Must Watch Series

[Buehler445]

All this talk about series, how network TV Sucks, and how hard it is to find quality shows, and some excellent shows that fly under the radar, I need a comprehensive review of all the series I need to see.

For good entertainment, I would be willing to buy DVD sets. But I've recently picked up HBOGO by kiping it from my parents, and recently got Netflix and Amazon Prime.

Here is a listing of shows that I currently own or have seen all the episodes of. If it isn't on the list, just assume I haven't seen it.

Spoiler!

Great Shows – Must See
Game of Thrones
Mad Men
Longmire
Burn Notice
House
Spartacus
House of Cards
Justified
True Detective
Breaking Bad
The Assets
The Wire
Sherlock (BBC)
The Americans
The Walking Dead
Deadwood
Netflix: Daredevil
Jack Taylor
Luther
Bosch

Good shows
Travelers
Ozark
The Leftovers
Conviction
Medici
The Last Kingdom
Firefly
Dollhouse
The Good Wife
Hell on Wheels
Big Bang Theory
Falling Skies
Suits
White Collar
Agents of SHIELD
Arrow
Boss
Rome
Orange is the New Black
Orphan Black
The Knick
Goliath (Amazon)
Iron Fist
Show Me a Hero
Hell on Wheels
Shooter

Mediocre
Robin Hood (BBC)
Vikings
How I met your Mother
Scrubs
Chuck
That 70's Show
Top Gear
Graceland
Hung (HBO)
Gotham
Conviction


Crap
Camelot
Top Shot
Defiance
Legends of Tomorrow

Here is a listing of shows that I'm currently watching

Spoiler!

Great


Good
Boardwalk Empire
Westworld

Mediocre

Crap

Here is a listing of shows on my list to watch (mostly due to this thread)

Spoiler!

The Sopranos
24
Fargo (missed getting it on the DVR )
Band of Brothers
The Pacific
The Comeback
6 Feet Under
John Adams
Battlestar Glactica
Friday Night Lights

I work a ****ton, so it is hard for me catch a series while it is on to get it on the DVR, but I recognize the entertainment value and am willing to go after the Must See shows. Accordingly, I'm not necessarily looking for anything that is still running. I'm up for watching stuff that has run its course.

So what say you, Planet? Which shows should I see?

UPDATED for the shows I've seen recently.

[Buehler445]

So I thought I'd dive into Mr and Mrs Smith on Amazon. I think I'm the only one, but I really liked the movie. Sure it was ****tarded in a lot of ways, but I really liked it. And I'm not a big Angelina homer. She's hot, sure, but I'm not a blind homer.

After 2.5 episodes, I'm having trouble with this. I am a bit of Donald Glover homer, and he's the best part of this. The Asian gal is pretty boring, and there is no chance she can fight. Angelina for what she is, sells the idea that she could fight and win pretty well. Plus the storytelling isn't as clever as they think it is.

Spoiler!

The couple getting dusted in the beginning I guess add stakes.
But whatever. It didn't do much for me. Is that supposed to be Brad and Angelina? Fell kind of flat for me.

The interview process/communication stuff is just over the top bad. No way anybody would ever sign onto that with that little information. Especially anybody with skills. Ever. There just isn't any information. Either direction. There is no way any entity would ever send a n00b with a bomb absolutely no control structure in place. It works far better in the movie because they're both experienced operators. It doesn't work with a n00b. Especially if the only interview was a 10 question quiz.

I also have trouble with Glover "falling for" the Asian lead. Glover looks amazing and is really charismatic, and does the romantic lead really well. She is pretty flat, not very attractive (even when they tried), and not charasmatic at all and is kind of a ****. Other than the script said so, I can't see a single reason for him to be attracted to her.

There are some good components. The New York stuff is pretty good. Pretty visceral, pretty grounded, and some of the house stuff is really beautiful. The world really has some feel. As a midwesterner, who's never been to New York, it isn't enough to keep me in the show.

Maybe it comes around, I'm trying to figure out if I should finish it.

[DJ's left nut]

The movie worked BECAUSE of Pitt and Jolie - their chemistry was outstanding and it holds up even today.

I just have no interest in this one. Even in the trailers, the chemistry just wasn't there.

[KCUnited]

Currently enjoying The Tourist on Netflix

Thriller/dark comedy set in Australia which gives it some Mr Inbetween vibes

[Buehler445]

Originally Posted by DJ's left nut

The movie worked BECAUSE of Pitt and Jolie - their chemistry was outstanding and it holds up even today.

