Unofficial TV watching thread

[Ninkobei]

The Denny's scene still doesn't make sense to me. Why would Walt think he could run from the DEA and why would he need an automatic rifle to do so? My dears, something else is a-brewing!

[Smiles]

I like the Big Bang Theory when I happen to catch it while I'm doing something in the kitchen. I don't know if I am seeing re-runs or what, but I wish I paid attention to what time and what network it's on. The geek humor makes me happy enough that I over-look the retard comments from the character that still lives with his mom.

Other than that, I might put The Walton's on while making dinner. Sid the Science Kid and Wild Kratts over on NPR are the only other things getting air time in our house. Those are the kid shows I can stand to watch (or have my kids imitate).

Other than the above, it is "sports, sports, sports" all the time.

I like sports, but sometimes it starts to wear on me.

[Ninkobei]

Originally Posted by Smiles

I like the Big Bang Theory when I happen to catch it while I'm doing something in the kitchen.
Other than that, I might put The Walton's on while making dinner. Sid the Science Kid and Wild Kratts over on NPR are the only other things getting air time in our house.

Read this in Will Ferrel's voice from Old School.

[ShaggyDirk]

I don't I know if we'll have enough time...

[bernardos70]

....you know what, I'll do one! lol

[Smiles]

Originally Posted by Ninkobei

Read this in Will Ferrel's voice from Old School.

XO

[Underdog]

Teeeee-Doooooog!!!

We hardly knew ye...

[DevinHarriswillstart]

American Horror Story Asylum
Boardwalk Empire
The Walking Dead
Homeland

If you are not currently watching at least one of these four shows, then you are doing yourself a serious disservice.

[Murphy3]

I tried American Horror Story..not my cup of tea.. haven't tried any of the rest.

[sike]

Duck Dynasty "Happy, Happy, Happy."

[Big Boy Laroux]

Originally Posted by DevinHarriswillstart

American Horror Story Asylum
Boardwalk Empire
The Walking Dead
Homeland

If you are not currently watching at least one of these three shows, then you are doing yourself a serious disservice.

if you are not currently able to count, you are doing yourself a serious disservice.

[DevinHarriswillstart]

Originally Posted by Big Boy Laroux

if you are not currently able to count, you are doing yourself a serious disservice.

Ha, I had added Homeland later on forgetting that I had put the number of shows. Oh me!

[sike]

Had to delete The Walking Dead from my DVR...it was just taking up space and I had to put 'er down.

just not interested enough in Rick and Co, to give it my time.

[Kirobaito]

Originally Posted by sike

Had to delete The Walking Dead from my DVR...it was just taking up space and I had to put 'er down.

just not interested enough in Rick and Co, to give it my time.

I pretty much hate-watch the show at this point. I have no idea how a show with such thin characters (I don't even know all of their names!) and poorly-paced direction got so popular. Are zombies - erm, walkers (do people in this universe not know what a zombie is?) - really that interesting to people?

[Ninkobei]

Originally Posted by Kirobaito

I pretty much hate-watch the show at this point. I have no idea how a show with such thin characters (I don't even know all of their names!) and poorly-paced direction got so popular. Are zombies - erm, walkers (do people in this universe not know what a zombie is?) - really that interesting to people?

walking dead isn't exactly designed like game of thrones. its about black white and grey decisions in an apocalypse scenario. with a little gore added. if its still going after season 4 I think they will completely swap out characters for the 'other' main character in the comics.

its still better than most recent zombie movies not named dawn of the dead or 28 days later.

[Big Boy Laroux]

And to answer the other question - no, the concept of zombies did not exist in the Walking Dead universe.

I think this season is far better than last season - although the woodbury stuff is moving a little slow and Andrea sucks.

Hopefully woodbury has some payoff as might be expected.

