Do we live in a golden age of television?

[Lofty]

On the other hand there have been plenty of black actors in SW who haven't copped any shit. I'm not saying there isn't racism but I do think criticism of the character is warranted.

[Browning]

I don't know, the character didn't stand out to me in any negative way. I mean she's not the best character ever, but she was fine.

[Giggles]

I read loads about how bad she was after the first couple of episodes but really couldn’t see it. It’s not as if the acting in any Star Wars is ever that wonderful anyway.

[Shindig]

I've not seen it but I do wonder how much of it is just fan squealing over something trivial. Star Wars is for kids. Always has been.

[Lofty]

Fair enough, it seemed to get better as it went on but in the first episode especially to me at least her delivery and lines seemed very out if sync with the other Inquisitors, like someone from Hollyoaks was arguing with a Sith :D

[Ian]

On the other hand there have been plenty of black actors in SW who haven't copped any shit. I'm not saying there isn't racism but I do think criticism of the character is warranted.

How many prominent non-white women in the screen stuff though? My count is two and they've both copped it.

And then was definitely a bit of WTF U MEAN A BLACK STORMTROOPER???? when the first trailer came out for Force Awakens too.

As has been said, there's been plenty of shit acting in Star Wars. And this woman seems, like, fine? Her character is a bit one note ragey darksider, I'm not sure there's a lot of nuance to it. Yet at least.

[Ian]

Fair enough, it seemed to get better as it went on but in the first episode especially to me at least her delivery and lines seemed very out if sync with the other Inquisitors, like someone from Hollyoaks was arguing with a Sith :D

I do agree with this. I mean it's obviously the point that she sticks out like a sore thumb but it wasn't written in a very engaging way, certainly.

[Spikey M]

Star Wars fans are only outdone by Harry Potter fans when it come to Cringe. Shinners is correct. Enjoy Star Wars for nostalgia's sake, fine. But please stop pretending it's good.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I'll raise you the surprisingly large number of goons who take Doctor Who deadly fucking seriously.

[Shindig]

"HaRRy P0tt3r TaUghT mE to RaEd!"

Get into some proper sci-fi and fantasy, then. Not this, "OMG, fun school time with wizards!" children's book series. Whilst we're at it, fuck Anime.

[Ian]

Got to love the "which fandoms are worst?" chat on what is ostensibly a forum full of football fans.

Just take any large group of humans with a shared interest and stick 'em online. It's all the pits.

[Spikey M]

I'll raise you the surprisingly large number of goons who take Doctor Who deadly fucking seriously.

The Dr Who weirdo's seem to to have largely climbed back under their rocks, but they were pretty embarrassing back in the David Tennant and Matt Smith days.


"HaRRy P0tt3r TaUghT mE to RaEd!"

Get into some proper sci-fi and fantasy, then. Not this, "OMG, fun school time with wizards!" children's book series. Whilst we're at it, fuck Anime.

Fans of Anime are just paedophiles hiding in plain sight.

[Spikey M]

Got to love the "which fandoms are worst?" chat on what is ostensibly a forum full of football fans.

Just take any large group of humans with a shared interest and stick 'em online. It's all the pits.

I think we have the self awareness to rein it in a bit though. The exception being RL during transfer windows.

[randomlegend]

Think you must have me confused with someone else.

[Ian]

I think we have the self awareness to rein it in a bit though. The exception being RL during transfer windows.

Same goes for most fanbases. The 40 year olds who put Jedi on the census under religion and pretend they're virgins because the Jedi code demands it aren't the norm.

They're just the equivalent of the people sending death threats after a penalty miss or the pissed up bloke wanting to punch somebody for wearing the wrong coloured t shirt.

[Ian]

Think you must have me confused with someone else.

:D

[Shindig]

Same goes for most fanbases. The 40 year olds who put Jedi on the census under religion and pretend they're virgins because the Jedi code demands it aren't the norm.

They're just the equivalent of the people sending death threats after a penalty miss or the pissed up bloke wanting to punch somebody for wearing the wrong coloured t shirt.

I guess the problem is social media makes them so vocal about it.

[Ian]

Isn't amplifying the absolute worst things about every corner of society all social media really does?

[Shindig]

Yeah but the worst thing it does is broadcast the opinions of people who you'd otherwise never hear. All at once.

[Ian]

In another news I am still bashing through Taskmaster (it's basically perfect brain-off TV for any amount of time you need to fill) and after a dip in series 6 am really enjoying season 7. Could've done without Phil Wang's penis being the not-to-secret sixth contestant but y'know.

[Lofty]

7 is one of the strongest because they are all up for it and willing to hammer each other, which means Greg is enjoying it more. Rhod is excellent because he continually goes beyond the remit of the task, which is what it's all about really.

[Ian]

Yeah when I was watching series 6 I couldn't quite put my finger on what wasn't working but aside from the fact that Tarbuck was walking it when they were some tasks she literally said she couldn't be arsed with series 7 it's clear that it's just that there wasn't nearly enough laughs in the studio bits because they didn't have as much chemistry as a group.

Rhod Gilbert is proper chaotic neutral on it. And seems set on embarrassing Horne.

[Baz]

Will you be watching the NZ seasons?

[Ian]

I'm gonna say "probably not" because I have enough shit to be watching but maybe let's see how I'm feeling after I've caught up on the subsequent 6 seasons I have to get through after this, eh.

[Baz]

Good plan. Especially cos once you watch NZ series 2, the rest wont be as good.

[Ian]

Finished series 7 and it might be my favourite so far. Is 8 another one I've seen people saying is a bit poo?

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

I really liked 8.

The only one I actively disliked was 6.

[Giggles]

After two successive buckets of shite, we finally have a new Star Trek series :cool:

[Kikó]

Oh yes.

[Kikó]

Severance is fucking weird. I love it.

[Disco]

After two successive buckets of shite, we finally have a new Star Trek series :cool:

Which is that? I just started watching the old Enterprise series, it is undoubtedly shite but it's a shite version of the old TNG/DS9 style which I much prefer to any of the new stuff.

[Giggles]

I thought Enterprise started to get fairly strong in the later couple of series, had come into its own.

