The best new and returning TV series thread

[sockwithaticket]

Yeah I called it quits after episode 2 and hearing what episode 3 was about. The only reason I was watching was for fungal zombies, an hour plus episode that's basically a romantic drama? No thanks.

[Ymx]

Hmmm. This is coming from those who rated brokenwood mysteries and Giri/Haji

Haven't watched Brokenwood, but thought Giri/Haji was quite original and entertaining. What keeps you watching TLOU, Ymx? Were you a fan of the game?

I think Pedro Pascal is excellent. I like the fact it is not just Zombie episode after Zombie episode (brains just being smashed up), and that it’s not quite predictable.

[Gumboot]

Hmmm. This is coming from those who rated brokenwood mysteries and Giri/Haji

Haven't watched Brokenwood, but thought Giri/Haji was quite original and entertaining. What keeps you watching TLOU, Ymx? Were you a fan of the game?

I think Pedro Pascal is excellent. I like the fact it is not just Zombie episode after Zombie episode (brains just being smashed up), and that it’s not quite predictable.

Cheers, glad you're enjoying it. Believe next week's the finale so hope it's a ripper.

[Grandpa]

Hmmm. This is coming from those who rated brokenwood mysteries and Giri/Haji

I like Brokenwood because it doesn't pretend to be serious and I get to see parts of NZ I had forgotten about... so it's sentimental..

[Grandpa]

I’m really liking the last of us. And I’m not really annoyed by the girl as many are. Or have you lot softened your hate?

She's still annoying... I keep hoping she dies... "Hostel" style. And I am still underwhelmed by the whole series apart from episode 3... the rest have been ho hum... I'm still waiting for it to get going... the dialogue is basic and the plot almost non-existent... the production is decent which is about it's only saving grace. I found Station 11 had more going for it.

I bailed during episode 4. Figured if e3 was so lauded, but was almost a stand-alone episode, it could only be downhill from there. And not being a gamer I found the 'escapes' of the first two episodes a bit meh. Face a predicament, need a tool or awesome action to pass obstacle, find/execute same, rinse and repeat. And yeah, the dialogue's bog standard.

Just watched the first episode of Forgotten series 5, and just about to watch the second. No special effects so far, apart from a charred corpse stuck up a chimney, but top notch writing as expected.

I'm continuing with Last of Us because I keep thinking... there must be a point when this transforms itself. I preferred Pascal in Narcos and GOT.

Do you mean Unforgotten? That is usually pretty good... I can't find a Forgotten TV series with 5 seasons?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unforgotten

[Gumboot]

Do you mean Unforgotten? That is usually pretty good... I can't find a Forgotten TV series with 5 seasons?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unforgotten

Yep sorry, it's Unforgotten - my bad. Thought the third series in particular was very good.

[Grandpa]

Do you mean Unforgotten? That is usually pretty good... I can't find a Forgotten TV series with 5 seasons?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unforgotten

Yep sorry, it's Unforgotten - my bad. Thought the third series in particular was very good.

I agree. I only stumbled upon it by accident.. so well written and acted... it's nicely understated with simple plots... but still gripping...

[Ymx]

Hmmm. This is coming from those who rated brokenwood mysteries and Giri/Haji

I like Brokenwood because it doesn't pretend to be serious and I get to see parts of NZ I had forgotten about... so it's sentimental..

I must admit I only watched one episode, but it was pretty dire. I understand the nostalgia.

Then again I really liked Wellington Paranormal for its silliness.

[Gumboot]

Do you mean Unforgotten? That is usually pretty good... I can't find a Forgotten TV series with 5 seasons?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unforgotten

Yep sorry, it's Unforgotten - my bad. Thought the third series in particular was very good.

I agree. I only stumbled upon it by accident.. so well written and acted... it's nicely understated with simple plots... but still gripping...

