The best new and returning TV series thread

[Uncle fester]

Staying on fantasy series, watched House Of The Dragon over Xmas. It's not bad but the set piece to finish episode 9 is GOT season 8 level "shit plot but look at the action" crap.

Did you think. I thought it was good. Not amazing or anything but good stuff

The bit I referred to was an unpleasant flashback. Was enjoying it otherwise. Matt Smith is great fun.

[mat the expat]

Just binged all 3 series of Mr Mercedes

I could just watch Brendan Gleeson read a cornflake box - fantastic swearing all the way through!

Shame it got cancelled

[Uncle fester]

Yeah he's very good in it. Can't remember the flashback

Spoiler

Show

Older aunt who could have ended the war in one fell swoop but decided to leave them all alive because reasons.

[Uncle fester]

Gave up on 1899 after 20 minutes before but wife wanted to watch so started again and really enjoying it now.
Still 2 episodes to go, don't know if trying too hard but it's starting to loose a bit.

Was good up to about episode 6. Once they moved off the ship, it flags. Shame because I loved Dark but the creators need to move on a bit.

Emily Beecham is a total fox.

Agreed on both counts.

And it's cancelled.

[Grandpa]

Staying on fantasy series, watched House Of The Dragon over Xmas. It's not bad but the set piece to finish episode 9 is GOT season 8 level "shit plot but look at the action" crap.

Don't do what I did and start watching GOT again... you then realise how poor HOD is in comparison... it's like a dumbed down version in terms of script and budget...

[yermum]

Shame they never made a final series of GOT would be great to see the story brought to a satisfying conclusion

[BnM]

They cancelled 1899 ffs.

[Jock42]

Thats saved me 3 or 4 hours then.

[Uncle fester]

Shame they never made a final series of GOT would be great to see the story brought to a satisfying conclusion

True but at least we got six great seasons. GRRM will be finished the books soon and we'll get to see how it was meant to pan out.

[lemonhead]

Was good up to about episode 6. Once they moved off the ship, it flags. Shame because I loved Dark but the creators need to move on a bit.

Emily Beecham is a total fox.

Agreed on both counts.

And it's cancelled.

Can understand why. Got progressively sillier and not very satisfying payoff. Will check out their previous series tho

Just finished up HOTD and quite pleasantly surprised. Expectations weren't high due to lack of GRRM source material but some clangers aside, very watchable and Considine was excellent.

[Grandpa]

Frasier on its way back and its going to be savaged. As a massive fan, watching it now, bet it will crash and burn. As it is I find it hard to suspend disbelief knowing that Granmer is a Trump supporting twat but I just about manage to pretend. The Frasier of old was an empathetic core surrounded by a bit of me me me. There is no way we can square that circle now we know Grammer is a total twat. Am surprised Paramount can't see that.

Hated him in Cheers... liked his onscreen wife Lilith though...

[Grandpa]

Frasier on its way back and its going to be savaged. As a massive fan, watching it now, bet it will crash and burn. As it is I find it hard to suspend disbelief knowing that Granmer is a Trump supporting twat but I just about manage to pretend. The Frasier of old was an empathetic core surrounded by a bit of me me me. There is no way we can square that circle now we know Grammer is a total twat. Am surprised Paramount can't see that.

Hated him in Cheers... liked his onscreen wife Lilith though...

It had lots of strong characters. Niles is great as is Lilith in her cameos. People love Daphne, I was less on that train. To be fair Grammer was also very good but no different to James Woods turning up in something now, knowing they are complete fuscking idiots makes it too hard to watch them. Don't get me wrong I can handle a conservative actor just not a Trump supporting one

I must have spotted he was an idiot before he even knew himself..

Agree on James Woods also... another actor I never warmed to.

[tabascoboy]

They were talking about this as a movie for years, but nothing seemed to be coming from it. Didn't know it was now done as a TV show...not that I can watch it but hope it does the story justice

[Sandstorm]

The Menu. Weird, annoying and depressing.

I shall be recommending it to people I don’t like.

[Biffer]

Admission time.

One of my secret pleasures is Call The Midwife.