The new one is Strange New Worlds. It’s not perfect but it’s what ST always was (along the style of TNG and DS9 like you say) rather than the whispering and tears rubbish of Discovery and Picard.

[Baz]

Severance is fucking weird. I love it.
I’ve sacked it off after one episode.

Not sure if I’m too sleep deprived/fed up to appreciate it, or it’s just not for me.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Finally caught up with Stranger Things. I think it started a little slow and overall it was one of the weaker seasons thus far (although it still has 2 episodes left) but the final episode of this release was incredible.

[Kikó]

I’ve sacked it off after one episode.

Not sure if I’m too sleep deprived/fed up to appreciate it, or it’s just not for me.

I was similar first episode but I think it gets stronger as the concept is explored/explained.

[Don]

Binged through Big Boys yesterday on All4. Very solid bit of TV and boys bumming boys wasn't the main focus which is ofc very rare in this day and age.

[Lofty]

Obi Wan seems to have been written without any second draft. Last week had a comical enough plot hole but this week it was just blatantly taking the piss.

[Raoul Duke]

The Boys has been good since it came back. Probably one of my favourite shows (although I kinda wish they had more superhero-ing, rather than just inter-character plot). The amount of blood exploding everywhere still remains amusingly high

[Yevrah]

Finally caught up with Stranger Things. I think it started a little slow and overall it was one of the weaker seasons thus far (although it still has 2 episodes left) but the final episode of this release was incredible.

Just finished it too.

Overall a pretty good series, the relationship of the upside down to the real World is woolly as fuck now, but the plot did lead to one of the best scenes in tv I've ever seen, so fair play to them for that.

Not really sure why they're ending it tbh, it's not as if an actual 5th season of more of the same (which is basically what 2,3 and 4 have been) would kill the legacy of the show.

[Browning]

There is a 5th season confirmed I think. It’s planned to be the last though.

[Yevrah]

The 5th season as it stands is just the last two episodes of this current one, where they're supposedly ending it.

EDIT: There seems some confusion over what constitutes season 5.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

The 5th season as it stands is just the last two episodes of this current one, where they're supposedly ending it.

No, that's season 4 part 2.

I also thought they were ending it after those 2 but it's not the case.

[Yevrah]

Stand corrected. Good news that.

[randomlegend]

The Boys has been good since it came back. Probably one of my favourite shows (although I kinda wish they had more superhero-ing, rather than just inter-character plot). The amount of blood exploding everywhere still remains amusingly high

The opening of episode 1 :lol:

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Caught up with The Boys last night, it's still excellent.

[Spikey M]

The film thread is full of Bond, the TV thread is full of Super Hero Noncery.

Are you fucks pensioners or teenagers? Make up your mind ffs.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

That reminds me that I need to watch the first episode of Ms Marvel.

Thanks, Spikey.

[Manc]

I'm currently on with The Missing S2 and regretting every second.

[Ian]

Which superhero was the man dressed as Spikey and where did he touch you?

[Dave.]

The film thread is full of Bond

This is, of course, a good thing. Get some Bond watched on Amazon Prime or whatever and join in.:thbup:

[Ben]

I might watch Die Another Day tonight whilst the wife hogs the TV for Love Island. I actively dodge the Brosnan films so it’s been a while; I’ll do a review of the first hour then turn it off when it goes to shit.

[Giggles]

Obi Wan seems to have been written without any second draft. Last week had a comical enough plot hole but this week it was just blatantly taking the piss.

What are the two holes? I’m not up on the whole wider universe and finer details to notice any.

[Disco]

I'm assuming the bit with the flames, which Vader is suddenly unable to cross/remove despite doing so seconds earlier. Although it's easily justified as him just letting the bloke go rather than an immersion breaking plothole to froth about on the internet.

It does amuse me that people pick this stuff to pieces, Star Wars has a fine tradition of wonky acting, dodgy plot holes and other weirdness. These series have mostly gotten the right mix of Stars and Wars and the set/costume design is spot on.

[Ian]

There are clearly a lot of people who are more interested in digging out plot "holes", continuity errors and filming cock ups (OH MY GOD DANY'S COFFEE CUP HAS MADE THIS ALL SO UNBELIEVABLE!!!1) than actually watching anything.

[Browning]

A lot of people think that Lofty’s mate knowing Vader’s real name is a plot hole, which I assume is the one that was referenced from the week before, but it’s so petty.

[Lofty]

More straightforward: episode 3 there is a roadblock that can easily be walked around. OBK kills guards then tries to turn off the roadblock but cant so blasts it. Then walks through it, he could have just walked around it!

Episode 4 his officer mate is just wandering about talking into a radio, the show even acknowledges this is suspicious because she is doing this right next to imperial officers. Nothing, then she takes out one and leaves them on the floor. Hardly Hitman 47. Austin Powers style stealth.

Just weird basic stuff that takes me out of the plot. But yeah the fact they put a tracker on the ship suggests that letting him go in the last episode was particularly non-sensical.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

I think this should be in spoilers really.

The gate thing made me lol quite a bit and I personally was a bit annoyed at her talking on the radio so loudly pretty much right next to someone.

Another "PLOT HOLE" that I didn't like was Reva all of a sudden managing to get ahead of Leia (who is excellent) in the path despite Leia having a massive headstart.

[Limoutsonik]

That reminds me that I need to watch the first episode of Ms Marvel.

Thanks, Spikey.

It was very good i will have you know,maybe it's not targeted to our demographic 30+ but it was very well made with some very unique stylistic choices.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

It was very good i will have you know,maybe it's not targeted to our demographic 30+ but it was very well made with some very unique stylistic choices.

I wasn't feeling the style but I'm hoping it grows on me.

Feels more Disney than Marvel.

[Limoutsonik]

That particular character is more child-friendly and wholesome compared to other characters so perhaps it's too "warm and fuzzy" compared to what we are accustomed to.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

It was very good i will have you know,maybe it's not targeted to our demographic 30+ but it was very well made with some very unique stylistic choices.

Liked the second episode a lot more.

They've changed her powers from comics/games which I find interesting, I wonder if they decided to do that so it's easier for the CGI department or they just felt this was better.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Obi-Wan Kenobi really stepped it up this week.