And there's such a great premise to the series. It's so simple but so effective. Everyone else may have "forgotten" who the victim is, but our ordinary heroes keep plugging away for just that reason. It's an old school cop show in many ways, and all the better for it imho.

[Grandpa]

Yep sorry, it's Unforgotten - my bad. Thought the third series in particular was very good.

I agree. I only stumbled upon it by accident.. so well written and acted... it's nicely understated with simple plots... but still gripping...

And there's such a great premise to the series. It's so simple but so effective. Everyone else may have "forgotten" who the victim is, but our ordinary heroes keep plugging away for just that reason. It's an old school cop show in many ways, and all the better for it imho.

I haven't actually seen Series 5 yet. Didn't know it was on... first one since Nicola left... Downloading it now... It is old school... but different too.

[Grandpa]

Hmmm. This is coming from those who rated brokenwood mysteries and Giri/Haji

I like Brokenwood because it doesn't pretend to be serious and I get to see parts of NZ I had forgotten about... so it's sentimental..

I must admit I only watched one episode, but it was pretty dire. I understand the nostalgia.

Then again I really liked Wellington Paranormal for its silliness.

One of the first ones was based on a golf course I used to play on a lot as a kid... Redwood Park. So that was me hooked...

[Gumboot]

I agree. I only stumbled upon it by accident.. so well written and acted... it's nicely understated with simple plots... but still gripping...

And there's such a great premise to the series. It's so simple but so effective. Everyone else may have "forgotten" who the victim is, but our ordinary heroes keep plugging away for just that reason. It's an old school cop show in many ways, and all the better for it imho.

I haven't actually seen Series 5 yet. Didn't know it was on... first one since Nicola left... Downloading it now... It is old school... but different too.

I'm only 2 episodes in, but really enjoying it so far.

[Grandpa]

And there's such a great premise to the series. It's so simple but so effective. Everyone else may have "forgotten" who the victim is, but our ordinary heroes keep plugging away for just that reason. It's an old school cop show in many ways, and all the better for it imho.

I haven't actually seen Series 5 yet. Didn't know it was on... first one since Nicola left... Downloading it now... It is old school... but different too.

I'm only 2 episodes in, but really enjoying it so far.

Have they replaced Nicola? Does Sanjeev have a new partner in crime?

[Gumboot]

Have they replaced Nicola? Does Sanjeev have a new partner in crime?

Yep, Cassie's been replaced by Jessie...who has already managed to piss off pretty much everyone else.

[Gumboot]

The only thing I dislike about it is the long prevalent intro credits sequence with all the "blink and you've missed it" clues and red herrings that come with this kind of show. Was it originally an American thing that's been adopted by UK police procedurals? The Wire > True Detective > Sharp Objects > Mare of Easttown... Whatever the case, it's becoming quite cliched imho.

[Grandpa]

The only thing I dislike about it is the long prevalent intro credits sequence with all the "blink and you've missed it" clues and red herrings that come with this kind of show. Was it originally an American thing that's been adopted by UK police procedurals? The Wire > True Detective > Sharp Objects > Mare of Easttown... Whatever the case, it's becoming quite cliched imho.

I agree though I liked Unforgotten because it didn't seem to go overboard in this area. One show that annoys me to the point I can't watch it is Line of Duty!

[Uncle fester]

The only thing I dislike about it is the long prevalent intro credits sequence with all the "blink and you've missed it" clues and red herrings that come with this kind of show. Was it originally an American thing that's been adopted by UK police procedurals? The Wire > True Detective > Sharp Objects > Mare of Easttown... Whatever the case, it's becoming quite cliched imho.

I agree though I liked Unforgotten because it didn't seem to go overboard in this area. One show that annoys me to the point I can't watch it is Line of Duty!

Line of duty started off great but jesus, it got silly.

[Gumboot]

Line of duty started off great but jesus, it got silly.

Did it what. By the last series I couldn't give two fecks who "H" was.