[sike]

Originally Posted by Kirobaito

I pretty much hate-watch the show at this point. I have no idea how a show with such thin characters (I don't even know all of their names!) and poorly-paced direction got so popular. Are zombies - erm, walkers (do people in this universe not know what a zombie is?) - really that interesting to people?

agreed. I'm all for a good "end of the world" scenario show, but give me some characters that aren't so forgettable. I should care when one of the few remaining survivors of the apocalypse dies, but I couldn't care less on The Walking Dead.

[Kirobaito]

It's weird to say this, but of the shows I'm watching right now (Dexter, Homeland, and The Walking Dead), it's Dexter that has been most consistently good this year. Homeland is teetering perilously close to 24-ness that I hope it's able to back away from because the three main actors are so so good.

But then the spring will give us Community's final countdown and then Mad Men and then Breaking Bad so none of these shows will matter anymore.

[Ninkobei]

speaking of community..

[DevinHarriswillstart]

Originally Posted by Big Boy Laroux

And to answer the other question - no, the concept of zombies did not exist in the Walking Dead universe.

I think this season is far better than last season - although the woodbury stuff is moving a little slow and Andrea sucks.

Hopefully woodbury has some payoff as might be expected.

I agree that this season is a lot better. The prison and Woodbury is just more intriguing than sitting around the farm all day like last season.

[DevinHarriswillstart]

Seems like we're in a small golden age of cable tv shows.

Boardwalk season finale was awesome.

Watching last Sunday's episode of Homeland was like having an hour long heart attack. Wow!

I liked the mid season finale of Walking Dead, but it wasn't as much of a wow factor as I had anticipated. But hey, numbers don't lie. It was the number one tv show in the age range of 18-49...of ANY show! Including network shows! People love zombies.

[Kirobaito]

After completing the first half of this season of Walking Dead, I will say that this has been the best set of episodes the series has put forth, and I'm sort of looking forward to when it picks up again in February.

One episode left each of Homeland and Dexter. On Homeland... I thought the last half of last week's episode was great, but lord it feels like the series should end after one more episode. I have no idea what else they're going to do with what they have. Pretty much Saul needs to find a way to take down Estes and that will be that. However, there is still Emily Nussbaum's theory which you can look up that is intriguing to me.

Dexter... they were doing so well, and then the last two weeks they've just went totally off the rails. So disappointing. Dexter's decision to turn Hannah in just doesn't make a lick of sense on any intellectual level. Way to give to the police someone to whom you've revealed that you're a chronic serial killer.

I also just finished catching up on Game of Thrones. So tasty. I shouldn't, because I've got so many other things to read for school, but I'm tempted to pick up A Storm of Swords and read it. I listened to A Game of Thrones on audiobook on my 25-hour drive up here to Seattle (before having watched the show), and I figure season 2 of the show has given me A Clash of Kings pretty well, based on how similar the first book and first season were (that is, identical).

[jthig32]

Originally Posted by Kirobaito

After completing the first half of this season of Walking Dead, I will say that this has been the best set of episodes the series has put forth, and I'm sort of looking forward to when it picks up again in February.

One episode left each of Homeland and Dexter. On Homeland... I thought the last half of last week's episode was great, but lord it feels like the series should end after one more episode. I have no idea what else they're going to do with what they have. Pretty much Saul needs to find a way to take down Estes and that will be that. However, there is still Emily Nussbaum's theory which you can look up that is intriguing to me.

Dexter... they were doing so well, and then the last two weeks they've just went totally off the rails. So disappointing. Dexter's decision to turn Hannah in just doesn't make a lick of sense on any intellectual level. Way to give to the police someone to whom you've revealed that you're a chronic serial killer.

I also just finished catching up on Game of Thrones. So tasty. I shouldn't, because I've got so many other things to read for school, but I'm tempted to pick up A Storm of Swords and read it. I listened to A Game of Thrones on audiobook on my 25-hour drive up here to Seattle (before having watched the show), and I figure season 2 of the show has given me A Clash of Kings pretty well, based on how similar the first book and first season were (that is, identical).