[Spikey M]

Ok, up to date on Stranger Things. It was pretty good, but:

"The Upsidedown" is an unholy mess. Atleast try to make it make sense for fuck sake. I mean, for starters. If The Upsidedown is perma-paused at it's moment of creation (no gun, old diary, etc.) then how the fuck did Joyce manage to communicate with Will by putting up those Christmas Lights in the first series?

Are we meant to just forget that?

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Ok, up to date on Stranger Things. It was pretty good, but:

"The Upsidedown" is an unholy mess. Atleast try to make it make sense for fuck sake. I mean, for starters. If The Upsidedown is perma-paused at it's moment of creation (no gun, old diary, etc.) then how the fuck did Joyce manage to communicate with Will by putting up those Christmas Lights in the first series?

Are we meant to just forget that?

Christmas lights were always in the house for a start albeit in a shed/attic/whatever. Although I highly doubt Will put them up on his side.

The lights don't have to be present in the upside down. It's more their energy being able to break through (I guess in the same way that music seemingly can too), hence why Dustin, Lucas & Erica were able to grab that light toy and tell those in the upside down to spell shit out within that spot.

Will was communicating (and failing for a while) via their regular lights then when Joyce realised she put up more lights so it was easier for him.

[Lofty]

Obi-Wan Kenobi really stepped it up this week.

It was a marked improvement although absolutely fuck off with surviving a killing blow from Vader

[Spikey M]

Christmas lights were always in the house for a start albeit in a shed/attic/whatever. Although I highly doubt Will put them up on his side.

The lights don't have to be present in the upside down. It's more their energy being able to break through (I guess in the same way that music seemingly can too), hence why Dustin, Lucas & Erica were able to grab that light toy and tell those in the upside down to spell shit out within that spot.

Will was communicating (and failing for a while) via their regular lights then when Joyce realised she put up more lights so it was easier for him.

I am sure she went to the "store" to buy more lights, so they shouldn't have been there in the upside down.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

I am sure she went to the "store" to buy more lights, so they shouldn't have been there in the upside down.

I forgot that she went and bought more but it doesn't matter, they don't need to be in the upside down.

The light toy wasn't physically in the upside down for Steve, Nancy, Robin and Eddie. The energy was which is all that mattered.

They knew roughly where the lights were in the real world and then could fondle with said energy which would be reflected in the real world as flickering lights/letters on that light up board.

[Ian]

Well I finished up series 9 of Taskmaster which was really good, but I can't get series 10 via Sky so I'm gonna have to get it and seemingly some of 11 and 12 through All4. :moop:

Also caught up on The Boys (season 3 has been fun though probably not as good as the previous two, though Homelander is still a great character, genuine feeling of "oh fuck what's he going to do?" every time he's on screen) and watched the first episode of Squid Game. It was decent enough.

Also contemplating We Own This City. Anybody watched it?

[Manc]

I'm currently on with The Missing S2 and regretting every second.

Finished this over the weekend. Not a patch on the first season. Baptiste S2 and I'll have completed the tetralogy.

[Lofty]

Taskmaster Champions episode good, though it did result in me learning they are replacing Osman on Pointless with 6 rotating people :moop:

[Shindig]

That's dumb. Just get another smart bloke with glasses.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Now he's an acclaimed author of fucking shit novels, he probably can't be arsed to go and record a billion episodes of it all the time.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

I tried his shit novel after all the praise it got, I don't think I finished the first chapter as it was written so poorly.

Fuck knows how they're so popular and well received in reviews.

[Ian]

Because the sort of people buying those want brain-off trash they can point their face at while sitting on a train with headphones in or going on holiday or whatever.

James Patterson has sold a billion books with his name on for that very reason. He's even written some of them.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I have full respect for brain-off trash novels, but Osman just can't write.

[SvN]

I read the first one and thought it was alright. Very easy reading.

[Baz]

The missus has roped me into watching The Lazarus Project after her dad harped on about it. It’s basically Doctor Who for grownups and I’m not enjoying it after two episodes.

[Baz]

CfLqpApoPz8

Finally! :happycry:

[Giggles]

Obi-Wan Kenobi. I know for obvious reasons they couldn't but why the fuck didn't he finish Vader off?

Was just lazy and could have been written so much better.

[Lofty]

That is the biggest problem with all these shows, there is no jeopardy because things have to be ready for the film starting point.

That said the finale was a lot better than the rest of the series, even the fighting seemed better (maybe they found a way to compensate for tiny bitch Vader) and the mashed the nostalgia button hard.

[Kikó]

Started on the Boys this week. Pretty good batshit violence and antiheroing.

[mo]

Loving The Boys. Watched Invincible this week to tide me over til the next episode - on broadly similar lines. Great voice cast too.

[Ian]

Obi-Wan Kenobi. I know for obvious reasons they couldn't but why the fuck didn't he finish Vader off?

Was just lazy and could have been written so much better.

I assumed they were going to have Kenobi basically just keep Vader busy until he was sure Leia would be far enough away and then outsmart him and escape because he couldn't overcome Vader's sheer power so to have him a) beat him again and b) fail to finish him off when he had the chance AGAIN didn't sit well with me either. How much blood is on Kenobi's hands at this point?

Also thought the Third Sister's story had a bit of a limp ending after they'd really turned it around from a slow start.

I enjoyed the episode well enough and think it was a decent series once the pace picked up but yeah, bit of a duffer ending for me.

[Giggles]

All they really needed to do was something like just as Kenobi was about to kill him some reinforcements arrive from the imperial ship and he has to leg it.

[Raoul Duke]

The latest episode of The Boys was mega :nodd:

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Finished Umbrella Academy 3 last night and thought it was great.

I wish they had explored more of Reginald's backstory and his Lizard/bug race but I suspect that's going to be the focal point of next season.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

The latest episode of The Boys was mega :nodd:

Just finished it and indeed it was.

[Raoul Duke]

Finished Umbrella Academy 3 last night and thought it was great.

I wish they had explored more of Reginald's backstory and his Lizard/bug race but I suspect that's going to be the focal point of next season.

Was another great season, I agree.