[Grandpa]

Caught up with Last uf Us. It's not bad but it's not great. She definitely gets better but the story is still flirting with an overall feeling of cheapness. Not a total write off though.

That road they were driving on in the last episode was remarkably well maintained... better than a lot of roads I see now...

Last of Us is one of those nearly TV shows. It's like it's almost going to be good... but never quite gets out of second gear...

[Grandpa]

Have they replaced Nicola? Does Sanjeev have a new partner in crime?

Yep, Cassie's been replaced by Jessie...who has already managed to piss off pretty much everyone else.

Caught up with Season 5... Jessie's a funny one isn't she... though I'm sure she'll be adorable by season end...

[Insane_Homer]

Line of duty started off great but jesus, it got silly.

Did it what. By the last series I couldn't give two fecks who "H" was.

He's the fucking head of the OCG!!!

[CM11]

Caught up with Last uf Us. It's not bad but it's not great. She definitely gets better but the story is still flirting with an overall feeling of cheapness. Not a total write off though.

That road they were driving on in the last episode was remarkably well maintained... better than a lot of roads I see now...

Last of Us is one of those nearly TV shows. It's like it's almost going to be good... but never quite gets out of second gear...

I wasn't the only one to have the same thought about the road!

Bit of a damp squib final episode but it's always all been about Joel and Ellie and not much else so I guess it fits with the rest of the series.

[Grandpa]

Caught up with Last uf Us. It's not bad but it's not great. She definitely gets better but the story is still flirting with an overall feeling of cheapness. Not a total write off though.

That road they were driving on in the last episode was remarkably well maintained... better than a lot of roads I see now...

Last of Us is one of those nearly TV shows. It's like it's almost going to be good... but never quite gets out of second gear...

I wasn't the only one to have the same thought about the road!

Bit of a damp squib final episode but it's always all been about Joel and Ellie and not much else so I guess it fits with the rest of the series.

I was half expecting them to pull into a fully functioning motorway services...

At some point I think they'll need to consider their clothes... after 20 years most clothes will be falling apart... not nicely pressed and ironed...

I'm glad that zombie people are less prevalent...

[Raggs]

Know I'm a bit late, but really disappointed with the ending of the consultant.

[LenCohen]

Know I'm a bit late, but really disappointed with the ending of the consultant.

Yes absolute shit show of a final episode. Had been enjoying it as mindless silliness up till then

[Raggs]

Know I'm a bit late, but really disappointed with the ending of the consultant.

Yes absolute shit show of a final episode. Had been enjoying it as mindless silliness up till then

Yep, silly conspiracy fun with a hope of a delightfully explosive finale that didn't really happen, and no real explanation.

[Blackmac]

That road they were driving on in the last episode was remarkably well maintained... better than a lot of roads I see now...

Last of Us is one of those nearly TV shows. It's like it's almost going to be good... but never quite gets out of second gear...

I wasn't the only one to have the same thought about the road!

Bit of a damp squib final episode but it's always all been about Joel and Ellie and not much else so I guess it fits with the rest of the series.

I was half expecting them to pull into a fully functioning motorway services...

At some point I think they'll need to consider their clothes... after 20 years most clothes will be falling apart... not nicely pressed and ironed...

I'm glad that zombie people are less prevalent...

The ridiculousness of the gun battle in the hospital where a man who was on deaths door a few days ago was able to overcome dozens of Fireflies was off the scale.

[tabascoboy]

I wasn't the only one to have the same thought about the road!

Bit of a damp squib final episode but it's always all been about Joel and Ellie and not much else so I guess it fits with the rest of the series.

I was half expecting them to pull into a fully functioning motorway services...

At some point I think they'll need to consider their clothes... after 20 years most clothes will be falling apart... not nicely pressed and ironed...

I'm glad that zombie people are less prevalent...

The ridiculousness of the gun battle in the hospital where a man who was on deaths door a few days ago was able to overcome dozens of Fireflies was off the scale.

