Back from the Dead: Current TV
Wow – it’s been dead around here. Everyone must be as busy as I am. However while my wife was recovering from surgery I had a few days to get caught up on some television. So here’s my thoughts for the recent weeks of TV.
Fringe - Well our lone survivor from Dawson’s Creek is back to reality. I really have been enjoying the season thus far. I especially like how they are still playing with the two universes and the changes in both since the season finale. If you aren’t watching this you should. Right now it’s arguably the best show on TV.
House – Great start and then it has kind of gotten weak again. The problem is that they want House to evolve yet they want to keep the basic formula. This was a huge problem last season after some excellent episodes with House in the asylum. This season we had House get his comeuppance and end up in jail. However instead of leaving him there for a while we get an eye rolling excuse to get him out and some frankly unbelievable episodes. I have a feeling this should be House’s last season. It’s become stale.
Pen and Teller Tell a Lie – A really creative way to do some interesting science. Penn and Teller tell several fantastic stories about some odd phenomena and one of them is a lie. You have to guess which one. It’s funny and surprisingly a better format than the similar Mythbusters.
South Park – Am I the only one who thinks they are really tired of doing this? Some funny bits still, but it reminds me of that period around season 4 where they ran out of steam for a while.
Dexter – I haven’t managed to see it yet? Anyone out there watching?
Burn Notice – Starts back up in a week. This is an other show like House that has lost a lot of steam. We’ll see if the rest of this season is better than what they showed in the spring.
Once Upon a Time – I haven’t watched the premier yet. I’ve heard that it is pretty disappointing though. From the writers of Lost but not the main writers of Lost.
Walking Dead – I’m pretty well giving up on this. Nothing happens. The characters act like complete idiots. There is no consistency. (First the zombies could smell the living then the can be escaped by hiding under cars) I spend half my time wanting to slap the characters silly. When the only person I can manage any sympathy for is a racist neo-Nazi you know something is seriously wrong with the writing.
Posted on October 26, 2011, in Television. Bookmark the permalink. 35 Comments.
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I gave up on Walking Dead as well for the reasons you mention.
I’m waiting for Top Chef to start up next week along with Hell on the Wheels the following Sunday. Though I will say my optimism is quite tempered with the latter.
I’ve taken advantage of the lack of quality TV to catch up on some Netflix shows that fell out of my rotation for a variety of reasons–Mad Men and Breaking Bad. Both are excellent. I also recommend catching up on Damages if you haven’t already done so.
Quick reviews of the new shows I’ve watched:
Terra Nova-Watchable with cool dinosaurs, but weak writing
Pan Am-Much better than I expected, but apparently doomed to a single season
Once Upon a Time-Not at all disappointing. I just hope they don’t run through a series of fairy-tale characters-of-the-week.
Person of Interest-Only watched once, but I don’t get it. Why isn’t Jim Caviezel even trying to act?
And some returning shows.
House-Totally agree with Clark. And it was not “some excellent episodes” in the asylum, it was one two-hour episode. They should have left him there for at least half a season. Same with jail this season.
Harry’s Law-They changed the premise of the show and got rid of the one thing that made it watchable; Harry’s interaction with the neighborhood gangs. I’m done.
The Office-James Spader has been strictly a straight man, which I didn’t expect. Ed Helms is doing all of the boss schtick and it actually works pretty well.
The Good Wife-Still a great show, but the premise is definitely getting shaky and may not be sustainable for another season. I’m going to start a bandwagon to get a spin-off for Alan Cumming and Archie Panjabi.
Not much seems really good right now. I have been liking House, but not as much as before. I liked the recent Burn Notice episodes, so I’m looking forward to seeing that again.
Of the new fall shows, the only ones I’m still liking are The New Girl and Prime Suspect. Pan Am is not terrible, but I have a hard time believing the stewardess as a spy, and aside from that, not much happens.