Would expect it'll be a bit of what you say + them getting their powers back. It needs more Sloane too :nodd:

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Was another great season, I agree.

Would expect it'll be a bit of what you say + them getting their powers back. It needs more Sloane too :nodd:

I wanted more of the hallucinogenic spitter. Absolutely gutted when Harlan destroyed her.

Phwoar doesn't even cover it.

[Raoul Duke]

I wanted more of the hallucinogenic spitter. Absolutely gutted when Harlan destroyed her.

Phwoar doesn't even cover it.

:D deviant behaviour

[Bernanke]

I was right about Severance being fantastic and I was right about Reservation Dogs being fantastic. Now I'm also right about The Bear. Go watch it.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iN9Yu9lrssg&ab_channel=FXNetworks

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

I haven't watched Severance but I do agree with Reservation Dogs, I'll get on this new one (and Severance).

[Baz]

It looks very boring.

[Kikó]

I'm watching Obi Wan, going into episode 4 and I've not really been offended by any major plothole. Obi Wank is a very whiney character though.

[Giggles]

The main reason it's a bit dogshit is that nothing can really happen because Episode 4 is set already.

[hfswjyr]

I was right about Severance being fantastic and I was right about Reservation Dogs being fantastic. Now I'm also right about The Bear. Go watch it.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iN9Yu9lrssg&ab_channel=FXNetworks

He's playing the same character from Shameless in the same setting. Which is brilliant.

[Lofty]

Hoping The Undeclared War on 4 is good, watching it on +1 now.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

This week's The Boys episode:

At least Homelander has a kink for Herogasm '23.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Stranger Things 4.2 was incredible.

[Manc]

How many episodes is p2 made up of?

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Only 2 but they're lengthy.

The first is around 1.5 hours with the other being 2.5.

[Manc]

Pumped.

[Don]

News of Atlanta season 3 had me hard until it turned out it's a Disney+ affair. RIP another top show. I'll be cancelling Netflix shortly as it is but I wonder if it's time to seek out one of these 'sticks'. Do I need to contact my local dodgy bloke or can you do it online?

[Mike]

Mines through a telegram group. Just an app you install on a firestick or other android tv box.

[Browning]

Stranger Things 4.2 was incredible.

Got through this last night. It was very long but very good.

That said, the show continues to suffer from having WAY too much plot armour. Despite how high the stakes supposedly were, they were never any real sense of it for me, because no one significant has ever died in the show. The only people that die are the characters they introduce at the start of each season specifically so they can kill them off in the finale without losing anyone important. It's making the whole thing feel way too predictable at this stage.

[Raoul Duke]

Started watching The Terminal List on Amazon - it's ok so far but a bit by-the-numbers. It's well shot and the action sequences are fine but it's not clear what the central premise really is (is he crazy or is there an actual conspiracy seems to be it, but not clear why the latter would be worth it). Will keep with it as it's watchable enough but not as good as Jack Reacher, who was a far more interesting character. The overtly US military bias in it is also annoying and highlights how weird they are about this stuff

[Yevrah]

End of Stranger Things 4 was a bit average for me. They also did one thing that was proper lame.

[Kikó]

Up to date on The Boys. It still remains brilliant.

[Baz]

Should I catch up with Better Call Saul (start of season 4) or Stranger Things (start of season 2)?

[Spikey M]

Stop watching Love Island like a giant mong and watch both.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Stop watching Love Island like a giant mong and watch both.

The correct answer.

[Manc]

Love in the Upside Down.

[Baz]

Stop watching Love Island like a giant mong and watch both.

The plan is to watch both. Love Island is watched during the frustrating "plz go to sleep" period of my evening. From 11ish I watch TV for 3-4 hours, and need something good to watch, to remain awake.

The question is which first?

[Spikey M]

Love in the Upside Down.

Australian Love Island was not one of the options.

[Lofty]

Stranger Things is more likely to be spoiled for you so I'd do that first.

I enjoyed the finale, but definitely agree with some of the criticisms here and I felt like they were pushing their luck at times with an A plot, B plot and C plot. Also some of the CGI was a bit off at points.

The Boys most recent episode was excellent, looking forward to the finale.

[Spikey M]

The Boys sounds suspiciously like a load of Super Hero guff. Am I right?

[Kikó]

It's super hero stuff but it's nothing like marvel.

[Lofty]

The Boys sounds suspiciously like a load of Super Hero guff. Am I right?

It is a satirical spin on superhero guff, imagine Superman is real and he is a complete psychopath. Ultra violent and ultra depraved.

[Giggles]

I finished off Discovery because of paramount+ and fucking he’ll it’s more turd than it started out as. The general story idea was ok (could have been done in half the time easily) but the FEELINGS at every single turn is vomit inducing. Everything is just aimed at everyone just having deep and meaningfuls with each other. At one stage the ship, yes the fucking spaceship, said it “felt seen” :face:

[Baz]

Finished season 2 of Stranger Things and I think I'd be lying if I said I'm enjoying it. I'd struggle to thing of a genre I like less than sci fi (Marvel, I guess) so I knew it would be a struggle but I thought the hype would be justified and have me hooked. I just think its dumb, mostly.

Aside from Dustin, Steve and Bob, (and maybe the Die Antwoord-looking guy) every character is insufferable. Bob is truly amazing and I'd much rather be watching his origin story than another season of this. Hard to decide who I want to be recast more in season 3 out of Mike, Will and Eleven but hopefully all of them somehow aren't on my TV ever again. If it wasn't for Dustin I'd almost certainly not be carrying on.

Should definitely have watched Better Call Saul instead, but here we are, pressing play on S03E01. :worried:

[Ian]

Why if you're already not enjoying it after two seasons?

[Lofty]

Baz, series 2 of Stranger Things is universally regarded as the worst by some distance. 3 is a lot better (not without it's faults) and 4 is back to season 1 levels of excellence. The problem is I don't think you can really skip 2, and it would be a shame to because of Bob.

Watched 2 episodes of Sherwood, excellent so far.

[Manc]

Completely loses it's way towards the end. Sherwood that is.

