What was the last TV show you watched?

[Touchofevil]

I liked Jessica Jones a lot. It's the rare Marvel character/story I had no clue about before watching, since the character was introduced long after my comics-reading days. Like some other Netflix series, it's a bit padded and uneven - it would probably have worked better as a 10-episode season rather than 13. But the characters and story are quite different from the usual superhero stuff, and even quite different from brother series Daredevil. Fascinatingly different. (Full disclosure: I've been a fan of Krysten Ritter for years, so I'm hardly totally objective.)

As it happens, I just watched the second season of Daredevil over the holidays. Not as good as the first season, largely because Vincent D'Onofrio's charismatic villain from season one was (mostly) missing. I thought they did okay with the Punisher character, but no so much with Elektra. And there were just way too many impossible fights against tons of ninjas. And they carried an annoyingly idiotic subplot right up until the very last minute that should have been dealt with much earlier. I still like the cast and production (both of these shows are beautifully shot and make great use of their NYC locations), and there's a fight sequence in a stairwell that is comparable to the first season's epic single-take hallway fight (one of the most amazing bits of fight choreography ever).

I haven't gotten around to watching Luke Cage (a character introduced in Jessica Jones) yet, but I will...

I agree that the cinematography is a strong point for both shows. I have read a lot of really nice reviews for Jessica Jones and believe that it will get better. Too often, the first episode doesn't do it for me, but down the line when evrything jells and as I become vested in the characters, the show shines. I expect this to happen with Jessica Jones because the parts are there.

Luke Cage looks to be entertaining. As much as I enjoyed the character in the seventies comic books, I am happy that they have updated his attire.

 

[Doctor Strange]

No more flashy yellow shirt and huge chain for a belt. But he still says "Sweet Christmas!"

I realized the one thing I should have added to my comments about Jessica Jones... It is much rougher and scarier than you might expect. There are some seriously disturbing aspects of the story, but they're dealt with head on, not just used for shock value. Now mind you, I've seen plenty of sick stuff even on 8pm network series like Gotham, but Jessica Jones pushes the envelope. Consider this a warning, perhaps - and also a recommendation. The show has guts.

 

[Touchofevil]

No more flashy yellow shirt and huge chain for a belt. But he still says "Sweet Christmas!"

I realized the one thing I should have added to my comments about Jessica Jones... It is much rougher and scarier than you might expect. There are some seriously disturbing aspects of the story, but they're dealt with head on, not just used for shock value. Now mind you, I've seen plenty of sick stuff even on 8pm network series like Gotham, but Jessica Jones pushes the envelope. Consider this a warning, perhaps - and also a recommendation. The show has guts.

And that is an aspect that gives promise to the show. It is what made the first episode more han just a superhero show.

Where concerned with Luke Cage: don't forget his shiny metal head gear. Style over comfort.

 

[Doctor Strange]

I considered mentioning it! But what the heck was it? A tiara? A circlet? A hood ornament?!?

 

[Fading Fast]

No, they haven't announced that yet. They will have a new showrunner, though. But hopefully Season 3 will be out by December 2017 at the very latest!

"They will have a new showrunner" what does that mean / what is a showrunner?

 

[Doctor Strange]

The showrunner is the senior production executive, usually credited as an Executive Producer and/or Creator. They typically oversee the general direction of the show in writers' room conferences, selection of and notes to the season's directors, DPs, production designers and costumers, editors, composers, etc. Since a season has many of these roles filled by multiple people simultaneously (as many episodes are in various production phases at once) the showrunner acts like a film producer watching over the entire production - but not of just a single feature film, of an entire season.

There are two varieties of showrunners: visionary creators running their own shows (Gene Roddenberry, Joss Whedon, Matthew Weiner, Tina Fey, Ryan Murphy, Brian Fuller, the Sherlock and Game of Thrones duos), and hired guns brought in to streamline production or change a show's direction between seasons. So the announcement of a new showrunner can either be good news or bad - it may just be that the original one is moving on to a new project and allowing someone else to continue his/her vision, or that the network has decided that they want to change direction and/or produce the show more cheaply.

