Do we live in a golden age of television?

[Ian]

Isn't it related to Dopesick?


I was responding to Jeets post. Is there a right thread for it anyway? I suppose I could have just PM'd it to all the Scottish lads.

Turns out I'd only looked at Jeet's post far enough to acknowledge it was Jeet and then gone no further and just assumed Spikey's post was something meant for the Jobs thread or similar. :D

I apologise unreservedly to Jeet. Not to Spikey though, fucking arsehole making people do heroin.

[Kikó]

And willies.

[Kikó]

Sorry that's for jeet.

[Raoul Duke]

Anyone watch Superstore? Pretty decent comedy in the Scrubs/Office style. Worth a watch if you're looking for something new

[hfswjyr]

I love both Scrubs and The Office, mostly because it can go from laugh out loud funny to heartbreaking in one beat. Does Superstore do that - if so, I'm in.

[Raoul Duke]

It's not quite up at that level but similar. Definitely some Jim/Pam/Dwight vibes in terms of characterisation

[Giggles]

Got a couple of series into it and it was pretty good but it was one of those shows we made the mistake of watching together so never got back to it. Probably had too many series for me to start in the first place anyway.

[Giggles]

I noticed they used Cloud 9 as a shop in Good Girls also.

[Adramelch]

It's a good watch, but very forgettable in my opinion.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Finished Tiger King 2 last night and the 5th episode is the only one with any real substance.

[Adramelch]

I just finished rewatching Dark and it was just as good a watch as the first time. Obviously you know the story so the surprise factor has gone, but at the same time you notice so many things that (at least in my case) eluded you the first time around.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Two episodes into The Wheel of Time, first episode dragged a lot I feel but the second raised it up a bit. So far it's good but not great.

Not too keen on some of the changes they've made from the books (I've only read the first three and a bit thus far) though.

[Alex]

Two episodes into The Wheel of Time, first episode dragged a lot I feel but the second raised it up a bit. So far it's good but not great.

Not too keen on some of the changes they've made from the books (I've only read the first three and a bit thus far) though.

I've watched the first two as well and I largely agree with what you've said.

For the majority of the first episode I had a really bad feeling it was just a bit too "old fashioned fantasy" to adapt to television in an entertaining way, if that makes sense? Everything was coming across as a bit dull and quaint. For me it really picked up towards the end of episode one.

I thought they did the fight in the village really well, and did a great job of showing how hard as nails Moirane and Lan are. Moiraine channelling in particular just looked really cool. I'm not always the biggest Rosamund Pike fan but I think she is near perfectly cast in that role. I wasn't sold on the guy playing Lan at all until he started carving Trollocs up and then it just clicked and I was happy with him.

I thought the Trollocs they did quite well too. As well as can be expected anyway. I always thought when I was reading the book that they're just a bit of a naff enemy in general to be honest. I think a lot has to do with their name, which sounds like something from a nursery rhyme. They're just like proper boiler plate "evil monster types" that I never found very inspiring.

The Fade looks really good too.

I only ever read the first two books and it was a while ago but from what I can remember they are moving through it at a fair old clip? Which I'm not mad about because the main reason I stopped (or officially "took a break") with the books is that I found them very laborious and long winded in places.

In terms of the changes:

Where is Thom Merrilin? Surely he has to be in it!

But yeah, it definitely has promise and I will be sticking with it.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

I've watched the first two as well and I largely agree with what you've said.

For the majority of the first episode I had a really bad feeling it was just a bit too "old fashioned fantasy" to adapt to television in an entertaining way, if that makes sense? Everything was coming across as a bit dull and quaint. For me it really picked up towards the end of episode one.

I thought they did the fight in the village really well, and did a great job of showing how hard as nails Moirane and Lan are. Moiraine channelling in particular just looked really cool. I'm not always the biggest Rosamund Pike fan but I think she is near perfectly cast in that role. I wasn't sold on the guy playing Lan at all until he started carving Trollocs up and then it just clicked and I was happy with him.

I thought the Trollocs they did quite well too. As well as can be expected anyway. I always thought when I was reading the book that they're just a bit of a naff enemy in general to be honest. I think a lot has to do with their name, which sounds like something from a nursery rhyme. They're just like proper boiler plate "evil monster types" that I never found very inspiring.

The Fade looks really good too.

I only ever read the first two books and it was a while ago but from what I can remember they are moving through it at a fair old clip? Which I'm not mad about because the main reason I stopped (or officially "took a break") with the books is that I found them very laborious and long winded in places.

In terms of the changes:

Where is Thom Merrilin? Surely he has to be in it!

But yeah, it definitely has promise and I will be sticking with it.

Thom is in it.

[phonics]

Gamesmaster returns in 30 minutes.

[Giggles]

Gamesmaster returns in 30 minutes.

On?

[phonics]

E4 I think.

Trevor McDonald is the Patrick Moore replacement.

Yeah here’s the link: https://youtu.be/xQEDt5Goe_8

[Giggles]

I never realised E4 streamed on Youtube, though that may end up being blocked here once it starts.

[Shindig]

Rab Florence right out the blocks with a poem. Nope.

"We can't get the public for these challenges. Let's get some influencers instead."

[Giggles]

Whatever that thing was that was just playing, did they not say to it that 75 coins were needed and they got 73?

[Shindig]

They sure did. And this next challenge looks heavily edited. :D

[phonics]

Seventy I heard.

[phonics]

This is quite good but it’s lacking irony. Like it needs to lean into the fact it’s a bit shit.

[Giggles]

That's exactly it. It's far too badly done to be as straight up as it's trying to be.