I think its great.

[tabascoboy]

They were talking about this as a movie for years, but nothing seemed to be coming from it. Didn't know it was now done as a TV show...not that I can watch it but hope it does the story justice

Reaction to the first episode seems pretty positive - well mostly (reflects my own first time game experience )

[mat the expat]

Admission time.

One of my secret pleasures is Call The Midwife.

I think its great.

I love Vera

[tabascoboy]

Watched first episode of The Last of Us

So, it adds some new scenes and changes a few things up before the prelude and the first part of the game proper. Can see why as it adds a little background and character moments. Expect to see quite a few new scenes and flashbacks which I can understand as the game had different needs to a live action drama.

There is a lot of respect to the game and much dialogue has been brought in word for word ( I know so much of by heart LOL). We have plenty of the original game music OST too. The direction and cinematography has a totally different "you are there too" feel to The Walking Dead and works well. Casting also seems to have come up trumps ( new Tess sounds very similar to game Tess, and Bella Ramsey seems a good fit for Ellie). A lot will depend too on how effectively the infected are portrayed.

So a very promising first episode and I hope for more of the same

[Sandstorm]

Watched first episode of The Last of Us

So, it adds some new scenes and changes a few things up before the prelude and the first part of the game proper. Can see why as it adds a little background and character moments. Expect to see quite a few new scenes and flashbacks which I can understand as the game had different needs to a live action drama.

There is a lot of respect to the game and much dialogue has been brought in word for word ( I know so much of by heart LOL). We have plenty of the original game music OST too. The direction and cinematography has a totally different "you are there too" feel to The Walking Dead and works well. Casting also seems to have come up trumps ( new Tess sounds very similar to game Tess, and Bella Ramsey seems a good fit for Ellie). A lot will depend too on how effectively the infected are portrayed.

So a very promising first episode and I hope for more of the same

Never played the game, so have no idea what is happening unless it's actually on the screen at the time.

So far, I'm bored and can't see any difference to Walking Dead or a dozen other zombie movies.

[tabascoboy]

Watched first episode of The Last of Us

So, it adds some new scenes and changes a few things up before the prelude and the first part of the game proper. Can see why as it adds a little background and character moments. Expect to see quite a few new scenes and flashbacks which I can understand as the game had different needs to a live action drama.

There is a lot of respect to the game and much dialogue has been brought in word for word ( I know so much of by heart LOL). We have plenty of the original game music OST too. The direction and cinematography has a totally different "you are there too" feel to The Walking Dead and works well. Casting also seems to have come up trumps ( new Tess sounds very similar to game Tess, and Bella Ramsey seems a good fit for Ellie). A lot will depend too on how effectively the infected are portrayed.

So a very promising first episode and I hope for more of the same

Never played the game, so have no idea what is happening unless it's actually on the screen at the time.

So far, I'm bored and can't see any difference to Walking Dead or a dozen other zombie movies.

Much of the first episode did cover the least interesting part of the game post-prelude. Quite a bit of time world-building. Most of the positive response is from Gamers, so maybe it doesn't work well for others.

Should develop the central relationships more I hope in the next episodes which was the strength of the game.

[Blackmac]

I never watch anything on Netflix or Amazon until it has at least 3 series. They are too fond of killing things off after 1 or 2.

[sturginho]

I never watch anything on Netflix or Amazon until it has at least 3 series. They are too fond of killing things off after 1 or 2.

How does that differ from other broadcasters?

[tabascoboy]

I never watch anything on Netflix or Amazon until it has at least 3 series. They are too fond of killing things off after 1 or 2.

At least they tend to complete a season before ditching them. Unlike 'Firefly' RIP after 3/4 of the first season

[sockwithaticket]

I never watch anything on Netflix or Amazon until it has at least 3 series. They are too fond of killing things off after 1 or 2.

Which locks in the content death spiral - people are unwilling to start watching new stuff due to fear of investing in somthing that'll just be cancelled which means viewing figures are low and put the new shows on the chopping block, this in turn serves to reinforce the attitude of viewers towards new shows and on and on we go.