(The classic example of the second is when NBC/Desilu replaced Rodenberry as the showrunner on Star Trek with Fred Frieberger for the third season - explicitly to reduce the show's budget... and implicitly to weaken the show [along with moving it to the Friday 10pm "death slot"] so it would be the final season, since the show was considered an expensive failure.)

 

[Fading Fast]

The showrunner is the senior production executive, usually credited as an Executive Producer and/or Creator. They typically oversee the general direction of the show in writers' room conferences, selection of and notes to the season's directors, DPs, production designers and costumers, editors, composers, etc. Since a season has many of these roles filled by multiple people simultaneously (as many episodes are in various production phases at once) the showrunner acts like a film producer watching over the entire production - but not of just a single feature film, of an entire season.

There are two varieties of showrunners: visionary creators running their own shows (Gene Roddenberry, Joss Whedon, Matthew Weiner, Tina Fey, Ryan Murphy, Brian Fuller, the Sherlock and Game of Thrones duos), and hired guns brought in to streamline production or change a show's direction between seasons. So the announcement of a new showrunner can either be good news or bad - it may just be that the original one is moving on to a new project and allowing someone else to continue his/her vision, or that the network has decided that they want to change direction and/or produce the show more cheaply.

Thank you so much for the very clear and detailed explanation - that all makes sense.

And in "Man In the High Castle's" case, I hope it is the later, because the current vision is outstanding and doesn't need changing at all.

 

[Touchofevil]

I considered mentioning it! But what the heck was it? A tiara? A circlet? A hood ornament?!?

Remember, the seventies were not known for their good fashion.
It looks like it is on upside down and would be painful in a fight.

 

[Worf]

Seasons 5 and 6 of GoT.

Worf

 

[DavidJones]

Just finished watching season one of "The Expanse" on Netflix.

 

[MisterCairo]

A couple more episodes of Once Upon a Time with the girls, and once they were abed, an episode of Peaky Blinders, season one, episode three, re-watched, then to lighten the mood, an episode of The IT Crowd!

 

[DNO]

This is one of the most telling things about any art. Can it be experienced multiple times and continue to reward in new ways? I've found TV and movies are especially susceptible to failing upon a second viewing. For instance, I thought Breaking Bad was a solid, enjoyable show, but then I watched it a second time. For me, it completely fell apart. From an 8 to a 4.5.

That's probably a pretty good measure of a production.

 

[Edward]

Haven't see it yet.
Thoughts??

Largrly forgettable, nowhere near as clever as it thinks it is, though not the worst they've done either. Most notable for being that hack Moffat's final episode in charge, so hopefully (despite the new assistant already grating in the few seconds she's been on screen thus far) this is where the show takes a turn for the better again. Long overdue.

Found myself quite disappointed in the first episode of Sherlock. Guess I'm expecting more from the writers because I know they can be better. This time they're just . . . not.

Bit too "action", but it was the first one I enjoyed since the end of season two. Most of the negatives (Mary as ninja spy, Mary and John's relationship, Mary and John's child, Mary) were a product of having to tie up the loose ends of the poo-storm left behind by series 3. (They seem to be pretending the "Abominable Bride" episode didn't happen, which is fine by me.)

SPOILER ALERT:

I was disappointed they gave Mary a heroic death. I'd have much rather the old biddy had done something genuinely spontaneous and shot her in the head rather than aimed the gun at Bendy. Still, on the plus side she's gone, hopefully they'll get rid of thd kid too, and... No, wait.... Moffat is writing the next episode, so it'll be sone crapfest retread of two men and a baby, stuffed into his usual 'me so clever' rubbish.

Still, it seems more and more of the viewing public are seeing Moffat's naked emperor for what it is, so hopefully this series will see the show cancelled, and Gatiss can go eork up Lucifer Box for Netflix without a lesser writer dragging him down all the time.