[Shindig]

Aye, making it for adults allows them to up the challenges a bit but need someone like Dominic Diamond to rip the piss out of it.

[Giggles]

That said, it has enough nostalgia for me. I like it.

[phonics]

Yeah this is the thing it’s trying to appeal to people our age but doesn’t have the cynicism we have so feels super fake.

[phonics]

Okay maybe it’s not appealing to our age because that’s definitely not a celebrity.

[Shindig]

Grado's the most famous person on this.

[phonics]

Funnily enough both him and rab were interviewed to be the host but Grado and they’re mates in real life so Grado felt bad he got offered a video game gig that rab didn’t and didn’t tell him about it then Rab got the job.

[Shindig]

Decent start, although you could scrap "Bam!" bloke and lose nothing.

[phonics]

Yeah that guy felt so progressive it was almost racist.

[Shindig]

I hope Rab knocks the pregnancy mentions down a notch, too. Feels like an odd thing to say more than once.

[phonics]

I think it’s so people on Twitter don’t call her fat. Also he loves kids and is a big family man.

[Lofty]

That Landscapers looks good.

[Manc]

Can anyone reccomend me a Scandi drama? Loved The Chestnut Man and Bordertown is coming to a close.

[Waffdon]

The Killing.

[Don]

Bump on iPlayer is a bloody lovely Australian show. Visually so pleasing, great music, I was sexually attracted to at least 3 of the women and 2 of the men and just generally great vibes.

[Dquincy]

Anyone watch Superstore? Pretty decent comedy in the Scrubs/Office style. Worth a watch if you're looking for something new

Just watched the first two episodes. Thought it was pretty decent. Will give the first series a go.

[Lofty]

The Killing.

Is the original better than the yank remake?

[SvN]

:henn0rz:

I don't get it?

[Waffdon]

Is the original better than the yank remake?

Yes, although I quite liked that too

[randomlegend]

Sex Education has really gone off the deep end.

Still entertaining but prior to this season they at least sort of retained an aura of plausibility, which is totally gone now.

[Manc]

The Killing.

Does it still stand up? Fifteen years is a long time in the world of television.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Sex Education has really gone off the deep end.

Still entertaining but prior to this season they at least sort of retained an aura of plausibility, which is totally gone now.

I really liked s1 and s2 but decided after that that it would be my lot. In s2 I felt borderline too old for it, which I didn't in s1. Plus whatsit was starting to annoy me in the way that most main characters ultimately do.

[Boydy]

I started season 3, got distracted by something else and never went back to it. Don't think I can be arsed going back now.

[Ian]

Are we saying I shouldn't start Sex Education because I'll just be disappointed when it quickly starts to go wrong?

[Boydy]

On season 3 of The Blacklist now. Getting near the end of the season.

Bold of them to kill off one of the main characters.

[Waffdon]

Does it still stand up? Fifteen years is a long time in the world of television.

I think so but it’s been a good few years since I watched it. Worth a shot

[randomlegend]

Are we saying I shouldn't start Sex Education because I'll just be disappointed when it quickly starts to go wrong?

I still think it's good and worth watching.

[Jimmy Floyd]

All of it that I've watched is/was genuinely refreshing and good, even if the faux-yank aesthetic in the 'high school' grates a bit.

And it's worth it just for Ncuti Gatwa's performance which is phenomenal, he is surely destined for great things, or maybe for Marvel things as apparently that is now the peak of acting.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

I still liked season 3.

It's definitely a drop in quality though.

[Manc]

I see the Italian won Bake Off. When will it end?

[Boydy]

On season 3 of The Blacklist now. Getting near the end of the season.

Bold of them to kill off one of the main characters.
Just finished season 3.

WHAT THE FUCK.

[Baz]

I see the Italian won Bake Off. When will it end?

If someone's won, surely it's ended.

[Spikey M]

:D

[Giggles]

I only caught glimpses of it while the Mrs had it on but I thought the odd little German was a cert.

[randomlegend]

Yeah I thought German Jimmy would probably win and was surprised he went last week.

I know she fucked that Focaccia beyond belief but I still think Crystelle deserved to win the final.

[Raoul Duke]

Just finished season 3.

WHAT THE FUCK.

I can't remember what the ending is of this season but yeah, they sure do love a bait-and-switch :D

[Giggles]

Good job I wasn’t overly enamoured with Discovery after that move they pulled.

[Ian]

I started Hawkeye and Wheel of Time yesterday. Hawkeye's fine. About what you'd expect.

Only done one episode but Wheel of Time is a solid start. Effects are already, I'm sure bits of the internet are losing their mind over the race-swapping when for the most part race is barely a factor in the books anyway, everybody seems reasonably well cast so far.

One thing though:
What the fuck was the whole "Perrin starts off married now but accidentally axes his wife in half" thing about? I've seen that Sanderson didn't like it either and the showrunner said it was to give Perrin a more compelling backstory but ffs.

Aside from that I like Rand (though they're trying to have him be a bit cooler than book-Rand was at this point when he was a naïve farmboy who wouldn't have known Egwene's fanny from her elbow), Mat and Perrin so far and even Egwene so I'm sort of hoping they don't turn the latter into the total cow she became in the books.

[randomlegend]

Been rewatching Sherlock and the final episode really is such a crying shame. I know the quality is a bit uneven across the episodes, with probably a general downward trend, but I felt like they'd really found form again with the hospital episode. Genuinely think it's on par with some of the early ones.

Then they served up that absolute steaming pile of bollocks in the finale. Ooft.

