New Tv series (REMEMBER: No Spoilers)

2121

lordromford said:

I’m with @North Lower Neil and @Carter with regards to Harlen Coben series.

I watched the one with Dexter and one with the bloke who was the Sheriff of Nottingham and they were just such badly structured, unsatisfying, formulaic bollocks:

An English village. Not a real one, a twee fantasy one imagined by a trashy American writer. There’s a death, who could be the murderer? Maybe this person? They seem suspicious. Oh, they’ve been killed too. Looks like we were on the wrong track. Never mind. Wait why is everyone behaving weirdly?  Ok, let’s find a new suspect. What about that person? They look a bit dodgy. Hang on, there’s been another totally unrelated crime that adds nothing to the plot. What the fuck? Who did we suspect again? Oh yeah, that person. Oh, it’s not them, it’s that peripheral character and the clues to their identity either didn’t exist at all or were convoluted in the style of Ted Rogers in 3-2-1. How fucking convenient.

Rinse and repeat for any Harlen Coben show. Utter garbage.



so true!

PrincessFiona

Carter said:

I'm 3 episodes into Task really enjoying it 

Mark Ruffalo I always thought played the same character, dour, sarcastic or dry. He shows some really good range in this. 

Industry is back for season 4 which I think is a bit unnecessary as the last one tied a lot of stuff up well and completed the journeys of the main characters. Fuck me this one is a lively opener! 

What's Task on?

lordromford

lordromford said:

BalladMan said:

The worst 3 episodes of stranger things to date.  So much talking, but nothing said.  When the creators have to give an interview to explain things that happened in the episode as it was not clear to the audience, something has gone wrong.  

So much to do now in the final 2.5 hours to wrap it all up. 

Oh dear. I haven’t seen these latest episodes yet, but the way you’re describing it is giving me “Game of Thrones rushed ending PTSD”. 🤦‍♂️

In the end, I quite liked how they ended it. Someone said earlier that it’s sometimes about the journey rather than the destination. I think I agree with this.
It certainly wasn’t tainted the way GoT was.

lordromford

ValleyGary said:

Landman 2 is awesome

On the basis of this comment, I thought I’d give Landman season 1 a try. 

A couple of episodes in, I realised it was written by Taylor Sheridan and suddenly the appallingly written women made sense.
I might give it another episode or two, but it’s not looking good.

I fucking hate Taylor Sheridan.

Croydon

Anyone started the new series of industry yet? Early doors but felt a bit forced at times 

Carter

Croydon said:

Anyone started the new series of industry yet? Early doors but felt a bit forced at times 

I think some of the writers of succession are involved and if not they have definitely watched that and enjoyed it. Season 3 and this new episode felt very succession-y

I hope they aren't going to rock industry until the wheels come off 

lordromford

lordromford said:

ValleyGary said:

Landman 2 is awesome

On the basis of this comment, I thought I’d give Landman season 1 a try. 

A couple of episodes in, I realised it was written by Taylor Sheridan and suddenly the appallingly written women made sense.
I might give it another episode or two, but it’s not looking good.

I fucking hate Taylor Sheridan.

I’m now seven episodes in and I’m torn. I actually think the storylines around working in the oil industry are pretty interesting. I know there’s poetic licence and it’s a bit daft and ott, but it’s ok. I have seen his storylines descend into idiocy after a couple of seasons in both Yellowstone and 1923, but his first seasons are bearable, so I’ll persevere for now. Hopefully I won’t have 20 mins per episode dedicated to dancing ponies spinning around and stopping quickly imposed on me here though.


My main problem is, it’s still the old “Taylor Sheridan can’t write women” issue. I’m honestly flabbergasted that his one dimensional female characters get greenlit. It’s the same in every show he’s done. His idea of a strong woman is someone who is toxic as fuck, while being hypersexualised and obsessed with male genitalia. Their only powerplay is to demean men by saying they’ve got a small dick or that they’re shit in bed.
They’re often framed as highly intelligent, yet are ignorant of the most basic ideas such as Windfarms and Old People’s Homes. (Genuinely, in Landman, two separate women didn’t know what these two things were.)
The dynamic between women and any men is always, with very few exceptions, built around how sexually attractive they are and major female characters are often given traits that suggest they are spoilt, dependant on men, narcissistic, selfish, unreasonable and demanding and they get away with it because they’re “hot”. Usually, “hot” is their own description of themself.
Dialogue between men and women is often patronising, mansplaining or just downright mysoginistic. There was an exchange between Billy Bob Thornton and Ali Larter where he basically asked if she was on her period - she got annoyed, but then admitted he was right and calmed down. So that’s alright then ffs.
He writes storylines for women that revolve around sexual abuse and rape that are often a bit too close to sexual violence fetish material for comfort, but because he says “this is bad” I think he expects some kind of medal. No matter that the victims are then either entirely defined by their experience like it’s the only part of their character that matters or they’re dropped from the storyline altogether.

