|
Post by filibanfi on Apr 17, 2017 5:25:48 GMT -8
I'm talking about two eight-episodes first seasons, both hugely appreciated, aired on different decades and that share, more or less, the same major reason for their success. Season One of Twin Peaks is one of the most fascinating, interesting, exquisitely bizarre seasons of television I've ever seen. Which is a big achievement. Still, I won't exactly call it a masterpiece - but I'm pretty sure watching it in 1990 would've been very different. The atmosphere is really excellent: from the moment you tune in and meet these apparently normal people of a small community, you feel attached to the place. The fixation on food, the recurring visit of many places, all located in Twin Peaks, contribute to make the viewer feel comfortable and a part of this world. And this is just the corner of an intriguing, sometime mind-blowing mystery, the resolution of which touches a big amount of characters, whose introduction could very easily feel forced, except here, it... doesn't. Great writing. The developments of the story are generally perfectly handled, but some missteps aren't absent: the mid-season episodes are the weakest ones, with all that fighting stuff at the very silly funeral - even if the show is famous exactly for turning these apparently dumb plot points in good television; in general, Josie's character is badly acted and executed, and I say this recognizing the show isn't an actual actors showcase; some characters, like Laura's mother, but a point could me made for Donna and James too, get a higly promising start, just to be dumped in the middle of nowhere - narratively speaking - for basically all the following episodes. I must take a moment to salute the brilliance of Cooper and Audrey's characters: a truly sympathetic protagonist, not the kind we're used to see today, who stands as a cult figure from the very first moment, and a young, somehow problematic, cliches-breaking girl, who quickly reveals herself as the smartest character on the show. The best episodes are "Northwest Passage" and "Zen, or the Skill to Catch a Killer", incidentally the most realistic and awkward episodes thus far, respectively. Moving on to the other first season... I believe I know myself and my tastes on television. And, I'm telling you, I shouldn't have liked Legion the way I did. And the reason why is partially related to what J.C. was rightly complaining about the other day - style > narration is not an intriguing way to sell me a show, I'll say just this. But Legion is absolutely not that. The fact that visuals and scenic aspects are tremendously great doesn't necessarily imply that plot/writing is weak. Actually, I'm still pretty astonished by how many things happened during these, what, seven hours? The trick is getting used to the way the series tells its story, understanding how it all doesn't necesssarily have to make sense for a regular show, but in this world does. The show explores themes of memory and mind control on an emotional level and it completely works. The most surprising thing was to discover how much heart it has, for the most part represented by the delicious and constantly-gaining-more-importance Sydney: I found her story with David much more touching than what it even had to be - and the same can be said for Melanie and Oliver. I think I already wrote too much, so let's cut it: people already said stuff about this show, everybody knows, and I frankly don't think I can say a lot more. Everything is excellent from the cast (!), to the music (!), to the set-up (!) and I don't think there's one of these aspects working better than the others. It was television at the next level, really, and I can only hope Season Two will maintain this greatness. Every "chapter" was, at least, very good, but the true masterpiecies were the first, fourth and seventh episodes. If you aren't getting enough excitement from me, I'll just say I find unlikely for something else to top Legion this year - at least for me. So there.
|
|
|
Post by ThirdMan on Apr 17, 2017 15:02:51 GMT -8
One of the things I loved most about Legion was that they never rendered Syd as bitchy just to manufacture conflict with the lead. She was always supportive of David, and not in a compliant-with-no-agency-of-her-own kind of way. She sometimes had a sly response to his behaviour, but never became snarky. Which is to say I fully agree: the show's got a big heart, and the lofty style doesn't get in the way of that. Glad you enjoyed it.
|
|
|
Post by Jeremy on Apr 18, 2017 17:26:19 GMT -8
See, I figured the other 8-episode season was from a current show, but I couldn't tell which one. Because there are so many. Like I said, 8 is the new 10.
Anyway, brace yourself for Season Two of Twin Peaks. It's not a complete disaster, but there are some really rough patches along the way.
|
|
|
Post by Jeremy on Apr 19, 2017 18:02:36 GMT -8
Question for Scott and J.C.: Is Mary Kills People as good as I expect it is?
I'm asking because the show has already aired in Canada, and I assume you've both already seen it.
(If you haven't, what are you doing with your lives that's more important than watching Mary Kills People?)
|
|
|
Post by unkinhead on Apr 19, 2017 23:07:45 GMT -8
Watched Rick and Morty and I really like it. Pumped for S3!
Also continued watching Game of Porns after I gave up after finishing S4. I thought the show was far too lost in the parody of what it once was. Unfortunately I'm on S6E5 and things have only gotten worse.
Regular fans must be confusing bleakness with quality because it's pretty much garbage with a bunch of pulled punches and clunky, inconsistent stories at this point. Everything outside of Tyrion and Cersei that's not painfully pandering or derivitive is boring as hell. But I guess as long as they keep up the "shocking zomg death" trend it will probably remain on the air with it's similarly vapid AMC counterpart, TWD.