[Ian]

Funnily enough I saw a thing earlier today talking about Sherlock and saying the hospital / Toby Jones episode is among the worst but I really enjoyed that one.

[Jimmy Floyd]

There's a very definite point (can't remember how many series/episodes in) when they start consciously making it for the American audience, and it never recovers from that.

[Spikey M]

I've still never watched Sherlock. I just don't think I could deal with that much Cumberbatch.

[Giggles]

The early shows are well worth watching.

[Giggles]

Yeah I thought German Jimmy would probably win and was surprised he went last week.

I know she fucked that Focaccia beyond belief but I still think Crystelle deserved to win the final.

It’s just on there now and they’ve done little else other than criticise the Italian and he even came last in the middle bit. How did he end up winning?

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Just finished the fourth episode of The Wheel of Time and it's really stepped it up.

Loved that they made Logain's source black to show that it's tarnished as opposed to when an Aes Sedai uses the source.

I feel that the pacing was a lot better in this episode than the previous three too.

[Shindig]

GamesMaster episode 2 has a streamer in a cat ears on it. Seems like the influencers really, really want their 5 minutes.

EDIT: Wasn't expect a game I've reviewed to be on this.

[Lofty]

I'm a Celeb is having a nightmare this year.

[Spikey M]

Shut up you tart.

[Lofty]

It's a long time since the heady days of Yevmania for the jungle on this board.

[Lofty]

Apparently despite spending $30m on a pilot, the Game of Thrones prequel series is cancelled :D

[SvN]

Just to clarify, that was back in 2019 - the one that's upcoming is still happening.

[Lofty]

IGN misleading me with their headlines as usual.

[Ian]

I gave the new Gamesmaster a bash having never really watched the old series.

Not for me, I think.

[Raoul Duke]

Watched the first couple of Wheel Of Time after you guys mentioned it. It's been ok so far, settings are nice but so far fairly generic fantasy schtick.

Also started on Hawkeye which was about what I expected. They seem to be queuing up all these replacements for the main Avengers via these shows but none of them have much personality beyond nicking the senior partner's role and adding some younger sass

[Lofty]

Hawkeye episode 3 is a lot better than the opening 2.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Hawkeye episode 3 is a lot better than the opening 2.
Yep. 1 was a bit meh, 2 was decent and the third stepped it up.

[Baz]

Next Taskmaster lineup:

Ardal O’Hanlon, Bridget Christie, Chris Ramsey, Judi Love & Sophie Duker.

I feel old cos, Dougal aside, I haven’t got a fucking clue.

[Boydy]

Bridget Christie is Stewart Lee's wife (and a comedian obvs). Chris Ramsey is a comedian and has some fairly big podcast with his wife, I think. I watched his standup show on Amazon a while back, it was pretty good. I'm not entirely sure what Judi Love actually does but she was funny on This Is My House. No idea on Sophie Duker.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Sophie Duker is a comedian.

She was on Osman's House of Games a few months ago.

[Manc]

Chris Ramsey. :sick:

[Browning]

Pretty tragic line up all things considered, but the format means the line up doesn't matter.

Without seeing her in anything, "Stewart Lee's Wife" is not a description that fills me with any confidence she'll be entertaining whatsoever.

[Baz]

Without seeing her in anything, "Stewart Lee's Wife" is not a description that fills me with any confidence she'll be entertaining whatsoever.
Especially on the back of "David Mitchell's Wife" being one of the worst contestants of all time.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Especially on the back of "David Mitchell's Wife" being one of the worst contestants of all time.

Horrendous take. VCM was gold.

[Baz]

She blatantly refused to do at least 2 tasks.

[Lofty]

Posh milf though so fair dos.

[Yevrah]

I watched all of Landscapers tonight, which was alright, but also included moments of proper wank.

[Lofty]

Disappointing to hear.

[Waffdon]

I tried to watch it but got a bit bored. Also, why does it look like it’s set in the 1980s or something when they handed themselves into the police 10 years ago?

[Manc]

It's very odd and not in a endearing way.

[Spikey M]

why does it look like it’s set in the 1980s or something when they handed themselves into the police 10 years ago?

Nottingham, innit.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Nottingham's vibe is 1970s mixed with 1870s. Truly a dynamic, modern city.

[Yevrah]

It's very odd and not in a endearing way.

Indeed. I couldn't get my head around why you'd paint such a sympathetic picture of a couple who are tried murderers, let alone do it in that way. If there was a miscarriage of justice angle then maybe, but they weren't even going for that.

[Lofty]

The Apprentice is back, 6th January.

[Ian]

I'll get the thread up once we've had a list of the bastards.

[Raoul Duke]

Started watching The Good Place which has been great so far. Also Jameela Jamil :drool:

[Ian]

I think the first season of that is probably the strongest but I enjoyed it throughout with the exception of three or four pairs of episodes, as I recall, but it has a perfect finale.

[Boydy]

Started watching The Good Place which has been great so far. Also Jameela Jamil :drool:
Kristen Bell > Jameela Jamil

[Spikey M]

Can confirm. You're allowed opinions again. Use this privilege carefully this time.

[Ian]

Are you sure? He didn't say "PHWOAR" or anything.

[Spikey M]

He's Oxbridge Educated, Ian. He doesn't phwoar over anything legal.

[Raoul Duke]

Kristen Bell > Jameela Jamil

Come the fuck on.

Did you see this (https://twitter.com/NetflixUK/status/1468626512525987842), btw? Your pal Kristen has a new comedy thing coming out. Not sure if it's any good but the initial premise is amusing

[Giggles]

I can confirm that Spikey is correct about Boydy being correct.