I think Homeland cleaned itself up quite nicely after that awful episode two weeks ago. I do feel like they're going to have to make a massive shake up to make season three compelling, but I thought that leading up to the end of Season 1, so I'm willing to give them the benefit of the doubt for now.

Walking Dead has been quality this season, as far as I'm concerned. Not great, and still many poor characters (Michone has been such a huge, huge let down, and so maddening), but they've killed off several of the worst characters and I'm a complete sucker for tv shows introducing actors that played my favorite characters on The Wire (Cutty from the Cut!).

[Kirobaito]

Originally Posted by jthig32

I think Homeland cleaned itself up quite nicely after that awful episode two weeks ago. I do feel like they're going to have to make a massive shake up to make season three compelling, but I thought that leading up to the end of Season 1, so I'm willing to give them the benefit of the doubt for now.

My problem with the last episode was the, as Todd VanDerWerff calls it, "horror movie logic" involved in finally getting Nazir. The FBI doesn't have canine units, which would have easily tracked down that hideaway? Carrie goes in there UNARMED, and then LEAVES her armed partner? She then ends up hiding behind a barrel? She doesn't have a radio? Just didn't make a lick of sense.

It also didn't make sense that Nazir didn't even try to kill her like he easily disposed of the armored and gun-toting FBI agent (or pick up said dead FBI agent's rifle). Of course, there are some who think that the whole operation with Walden was a set-up between Brody and Nazir, and Carrie needed to stay alive in order to make her protect Brody.

[jthig32]

Originally Posted by Kirobaito

My problem with the last episode was the, as Todd VanDerWerff calls it, "horror movie logic" involved in finally getting Nazir. The FBI doesn't have canine units, which would have easily tracked down that hideaway? Carrie goes in there UNARMED, and then LEAVES her armed partner? She then ends up hiding behind a barrel? She doesn't have a radio? Just didn't make a lick of sense.

It also didn't make sense that Nazir didn't even try to kill her like he easily disposed of the armored and gun-toting FBI agent (or pick up said dead FBI agent's rifle). Of course, there are some who think that the whole operation with Walden was a set-up between Brody and Nazir, and Carrie needed to stay alive in order to make her protect Brody.

I just don't think Homeland is the kind of show that you can dissect like that and come away satisfied. So very few shows are.

And I don't buy that Brody/Nazir theory at all. Doesn't fit with the events in that awful episode.

[DevinHarriswillstart]

There is a some Left4dead2 in Walking Dead which is just fine by me. Left4dead2 is one of my favorite games.

Yeah, Homeland did go through a small lull there, but the first few and last few episodes have been solid. Borderline over the top but nothing outrageous.

[ShaggyDirk]

Homeland is not compelling this season. They've went 24 Season 5 - 7 on our ass. I know longer sympathize with either My So Called Life or Colonel Winters... It's a 40 year old running a marathon just so he can say he ran it and finished.... There's nothing left.

[DevinHarriswillstart]

Originally Posted by ShaggyDirk

Homeland is not compelling this season. They've went 24 Season 5 - 7 on our ass. I know longer sympathize with either My So Called Life or Colonel Winters... It's a 40 year old running a marathon just so he can say he ran it and finished.... There's nothing left.

What did you actually think the show was about? It has always been a more indy/edgy feeling 24. Just a simple terrorist thriller at heart with some pretty good characters.

[ShaggyDirk]

No kidding. That's why I compared it to season 5-7. Maybe you didn't see those seasons and that's why you responded like I'm clueless. You can't defend those seasons with any integrity. Terrible. Homeland is nothing short of terrible this season. And i wouldnt be this hard on a show if it wasnt damn good last season. I'll watch tonight for a good laugh if they try to stretch this into another season.

You're selling the first season barring the last episode very short comparing it to 24.

[chumdawg]

Wow, Shaggy, you sound quite bitter about 24. I hope you find peace, somehow.

[ShaggyDirk]

And also with you...