Watching Prime Suspect, Dexter, and The Walking Dead. This season of Dexter hasn’t pulled me in like the other episodes, but it’s still a good show, and maybe it’s just taking a couple of episodes to get things going again. Prime Suspect and The Walking Dead have their flaws, but they’re still worth watching.
Terra Nova had a lot of potential but horrific writing. I was also disappointed by Homeland–not nearly as good as I was hoping.
After watching the first episode of Once Upon a Time, I have no idea how good the show will be. Right now, I’m interested enough to keep watching, but that could change very quickly.
I’m really liking Homeland, American Horror Story and Downton Abbey. Boardwalk Empire is good too.
I’m a little bit worried about how much I liked the first season of Downton Abbey. Not because I obsess over it (I don’t), but because I like it despite the fact that it’s exactly the kind of show I usually find dreadfully boring.
I stopped watching the Walking Dead about 3 episodes into the first season. Lame!
The X-Factor is fun.
Ringer has sort of lost me. I love seeing Buffy on tv again but the storyline is just stupid.
American Chopper has been interesting. Senior needs to grow up, though.
There’s a new reality competition show on Bravo called A Work of Art, a competition for artists, and man do they all suck. Makes for fun TV though.
Sorry, I’ve been dropping the ball here.
Walking Dead is just so darned good, I’m confident they’ll work out the doldrums so far.
Let’s not forget that Justified Season 3 is a-coming!!
Last Lemming, I think Pan Am has, like the Playboy Club, already been cancelled. I’d have to check to be sure but I’d be surprised if you get to watch a full season.
Justified 3 is the show I’m most excited for.
I got into American Chopper but have about 5 episodes I haven’t watched. For some reason it was just a little *too* contrived. I know producers set a lot up but it seemed a bit too glaring this season. That said I think Jr.’s bikes sure look better than Sr’s.
Wendy, I’ve been hearing fantastic things about Homeland. A lot of people are saying it’s the best new show by far. (It’s by the makers of 24, only supposedly with a bit more of a realistic take) I need to see if I can find it online somewhere. Tim, you say you didn’t like it. What about it is bad? Is it too contrived in that 24ish way?
Since Person of Interest turned out disappointingly to be a dud I still have some hopes for Alcatrez. But man, what is it about this fall season? I could have told producers the shows sucked just by the pitches. It’s kind of amazing how TV went from being a new golden age to crapola in just a few years.
I don’t get why the walking dead writers have strayed so far from the original source material. The first volume of comics has a pretty tight story arc and it wraps up quite nicely (at the prison). So far they have meandered WAAAY too much down alleys that could be interesting, but haven’t delivered. I have been underwhelmed.
Community this year has been great. Last week’s episode with the alternate realities had me laughing out loud. Very funny!
Clark,
I guess I was hoping for something as good as Dexter or Justified. Homeland’s not a horrible show, but I just can’t identify with or care about any of the characters, and so I don’t really care what happens.
Tim, that’s my problem with many shows (including Walking Dead). I need at least one character I can truly sympathize with. They don’t need to be saints. (Heck, I like the House character) But I need to care about them. That’s the #1 reason I can’t stand some shows others love.
Both Dexter and Walking Dead are kind of boring me this season, but I have given up on either one.
Work of Art is hilarious. It’s Top Chef with artists trying their hardest to be artsy fartsy and outrageous instead of just creating great art.
I’m over House, given up on Glee, and am still loving Community.
Work of Art is hilarious. It’s Top Chef with artists trying their hardest to be artsy fartsy and outrageous instead of just creating great art.
Totally! And instead of being outrageous they’re just dumb. I’ve been rooting for the graffiti guy but he hasn’t done any graff style art yet! Stick with what you’re good at!
Whoever said Breaking Bad was awesome wasn’t kidding. I’ve been watching it from the beginning, and it rocks. Best written and best photographed series ever.
My kids are all over Wild Kratts and Thundercats. Not much else on the list right now.
What?
Don’t forget best acted, MCQ.