[Alex]

I've just finished season three of Succession and I'm already gutted I won't have it to watch next week. It's so much better than everything else currently on television.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

I watched Tiger King:The Doc Antle Story last night.

I was a bit surprised that he wasn't included in season 2 as he always seemed to be the shadiest character to me but they gave him a whole mini-series.

He is a seriously grim guy but the documentary was a bit shit. It's a lot more serious than the Tiger King stories and I don't think it's what the documentary makers doing this are good at.

No real ending to it either too so you don't see him get what he deserves.

[randomlegend]

Is there anything properly funny about at the moment? Or even anything old that I might not have seen.

Jimmy you can fuck off even thinking about suggesting Inside No. 9, it's terrible.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I wouldn't put that forward as 'properly funny', the best 30% or so of the episodes are very good but it's barely even a comedy.

I haven't yet topped Toast of London for laughs per minute.

[phonics]

Gogglebox is the best funny TV around imo.

[Ian]

I'm prepared to accept that Gogglebox is fun but I can't bring myself to watch it.

[Lewis]

They should replace participants once they become self-aware 'characters'.

[phonics]

They should replace participants once they become self-aware 'characters'.

Yeah I've felt that about you for some time now.

[hfswjyr]

Is there anything properly funny about at the moment? Or even anything old that I might not have seen.

Jimmy you can fuck off even thinking about suggesting Inside No. 9, it's terrible.

I've enjoyed What We Do in the Shadows recently. Also heard good things about The Great, but haven't gotten around to watching it yet.

[Ian]

I'm four episodes into series 2 of the Witcher. Spikey you'd hate it / love it just as much as last series.

I think it's better so far for having sacked off the unnecessary timeline nonsense. Both that it doesn't have multiple points in time and, if it did, isn't trying to hide it.

[Bernanke]

I'm four episodes into series 2 of the Witcher. Spikey you'd hate it / love it just as much as last series.

I think it's better so far for having sacked off the unnecessary timeline nonsense. Both that it doesn't have multiple points in time and, if it did, isn't trying to hide it.

I thought the first 2 or so episodes were a bit rough, but around 4-5 it starts picking up.

[Kikó]

They should replace participants once they become self-aware 'characters'.

Great point. I watched it for a while but then it became less about random people commenting and pseudo celebrity commenting. I bet some of them use Rashford's PR agency so they say the right thing.

[Giggles]

Yep, once they start appearing on third rate chat shows bin them.

There’s a B lister version for that very thing anyway.

[Spikey M]

Gogglebox used to be alright, but as with all these things as soon as they start to lean too heavily into a characters gimmicks it's done.

I think the bloke like totes accidentally eating the face pack was the peak. It's Simpsons season 8. All downhill from there.

[Kikó]

The old Liverpudlian dying was the end

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

I'm four episodes into series 2 of the Witcher. Spikey you'd hate it / love it just as much as last series.

I think it's better so far for having sacked off the unnecessary timeline nonsense. Both that it doesn't have multiple points in time and, if it did, isn't trying to hide it.

I'm finding Ciri to be a lot less annoying too.

[Lofty]

Gogglebox used to be alright, but as with all these things as soon as they start to lean too heavily into a characters gimmicks it's done.

I think the bloke like totes accidentally eating the face pack was the peak. It's Simpsons season 8. All downhill from there.

To be fair to them, as shit and set up as those bits are I think they are told to do stuff by the producers. Who wouldn't do that to keep riding that gravy train?

[Jimmy Floyd]

Give me TV Burp over Gogglebox.

[Shindig]

Absolutely. "Isn't it blank when your blank blanks like blank?" <cue funny clip>

[Giggles]

I’ve actually liked the new Grand Tour. Jimmy Floyd watch it.

[Giggles]

The Kapernick thing on Netflix promised so much to in 2 minutes and ended up some teen drama after.

[CJay]

Foundation season 1 was crap. It shares the name and some characters with the novel, but other than that it’s just a totally different story, and not a particularly engaging one. The main thing that happens on Terminus at the end of the season didn’t even seem like a particularly big event, like it should have been.

Alex what did you think?

[randomlegend]

I've enjoyed What We Do in the Shadows recently. Also heard good things about The Great, but haven't gotten around to watching it yet.

I got halfway through season 1 then forgot about this so I've gone back. It is good.

[Giggles]

I liked the second series of the Morning Show after. I must have missed something great in the first series if this one is ranked so much below that, because I’d have them on a par.

[Ian]

I thought the first 2 or so episodes were a bit rough, but around 4-5 it starts picking up.

I really liked episode one and that the layers of that story kept getting peeled back to change up what Geralt thought of it.

[Adramelch]

I thought it was great throughout to be honest, although it feels like they overplayed (for lack of a better word) some elements in the last episode and it had a bit of a weird pacing. I think Yennefer's character arc was miles better this season, but I was a bit underwhelmed by Vesemir (and the actor).

As for season 1, I got to rewatch it recently and, even though I hated it the first time around, I think the timeline stuff was necessary in a sense or else the pacing would be completely off. The real bad decision was that they hid it, so I am glad they got to poke some fun at themselves with the dockworker's criticism at Jaskier's song.

[Ian]

Yeah the joke about the timelines was fun. And I agree that the issue is they hid it like it was building to a big twist or something. Just watched episode 5. Felt a bit "oh shit we need to shuffle some characters around and drop exposition" like a proper GOT mid-season episode but I'm looking forward to the rest of the series which I might just power through tomorrow.