I just have no interest in this one. Even in the trailers, the chemistry just wasn't there.

Agreed.

It's worse than the trailers say. They try to be both "throw you into the world with little explanation" and also "envelope you in the world by belaboring menial tasks with great scenery".

It's ****ing boring.

[DJ's left nut]

Originally Posted by Buehler445

Agreed.

It's worse than the trailers say. They try to be both "throw you into the world with little explanation" and also "envelope you in the world by belaboring menial tasks with great scenery".

It's ****ing boring.

You can pull that off if the female lead is hot.

Amazon did it with The Citadel. Which, objectively, was pretty mediocre. But I enjoyed looking at Priyanka Chopra. Plus, stanley Tucci is always worth a watch. So it worked...barely. And that's with Chopra, in addition to being hot, being extremely credible as a kicker of asses.

Replace her with an extremely mid, doughty looking chick who's attempts at 'sultry' mostly just appear 'annoyed' and you've lost me. At that point the show just has to be good.

This never looked like it would be. It just never gave me any reason at all to tune in.

[mikeyis4dcats.]

Originally Posted by BigRichard

I love Shameless and haven't been able to finish it yet. I have it all saved on my tablet and every time I go on a flight I am like... what do I have to watch on my tablet... oh Shameless... let me start this up... gratuitous sex scene... gratuitous sex scene... gratuitous sex scene... ehhh maybe watching soft core porn on a plane isn't such a good idea.

lol...thats one part I hated while travelling, I'd fire up a movie or show then awkwardly have to fast forward or just stop it.

[DJ's left nut]

Originally Posted by Ming the Merciless

Foundation is awesome. I agree it's not your run of the mill Sci fi. It's heady and more of a slow burn than a spoon feed.

Good reco

So having finished the 2nd season, I've decided a couple things:

1) They're probably trying a little too hard to distinguish themselves from the books. They're also leaning a little too heavily into 'subverting audience expectations'.

2) I like the show MORE than the books anyway. It's really well done and most of what they've added has been good from a storytelling perspective. I mean the whole concept of 'The Genetic Dynasty' doesn't even exist in the books. The emperors do exist but they're nowhere near as prominant. Demerzel barely exists in the books. I think Salvor is far better in the books than the series and I question pivoting to Gaal (who is something of an expository device in the books) as a central character. That seemed super forced.

But on balance, more of what they have done works than doesn't.

[HemiEd]

The initial episode of Tracker was released last night after the Chiefs 4th Lombardi.

I watched it this morning and enjoyed it. Justin Hartley was good in "This is us"

[lewdog]

The Tourist on Netflix gets a NO from me.

I haven't seen such a jumbled plot and mediocre acting in a long time.

[HemiEd]

Originally Posted by lewdog

The Tourist on Netflix gets a NO from me.

I haven't seen such a jumbled plot and mediocre acting in a long time.

Good point. Without checking, is it new?

I am noticing that on a lot of the new stuff since the strikes are over. Seems like they are rushing to get some programming out.

[lewdog]

Originally Posted by HemiEd

Good point. Without checking, is it new?

I am noticing that on a lot of the new stuff since the strikes are over. Seems like they are rushing to get some programming out.

A few years old I think, like 2022.

[HemiEd]

Originally Posted by lewdog

A few years old I think, like 2022.

I see, so my observation is moot for it then.

I just watched Openheimer on Peacock. Sure is long and hard to follow for a bit, but it gets better.

[HemiEd]

Originally Posted by BigRichard

I love Shameless and haven't been able to finish it yet. I have it all saved on my tablet and every time I go on a flight I am like... what do I have to watch on my tablet... oh Shameless... let me start this up... gratuitous sex scene... gratuitous sex scene... gratuitous sex scene... ehhh maybe watching soft core porn on a plane isn't such a good idea.

I watched the entire series twice, a couple years in between. One of the best series on Netflix IMO, followed closely by "Breaking bad"

[TRR]

Anyone watching Expats on Prime? The first 3 episodes have been intriguing. Limited series…looks like 6 episodes total.

[Coochie liquor]

I’m positive I’m late to the game. But holy shit, Snowfall is ****ing awesome. We’re 3 episodes from finishing the series. The end of season 5 was bonkers, and the final season is as well.