Current fav US TV series

[Progatron]

Well, episode one of The Last of Us definitely sucked us in! Looking forward to watching it each week, seems like a good Sunday night show.

[Klonk]

Well, episode one of The Last of Us definitely sucked us in! Looking forward to watching it each week, seems like a good Sunday night show.

Same here man. I thought it was great and right up my alley. Hate waiting a week though...been so spoiled these days with the ability to binge

[Progatron]

Same here man. I thought it was great and right up my alley. Hate waiting a week though...been so spoiled these days with the ability to binge

I hear ya. On the other hand, we are currently swamped with shows to watch (who isn't, I suppose) so we don't mind making this one a 'live' once-a-weeker (as GoT always was). I didn't want to let it build up on the DVR as presumably spoilers will be difficult to ignore in various online locales. Our other Sunday night shows (All Creatures Great and Small and Vienna Blood) are less likely to be all the rage online, so we can let those collect for now. But yeah, The Last of Us is looking really good.

Speaking of binging, we are almost done with Ted Lasso, and I gotta say although it has some terrific moments, season 2 has overall not been nearly as strong as season 1 for my tastes (we have 3 episodes left). The one we just watched was almost going off into Twin Peaks territory and simply didn't work IMO. I think sticking to their main storylines is in the best interest of the show.

[Scott Bails]

We finished Wednesday last night. Wow, what a fun show! Love the humor and the Scooby vibe. It also had a very distinct Harry Potter influence. And I'd recommend it to fans of Buffy, as well. Now I understand why Jenna Ortega gets so much praise - she was excellent. As was the rest of the cast. I'd also like to see more of Joy Sunday, Hunter Doohan, and Emma Myers. Nice to see that Season 2 has already been ordered.

[SteveSly]

We finished Wednesday last night. Wow, what a fun show! Love the humor and the Scooby vibe. It also had a very distinct Harry Potter influence. And I'd recommend it to fans of Buffy, as well. Now I understand why Jenna Ortega gets so much praise - she was excellent. As was the rest of the cast. I'd also like to see more of Joy Sunday, Hunter Doohan, and Emma Myers. Nice to see that Season 2 has already been ordered.

I liked the first 4 episodes better than the last 4, when it turned into a teen mystery drama, but I will be in for season 2. Ortega is indeed amazing in the role.

[Plasmatopia]

I watched the first episode of The Last Of Us last night. It was okay, but I must be missing something (like I never played the game it's adapted from). I've seen some rave reviews but to me it seems like something we've all seen before.

[headcrash]

I watched the first episode of The Last Of Us last night. It was okay, but I must be missing something (like I never played the game it's adapted from). I've seen some rave reviews but to me it seems like something we've all seen before.

I liked it. I'm not a horror fan so I was hesitant. I really dislike gore for gore's sake and the jump scares and such but I am a fan of dystopian fiction so that's why I gave it a shot. I thought the acting was pretty good, especially the male lead (who reminded me of Burt Reynolds for some reason) and the young female lead. I'll stay with it unless it turns into more blood'n'guts than story.

[SteveSly]

I liked it. I'm not a horror fan so I was hesitant. I really dislike gore for gore's sake and the jump scares and such but I am a fan of dystopian fiction so that's why I gave it a shot. I thought the acting was pretty good, especially the male lead (who reminded me of Burt Reynolds for some reason) and the young female lead. I'll stay with it unless it turns into more blood'n'guts than story.

Pedro Pascal is the male lead and he does have a bit of a Burt Reynolds quality to him. He is a great actor. I really enjoyed him in "Narcos", "Game Of Thrones", and "The Unbearable Weight Of Massive Talent".

[thedunno]

oh gosh. the world is taken over by a plague that turns people into zombie-like beings. A special girl must save humanity.

How original.

[aith01]

oh gosh. the world is taken over by a plague that turns people into zombie-like beings. A special girl must save humanity.

How original.

Speaking for what I know about the games that the show is based on, the setting isn't really as important as the characters and how they change over the course of the journey. Of course it's not entirely original (although the fungus that infects humans and mutates them is a nice touch and a bit different), it doesn't have to be original in the setup to tell a good story.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that the story in The Last of Us parts 1 and 2 (the games at least) is more ambitious than just its "zombie apocalypse" scenario.

I hope the show is good, because I love Pedro Pascal and want to see him get more leading roles like this.

[thedunno]

it doesn't have to be original in the setup to tell a good story.

For some people maybe not but I think originality is an important aspect of good storytelling. I made my way through episode one and I think this just isn't for me.

[Scott Bails]

For some people maybe not but I think originality is an important aspect of good storytelling.

So, once you've seen one Western, you've seen 'em all, eh?

[thedunno]

So, once you've seen one Western, you've seen 'em all, eh?

I haven't seen that many westerns so I would not know

[Jerjo]

Sometimes I will campaign for a show to join our viewing lineup but my wife will be just...meh. Sometimes I wait it out. Recently she decided that we needed to watch The Boys on Amazon and I did a subtle fist pump. We are now three episodes in and hopefully she is hooked.