[Adramelch]

McTavish as Dijkstra was also perfect casting in my opinion. Maybe a bit on the older side compared to the games, but really suits the character.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Just finished The Witcher season 2. Thought it was a lot better than the first season.

Cavill is absolutely perfect in the role too.

[Adramelch]

Oh yeah Cavill is great.

Also, did they skimp a bit on the fight scenes this season? Other than the one in the monastery, the rest felt like they were really short.

[Bernanke]

McTavish as Dijkstra was also perfect casting in my opinion. Maybe a bit on the older side compared to the games, but really suits the character.

Best casting so far, even if Yen's actress kills it.

I was optimistic about Vesemir based on seeing him in Killing Eve and whatnot, but he felt a bit off. Mind you I'm only basing it on the games.

[Browning]

I liked the second series of the Morning Show after. I must have missed something great in the first series if this one is ranked so much below that, because I’d have them on a par.

Yea, I agree. Thought the finale could have wrapped some things up a bit better than it did, but as long as it's coming back for another season then it was good enough.

[Yevrah]

I watched some things yesterday.

The Salisbury Poisonings (on Netflix, but looked like a BBC drama) was excellent and Lie With Me (a Channel 5 Janine from Eastenders vehicle) was better than expected, sort of the reverse of Landscapers.

[Adramelch]

The Salisbury Poisonings (on Netflix, but looked like a BBC drama)

That's because it is a BBC drama.

[Yevrah]

Worded that badly, meant I thought it was from the BBC and Netflix had bought it rather than they'd made an imitation.

Did you like it?

[Adramelch]

Oh they are different versions? I've watched the BBC one and it was good but these crime mini-series are right up my alley so no surprise there.

[Yevrah]

Pretty sure they're the same. :D

Likewise, love a bit of true crime drama.

[Spikey M]

Oh they are different versions? I've watched the BBC one and it was good but these crime mini-series are right up my alley so no surprise there.

It is the BBC one.

[Adramelch]

Best casting so far, even if Yen's actress kills it.

I was optimistic about Vesemir based on seeing him in Killing Eve and whatnot, but he felt a bit off. Mind you I'm only basing it on the games.

Speaking of casting, we haven't talked about the elephant in the room. That's Tormund that plays Nivellen right? I couldn't for the life of me think of why the actor seemed so familiar until I caught a glimpse of him when my brother was watching the first episode and it all clicked.

[Ian]

So, Witcher thoughts.

Good stuff:
- The main three actors all smash it and their relationships with each other all work well. - The Vesemir actor is good, I think, but - (see bad stuff.) Most of the other casting seems decent too.
- I really liked the first episode because it felt like a quest from the game.
- More stuff about witchering as a profession that isn't just "be reet hench and have a sweet sword" including them touching on the signs and potions and stuff.
- Definitely an improvement on series 1 and in no small part because they don't try to get unnecessarily clever with how they tell it.
- Effects are better too.


Bad stuff:
- They're trying to have the political wranglings of GOT but without the quality of characters to support it all.
- Geralt, again, goes chunks of this series where he feels like a side character, not the title character.
- I'd have liked there to be at least one more episode which was centred around him just being a Witcher.
- Vesemir looks like a hotheaded mong through most of the series who keeps have to be talked down from terrible decisions and gets his arse handed to him in the one proper fight he's in.
- Eskel. :(
- Calling leshens "leshys." CDPR improved that.

My gripes are mostly fairly minor though. I got through it in a few days and liked it a lot.

[Adramelch]

I reckon it's going to be a series which will be hard to judge if you've only played the games (which I assume is the case for the majority in here, including me). If I recall correctly they are considered a sequel to the actual book series. On the other hand, most of what we've seen so far is based on the short stories that came before the main saga, so in a sense it's basically like trying to judge the first book of GOT, having just watched s7-8 of the show.

Edit: Although I guess this comparison falls a bit flat in that the games were great while the last couple seasons of GOT were a dumpster fire.

[Ian]

Yeah I'm trying to bear in mind some of things I don't like are just because of my own expectations but there are some things which just aren't very well done. And the showrunners are already changing some stuff as I gather the book nerds are getting in a tizzy about it.

I would possibly say that I think the people involved all care about making the best thing they can make the writing itself just isn't amazing. I think the performances lift a lot of it.

Also, Jaskier is unnecessarily buff given he's meant to be a weedy fop. He clearly learned he had a shirtless scene and got the personal trainer in.

[Adramelch]

Yeah, I was mostly referring to the Vesemir part really. He could just as well be like that in the books.

I think it's the Eskel story that created an uproar no? I didn't understand why they went with him as the focal point of that story and not one of the randomers.

[Disco]

As someone who has played about 10 minutes of the first game and knows nothing else about the setting I liked both series, they're good but nothing particularly special. The problem is that everytime they do something that isn't fighting gribbly monsters (ie any court politics/intrigue) it feels and sounds naff, like it was written by 12 year olds who hadn't been told about the rest of the scenes.

At the other end of the spectrum is the Wheel of Time series which I've read through a couple of times so all the adaptations they've made stand out like a sore thumb and some of which seem very odd (the Dragon can be a woman? way to remove one of the biggest stigmas surrounding your main character). To the point where my enjoyment comes from spotting all the places/characters and the alterations rather than it actually being any good (it's not), most of it is understandable given the scope and pace of the books but it must be hard to follow.

