean]

Just finished watching all 5 seasons of 'Peaky Blinders'............as usual with these long running series, there is only about 5 minutes of subatance in each episode & the rest is just slow motion filler. These familly sagas do tend to have a soap-opera-ish feel to them. Technically it was O.K. the acting too was fine even if regional accents tended to slip a little, special mention for Sam Neill's Northen Ireland accent which often took on a New Zealand twang.
The only high point in the show was Tom Hardy's completely 'off the wall 'cockney jewish character. Unfortunately, he was only in a few episodes.
It's watchable but not really 'entertaining' as it's slow, cliché ridden & predictable.

Oh, what was really disturbing in the first few episodes of season 1, was the use of music from the movie ' The Proposition' ....a film I know well. Nick Cave wrote the music for both but it's kinda cheap recycling a soundtrack like that.....my guess is Cave didn't have any incidental music ready for the pilot episode(s) so let some of his movie score be used, knowing not many people have seen or remember the 'The Proposition'

 

[MisterCairo]

We were at a loss as to what to watch, scanning Netflix's crime shows, we came across an icon for something called "Low Winter Sun", and that Mark Strong and Lennie James were in it sold us on trying it out. A ten-part mini-series set in Detroit, we saw the first two episodes.

Quite entertaining, and we learned it's based on a British tv movie from 2006, set in Edinburgh, also starring Mark Strong, so when we finish off the American series we'll check that out too.

 

[Fading Fast]

Based on Touch of Evil's recommendation, I've been recording all 8 episodes of "The Night Of" and plan to start it, time permitting, this week.

 

[Touchofevil]

Based on Touch of Evil's recommendation, I've been recording all 8 episodes of "The Night Of" and plan to start it, time permitting, this week.

Obviously not everyone on here has found it to be as enjoyable as us, but I am glad you are giving it a try. Enjoy!

 

[MisterCairo]

Another episode of The Last Kingdom. It's getting better as it goes (or I'm just appreciating it more), and it's bringing back memories of the first book, which I read seven years ago now!

 

[Worf]

Obviously not everyone on here has found it to be as enjoyable as us, but I am glad you are giving it a try. Enjoy!

Funny, my friend Randy, a retired Federal Judge said it was the best thing on HBO since "The Wire".... I plan to give it a go sometime.

Worf

 

[Worf]

"The Strain" - It's keeping our interest!

Worf

 

[Touchofevil]

Funny, my friend Randy, a retired Federal Judge said it was the best thing on HBO since "The Wire".... I plan to give it a go sometime.

Worf

Do it. It is well done. Don't know where it rates with The Wire as we have yet to get to it, but that comment makes me want to move it up or list of "to watch."

 

[Touchofevil]

"The Strain" - It's keeping our interest!

Worf

I have got to get back to that. Having read the books a few years back and not being fond of a few of the characters as well as the Bucky Beaver teeth on Quinlan, has made it at times difficult to keep interest.

 

[Ernest P Shackleton]

We were at a loss as to what to watch, scanning Netflix's crime shows, we came across an icon for something called "Low Winter Sun", and that Mark Strong and Lennie James were in it sold us on trying it out. A ten-part mini-series set in Detroit, we saw the first two episodes.

Quite entertaining, and we learned it's based on a British tv movie from 2006, set in Edinburgh, also starring Mark Strong, so when we finish off the American series we'll check that out too.

LWS was a decent AMC program. I believe it was one of those few shows fortunate to know they weren't getting another season, so they were able to edit it into an ending that wasn't an abrupt cliff walk. I won't comment any further (for now).

 

[Ernest P Shackleton]

I have got to get back to that. Having read the books a few years back and not being fond of a few of the characters as well as the Bucky Beaver teeth on Quinlan, has made it at times difficult to keep interest.

I don't find it a top-level show, but it isn't too bad. I felt the first season was a real drag, but since then, they've trimmed a lot of the interpersonal drama. The war is the draw here, not the poorly written and acted relationships. It's an action show, and it should be written as such. I've enjoyed this season so far, but I also know not to go into it with high expectations.