Downton Abbey. marathon. I love the ability to turn on the TV at any moment and have an episode in progress. Someone needs to start a channel where each user can load their favorites and set them to run indefinitely. You're the programmer, yet it feels like the channel is made for you...because it was made by you.

Isn't that what on-demand does, really? I don't brlieve traditional television will be relevant or last much beyond 2030.

 

[Fading Fast]

"Man in the High Castle" Season II, Episode 5

It was a really nice touch to have the Japanese Trade Minister "discover" a Twinkie, examine it with circumspection and, then, use chopsticks to eat it with. Well done and funny.

It looks like Obergruppenführer Smith and Inspector Kido are going to rumble and while my early lean is to the Obergruppenfuhrer winning, I could see Kido winning. These are two well-matched opponents.

 

[AmateisGal]

"Man in the High Castle" Season II, Episode 5

It was a really nice touch to have the Japanese Trade Minister "discover" a Twinkie, examine it with circumspection and, then, use chopsticks to eat it with. Well done and funny.

It looks like Obergruppenführer Smith and Inspector Kido are going to rumble and while my early lean is to the Obergruppenfuhrer winning, I could see Kido winning. These are two well-matched opponents.

I loved the Twinkie scene!

 

[Touchofevil]

Three more episodes of Narcos on Netflix. So glad we gave this show a chance. Another example of quality television. Great writing, acting, and directing. It is a treat to watch Wagner Moura who portrays Pablo Escobar. He commands your attention.

 

[Fading Fast]

"The Crown" Episode 9

The scenes between Winston Churchill and his portrait artist, Graham Sutherland, were intense. Lithgow is absolutely killing it as Churchill.

Claire Foy is doing an equally impressive job playing the Queen. One thing she is doing really well is subtly showing herself growing in confidence in the position of Queen. Also, she has that talent the really good ones have of showing emotion more through facial expressions than body English.


"Man in the High Castle" Episode 5 Season 2

The Kaiser Darrin that Joe Blake's Aryan "girlfriend" drives is ridiculously beautiful (she's not hard on the eyes either).

The Lebensborn as the disaffected youth of the victorious German state is an interesting alternate history parallel to the West's flower children / hippies of the '60s.

Obergruppenführer Smith has a horribly warped morality, but interestingly, he does have one. That is one man you don't want to get on the wrong side of.

 

[Touchofevil]

A couple of episodes of The Last Kingdom on Netflix.

 

[AmateisGal]

"The Crown" Episode 9

The scenes between Winston Churchill and his portrait artist, Graham Sutherland, were intense. Lithgow is absolutely killing it as Churchill.

Claire Foy is doing an equally impressive job playing the Queen. One thing she is doing really well is subtly showing herself growing in confidence in the position of Queen. Also, she has that talent the really good ones have of showing emotion more through facial expressions than body English.


"Man in the High Castle" Episode 5 Season 2

The Kaiser Darrin that Joe Blake's Aryan "girlfriend" drives is ridiculously beautiful (she's not hard on the eyes either).

The Lebensborn as the disaffected youth of the victorious German state is an interesting alternate history parallel to the West's flower children / hippies of the '60s.

Obergruppenführer Smith has a horribly warped morality, but interestingly, he does have one. That is one man you don't want to get on the wrong side of.

I was very, very impressed with Lithgow's portrayal of Churchill. And that was a terrific episode with the portrait painter. I was rather appalled that in the end, he had the painting burned.

Smith is one of the most complex characters on TV that I've seen recently.

 

[Fading Fast]

I was very, very impressed with Lithgow's portrayal of Churchill. And that was a terrific episode with the portrait painter. I was rather appalled that in the end, he had the painting burned.

Smith is one of the most complex characters on TV that I've seen recently.

Churchill is a human being writ very, very large: huge ego, huge intelligence, huge heart, huge courage, huge insecurities. For my money, one of the true heroes of the 20th Century, but a great example of the complexity and inconsistencies of real-life heroes. And the man could write and deliver a speech.

Agreed on Smith - writer and actor have come together to create one of the most interesting characters in a long time.