[Adramelch]

Also not sure why they went and told us that Ehmyr is Ciri's father already. I am pretty sure that gets revealed very late in the books. It didn't make much sense to me that it was revealed that early and the reveal itself was done really poorly I thought.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Speaking of casting, we haven't talked about the elephant in the room. That's Tormund that plays Nivellen right? I couldn't for the life of me think of why the actor seemed so familiar until I caught a glimpse of him when my brother was watching the first episode and it all clicked.

It is indeed.

[Lofty]

Interesting that they got Graham Souness in to play Djikstra.

[Disco]

Also not sure why they went and told us that Ehmyr is Ciri's father already. I am pretty sure that gets revealed very late in the books. It didn't make much sense to me that it was revealed that early and the reveal itself was done really poorly I thought.


For what it's worth I thought that was semi-obvious, that character hadn't been shown despite being one of the main antagonists and we'd seen her mother wounded/dying but nothing of the father. Seemed like a bit of a slam dunk while I was watching it.


I'm also going to keep watching Wheel of Time just to hear all the shitty fantasy terminology said out loud rather than what my head assumes them to be.

[Adramelch]

It was indeed, but I think the whole thing should have been done better altogether.

[Disco]

I think that's the main problem with it as a series, Witchery/monster stuff is great but the rest feels rushed or not as well realised.

[Ian]

Just give me eight episodes of Geralt rolling his eyes as dickheads try to get out of paying him for biffing drowners.

[Adramelch]

7 episodes. You also need 1 episode dedicated to finding an old lady's pan.

[Ian]

I was saving that for the movie.

[Adramelch]

You need something fast-paced for a movie. Gwent it is.

[Lofty]

The other problem is they have to do so much to keep the average watcher interested, fight choreography etc. The purest Witcher experience is Death March as far as the game is concerned, and Geralt isn't tanking hits with his face like Rocky Balboa, he can be taken down by the weakest foe if he is careless. It's all about superior speed and evading whilst dealing damage, but then it probably wouldn't be cinematic enough. I really liked the game trailer they did ages ago with the vampire in the barn.

[Shindig]

It's perfect for a monster of the week type show.

[Lofty]

Hawkeye finale was alright, not great not terrible.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

I thought it was pretty good.

Overall I think the show was great and just behind Loki for me.

[Yevrah]

Only 1 episode in of 4, but Buried a true crime documentary on Sky (from Showtime) is pretty good so far if you like that sort of thing. If you know nothing about it already I'd just watch it without reading the synopsis.

[Ian]

Hawkeye finished as it started and .... middled? It was fine.

Wouldn't have complained about an extra episode of D'Onofrio.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

And I've finished Wheel of Time. I really enjoyed it but I'm sure a lot of book wankers will be SEETHING, especially after the final episode of season 1.

[mo]

Ghosts Christmas Special was ok, didn't think it was their best to be honest.

[Ian]

And I've finished Wheel of Time. I really enjoyed it but I'm sure a lot of book wankers will be SEETHING, especially after the final episode of season 1.

I've got catching up to two. Two episodes to go I think.

I read the first books so long ago I think other than the very broad strokes it'd be hard for me to remember enough to seethe about much, but we'll see!

[Browning]

I really liked Hawkeye, but it really bothers me that they completely contradicted the post credits scene from Black Widow.

[Spikey M]

Ghosts Christmas Special was ok, didn't think it was their best to be honest.

We watched it last night because it just happened to be on. First one I've seen and I wouldn't give another a go. Typical of what BBC comedy has become. Terrible.

[Limoutsonik]

I really liked Hawkeye, but it really bothers me that they completely contradicted the post credits scene from Black Widow.

In what way?

[Browning]

In what way?

Unless I missed something, didn't we see Yelena get hired by a completely different woman?

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

In what way?

In Hawkeye they said that Eleanor hired Yelena to kill Hawkeye. In Black Widow you saw Valentina hire her.

Although you could argue that Val was just passing on the job to Yelena.

[Ian]

I would say that....
That's how they'll spin it but Browning probably has it right in as much as I suspect that's not how they originally wrote that. Or if they did could have made it clearer.

[Baz]

I genuinely think Whitehouse and Mortimer fishing may be the best television programme ever. It’s just wonderful.

[phonics]

It’s so pure.

[igor_balis]

I think it's finally time to make a start on another #PRESTIGE telly drama. I feel like I've asked this once a year on here since I joined, but what do you reckon guys?

I've already done the wire, sopranos, six feet under, breaking bad and better call saul. I tried deadwood ages ago but found it a bit dull, and I'm not sure if it's still regarded as one of the heavy hitters.

[randomlegend]

Game of Thrones

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/9/9a/Trollface_non-free.png

[Boydy]

Person of Interest.

Not really in the ranks of those other shows but it's great.

[igor_balis]

Game of Thrones

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/9/9a/Trollface_non-free.png

oh yeah i've watched that as well. i'm genuinely not sure if I'd have included it in the list if i'd remembered it.

[phonics]

I sent you the correct one on IG.

[Baz]

It’s so pure.

I love that you could hear the crew laughing during the pickled onion bit. :lol:

[Giggles]

I’d definitely have you down as more of a Take Me Out than a show like that.

[Baz]

I’m old now.

[Giggles]

In fairness I’ve never watched it. There’s something about Bob Mortimer that makes me think he’s the worlds biggest cunt in real life and it always puts me off his act.

[igor_balis]

In fairness I’ve never watched it. There’s something about Bob Mortimer that makes me think he’s the worlds biggest cunt in real life and it always puts me off his act.