It's not obvious - and they should have made it so - that a fair bit of time has elapsed since they left Colorado, in the game the season has changed from Winter to Spring. Was a little surprised they chose the gameplay rampage route though - you can also do this by stealth and sneaking ( and at highest difficulty level you have to really). It serves a purpose in the game where you have lethal and non lethal weapons at your disposal but throws any credibility out of the window really as live action.

[CM11]

Was reading earlier that the creators knew it wasn't that realistic but they were making a TV show out of a game after all and decided to go God mode route for that sequence to signify Joel's determination to save Ellie no matter the human cost.

[Enzedder]

This isn't a series or returning, but while chatting with Ginger Jedi, the nuclear war programme Thread was discussed and I found it here.

Far more realistic and terrifying than The Day After

https://hdtoday.tv/watch-movie/watch-th ... 36.5312476

[Gumboot]

This isn't a series or returning, but while chatting with Ginger Jedi, the nuclear war programme Thread was discussed and I found it here.

Far more realistic and terrifying than The Day After

https://hdtoday.tv/watch-movie/watch-th ... 36.5312476

Hey Enz, hope it's nothing, but that link triggered a NOD32 antivirus security alert for me.

[Blackmac]

I was half expecting them to pull into a fully functioning motorway services...

At some point I think they'll need to consider their clothes... after 20 years most clothes will be falling apart... not nicely pressed and ironed...

I'm glad that zombie people are less prevalent...

The ridiculousness of the gun battle in the hospital where a man who was on deaths door a few days ago was able to overcome dozens of Fireflies was off the scale.

It's not obvious - and they should have made it so - that a fair bit of time has elapsed since they left Colorado, in the game the season has changed from Winter to Spring. Was a little surprised they chose the gameplay rampage route though - you can also do this by stealth and sneaking ( and at highest difficulty level you have to really). It serves a purpose in the game where you have lethal and non lethal weapons at your disposal but throws any credibility out of the window really as live action.

I understand that the story is derived from a game but struggle to understand how they think unrealistic gameplay style scenes would translate to the screen when the majority of people like myself have never actually played a computer game in their lives.

[Raggs]

The ridiculousness of the gun battle in the hospital where a man who was on deaths door a few days ago was able to overcome dozens of Fireflies was off the scale.

It's not obvious - and they should have made it so - that a fair bit of time has elapsed since they left Colorado, in the game the season has changed from Winter to Spring. Was a little surprised they chose the gameplay rampage route though - you can also do this by stealth and sneaking ( and at highest difficulty level you have to really). It serves a purpose in the game where you have lethal and non lethal weapons at your disposal but throws any credibility out of the window really as live action.

I understand that the story is derived from a game but struggle to understand how they think unrealistic gameplay style scenes would translate to the screen when the majority of people like myself have never actually played a computer game in their lives.

They'd probably not be too worried. Even twenty years ago the biggest group of gamers were men in their thirties, those guys are obviously now in their fifties and many haven't stopped. Younger generations have only larger proportions of gamers, from both sexes. If you've never gamed, you're not the primary target audience, they're no doubt happy to have you along, but suspension of disbelief is common in all fantasy and sci fi pretty much.

[Grandpa]

It's not obvious - and they should have made it so - that a fair bit of time has elapsed since they left Colorado, in the game the season has changed from Winter to Spring. Was a little surprised they chose the gameplay rampage route though - you can also do this by stealth and sneaking ( and at highest difficulty level you have to really). It serves a purpose in the game where you have lethal and non lethal weapons at your disposal but throws any credibility out of the window really as live action.

I understand that the story is derived from a game but struggle to understand how they think unrealistic gameplay style scenes would translate to the screen when the majority of people like myself have never actually played a computer game in their lives.