I am also starting season three of Bosch and have a couple Star Trek series to view on Paramount+ while waiting for Star Trek: Strange New Worlds to return. Damn, Bosch is like sipping single malt in the dark while listening to jazz.

[NogbadTheBad]

There is zero chance of the wife approving The Boys so I watch on my own. Sometimes we start a show like Sandman together and she bails, sometimes I bail, Hand Maids Tale this season just fed up of June. We're trying The Last Of Us tonight.

[aith01]

For some people maybe not but I think originality is an important aspect of good storytelling. I made my way through episode one and I think this just isn't for me.

Originality in setting and originality in story are two different things. The setting does not have to be wholly original for the story to be original (or even just good).

I would also argue that the use of a mutant Cordyceps fungus as the inciting agent for a collapse of civilization is more creative than you're giving it credit for.

[Hobo Chang Ba]

I watched the first episode of The Last Of Us last night. It was okay, but I must be missing something (like I never played the game it's adapted from). I've seen some rave reviews but to me it seems like something we've all seen before.

I'm kind of in this boat. I"m not really a fan of zombie horror survival genre but my roommate wanted to watch it (and got hooked by the first episode) so i'll continue with it, at lteast through this season. I did enjoy the overall vibe and do like Pedro so I'm hopeful that will grab me at some point as well.

[thedunno]

Originality in setting and originality in story are two different things. The setting does not have to be wholly original for the story to be original (or even just good).

I would also argue that the use of a mutant Cordyceps fungus as the inciting agent for a collapse of civilization is more creative than you're giving it credit for. [emoji38]

Western is a setting. But humanity being plagued by a virus/fungus/bacteria/whatever that turns people into man eating monsters/zombies/undead/whatever while a small remaining part of humanity struggles to survive is part of a storyline. In this case a storyline that has been told many many times before.

And in my case a storyline i dont particulary care for.

[aith01]

humanity being plagued by a virus/fungus/bacteria/whatever that turns people into man eating monsters/zombies/undead/whatever while a small remaining part of humanity struggles to survive is part of a storyline. In this case a storyline that has been told many many times before.

Except no, that's not the story. That's the setting. The story takes place ~20 years later, and is very specifically about two characters as they journey across the wasteland that used to be the USA and how they grow and change over their time together.

And in my case a storyline i dont particulary care for.

You may think you have it all figured out, but you don't. Maybe you should look up the Wikipedia synopsis of the plot from the games to see just how it all plays out. None of it went the way I expected it to. Only time will tell how closely the TV show follows the games' storyline, and whether it sticks to the ultimate message of its story.

[thedunno]

Except no, that's not the story. That's the setting. The story takes place ~20 years later, and is very specifically about two characters as they journey across the wasteland that used to be the USA and how they grow and change over their time together.




You may think you have it all figured out, but you don't. [emoji38] Maybe you should look up the Wikipedia synopsis of the plot from the games to see just how it all plays out. None of it went the way I expected it to. Only time will tell how closely the TV show follows the games' storyline, and whether it sticks to the ultimate message of its story.

Hey I have seen episode 1 and the story was just what I described. You are wrong.

[aith01]

Hey I have seen episode 1 and the story was just what I described. You are wrong.

The prologue is not the story. You've seen one single episode, and you're telling me I'm wrong about the story of the overall series (or the games on which it's based)?

Yeah okay, whatever dude. I'm not going to argue with you anymore.

[Scott Bails]

Damn, Bosch is like sipping single malt in the dark while listening to jazz.

It's sooooo good. And Bosch: Legacy picks right up where it left off, thankfully.

Hey I have seen episode 1 and the story was just what I described. You are wrong.

Yes, every show is no more than its first episode. It's kinda crazy that they spend so much money on more episodes when you get what you need from just the pilot.

[NogbadTheBad]

Watched the first episode of The Last Of Us, I enjoyed it, there wasn't masses of dead bodies gratuitously everywhere, Pedro was great, we'll stick with it.

[Hal...]

The prologue is not the story. You've seen one single episode, and you're telling me I'm wrong about the story of the overall series (or the games on which it's based)?

Yeah okay, whatever dude. I'm not going to argue with you anymore.

Being an enormous fan of the game, I've agreed with every point you've made so far.

One thing I noticed in the first episode was the scene with them riding in the truck. It was shot more like a cut scene from a video game than like a scene for a TV show or movie. I thought that was really interesting and appreciated it.

However, I'm still coming to grips with Bella Ramsey as Ellie. To me, she feels miscast. I also don't recall Ellie carrying a switchblade and being so aggressive. Maybe I'll warm up to her.

[SteveSly]

There is zero chance of the wife approving The Boys so I watch on my own. Sometimes we start a show like Sandman together and she bails, sometimes I bail, Hand Maids Tale this season just fed up of June. We're trying The Last Of Us tonight.

I am lucky that my wife enjoys "The Boys" as much as I do.