TV Thread - beware, [expletive] can get spoilery

[ghostrunner]

Saul Goodman spinoff

That makes me uneasy. He's good because he's a supporting character. It sounds stupid, but I feel like it cheapens BB a little.

[thrill]

Saul Goodman spinoff

That makes me uneasy. He's good because he's a supporting character. It sounds stupid, but I feel like it cheapens BB a little.

The only way it works is if, as Andy Greenwald suggested in his mailbag (link) is if they move him geographically and turn it into a 30 min dark comedy.

[ghostrunner]

It's a LOT like a soap opera. Less so for the past season or two, but it revels in soap opera tactics. That show runs on adultery and Don Draper's double super secret past life.

That's not to say that I disagree about it being a very well-written show, rich in subtext, etc... But "not like a soap opera" is the last way I'd ever describe it.

Seems like adultery has been less of a big deal the past several seasons, and I think the secret life was always handled in a realistic, non-sensational way. It tortured him, but it wasn't like there was ever some prolonged blackmail plot. Any time it was revealed, it was just like "eh, no big deal" until it came time to admit everything to Betty. Which I thought was also really well handled.

I did think when it got to Roger and Joan, and whoever's baby that was, it came a little too close. But since then it's been fine.

I might be eating my words.

Just finished the premiere and I saw

[SHOW]

- Don Draper feeling unmoored
- Don Draper puking from drunkenness
- Don Draper committing adultery

As soon as the surprise adultery (and what was the point of concealing it?) was finished, I yelled at the TV (and my wife who was next to me) "WTF? I have no interest in seeing this [expletive] again!" Or something like that.

I get that you don't want to just have him reform and suddenly be this awesome person, but at least there was some sort of development there, and it seemed hard-fought and mostly earned. It's a shame because I generally like the character, but I think they've run out of ideas for him. I'll keep watching for Peggy and Roger if nothing else, but that was disappointing.

EDIT - fixed spoilers

[MrSaigon]

So after the first false start with The Wire I'm into season 2. Turns out I watched out of sequence the first time so it's no wonder I gave up after three or four episodes. But it definitely gets good. May move a little slow. And for the best thing in the history of history there is some weak acting, but it's good and I like it. Some really excellent scenes toward the end of season 1 ('Where Wallace at?!) Was kind of frustrated to get whole new cast of characters and storyline for season 2 though. Also: worst intro since the 90s.

[longhornbaseball]

The intros are good the first time through but get old really quickly.

[robbotis]

Anybody still watching The Americans? I really dig it.
It's well done. The espionage is great. As are the relationships.

[SHOW]

It could be cheesy w/ the marriage falling apart, but it's all working. Imean they were hooked up as teens in the KGB, so it seems real they'd keep trying to make it work, but often times it doesn't.

I also like Stan, now being just as much a "Gray" charcter as the Jennings couple. I know they're Russian KGB, but they are a nice Anti-Hero, you don't really root against. Now, the FBI is a murderour bunch, just adding an extra layer to an all ready deep show.

[ghostrunner]

Anybody still watching The Americans? I really dig it.
It's well done. The espionage is great. As are the relationships.

[SHOW]

It could be cheesy w/ the marriage falling apart, but it's all working. Imean they were hooked up as teens in the KGB, so it seems real they'd keep trying to make it work, but often times it doesn't.

I also like Stan, now being just as much a "Gray" charcter as the Jennings couple. I know they're Russian KGB, but they are a nice Anti-Hero, you don't really root against. Now, the FBI is a murderour bunch, just adding an extra layer to an all ready deep show.

It just keeps being awesome. Not much to add.

[Vidor]

"The Americans" is the highlight of my TV week. Particularly good episode this Wednesday. Great acting, great writing, and I can't get enough of that insanely hot KGB chick.

[Fat Strat]

How can you watch the Wire besides the DVD's? I haven't been able to find it on Netflix.

[MrSaigon]

Rhymes with shchmidt florent. I figure that since I have so much in common withe Seagal, that I am Above the Law.