Do we live in a golden age of television?

[Foe]

I think I got into The Wire by catching a later episode and getting into that one, then going back to the start. Same with Walking Dead, the first episode of that I ever saw was when Rick was stuck in the house with that gang of bandits.

Shame because the first episode of the walking dead is absolutely brilliant. The best one, actually 😕

[wullie]

I don't mean I started from that one and didn't watch what came before it, that was just the first episode I caught by chance which got me into it to then go back and watch from the start.

[Foe]

I don't mean I started from that one and didn't watch what came before it, that was just the first episode I caught by chance which got me into it to then go back and watch from the start.

Yeah got that. Just meant watching the first episode blind to what was going to happen going forward was great.

[wullie]

Ah ok. I don't think that episode spoils too much, all I knew about the show was that Egg from This Life was somehow the star so him making it though was a safe assumption. I'd forgot all about Michonne by the time she popped up during the proper watchthrough luckily, and fuck Carl either ways.

[Boydy]

Imagine getting to sit down and watch The Wire for the first time.

Are you watching the original DVD version or the wide screen HD remastered version?

HD remastered version. I know the creator said it was mean to be 4:3 but I hate the black bars ar the side.

[John]

After what has probably been it's weakest year so far Arrow didn't even do it's usual trick of massively uppong it's game for the last episode or two of the season to the same extent. Not sure about the Flash finale either.

Not sure what to watch while I've briefly got a bit of a lull in stuff I'm recording. Just powering through Archer to hit the good stuff is an option but there are loads of other things I still need to watch. Might make a start on Sons of Anarchy.

Have you watched The Americans?

[Jimmy Floyd]

The only initial difficulty in The Wire is understanding what's actually being said. If you're familiar with the lingo, or able to follow, then it's an addictive breeze.

[Ian]

Have you watched The Americans?

I have not, but it's on the list.

TV shows I haven't watched but think I should include Sons of Anarchy, Breaking Bad, The Americans, Justified, Deadwood .... er, I'm sure there are half a dozen more that I occasionally remember that I keep meaning to watch.

I quite fancy The Man in the High Castle too. Was it actually any good?

[John]

Put Breaking Bad on the top of that list and start it immediately. The Americans is every bit as good at its best as Breaking Bad was, but it's ongoing and there's less of it extant so if you watch it now it's not as complete an experience as Breaking Bad.

Sons of Anarchy was good for a short while then shite for long enough that I stopped watching it, but I'm sure it improved when it became such a big hit that FX stopped putting time restrictions on it and started letting Kurt Sutter, television's Quentin Tarantino, turn in two hour episodes every week.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

Anyone given the new version of Roots a try?



I'm tempted.

[Foe]

Put Breaking Bad on the top of that list and start it immediately. The Americans is every bit as good at its best as Breaking Bad was, but it's ongoing and there's less of it extant so if you watch it now it's not as complete an experience as Breaking Bad.

Sons of Anarchy was good for a short while then shite for long enough that I stopped watching it, but I'm sure it improved when it became such a big hit that FX stopped putting time restrictions on it and started letting Kurt Sutter, television's Quentin Tarantino, turn in two hour episodes every week.

Agree with that. Finishing sons of anarchy was a slog. The new 'lost'... Just tell me the ending...

[Manc]

Currently rewatching the first season of True Detective and it's brilliant. You've got to wonder what went wrong with the latest effort.

[John]

John Oliver's program bought and forgave fifteen million dollars worth of debt the other night, as part of a bit on debt collection agencies. Great stuff.

Also, Angie Tribeca season two is somehow airing already.

[Magic]

Finished Peaky Season 1. Fuck yeah, loved it. Short enough for me not to lose interest as well.

Also fucking lol at that shit Jack Dee program about the EU. I was going to watch it thinking it might be satirical enough to get a laugh but the PANEL was vomit inducing.

[Boydy]

John Oliver's program bought and forgave fifteen million dollars worth of debt the other night, as part of a bit on debt collection agencies. Great stuff.

I saw that on the news this morning. What a lovely man.

[Ian]

John Oliver's program bought and forgave fifteen million dollars worth of debt the other night, as part of a bit on debt collection agencies. Great stuff.

When I read about that whole thing it seemed mental. Why are companies who're presumably trying to squeeze every last penny/cent out of the debtor selling to their fellow companies at a twentieth of a percent or whatever the absurd fraction was that Oliver bought the debt at?

It's an awesome thing to do, just the practicalities of it blow my mind.

[John]

Presumably it's debt they've had no luck collecting themselves, so they pass it on and take whatever they can get for it so they're not completely out of pocket. It does seem a bit mad on both sides, but then if that program is to be believed basically everything that happens in America is totally backwards and without logic.

Preacher is completely and utterly bananas.

[Jimmy Floyd]

Not just America. I once temped for such a company in the holidays here. Utterly, utterly awful place.

[Mazuuurk]

OK, I finally finished all 9 seasons and the 2 films of X-files now. Watched the first Episode of the new season 10 yesterday.

I have to say, it really is just largely living on nostalgic values for me with this season. First episode was... awkward.

Also, they even...

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Broke up Mulder & Scully , which was one of the few things I was hoping they wouldn't do. Call me a softie but I just always really wanted those characters to be together. I know they sort of keep setting it up so they will be in the end (AGAIN) but I know from googling that it doesn't happen in this season and also that apparently they leave it on a massive cliffhanger without having confirmed a season 11 yet (ugh), and at this point I just want some closure for my childhood heroes, you know?

I don't understand how this can feel so important for me.