At the end of the day, his female characters are almost always utterly unpleasant and one dimensional, or weak victims. But he makes them “hot” because he (presumably) thinks that’s the only compliment that matters.

The bloke is a fucking clown.

Jints

I agree with most of the above but Landman still manages to be a very enjoyable series. 1923 was an absolute car crash by the end and had to give up on Yellowstone. 

lordromford

Jints said:

I agree with most of the above but Landman still manages to be a very enjoyable series. 1923 was an absolute car crash by the end and had to give up on Yellowstone. 

Yeah, I’m kind of ignoring the bullshit parts about his wife and daughter. The oilfield stuff is entertaining.
100% agree on 1923 and Yellowstone. I think I might have had a rant about them here before!! 😳

Mendonca In Asdas

LargeAddick said:

Currently refreshing ourselves on the first series of The Night Manager. Aired in 2016 with series two starting early January. Glad we are as completely forgotten what it was all about. Two episodes in, very enjoyable watch, great cast, would recommend.

Watched the first series for the first time over Christmas, thought it was good (BBC IPlayer).

Just wondered what people were making of the 2nd series, which is showing at the moment.

Personally, I love it.

ValleyGary

lordromford said:

lordromford said:

ValleyGary said:

Landman 2 is awesome

On the basis of this comment, I thought I’d give Landman season 1 a try. 

A couple of episodes in, I realised it was written by Taylor Sheridan and suddenly the appallingly written women made sense.
I might give it another episode or two, but it’s not looking good.

I fucking hate Taylor Sheridan.

I’m now seven episodes in and I’m torn. I actually think the storylines around working in the oil industry are pretty interesting. I know there’s poetic licence and it’s a bit daft and ott, but it’s ok. I have seen his storylines descend into idiocy after a couple of seasons in both Yellowstone and 1923, but his first seasons are bearable, so I’ll persevere for now. Hopefully I won’t have 20 mins per episode dedicated to dancing ponies spinning around and stopping quickly imposed on me here though.


My main problem is, it’s still the old “Taylor Sheridan can’t write women” issue. I’m honestly flabbergasted that his one dimensional female characters get greenlit. It’s the same in every show he’s done. His idea of a strong woman is someone who is toxic as fuck, while being hypersexualised and obsessed with male genitalia. Their only powerplay is to demean men by saying they’ve got a small dick or that they’re shit in bed.
They’re often framed as highly intelligent, yet are ignorant of the most basic ideas such as Windfarms and Old People’s Homes. (Genuinely, in Landman, two separate women didn’t know what these two things were.)
The dynamic between women and any men is always, with very few exceptions, built around how sexually attractive they are and major female characters are often given traits that suggest they are spoilt, dependant on men, narcissistic, selfish, unreasonable and demanding and they get away with it because they’re “hot”. Usually, “hot” is their own description of themself.
Dialogue between men and women is often patronising, mansplaining or just downright mysoginistic. There was an exchange between Billy Bob Thornton and Ali Larter where he basically asked if she was on her period - she got annoyed, but then admitted he was right and calmed down. So that’s alright then ffs.
He writes storylines for women that revolve around sexual abuse and rape that are often a bit too close to sexual violence fetish material for comfort, but because he says “this is bad” I think he expects some kind of medal. No matter that the victims are then either entirely defined by their experience like it’s the only part of their character that matters or they’re dropped from the storyline altogether.

At the end of the day, his female characters are almost always utterly unpleasant and one dimensional, or weak victims. But he makes them “hot” because he (presumably) thinks that’s the only compliment that matters.

The bloke is a fucking clown.