They'd probably not be too worried. Even twenty years ago the biggest group of gamers were men in their thirties, those guys are obviously now in their fifties and many haven't stopped. Younger generations have only larger proportions of gamers, from both sexes. If you've never gamed, you're not the primary target audience, they're no doubt happy to have you along, but suspension of disbelief is common in all fantasy and sci fi pretty much.

Think I played space invaders as a kid. Are gamers that common? None of my friends or family are gamers... I did work with a gamer once... but they must be a pretty niche part of the general population? You'd think they'd be after more viewers than that?

[CM11]

Well, the global gaming industry is valued higher than the global TV industry and they estimate there's 3bn gamers in the world.

[CM11]

As for the sequences, it's no less realistic than any other action movie out there. And Marlene had already set up that her lads were useless.

[Jock42]

I enjoyed the series as a whole and particularly the scene he slots all the fireflies, thought it was well filmed. Haven't played it so don't know how true to the game the ending is but didn't see the twist and Joel's story after but I liked that too. Assume its true to the game.

[tabascoboy]

On Reddit, there are two distinct discussion zones for those who played the game and those who watch the show only. Few people on the latter seem to be so concerned about pulling apart the mechanics of the story and seeing if it holds up under scrutiny - of course there are debates about many aspects of it but only on this forum is it overwhelmingly apathy or criticism. Guess folks here are harder to please, and by and large the series seems to have mainly positive feedback from reviewers ( not all of course) and the audience it was aimed at - which was the task of trying to please both gamers and non-gamers...

The debate, as per for those who finished the game is largely about the choice made and whether it was justified or not.

Reaction to the second series will be...interesting.

[Blackmac]

It's not obvious - and they should have made it so - that a fair bit of time has elapsed since they left Colorado, in the game the season has changed from Winter to Spring. Was a little surprised they chose the gameplay rampage route though - you can also do this by stealth and sneaking ( and at highest difficulty level you have to really). It serves a purpose in the game where you have lethal and non lethal weapons at your disposal but throws any credibility out of the window really as live action.

I understand that the story is derived from a game but struggle to understand how they think unrealistic gameplay style scenes would translate to the screen when the majority of people like myself have never actually played a computer game in their lives.

They'd probably not be too worried. Even twenty years ago the biggest group of gamers were men in their thirties, those guys are obviously now in their fifties and many haven't stopped. Younger generations have only larger proportions of gamers, from both sexes. If you've never gamed, you're not the primary target audience, they're no doubt happy to have you along, but suspension of disbelief is common in all fantasy and sci fi pretty much.

Really, I'm in my 50's and have a pretty large group of friends and associates from work, sport etc and I'm pretty certain I don't know of one that is likely to be a gamer.

I genuinely find the whole thing astonishing. My daughter's friends all seem to have partner/husbands who have dedicated gaming areas in their house and will spend a huge amount of time playing games. These lads often have kids and I just cannot understand how the hell they can waste their lives on that shit when there is so much else to be done.

[Raggs]

I understand that the story is derived from a game but struggle to understand how they think unrealistic gameplay style scenes would translate to the screen when the majority of people like myself have never actually played a computer game in their lives.

They'd probably not be too worried. Even twenty years ago the biggest group of gamers were men in their thirties, those guys are obviously now in their fifties and many haven't stopped. Younger generations have only larger proportions of gamers, from both sexes. If you've never gamed, you're not the primary target audience, they're no doubt happy to have you along, but suspension of disbelief is common in all fantasy and sci fi pretty much.

Really, I'm in my 50's and have a pretty large group of friends and associates from work, sport etc and I'm pretty certain I don't know of one that is likely to be a gamer.

I genuinely find the whole thing astonishing. My daughter's friends all seem to have partner/husbands who have dedicated gaming areas in their house and will spend a huge amount of time playing games. These lads often have kids and I just cannot understand how the hell they can waste their lives on that shit when there is so much else to be done.

Like arguing on an online rugby forum?