Yes, that too. I’m shocked at how into it I am, because i first tried watching it when it was in the second season or something and I really hated it. Now I can’t get enough.
My kids absolutely love Wild Kratts. It was a toss up whether they wanted to be them or dinosaurs for Halloween. (One is Tiny from Dinosaur Train, an other show they love)
It takes three or four episodes until you get hooked. I remember THE WIRE being the same way, and that’s the only other show comparable in greatness to BREAKING BAD.
I’m late to the discussion, but here are some thoughts. I can’t wait for Justified.
The more TV I watch the more I realize Breaking Bad is unrivaled in so many aspects. I agree that the wire pulled you in, but it only took two episodes for me. It also had 2 seasons that weren’t as strong as the rest, which I don’t think can be said of Breaking Bad.
I watch Walking Dead. I’m hopeful they’ll right the ship soon, but I realized I’m watching more for the thought exercise than the actual show.
I quit American Horror Story on the second episode. It felt a little too close to torture p*rn, but I liked some parts of it.
Community has been pretty good, and I look forward to it.
I liked the last few episodes of Burn Notice more than I liked the last two seasons. The core story is interesting, the weekly charity projects are pretty lame. I’m hopeful for the coming season.
Oops. I didn’t mean I liked some of the torture, but I liked that the characters saw other characters very differently, and that a relationship with the house cannot be terminated.
Don’t be ashamed, Cantinflas. No need to back pedal. I’ve been sticking with Walking Dead too. The last episode was encouraging I thought as it has the potential to send at least one character in an interesting direction.
I couldn’t watch AHS after the first episode. Just didn’t interest me, although I thought it was pretty original and there was some good acting.
I agree that Breaking Bad is in a class by itself, but I just finished watching all the episodes available on Netflix and it left me hanging. Now what do I do?
“Now what do I do?”
You stop talking about it with people who’ve seen season 4, that’s for sure. No discussion forums…nothing (especially reddit). Spoilers will ruin it at least as much as any other show you’ve ever seen. I don’t know what to say, but don’t drink caffeine when you watch season 4…parts of it will make your heart race enough without chemical aid.
amazon instant video, mcq. get the whole season for twentysomething bucks. well worth it. that’s like two movies.
Awesome! Thanks. I didn’t know season 4 was available.
In the strange way that I only experience with TV, I’m a little jealous that you have Season 4 ahead of you instead of behind you.
Just downloaded it. Do you want me to blog each episode? Then you can experience it vicariously with me!
I’ve really enjoyed Grimm. It’s not Justified or Dexter quality, but it’s fun in a way that’s reminiscent of Buffy/Angel. It’s my favorite new series.
I’ve been deleting Burn Notice. Thumbs up to Fringe, Grimm, would like to see more Homeland but can’t. Ringer is ok, mostly for Buffy and Captain Hornblower. Chuck’s back, but is so ridiculous, I don’t think my wife cares anymore.
Can’t not watch American Horror
Too weird and creepy, compared to most of TV. I think some of the essence of horror is its unexplainability, so the more backstory we get, the less creepy it becomes.
Is Walking Dead streaming all its current episodes at AMC?
I gave up on Chuck last year. The episodes were piling up on my DVR unwatched. Then I started running out of room and in a fit of passion deleted them all. I really liked the second half of the first season and the second season but it’s run it’s course. They lost what made the show interesting.
I’ve been disappointed with Burn Notice the past two seasons. I haven’t watched last week’s episode yet. I thought moving him to the CIA would let them re-invent the show but they handled it quite poorly.
MCQ: Maybe a post every 3 episodes or so. I’d participate in the discussion. But the chance that someone will accidentally drop a spoiler is real. (I think I could avoid it, though.)
I’ll risk it. I love talking about this show, and it’s worth talking about. There’s some stuff I’m not sure I understand, and the writers don’t go out of their way to explain everything, which is one of the reasons why it’s great.
I’m in for a Breaking Bad discussion. Hell yeah.