[Spikey M]

Finished season 2 of Stranger Things and I think I'd be lying if I said I'm enjoying it. I'd struggle to thing of a genre I like less than sci fi (Marvel, I guess) so I knew it would be a struggle but I thought the hype would be justified and have me hooked. I just think its dumb, mostly.

Aside from Dustin, Steve and Bob, (and maybe the Die Antwoord-looking guy) every character is insufferable. Bob is truly amazing and I'd much rather be watching his origin story than another season of this. Hard to decide who I want to be recast more in season 3 out of Mike, Will and Eleven but hopefully all of them somehow aren't on my TV ever again. If it wasn't for Dustin I'd almost certainly not be carrying on.

Should definitely have watched Better Call Saul instead, but here we are, pressing play on S03E01. :worried:

Series 2 is dog shit, especially the episode where it basically becomes Marvel when Eleven fucks off to New York or wherever it is for no reason. That episode alone nearly made me give up.

[Waffdon]

I’ve only watched Season 1 and 4. Can’t remember anything from Season 1 other than the don that is Dustin. Season 4 was great, like Baz I usually refuse to watch anything like Sci Fi but the missus had this Season on so I took a keen eye.

Episode 4 and the last were incredible.

[Lofty]

Completely loses it's way towards the end. Sherwood that is.

I have enjoyed it up to the finale (not watched that yet), however I sussed the spy early doors.

[igor_balis]

Watch BCS it's so good, Baz.

[Manc]

The final ST episode was absolute dross.

[Spikey M]

"The Puppet Master" on Netflix is a bit mental. He must be the most lucky conman on earth to have managed to pick the thickest families in Britain. The only one with the right number of chromosomes is the dad of the main victim.

[Giggles]

The final ST episode was absolute dross.

I liked it. Great tie-in to Balance of Terror and the only non shit way they could have introduced Kirk at this stage.

[Limoutsonik]

If anyone is after a quick little 8 episode thing with each episode clocking at around 20 mins,look no further than "The Bear". It's about "a young chef from the world of fine dining comes home to Chicago to run his family's Italian beef sandwich shop" but it's so much more than that. It's usually filmed as "one take" and secondly the tension,fury and general chaos is so so gripping. I finished it in almost one sitting. Apparently the main character is quite famous from his role in Shameless(us version) but i've never seen it. The series has been renewed for a second season and has been getting rave reviews.

[Foe]

Anyone watch big timber on Netflix?

Nothing to do with cocks, just wood.

[Spikey M]

As in hard cocks?

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Anyone watch big timber on Netflix?

Nothing to do with cocks, just wood.
Yeah I love it.

[Foe]

As in hard cocks?

Those episodes are my favourite. A bit wet and shabby in series 2 though.

[Alex]

I've been watching Ozark over the last few weeks. It's fantastic. I've just finished season three, which was the strongest season by far.

The guy playing Ben should have won all the awards. I went from thinking "why have they just shoehorned this guy into the plot so quickly" to him being the character I was most invested in. Top notch acting.

Marty Byrd is the absolute man. I like how he just seems to have the one setting, regardless of what is going on. It doesn't matter if he's making the kids breakfast or facing down a Mexican drug cartel. He just maintains a constant level of slightly sardonic nonchalance at basically all times. It's ace.

Him and Wendy are awful parents though. They must be up there with the most irresponsible parents in television history.

[Bernanke]

If anyone is after a quick little 8 episode thing with each episode clocking at around 20 mins,look no further than "The Bear". It's about "a young chef from the world of fine dining comes home to Chicago to run his family's Italian beef sandwich shop" but it's so much more than that. It's usually filmed as "one take" and secondly the tension,fury and general chaos is so so gripping. I finished it in almost one sitting. Apparently the main character is quite famous from his role in Shameless(us version) but i've never seen it. The series has been renewed for a second season and has been getting rave reviews.

I keep saying.

This is the best tv "moment" of the year:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1fjITOkFnnE&feature=youtu.be

[Ben]

Where is it available to watch?

[Bernanke]

I just use this site for literally everything. As long as you have an adblocker it works better than Netflix, although it's only 720P:

https://lookmovie2.to/shows/view/14452776-the-bear-2022

[Spikey M]

Only nonces care about HD so that's not a bother. Cheers.

[Clunge]

Re Stranger Things 4.

Seven episodes in and absolutely loving it. The aesthetic of this series in the Upside Down looks incredible. However, around episode 5/6 and then hugely in episode 7, they seem to have just borrowed the plot of The Matrix. It's not just thematically similar, there are several scenes/sequences that recreate parts of The Matrix. All the young hopefuls in the white room is almost identical to the bit where Neo goes to see the Oracle, the whole Eleven vs Vecna thing is very Neo vs Smith, the speech by someone about humans being different to other species failing to find equilibrium, etc. Don't mind personally, The Matrix is pretty much my favourite film ever and I like the use of a similar narrative, it works, but it tonally felt a bit weird. Can't wait for the finale now. I could watch Steve, Dustin, Eddie, Nancy and Robyn go adventuring for episode after episode. I wonder how the kid who plays Mike feels about his character becoming so god-awful and unimportant (obvs, absolutely the right decision by the makers to focus on other, better characters).

[Limoutsonik]

I keep saying.

This is the best tv "moment" of the year:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1fjITOkFnnE&feature=youtu.be

Yeah that was fucking good.

[Manc]

Russian Doll is decent enough.

[Bernanke]

Russian Doll is decent enough.

Have you seen both seasons? I went through 1 earlier this year and enjoyed it a lot, but haven't picked up the second yet.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Second season isn't was good as the first. I think they were probably a little too ambitious and struggled to pull it off.

[Manc]

I'm happy to leave it be after the first season. Strong idea well executed.

I'm pretty much all caught up elsewhere. In the mood for some Scandi noir.

[Ben]

I started The Last Kingdom last night. Only watched the first episode for now. I'm intrigued but it seemed very rushed; I notice it's based on a couple of novels and it feels like they condensed an entire book into one episode.

[Alex]

I haven't read the books but it is true that they don't fuck about with it. The plot and time moves on quickly, very quickly in places.

[Lofty]

Only nonces care about HD so that's not a bother. Cheers.

Someone hasn't seen a decent 4K source put through a properly calibrated OLED panel.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Uhtred son of Uhtred moves as he pleases.