[DevinHarriswillstart]

I don't think this season was stupid, but it does have a premise that is tough to extend. I'll give you that. There was a decent gap in the middle of this season, but I thought it picked up quite nicely. C'mon...don't tell me you weren't on the edge of your seat at moments. The show is a thiller. It still does the job it should.

[ShaggyDirk]

Originally Posted by DevinHarriswillstart

I don't think this season was stupid, but it does have a premise that is tough to extend. I'll give you that. There was a decent gap in the middle of this season, but I thought it picked up quite nicely. C'mon...don't tell me you weren't on the edge of your seat at moments. The show is a thiller. It still does the job it should.

Where did I refer to the show as stupid? Not compelling ANYMORE. I'm not on the edge of my seat because its all been done before and done better in the first 4 seasons of 24. The first season of Homeland had depth in the story and characters. Neither are present in this season. Beyond the question of "is Brody doing things behind the scenes?" I could care less because they've all shown their hands. That's why the last episode of season 1 screwed the pooch for me.. There's nowhere to go except recycle theme go again.

[jthig32]

The show had some struggles toward the end of the season, and definitely had more plot points overall that went nowhere, but when you take into account the first half of the season, which had some great, great moments, and the finale, which was really good, I personally don't see the claim that the show is done or only full of recycled themes.

Perhaps the most encouraging thing about the finale is that now we can move on from the Carrie/Brody relationship, which in my opinion was the biggest factor dragging the show down. I, personally, am 100% in on a show where Saul, Carrie and Quinn are picking up the pieces from a devastated CIA and chasing some other bad guys, while Brody is out there somewhere ready to pop back in for a future season.

[DevinHarriswillstart]

Well an argument can be made that season two is less "compelling" in a sense than season one. Less thrilling though? No way. And that is what it should and needs to be. Thrilling. It is a thriller after all...

[Kirobaito]

I thought until the bomb went off this finale was the most boring piece of television ever made. Carrie and Brody's conversations were just line after line of not actually saying anything meaningful. Ugggggh.

Then after the bomb went off things got real really quick and it was great. At first I was thinking it'd be fascinating if the next season was Saul leading the CIA as they try to hunt down Carrie and Brody. Then she didn't go and it still was fascinating, because it really felt like Brody's character being temporarily written out of the show (which needed to happen). It's Saul-time, baby, because the Carrie-Saul relationship was really underdeveloped this year compared to last and I find it more interesting than anything, because Mandy Patinkin gets to talk and I love hearing Mandy Patinkin talk.

I wonder how much F. Murray Abraham got paid for his six lines and 45 seconds of screen time.

[ShaggyDirk]

Originally Posted by jthig32

The show had some struggles toward the end of the season, and definitely had more plot points overall that went nowhere, but when you take into account the first half of the season, which had some great, great moments, and the finale, which was really good, I personally don't see the claim that the show is done or only full of recycled themes.

Perhaps the most encouraging thing about the finale is that now we can move on from the Carrie/Brody relationship, which in my opinion was the biggest factor dragging the show down. I, personally, am 100% in on a show where Saul, Carrie and Quinn are picking up the pieces from a devastated CIA and chasing some other bad guys, while Brody is out there somewhere ready to pop back in for a future season.

This is how season 1 should have ended. I think they know that but it took to long to rectify that poor ending of season 1.

[jthig32]

Originally Posted by ShaggyDirk

This is how season 1 should have ended. I think they know that but it took to long to rectify that poor ending of season 1.

Well we just have a completely different outlook on the show as a whole. I thought the ending to season 1 was fantastic.

[Ninkobei]

Best show currently not on hiatus!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lvbRwgadw80

[DevinHarriswillstart]

Originally Posted by Ninkobei

Best show currently not on hiatus!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lvbRwgadw80

Gosh, I liked American Horror Story Asylum for a while there, but I thought that scene was just awful. It should be a horror show...not Glee.