This show was really fresh and original at one point...So I'm quite disappointed.
|
|
|
Post by ThirdMan on Apr 19, 2017 23:15:59 GMT -8
And yet, the season finale may be GoT's finest episode.
Haven't seen that series, Jeremy.
Dammit, FX Canada screwed up in their airing of the Season 3 premiere of Fargo. I didn't get the last 20 minutes. Now I've gotta wait for it to show up on my cable's On Demand menu.
|
|
|
Post by unkinhead on Apr 20, 2017 0:16:49 GMT -8
And yet, the season finale may be GoT's finest episode. Just finished S6E5 (Hodor); it was the first semigood episode in awhile actually. So I'm mildly excited by the notion that perhaps there's still some gas left in the tank.
|
|
|
Post by ThirdMan on Apr 20, 2017 1:30:30 GMT -8
Though I certainly think the show's given to wheel-spinning and wallowing in suffering and sadism, I'm not as down on it as you. At the very least, it's handsomely-produced, and the acting's solid, across the board. And I think you'll see some meaningful and impactful progression by season's end.
|
|
|
Post by Incandescence 112 on Apr 20, 2017 7:09:43 GMT -8
Watched Rick and Morty and I really like it. Pumped for S3! Also continued watching Game of Porns Thrones after I gave up after finishing S4. I thought the show was far too lost in the parody of what it once was. Unfortunately I'm on S6E5 and things have only gotten worse. Regular fans must be confusing bleakness with quality because it's pretty much garbage with a bunch of pulled punches and clunky, inconsistent stories at this point. Everything outside of Tyrion and Cersei that's not painfully pandering or derivative is boring as hell. But I guess as long as they keep up the "shocking zomg death" trend it will probably remain on the air with it's similarly vapid AMC counterpart, TWD. This show was really fresh and original at one point...So I'm quite disappointed. Season 3 episode 1 is already out, and it's awesome. Too bad we have to wait a couple more months for it. Game of Thrones as bad as The Walking Dead? Nah. S5 is just OK, but Season 6 is pretty strong. Plenty of standout episodes, and something actually happens, unlike TWD.
|
|
Quiara
Grade School
Posts: 775
|
Post by Quiara on Apr 20, 2017 7:10:47 GMT -8
What would a Game of Thrones porn parody be named? A Schlong of Ice and Fire?
|
|
|
Post by ThirdMan on Apr 20, 2017 13:09:13 GMT -8
I don't know, Boscquiara. I think you should actually investigate the GoT porn parodies. That will be your homework for today.
|
|
|
Post by Jay on Apr 20, 2017 13:40:44 GMT -8
See, I figured the other 8-episode season was from a current show, but I couldn't tell which one. Because there are so many. Like I said, 8 is the new 10. Anyway, brace yourself for Season Two of Twin Peaks. It's not a complete disaster, but there are some really rough patches along the way. Whenever I re-watch season two, I'm always blown away by how brief the arc of James' adventure is, because it feels so belabored and cliched. Also, a general warning to anyone who picks up TP season two, your mileage may vary on the second "villain" of the series? I find him delightful and think that he complements the cast well, but a lot of people just hate him.
|
|
|
Post by Jeremy on Apr 20, 2017 14:07:24 GMT -8
Yeah, I didn't care at all for the second villain. Though it's been over five years since I've watched those episodes. Should I ever watch them again, there's a chance my feelings could improve.
In more current TV news: It looks like the rumors of a looming TV writer's strike may not just be rumors. The WGA will be voting shortly on whether or not they'll be putting down their pens and picking up signs next month. I have less-than-fond memories of the previous strike, but given how much TV has changed since then, I'm not sure how far-reaching the effects will be.
|
|
Quiara
Grade School
Posts: 775
|
Post by Quiara on Apr 20, 2017 18:43:27 GMT -8
So I watched the newest Doctor Who just now. "The Pilot" (ironic title for a show in its thirty-sixth season) is probably the best of Steven Moffat's season premieres, or at the very least it's the least cluttered. Pearl Mackie is a real cutie, so much so that after suffering through the continuity-laden slog of "The Magician's Apprentice" (which was so uuugh that I just nope'd out on the rest of the season, even though the last couple episodes are supposed to be really good) I think I might stick around for Series 10. Will make a thread if anyone else has thoughts.
|
|
|
Post by Incandescence 112 on Apr 20, 2017 18:57:32 GMT -8
So I watched the newest Doctor Who just now. "The Pilot" (ironic title for a show in its thirty-sixth season) is probably the best of Steven Moffat's season premieres, or at the very least it's the least cluttered. Pearl Mackie is a real cutie, so much so that after suffering through the continuity-laden slog of "The Magician's Apprentice" (which was so uuugh that I just nope'd out on the rest of the season, even though the last couple episodes are supposed to be really good) I think I might stick around for Series 10. Will make a thread if anyone else has thoughts. I love Bill . I also thought Capaldi was on top form. The story was pretty good, nothing mind-blowing, but definitely solid. The best premiere is still "The Eleventh Hour", but I'd say this is on par with "Deep Breath". Really solid, and it gets me excited for what Moffat has in store. It's his last year. He's got to make it a good one right?
|
|