The wife and the daughter were the worst parts about the first series, and they take away rather than add anything in the second series.

Obviously no spoilers, but they introduce his father in the second series and its some really touching writing.

AllHailTheHen

lordromford said:

lordromford said:

ValleyGary said:

Landman 2 is awesome

On the basis of this comment, I thought I’d give Landman season 1 a try. 

A couple of episodes in, I realised it was written by Taylor Sheridan and suddenly the appallingly written women made sense.
I might give it another episode or two, but it’s not looking good.

I fucking hate Taylor Sheridan.

I’m now seven episodes in and I’m torn. I actually think the storylines around working in the oil industry are pretty interesting. I know there’s poetic licence and it’s a bit daft and ott, but it’s ok. I have seen his storylines descend into idiocy after a couple of seasons in both Yellowstone and 1923, but his first seasons are bearable, so I’ll persevere for now. Hopefully I won’t have 20 mins per episode dedicated to dancing ponies spinning around and stopping quickly imposed on me here though.


My main problem is, it’s still the old “Taylor Sheridan can’t write women” issue. I’m honestly flabbergasted that his one dimensional female characters get greenlit. It’s the same in every show he’s done. His idea of a strong woman is someone who is toxic as fuck, while being hypersexualised and obsessed with male genitalia. Their only powerplay is to demean men by saying they’ve got a small dick or that they’re shit in bed.
They’re often framed as highly intelligent, yet are ignorant of the most basic ideas such as Windfarms and Old People’s Homes. (Genuinely, in Landman, two separate women didn’t know what these two things were.)
The dynamic between women and any men is always, with very few exceptions, built around how sexually attractive they are and major female characters are often given traits that suggest they are spoilt, dependant on men, narcissistic, selfish, unreasonable and demanding and they get away with it because they’re “hot”. Usually, “hot” is their own description of themself.
Dialogue between men and women is often patronising, mansplaining or just downright mysoginistic. There was an exchange between Billy Bob Thornton and Ali Larter where he basically asked if she was on her period - she got annoyed, but then admitted he was right and calmed down. So that’s alright then ffs.
He writes storylines for women that revolve around sexual abuse and rape that are often a bit too close to sexual violence fetish material for comfort, but because he says “this is bad” I think he expects some kind of medal. No matter that the victims are then either entirely defined by their experience like it’s the only part of their character that matters or they’re dropped from the storyline altogether.

At the end of the day, his female characters are almost always utterly unpleasant and one dimensional, or weak victims. But he makes them “hot” because he (presumably) thinks that’s the only compliment that matters.

The bloke is a fucking clown.

Cant disagree with anything here. Beth Dutton is probably the worst character I have ever watched in a TV show. Utterly ridiculous. The "fearless but then screams at everything" wife in 1923 runs her a close second. The wife and daughter in Landman also terrible characters. All very easy on the eye but excruciatingly badly written.

Carter

Just finished a knight of the seven kingdoms

Early on it gave us a scene I genuinely did not ever expect to see on television.

I loved the book and they have visually got Egg and Dunk spot on. Some funny dialogue and with the wider stakes being fairly low, no dragons or impending night king to worry about I hope it keeps that up. 

AFKABartram

I generally get an hour an evening to myself to watch a tv programme, and operate a ‘basket of programmes’ where I’ll have 3 or 4 I’ll be alternating simultaneously.

Current basket of Landman, Yellowstone, Shrinking and Slow Horses is quickly coming to the end. Have enjoyed all of them and get that sad feeling when I know a batch are coming to an end :-(  

BalladMan

Anyone else watched ‘the chair company’. Very odd and reminded me of an American take on Garth Merengis dark place. Story is a bit all over the place but some laugh out loud bits. Worth a watch if you like surreal comedy. 

AFKABartram

Ps. Pretty much all my viewing comes from feedback and mentions on here, so huge thanks (and remember the NO SPOILERS rule)

North Lower Neil

ElliotCAFC said:

Not sure if someone has mentioned it already but ‘Mr Inbetween’ is up there with the best series I’ve ever seen.

Raced through series 1 - superb, cheers for the recommendation.