[Alex]

Destiny is all!

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

James May: Our Man in Italy is great but I personally enjoyed the trip to Japan more.

[hfswjyr]

How does it compare to Stanley Tucci: Searching for Italy?

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Unknown although James May > Tucci.

[Manc]

We Own this City is incredibly disappointing.

[Alex]

I've finished Ozark. I mostly really enjoyed it. Season three was the pinnacle but I enjoyed four a lot too. I'm glad they've not let it outstay it's welcome. On reflection I kind of feel like Wendy Byrde is the real villain of the entire piece. Excellently played by Laura Linney too.

I've also smashed through season five of the perennially underrated Snowfall over the last couple of days too. Such a cracking show. Not it's strongest season, it lost it's way a little in places, but the ending was absolutely excellent and sets up the sixth (and final) season perfectly.

[Bernanke]

We Own this City is incredibly disappointing.

I thought it got better as it went along, with a slightly disappointing finale.

It's overall just terribly depressing.

[Dark Soldier]

Fielder is back donning it with The Rehearsal.

So good.

[Bernanke]

Fielder is back donning it with The Rehearsal.

So good.

The second episode was wild.

[igor_balis]

I've started watching OITNB, I'm on episode 6 and about ready to tap out, it's really quite boring.

[Baz]

I don’t think I can get through season 4 of Stranger Things. Frustrating to come so far and not get a final payoff though. :nono:

One highlight is how much Hop in Alaska looks like Pritch from Dirty Sanchez.

https://londonreal.tv/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Unknown-7.jpg

Even googling to get that made me lol out loud. :lol:

[Yevrah]

What’s OINTB?

[Yevrah]

Scrap that, just worked it out and yeah, I felt the same.

[Alex]

I think I gave up on it after a couple of seasons too. I seem to remember my main gripe with it just being that I thought the main character was an insufferable twat.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

I think I gave up on it after a couple of seasons too. I seem to remember my main gripe with it just being that I thought the main character was an insufferable twat.

I loved OITNB but yeah, Piper is an absolute cunt.

[Baz]

Watch BCS it's so good, Baz.I wish I’d followed this advice when I asked whether to watch stranger things or better call Saul.

After thinking I was gonna abandon stranger things I realised I only had two episodes left so I persevered and it’s done. Christ it’s shite.

[Browning]

The second episode was wild.

Are we assuming that episode 2 is going to be the basis for the rest of the season?

Either way, I agree, the first 2 episodes were great.

[igor_balis]

I loved OITNB but yeah, Piper is an absolute cunt.

Yeah, hard to disagree. Did you see the Trojan horse justification for her existence? The maker of the show said she put in a middle class cracker protagonist to get people to watch it who wouldn't have otherwise, which I sorta accept but if you're gonna do that you might as well make her not shit.

[Manc]

Game of Thrones, talk to me. Never watched an episode, never read the books. Am I missing out?

[Ben]

I've tried a couple of times and can't get into it. My wife keeps telling me it's like Breaking Bad was for her, to persevere into the second series and then it comes really good.

[igor_balis]

Game of Thrones, talk to me. Never watched an episode, never read the books. Am I missing out?

I refused to watch it for ages cus stupid dragons and dwarves fantasy wank for twats, but eventually enough people I actually respect banged on about it that I took the plunge. I feel similarly about it to breaking bad - it's very good by the usual standards of normie tv that goes massive like lost or whatever, but it's definitely a tier down from sopranos, the wire, six feet under etc. And i know it's a massive cliche at this point but it really does fall off a cliff about 4-5 seasons in. But it is definitely worth a watch, it is really good, genuinely compelling telly for the first few seasons.

[Don]

I sat through the first season of it when it was coming out. Dogshit.

[Baz]

I watched the first episode and quickly realised it wasn’t for me. After hearing people irl moan about it, it seems like I made the right choice.

[Alex]

Game of Thrones is a strange one because (in my opinion) it was very clearly the best thing on television for a long time. Although I appreciate that depends on your tolerance for "Fantasy" as a genre. But on the other hand the final season was such a sack of shit I almost lean towards not recommending it.

It's a bit like Lost in that regard. Although Game of Thrones, at its best, was a lot better than Lost at its best.

[Boydy]

I don't like fantasy as a genre but it was cracking TV for the most part.

[Shindig]

The office discourse around it seemed to be around characters being bumped off. I didn't bother but I'm also not big on fantasy.

[Baz]

Think I’m gonna delay catching up on Better Call Saul and instead give the American version of The Office a try. I keep seeing clips on Instagram and laughing at them. Is it good?

[Pepe]

Yes.

Game of Thrones is shit.

[igor_balis]

Think I’m gonna delay catching up on Better Call Saul and instead give the American version of The Office a try. I keep seeing clips on Instagram and laughing at them. Is it good?

Disgrace.

[igor_balis]

The office discourse around it seemed to be around characters being bumped off. I didn't bother but I'm also not big on fantasy.

Yeah man, I remember this being the case as well. I also remember my colleagues seeming pretty perplexed at the critical panning the last couple of seasons were getting. Thankfully I was in my late 20s rather than my late teens, so I didn't explain in length why they were wrong and link them to numerous youtube essays explaining why it was shit.

[Boydy]

Why not? You might have gained a few subscribers.

[randomlegend]

Game of Thrones, talk to me. Never watched an episode, never read the books. Am I missing out?

Don't.

The first few seasons are so fucking good. There's no point saying "watch up to the end of season 5" or whatever because it's the kind of story where you want to know the end.

But the end is SO FUCKING BAD it just sours the whole experience. It will leave you feeling so unsatisfied.

It's almost worth watching just to see how hard they fucked the ending. I can't express how bad it is.

[Pepe]

The ending is terrible, but that show went to shit way before that.

[igor_balis]

Why not? You might have gained a few subscribers.

:D very good, you absolute wanker

[Giggles]

The American version is better than the Gervais original.

[Foe]

Baz

Watch it immediately and unfriend me if you don’t like it. My favourite tv show. Jim. :cool:

[Kikó]

The American version is better than the Gervais original.

Very much agree.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Very much disagree.