Funny you say that, cus I think he comes across like a really likeable and genuine guy, but I don't think much of his actual material. On the other hand, I think Reeves is shit as well as giving me seriously dodgy vibes.

[Boydy]

Speaking of seriously dodgy vibes: David Walliams has to be a modern day Jimmy Saville.

[Bernanke]

I think it's finally time to make a start on another #PRESTIGE telly drama. I feel like I've asked this once a year on here since I joined, but what do you reckon guys?

I've already done the wire, sopranos, six feet under, breaking bad and better call saul. I tried deadwood ages ago but found it a bit dull, and I'm not sure if it's still regarded as one of the heavy hitters.

The Americans.

[randomlegend]

Speaking of seriously dodgy vibes: David Walliams has to be a modern day Jimmy Saville.

They've both got off pretty lightly for some of the shit from Little Britain. I'm surprised they aren't absolutely hounded on Twitter for it.

Maybe they are I guess, I don't have Twitter after all.

[hfswjyr]

The Americans.

Second this. Another option, 7 seasons of The West Wing.

[John Arne]

Aye, another yes for the Americans. Particular the first 2 or 3 seasons, and the final one. A decent ending, too.

[Adramelch]

Ye same. It was a great series and (surprisingly) not your usual "US is the hero" take on the Cold War. Really good casting as well.

I also really enjoyed The Man in the High Castle.

[Kikó]

Yep love both of those series. Mad Men, Narcos, Gomorrah are other notable mentions.

[John Arne]

The original (1987-1996) series of Teenage Mutant Hero Turtles is pretty good, too. April is :drool:

[Shindig]

Guys, what's Drive to Survive's appeal? It's all too fucking showy and and staged.

[Giggles]

It’s an entertainment show rather than a season review documentary. If you take it for what it is then it’s a great watch.

[Ian]

I think it's finally time to make a start on another #PRESTIGE telly drama. I feel like I've asked this once a year on here since I joined, but what do you reckon guys?

I've already done the wire, sopranos, six feet under, breaking bad and better call saul. I tried deadwood ages ago but found it a bit dull, and I'm not sure if it's still regarded as one of the heavy hitters.

You ever watched The Shield?

[Adramelch]

I'll also throw Orphan Black into the pot. Not as popular but it's a really good series overall and Maslany knocks it out of the park.

[igor_balis]

You ever watched The Shield?
ah yeah forgot that as well, yeah.

GODDAMNIT DUTCH

[Lofty]

They've both got off pretty lightly for some of the shit from Little Britain. I'm surprised they aren't absolutely hounded on Twitter for it.

Maybe they are I guess, I don't have Twitter after all.

Possibly the only comedy series ever to invent a racial slur?

[Jimmy Floyd]

As recently as ten years ago, Matt Lucas was blacking up / browning up for that dogshit airport show.

Bob Mortimer is a mensch.

[Giggles]

There shouldn’t be a problem with that if it was accepted at the time.

[randomlegend]

Bob Mortimer is just incredible. He is so far above anyone on things like Would I Lie to You that it's beyond belief.

[Spikey M]

There shouldn’t be a problem with that if it was accepted at the time.

The main problem I have with it is that he's now on Twitter doing this:

1475489588684763143?t=qPBuDwvtnPFbkstw0zFaWQ&s=19

Sorry mate, you don't get to do the whole woke lefty pretending to be a gammon thing when you've previously done things that said gammons would blush at.

It's a real world version of when Alan threatened to get the Media on Lewis for making offensive jokes.

[Yevrah]

Little Britain and Come Fly With Me are a fascinating case study of what can happen when you're so focused on making sure you've ticked all the representation boxes. One's a confirmed homosexual, the other suspected, so it didn't matter that they were churning out content that Jim Davidson wouldn't have gotten away with 20 years previous.

Blacking up, on prime time BBC, in 2011. It's quite brilliant really.

[Baz]

^See also a lot of Bo Selecta, most notably Trisha’s “rice and peas” bit.

Just seen The Wonder Years was on Disney+, but my semi was immediately inverted when I clicked on it to see it was some 2021 guff about a black family.

[Boydy]

How does that prick from Bo Selecta still get tv jobs? Who finds him funny?

[Shindig]

ITV2's nearest and dearest viewers.

[Lofty]

Not just tv jobs, they gave him a Keith Lemon film where he just spends the whole thing asking the likes of Kelly Brook for a shag.

[Spikey M]

How does that prick from Bo Selecta still get tv jobs? Who finds him funny?

Is he still about? I thought he fucked off ages ago. Haven't seen him in ages.

[ScousePig]

Those of you who like Bob Mortimer should check out the Athletico Mince podcast.

[Kikó]

Also, check out Shooting Stars. Very funny.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Everything he does is brilliant.

[ScousePig]

Also, check out Shooting Stars. Very funny.

Was that sarcasm that everyone already knows about Athletico Mince?

I'm genuinely not sure.

[Jimmy Floyd]

He's one of those people who's just naturally funny, so the less structured the format, the better.

Like the opposite of every much-retweeted cunt doing 'lol the Tories' political satire/rant videos on twitter.

[wullie]

Bob dabbled with blackface briefly, but as it was in the early 90s and portraying Marvin Gaye and Otis Redding as Geordies it may be too silly for a Twitter backlash.

[phonics]

1166359711396061188

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Anyone seen Around the World in 80 Days?

Any good?

[igor_balis]

Mince has been enjoyable enough when I've been made to listen to it by mates during car journeys etc but Andy is such an annoying unfunny twat.

[Giggles]

Paul Rudd and Will Ferrell in a non comedy. What could possibly go wrong?