[vball]

Not sure this can be classed as binge watching. More like taking a year out !!

RESURRECTION: ERTUGRUL

Turkish historical series. 160 episodes. Currently on 115 and manage 2 per night.

Really like the history and the Muslim/Islamic parables.

Lots of twist and turns like a twisting, turning thing .... but no boobs.

[Uncle fester]

I never watch anything on Netflix or Amazon until it has at least 3 series. They are too fond of killing things off after 1 or 2.

Which locks in the content death spiral - people are unwilling to start watching new stuff due to fear of investing in somthing that'll just be cancelled which means viewing figures are low and put the new shows on the chopping block, this in turn serves to reinforce the attitude of viewers towards new shows and on and on we go.

Netflix need to up their game. Other streamers are getting really good catalogues and it's a very competitive field.

[mat the expat]

So far, I'm bored and can't see any difference to Walking Dead or a dozen other zombie movies.

That's more down to instant-gratification/ADHD issues though. Exposition in a double-episode/first episode is standard for most TV shows

[Sandstorm]

So far, I'm bored and can't see any difference to Walking Dead or a dozen other zombie movies.

That's more down to instant-gratification/ADHD issues though. Exposition in a double-episode/first episode is standard for most TV shows

I don't have instant-gratification issues; I'll watch a bloke building a gearbox for hours!

So far TLOS (I'm sure that's what the fanboois are calling it already) looks like a cross between Walking Dead & A Quiet Place, with the young girl in it certain to be as annoying as Little Orphan Annie.
5/10

[tabascoboy]

So far, I'm bored and can't see any difference to Walking Dead or a dozen other zombie movies.

That's more down to instant-gratification/ADHD issues though. Exposition in a double-episode/first episode is standard for most TV shows

I don't have instant-gratification issues; I'll watch a bloke building a gearbox for hours!

So far TLOS (I'm sure that's what the fanboois are calling it already) looks like a cross between Walking Dead & A Quiet Place, with the young girl in it certain to be as annoying as Little Orphan Annie.
5/10

Pretty sure most of us gamers found her a bit of an annoying brat...at first. Maybe this series just isn't for you

[Jock42]

Never played the games but loved the first episode. I assume the escape from the town/plane crash is a cut away scene?

[Blackmac]

I never watch anything on Netflix or Amazon until it has at least 3 series. They are too fond of killing things off after 1 or 2.

Which locks in the content death spiral - people are unwilling to start watching new stuff due to fear of investing in somthing that'll just be cancelled which means viewing figures are low and put the new shows on the chopping block, this in turn serves to reinforce the attitude of viewers towards new shows and on and on we go.

Yeah, you are probably correct but it's Netflix that have created the problem. There have been a number of great shows that have just been ditched, Outsiders and Startup come to mind and it's so bloody annoying you just think, bugger that.

[tabascoboy]

Never played the games but loved the first episode. I assume the escape from the town/plane crash is a cut away scene?

It's about 10 mins play which is partly interactive as intro to basic controls. So you feel a part of it ( I managed to get killed first time not realising where I should be going LOL ).

[sockwithaticket]

I never watch anything on Netflix or Amazon until it has at least 3 series. They are too fond of killing things off after 1 or 2.

Which locks in the content death spiral - people are unwilling to start watching new stuff due to fear of investing in somthing that'll just be cancelled which means viewing figures are low and put the new shows on the chopping block, this in turn serves to reinforce the attitude of viewers towards new shows and on and on we go.

Yeah, you are probably correct but it's Netflix that have created the problem. There have been a number of great shows that have just been ditched, Outsiders and Startup come to mind and it's so bloody annoying you just think, bugger that.

Oh yeah, it's completely their fault and I didn't mean to suggest otherwise. They've created a rod for their own back by discouraging people from watching their new stuff.

[tabascoboy]

Which locks in the content death spiral - people are unwilling to start watching new stuff due to fear of investing in somthing that'll just be cancelled which means viewing figures are low and put the new shows on the chopping block, this in turn serves to reinforce the attitude of viewers towards new shows and on and on we go.