Bonus of it having Anne from Neighbours in it, one of my teenage crushes and still looking fit!

bolloxbolder

AFKABartram said:

Ps. Pretty much all my viewing comes from feedback and mentions on here, so huge thanks (and remember the NO SPOILERS rule)

Try Mayor of Kingstown on Paramount next.

laurathered

AFKABartram said:

I generally get an hour an evening to myself to watch a tv programme, and operate a ‘basket of programmes’ where I’ll have 3 or 4 I’ll be alternating simultaneously.

Current basket of Landman, Yellowstone, Shrinking and Slow Horses is quickly coming to the end. Have enjoyed all of them and get that sad feeling when I know a batch are coming to an end :-(  

Love all of those. New series of shrinking out next week 

Jints

Like AFKA, I rotate. Currently: Succession S4 (rewatch), Matchroom (entertaining Netflix doc about Barry and Eddie Hearn). Breaking Bad S4 (rewatch), Fallout S2, A Thousand Blows S1 (not started, replacing Landman), Gold S2. 

Loads of stuff on the wait list. Must try Mayor of Kingstown and there's the new Game of Thrones spin off, Drops of God S2 etc etc,

LargeAddick

Not sure when it was actually aired but we've just watched Black Doves. Very entertaining although implausible in places but a good watch.

Lincsaddick

PrincessFiona said:

Carter said:

I'm 3 episodes into Task really enjoying it 

Mark Ruffalo I always thought played the same character, dour, sarcastic or dry. He shows some really good range in this. 

Industry is back for season 4 which I think is a bit unnecessary as the last one tied a lot of stuff up well and completed the journeys of the main characters. Fuck me this one is a lively opener! 

What's Task on?

Sky Atlantic .. superior cops n robbers series

Lincsaddick

Amadeus on Sky .. beautifully filmed, terrific locations, great acting and music .. an expensive, well directed version of the Shaffer play

Dugdaleclass

Watched Steal on Amazon. Fast paced hokum which has an intriguing opening in the City of London financial centre. Queen of the North Sophie Turner is very good as the office girl who likes to get bladdered at weekends, who suddenly finds herself in very deep trouble.

KettsJohn

Yeah watched the first two episodes tonight. I like it.

McBobbin

Any love for traitors? Quite enjoyed this one, bit different if not hitting the heights of other series.

Just been introduced to Future Man. Absolutely ridiculous but very amusing

johnnybev1987

McBobbin said:

Any love for traitors? Quite enjoyed this one, bit different if not hitting the heights of other series.

Just been introduced to Future Man. Absolutely ridiculous but very amusing

Yep I loved it! brilliant season this one and all of them are so good! I get so hooked, to the point when you have to wait until Wednesday its annoying. I get in from pool/ wherever and always have to catch up before bed. 

carly burn

McBobbin said:

Any love for traitors? Quite enjoyed this one, bit different if not hitting the heights of other series.

Just been introduced to Future Man. Absolutely ridiculous but very amusing

Really? Thought it was one of the best yet. Loved it

lordromford

I feel like traitors needs a tweak. 

It’s too weighted in the traitors favour. I know some will say two seasons were won by faithfuls, but the first season doesn’t really count because of the way the recruited traitor stitched Wilf up, which was (correctly) stopped in subsequent seasons. The only other faithful win was due to the twist near the end.

I feel like it wouldn’t take much to give the faithfuls more of a chance. For example, if the winner of the shield(s) was unknown to everyone else (and sharing the information was not allowed?) the traitors would be more likely to try to murder a shielded player. Then if the show imposed some sort of penalty for a failed murder, this could add an interesting dynamic to the game.

I’m a bit frustrated with it at the moment because apart from having the advantage in the game, the traitors also get so much more screen time, so I get a bit bored of watching them all the time. Add to this that at the moment, there is absolutely no value in getting a traitor out early. The show won’t allow all traitors to be gone with too many people left in the game, so you might as well just let them survive and try to get them at the end. Banishing a traitor early needs something to make it more worthwhile to the faithful or more of a problem for the traitors.

I don’t know. It’s entertaining, but I feel it could be a lot more entertaining.

Jints

I thought they did pretty well with a lot of the tweaks but a big issue is that the prize money is pathetically small in comparison with how much they spend on the show and does not provide enough of an incentive compared to future income from social media etc. 

I agree that there is no real value to getting a traitor out early. One option (if the prize money was increased substantially) would be for a percentage of the prize pool to be earmarked for the last faithful(s) standing.