[Lewis]

Mince has been enjoyable enough when I've been made to listen to it by mates during car journeys etc but Andy is such an annoying unfunny twat.

Is he just Bob Mortimer's mate? Because 'Get in the Sea' was the least funny thing imaginable, so he can't have got anywhere from/with that. The funniest thing he was involved with was when some random cartoon avatar type tweeted at him that he was banned from the park in Sunderland ('Right, you are BANNED...'), so he went and took a picture of himself there to prove them wrong. :lol:

[Panda Bear]

Paul Rudd and Will Ferrell in a non comedy. What could possibly go wrong?It wilts a little bit right at the end, but my wife and I really enjoyed it.

Knowing that it's based on factual events makes it even more infuriating and bewildering to watch.

[igor_balis]

Is he just Bob Mortimer's mate? Because 'Get in the Sea' was the least funny thing imaginable, so he can't have got anywhere from/with that. The funniest thing he was involved with was when some random cartoon avatar type tweeted at him that he was banned from the park in Sunderland ('Right, you are BANNED...'), so he went and took a picture of himself there to prove them wrong. :lol:

I'm not even sure they're mates. People do sometimes say people should appreciate Andy cus without him the podcast wouldn't happen, but like, I don't listen to it, so I'm allowed to snipe from the sidelines. Yeah get in the sea was something I thought was funny for about five minutes like a lot of late 00s early 10s internet ephemera until I realised, er, it wasn't.

The Sunderland park thing is great. I enjoy rubbernecking at the MANY times he goes fucking nuts and sends undeserved abuse at randoms online.

[-james-]

Andy Dawson is one of the strangest looking men in the country. Heads should not be that spherical.

[Spikey M]

Don't listen to him Keeks, you're beautiful.

[Kikó]

Thanks spikes.

[randomlegend]

Andy Dawson is good on Athletic Mince because he provides a target for Bob.

[igor_balis]

Nah he's shit

[ScousePig]

Mince has been enjoyable enough when I've been made to listen to it by mates during car journeys etc but Andy is such an annoying unfunny twat.

He's alright, but then he's a Sunderland fan.

[Lofty]

The funniest thing he ever did was try and sell a Get in the Sea book.

[wullie]

Apparently Bob met Andy who'd asked him about doing a football podcast and after his heart operation he wanted to do more things that interested him, because Vic Reeves couldn't give less of a shit about football the only thing Bob had done related to it was the Middlesbrough FA Cup song in the 90s. Basically if you hate Andy, Vic's to blame

[Shindig]

Should've asked Chris Rea.

[randomlegend]

Still hasn't forgiven him for putting an egg in his bath.

[Giggles]

It wilts a little bit right at the end, but my wife and I really enjoyed it.

Knowing that it's based on factual events makes it even more infuriating and bewildering to watch.

I was an episode and a half in and enjoying it, but then Apple TV started doing that bullshit of not keeping my place in an episode and can’t be arsed with it again.

[Giggles]

Boba Fett is out :drool:

[Ian]

I can't decide if I'm actually looking forward to that or not but I'll definitely be giving it a go.

I like The Mandalorian a lot so there's really no reason I shouldn't like it.

[Disco]

And I've finished Wheel of Time. I really enjoyed it but I'm sure a lot of book wankers will be SEETHING, especially after the final episode of season 1.

I watched it trying to spot the thing that would make people angry, but there were too many. Nobody was ever going to commission a series paced anywhere like the books but they've very obviously rushed through all the setup to get ot the fighty/magicy bits.

[Yevrah]

Watched Manhunt Season 1 and 2 yesterday, they were both pretty watchable.

[Dquincy]

That's over 5 hours of TV in one day. Impressive.

[Yevrah]

It was the US ones about the Unabomber and the Olympics nutter, so more like 10 hours, but thank you.

[randomlegend]

That's over 5 hours of TV in one day. Impressive.

Mate I watched 16 hours of Suits in a day once

[Dquincy]

F me, now that's impressive.

Suits is a cracking show to be fair. Would be tempted to re-watch it.

[randomlegend]

I was very depressed.

[Dquincy]

Well, Suits would cheer me up.

Hope you're all OK now.

[igor_balis]

I was very depressed.

If it was anything after the season Mike goes to jail, I'm surprised you didn't just end it all. It was never exactly amazing telly, but it's probably the most jarring decline I've seen other than Simpsons and GoT off the top of my head.

[Adramelch]

Yeah it was an enjoyable watch (although "cracking show" is pushing it imo) before that but it went downhill so fast.

[igor_balis]

I think I got to about season 6 or 7 and just realised I was watching a spazzy soap opera for retards and just deleted the remaining episodes. I didn't care about Harvey and the ginger womans will they won't they shit and her royal highness was a fucking terrible actress.

As soon as they lost any of the case-of-the-week procedural law firm stuff and focussed exclusively on the boring interpersonal shit it lost its magic, then just got progressively worse. I dunno why I persevered with it as long as I did. Probably depressed as well tbf.

[Panda Bear]

I was an episode and a half in and enjoying it, but then Apple TV started doing that bullshit of not keeping my place in an episode and can’t be arsed with it again.Hit that fast forward! It's worth it if only to exclaim things like "how the fuck" and "that guy is such an asshole" to your partner watching it with you.

[Yevrah]

20 minutes into Death to 2021 and my God it's shit.

[Boydy]

20 minutes into Death to 2021 and my God it's shit.

Is that the new Charlie Brooker thing? I think I managed about 20 minutes of last year's. Not even gonna bother this year.