The US one went on far too long and really shat the bed at times.

Had it ended at the right time though then it would be close.

[igor_balis]

If I'd been old enough to see UK office when it came out maybe I'd like it, but it's too hard for me to separate it from how much of a cunt Gervais is now. Same with the hallowed radio shows and that.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

The ending is terrible, but that show went to shit way before that.

I wouldn't say way before but yes people do generally complain about the final season without also mentioning that the season prior was also horseshit.

[igor_balis]

The ending is terrible, but that show went to shit way before that.

Absolutely, the turning point was as soon as they ran out of the fat old twats material and had to write it themselves, with this being prob the absolute nadir of the show:


https://youtu.be/nAbu_uWVz4c

Season 5 lol

[Baz]

Season 1 done. Very good. :)

[Kikó]

Dorne was the biggest waste of space in a story ever

[Ben]

Season 1 done. Very good. :)

That's basically just a copy of the UK version. From series 2 onwards it's original material and it really finds its feet.

[Jimmy Floyd]

GoT was great until they ran out of source material, and then the writing quickly became paint-by-numbers rubbish.

Edit: soz igor missed your post.

[Baz]

That's basically just a copy of the UK version. From series 2 onwards it's original material and it really finds its feet.Honestly I’d say this is only true of the very first episode, which makes it almost unwatchable. However, perseverance has certainly paid off.

[Browning]

I've never tried the US Office because I saw a few random episodes and it just seemed to be 20 minutes of random shite which just built up to one guy going "THAT'S WHAT SHE SAID" like the whole series was written during that one week about 15 years ago when that was funny.

I probably should give it a fair shot at some point given the reviews it gets, but I'm not sure I can, because I fully expect it to just be that constantly for like 25 seasons.

[SvN]

Seasons 2 to 4 are very funny. The others are mostly watchable, but by season 6 it's all very silly and over the top. The moment it jumped the shark for me was the wilderness episode at the end of season 4.

But I suppose that's American sitcoms for you.

[Baz]

It’s barely comparable to The [actual] Office in that one is a cringefest of awkwardness and the other is just daft.

Based on the 7 episodes or whatever I’ve watched so far, anyway.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Despite the name and inspiration I don't think the two are at all comparable. One was a low-budget punt made for BBC2 which is a brilliantly observed parody of a certain segment of British life at the turn of the century. The American one is a fully fledged American network sitcom with all that comes with that, and a billion series and episodes. Apples and oranges.

Edit: I've done it to Baz now.

[wullie]

It starts being good from S2 when they're not just trying to recreate the original but once the aliens land it seems absolutely every character goes completely mad and changes on a whim, although this seems to be what happens particularly in US shows when they have 20+ episodes a year and eventually an entirely different cast of writers.

[Baz]

Spoiler!

[wullie]

Oops, fixed sorry

[Foe]

It’s bloody great. Enjoy series 2-4, you’ll watch them many times over.

[Foe]

Did anyone actually watch/enjoy the latest season of Rick and morty that landed on Netflix a month or two back?

I think it’s fallen into the background noise category for me.

[Lofty]

Which series was that? I haven't watched it in ages, the last ones I saw were noticeably weaker (maybe the heist one?).

[Spikey M]

Spent the morning watching through Brass Eye for the first time in years. Some of it hasn't held up too well, but the Paedogedan episode is still outstanding.

[Yevrah]

Quadrospazzed on a Life Glug :D

[Lewis]

No Lou Carpenter. Shit.

[Alex]

No Lou Carpenter. Shit.

Disgrace.

How long has KK being bald as a coot been a thing? He looks awful. Hopefully it's nothing health related for the actor, like.

[Lewis]

He just turned up bald one week, and Susan was too busy fuming that he'd been swindled out of their life savings to question it.

[Baz]

He has alopecia. He was on some Sunday morning Tv show with that dwarf Paralympic woman. Seemed well in himself though

[Alex]

He just turned up bald one week, and Susan was too busy fuming that he'd been swindled out of their life savings to question it.

:D


He has alopecia. He was on some Sunday morning Tv show with that dwarf Paralympic woman. Seemed well in himself though

Ah, right. Makes sense. He looks a bit like Max Hoylands (lad :cool:) older, balder brother now.

[Spikey M]

I love it when people say they aren't bald, they just have alopecia. Male pattern baldness is alopecia, dick head.

[Lewis]

Max Hoyland was a geezer. Knocked Steph Scully up, got her sectioned, and then kept being mentioned off screen for the next decade whenever he prevented her seeing their son. He also killed Paul Robinson's son and got away with it.

Fifteen years on we still don't know whether Katya Kinski was fit or not.

[Alex]

I love it when people say they aren't bald, they just have alopecia. Male pattern baldness is alopecia, dick head.

:D

This is a fair point. If you're 65 years old and you've just progressively lost more and more hair you've just gone bald. I mean maybe you can claim it on a technicality but alopecia, to me, is like a Gail Porter style situation.

[Alex]

Max Hoyland was a geezer. Knocked Steph Scully up, got her sectioned, and then kept being mentioned off screen for the next decade whenever he prevented her seeing their son. He also killed Paul Robinson's son and got away with it.

Fifteen years on we still don't know whether Katya Kinski was fit or not.

I saw her in something recently ("Severance" on Apple TV) and it's still a mystery.

Max was, indeed, an absolute geezer. That little gimp Boyd thought he was the big lad but wasn't fit to lace his old mans boots.

[Lewis]

He had that weird steroid breakdown and was generally a bit of a sad sack, but he also shagged Sky Mangel and Janae Timmins, so he had a decent run overall.

[Baz]

Peak neighbours, that.

[Spikey M]

Was it the Irish Wrestling mate of Toadie that got buried under a Bush/tree? Did anything ever come of that?

[Lewis]

There is a programme on about it now, and the celebrity cameo overview didn't mention the best one ever - when shit Callum cut a promo on a bewildered Batista.

[Lewis]

Was it the Irish Wrestling mate of Toadie that got buried under a Bush/tree? Did anything ever come of that?

I think the actor just abruptly left, so they teased Robert Robinson having killed him for a few weeks until he sent Toadie a present from China. He turned up a few years later for a week in a weird contrived story explaining why he decided to go travelling without telling anyone that time.