Yeah, you are probably correct but it's Netflix that have created the problem. There have been a number of great shows that have just been ditched, Outsiders and Startup come to mind and it's so bloody annoying you just think, bugger that.

Oh yeah, it's completely their fault and I didn't mean to suggest otherwise. They've created a rod for their own back by discouraging people from watching their new stuff.

Maybe I'm naive but surely the simple solution is to drop all the episodes in one go, then there's no reason for people wait weeks for all the episodes to appear before binging. Seen that with some series on BBC Player for example

[sockwithaticket]

Yeah, you are probably correct but it's Netflix that have created the problem. There have been a number of great shows that have just been ditched, Outsiders and Startup come to mind and it's so bloody annoying you just think, bugger that.

Oh yeah, it's completely their fault and I didn't mean to suggest otherwise. They've created a rod for their own back by discouraging people from watching their new stuff.

Maybe I'm naive but surely the simple solution is to drop all the episodes in one go, then there's no reason for people wait weeks for all the episodes to appear before binging. Seen that with some series on BBC Player for example

They already do that in the vast majority of cases afaik. At this point their problem is people are reluctant to start something because there've been so many shows that get abruptly cancelled after one or two seasons with their story only just begun.

[tabascoboy]

Oh yeah, it's completely their fault and I didn't mean to suggest otherwise. They've created a rod for their own back by discouraging people from watching their new stuff.

Maybe I'm naive but surely the simple solution is to drop all the episodes in one go, then there's no reason for people wait weeks for all the episodes to appear before binging. Seen that with some series on BBC Player for example

They already do that in the vast majority of cases afaik. At this point their problem is people are reluctant to start something because there've been so many shows that get abruptly cancelled after one or two seasons with their story only just begun.

OK, I didn't have Netflix for very long and only watched the two series of The Witcher which had all been up for a while, and something else so good I've completely forgotten what it was already...

[Blackmac]

Yeah, you are probably correct but it's Netflix that have created the problem. There have been a number of great shows that have just been ditched, Outsiders and Startup come to mind and it's so bloody annoying you just think, bugger that.

Oh yeah, it's completely their fault and I didn't mean to suggest otherwise. They've created a rod for their own back by discouraging people from watching their new stuff.

Maybe I'm naive but surely the simple solution is to drop all the episodes in one go, then there's no reason for people wait weeks for all the episodes to appear before binging. Seen that with some series on BBC Player for example

I think Startup was 4 seasons in when I started watching it. It was reaching a superb conclusion and could easily have been wound up in another short season but no, just cut. Very bloody frustrating.

[tabascoboy]

US Network TV has long been over-eager to cancel series for reasons that viewers can't fathom, before the days of streaming it was cable, but googling shows Netflix seem to be one of the worst offenders.

[Biffer]

Oh yeah, it's completely their fault and I didn't mean to suggest otherwise. They've created a rod for their own back by discouraging people from watching their new stuff.

Maybe I'm naive but surely the simple solution is to drop all the episodes in one go, then there's no reason for people wait weeks for all the episodes to appear before binging. Seen that with some series on BBC Player for example

They already do that in the vast majority of cases afaik. At this point their problem is people are reluctant to start something because there've been so many shows that get abruptly cancelled after one or two seasons with their story only just begun.

I'm really fucking pissed off that they didn't go for another series of Archive 81. Absolutely fantastic. Released in January, no 2 in the Neilson streaming rankings, 128 million viewing hours in the first three weeks. Critically very well received. Cancelled in March. Not really sure what the hell they want.

[Grandpa]

So far, I'm bored and can't see any difference to Walking Dead or a dozen other zombie movies.

That's more down to instant-gratification/ADHD issues though. Exposition in a double-episode/first episode is standard for most TV shows

I don't have instant-gratification issues; I'll watch a bloke building a gearbox for hours!

So far TLOS (I'm sure that's what the fanboois are calling it already) looks like a cross between Walking Dead & A Quiet Place, with the young girl in it certain to be as annoying as Little Orphan Annie.
5/10

Same with me... not a gamer... and was meh for me...

Happy Valley on the other hand... still half decent