[Alex]

Sell me on Silicone Valley?

Now I've finished Freaks and Geeks, I need something else to watch.

That ought to do it. Get it watched, it's ace!

[Baz]

Ahh man too late. I've literally just pressed play on Better Call Saul!

Only 20 episodes (right?) and then I'll get on Silicone Valley.

Thanks.

[Pepe]

After finishing with Seinfeld I've moved on to Daria. Season 1 done. Still a decent show.

[Mazuuurk]

Baz what happened to X-files?

I have one last episode to watch here and I fear it'll be the last forever (maybe). This has touched something in me, I think because I never saw the series through as a kid, it's like the combined nostalgia of that with your regular post-series-depression-syndrome. Feels fucking retarded but what do I know.

[Baz]

I'm still on the X-Files. Watch that with my missus.

Next episode to watch is the final one of season three.

There are too many stupid/crap episodes compared to good/relevant ones, so I'll be surprised if we make it all the way to season ten. Well done!

[Mazuuurk]

Well, you have to skip a few, specially in season 8-9.

[Alex]

I need to get back on with the X-Files too. I stalled again somewhere in season six.

I've been watching season two of Bloodline recently. I was worried it might go to shit without Ben Mendelssohn (his character was easily the best thing about season one) but it's managed to still be decent. Coach Taylor is picking up the slack for him. The entire family are all still self-centred cunts though, I hope it culminates in the demise of the lot of them.

[SvN]

https://medium.com/hbo-cinemax-pr/hi...674#.1dgud6t5x

Curb is returning for season 9

[Boydy]

[Boydy]

I'm on the second season of The Wire now. Not liking this one quite as much. It's still good though. Just seems a bit slower. Not enough McNulty either.

[Ian]

Blimey, there's a Eurotrash special on on Friday.

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

[Pepe]

I'm on the second season of The Wire now. Not liking this one quite as much. It's still good though. Just seems a bit slower. Not enough McNulty either.

Common feeling. Got to go with it. It all works out.

[Boydy]

Oh shit.

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Dee

[Spoonsky]

After finishing with Seinfeld I've moved on to Daria. Season 1 done. Still a decent show.

What's it like watching Seinfeld in order? I just put it on whenever it comes on, I don't have the commitment to watch a show chronologically these days.

[The Merse]

Oh shit.

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Dee

We hear you brother.

Trying Deadwood again. Can't help but find it all a bit hackneyed. Again.

[igor_balis]

After finishing with Seinfeld I've moved on to Daria. Season 1 done. Still a decent show.

Excuse me?

[Pepe]

What's it like watching Seinfeld in order? I just put it on whenever it comes on, I don't have the commitment to watch a show chronologically these days.

It's good. The later stuff is much better than the early stuff and getting rid of the standup sections was a good call. Also, it took me at least three years to go through it all, so it's not like I was actively watching it in order, just an episode here and there.

Excuse me?

Up to season 2 now. Getting better. Good show.

[Shindig]

The only initial difficulty in The Wire is understanding what's actually being said. If you're familiar with the lingo, or able to follow, then it's an addictive breeze.

Yeah, I switched subtitles on immediately. Baltimore drugspeak takes a little time to gather. And I'll say that structurally, its not like a lot of TV. Things don't wrap up week to week, no real attempts at cliff hangers and you don't go into the last episode expecting an event. On that note, I should use this free time to dive deep into the Sopranos.

[igor_balis]

Up to season 2 now. Getting better. Good show.

It is fucking excellent. I like how it "evolves" (ugh, sorry) as a show. At first it is like a great throwaway cartoon without much continuity or seriousness, but by the end it has proper story arcs and shit. The two feature length episodes that finish the show are so good.

[SvN]

Downloading The Wire and going to give the first episode a watch later. Wish me luck.

[Pepe]

[John]

Wait until you have time for two or three in your first sitting.

[igor_balis]

Don't do what my mother did, which was to watch one episode and go 'I don't know what is going on, I don't understand why everyone says this is so good', then never watch it again. Though in fairness it could have never competed with her usual viewing habits of watching every single property programme ever made whilst constantly bitching about how shit the decor is and telling me how she would have decorated it.

[Baz]

I reckon I might be in the 1% (hai mert) of the worlds population who watched season 1 of The Wire and never bothered with it after that. I just didn't think it was any good.

actually, cross me off that list because I got one and a bit episodes into season 2 (boats!) before sacking it off.

[Jimmy Floyd]

I first watched it almost under duress because I was sick and tired of the likes of SG wanking about it on here, and I was pretty much determined not to like it.

Turned out to be by far the best thing I've ever seen.

[Boydy]

Finished season 2 last night. Really enjoyed it in the end too.

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Frank.


Also Ziggy.

[igor_balis]

Finished season 2 last night. Really enjoyed it in the end too.

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Frank.


Also Ziggy.

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the bit at the end of the episode with crazy greek music is possibly the best television I've ever seen

[Sir Andy Mahowry]

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the bit at the end of the episode with crazy greek music is possibly the best television I've ever seen

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The music spoiled it a little for me, I heard that music so many fucking times as a child.

Seemed like it was all they played on London Greek Radio in the 90s.

[wullie]

Finished season 2 last night. Really enjoyed it in the end too.

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Frank.


Also Ziggy.

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Almost everyone I know hated Ziggy, I thought he was the most sympathetic character of the lot. I didn't like Nick.

[Shindig]

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I disliked him too but he's one of the few characters you look at and wonder how the hell he wound up there. Like Nick's been propping him up his entire life.