[wullie]

I was disappointed that Annalise didn't pop back in but then seeing Kylie Minogue's face it might be for the best. Leave the memories alone

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Started watching Trailer Park Boys a few days ago and I've got to say boys, that I love it.

[Lofty]

TPB is amazing.

I swear I once saw a rip off Ghostbusters episode of Neighbours but it may have been a fever dream when I was ill.

[randomlegend]

:D

This is a fair point. If you're 65 years old and you've just progressively lost more and more hair you've just gone bald. I mean maybe you can claim it on a technicality but alopecia, to me, is like a Gail Porter style situation.

Alopecia is an autoimmune disease, male pattern baldness isn't.

[Spikey M]

Alopecia is an autoimmune disease, male pattern baldness isn't.

The proper name for Male Pattern Baldness is "Androgenetic Alopecia". Top work doc.

[randomlegend]

Fair cop. Technically alopecia just means "hair loss", but colloquially if someone says "alopecia" they are referring to the autoimmune condition(s) almost exclusively. Different underlying cause to male pattern baldness.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

RL getting bitchslapped :drool:

You love to see it.

[Alan Shearer The 2nd]

GoT was great until they ran out of source material, and then the writing quickly became paint-by-numbers rubbish.

Edit: soz igor missed your post.

Yep, 1-4 were superb.

[Spikey M]

Finally finished Stranger Things. A bit underwhelmed to be honest. Absolutely no need for the 4 hours it took to wrap it up.

and inventing new characters each series just to kill them off leaving all the main characters alive is getting very predictable now.

[Baz]

I don’t understand why they had the last episode so long, when they’ve previously had episodes that seamlessly run from one to the other.

[Yevrah]

Agree with Spikey there, while still enjoyable, it was a bit of a bloated mess.

[Clunge]

It was quite protracted, but still enjoyable. Agree 100% with the other point.

Mike and Eleven can do one as characters, and Max. Eddie was such a great addition and was killed off way too soon.

[Alex]

The length of the final episode of season four is putting me off finishing it, to be honest. I just can't be arsed. They were really pushing it episode length wise already.

[Spikey M]

It was quite protracted, but still enjoyable. Agree 100% with the other point.

Mike and Eleven can do one as characters, and Max. Eddie was such a great addition and was killed off way too soon.

season 5 should just be Dustin and Zombie Eddie fighting One completely alone. And Hopper doing Hoppery things. There's a spin off in that.

Eleven is boring as sin and they have repeated her story arc in slightly tweaked forms 4 times now.

5-6 episodes of "I'm too weak / sad :("
1 of her getting stronger / making a break through
Then 1 of her finally managing to not be shit.

Mike is just a cheerleader.

Max should have died. She adds nothing and Lucas is the biggest nothing character of them all. His sister can stay.

Will should have died in Season 1. In casting ideally.

[Baz]

I wish all this negativity had been aired when I was asking if I should watch that garbage or Better Call Saul.

[Spikey M]

I wish all this negativity had been aired when I was asking if I should watch that garbage or Better Call Saul.

Forgive me Baz, for I did not know.

[Lofty]

I negotiated a decent virgin package with all the sports etc but realised their boxes are more wired up than just power and HDMI, is my cable hidden wall mounted tv set up fucked?

[Yevrah]

I wish all this negativity had been aired when I was asking if I should watch that garbage or Better Call Saul.

It's still a good show, but given the characters are mostly crap and the plot was a bit of a shambles, I'm not really sure why. Best guess is it's the nostalgia that wins through, but I'm never normally arsed about that, so who knows.

[mo]

The Rick and Morty chat previously reminded me to watch the new series of Solar Opposites - which I've enjoyed, but the sub plot which has extended since series 1 (The Wall) is by far the best thing about it.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

100% agree, The Wall is incredible.

[niko_cee]

A stranger things fan (never watched it) has me watching Sandman at the moment, which, going off the first episode is ludicrously bad. Charles Dance eating the sets, random lines which make it seem like it's meant to be some absurd sitcom, swearing scripted by Jurgen Klopp. What a load of shite. Thetmy should have got that dude who played Moriarty in Sherlock to be the Sandman guy, instead of some moody goth twat.

[Raoul Duke]

A stranger things fan (never watched it) has me watching Sandman at the moment, which, going off the first episode is ludicrously bad. Charles Dance eating the sets, random lines which make it seem like it's meant to be some absurd sitcom, swearing scripted by Jurgen Klopp. What a load of shite. Thetmy should have got that dude who played Moriarty in Sherlock to be the Sandman guy, instead of some moody goth twat.

I started this the other day too. What I find most funny with it is that they've made the lead character just...look like Neil Gaiman :D I didn't think the overall show was too bad, but it's not really drawn me back in.

I saw there's a new series of Locke & Key just out now - I really liked the first two, but this is meant to be the last one

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

A stranger things fan (never watched it) has me watching Sandman at the moment, which, going off the first episode is ludicrously bad. Charles Dance eating the sets, random lines which make it seem like it's meant to be some absurd sitcom, swearing scripted by Jurgen Klopp. What a load of shite. Thetmy should have got that dude who played Moriarty in Sherlock to be the Sandman guy, instead of some moody goth twat.

I've got just one more episode to go and it gets better.

I like it but I can't pin down exactly why.

I actually like the moody goth twat as Morpheus though, he works for me.

Never read the graphic novels but I have ordered the first collection because I think there could be something special there which the TV show just can't quite bring forth.

[Boydy]

Sandman seems to be getting a lot of hype but fantasy or whatever the hell it is isn't really my thing so not sure if it's worth trying or not. I'll probably try it, hate it and give up.


Blackbird on Apple tv is quality. Just finished it.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

No chance you like it if you hate fantasy.

[Boydy]

Yeah but I did like Game of Thrones (for the most part).

[Raoul Duke]

This is more Harry Potter, from what I've seen so far

[niko_cee]

Yeah, strong Potter vibes, although bit harsh on Potter.

I can only hope it builds and builds for years only to end with a child trampling a sandcastle on a distant beach, at the end of time.