The Small Screen: TV

[Kieran]

Just finished House of Cards, season 4. Wow! This one was brilliant, I think, Frank met his match in the Republican nominee, who's probably even more scheming than him. Great performance by the bloke from The Killing. It's set up for one last series, I reckon. What you think, Darth? They can't really squeeze much more out of it...

 

[DarthFed]

I think they're geared up for a couple more seasons at least. It was very good and that with the overall action barely moving in regards to the upcoming election. I don't think Francis will go down easily

 

[Kieran]

I think they're geared up for a couple more seasons at least. It was very good and that with the overall action barely moving in regards to the upcoming election. I don't think Francis will go down easily

Their timing is off though. By the time the next season starts, the Presidential election will be over. I wonder what they'll do. Will they just continue from here for a few episodes, since they said the election was in 3 weeks? Or move on?

No, Francis won't go down easily, but there's a lot of stuff happening. Some of it I thought was a bit far-fetched (especially the current status of Claire, without giving too much away), and the way he dealt with the secretary of state to get her on board, and sometimes it was a bit hammy, but it was very strong, nonetheless. I loved Freddy's last lines to Frank, though... :lolz:

 

[Federberg]

just thought I would share this clip with you guys. Had me in stitches..

 

[brokenshoelace]

I'm assuming we're talking about shows that are still airing/running.

- Game of Thrones, obviously.
- House of Cards
- Suits
- Orange Is the New Black (really didn't expect to enjoy this but it's really good for some light hearted viewing).
- Black Sails

I might be forgetting a few.

 

[DarthFed]

Ones that aren't running can be mentioned too. Is Black Sails good? Looks interesting.

Anyone catch Better Call Saul? I've heard some people say it's about the same as season 1 and others say it's way better. If it's like season 1 I have very little interest.

Also forgot to mention Outlander in the original post. I saw most of season 1, pretty slow yet I still enjoyed it. Season 2 may have started or it is out soon.

Daredevil was very good again. I liked season 1 better but this was still very good and sets up well for The Punisher to have his own series.

House of Cards was excellent through about the middle point of the season, then lost some steam but ended well. I liked it more than season 3 but not as much as the first 2.

 

[DarthFed]

The Billions season finale was last week and it was fantastic. I highly recommend that show to everyone! Paul Giamatti and Damian Lewis are terrific in it. In a way it's kind of similar to House of Cards where you may find it tough to truly like any of the characters, or at least to admit it. But it's the stock market instead of politics.

 

[britbox]

Billions sounds good, will have to add it to the bucket list. There are so many good shows out and about, it's hard to prioritize. Anyone seen Fargo? I've got all the episodes but another I haven't got around to actually watching.

 

[DarthFed]

Yes Fargo is spectacular particularly the first season. I think the 1st season is one of the best I've seen of any show.

 

[brokenshoelace]

WARNING: POTENTIAL HOUSE OF CARDS SEASON 4 SPOILERS

Not sure what to make of this season. On one hand, I think the show is entertaining, extremely well acted (with one glaring exception that I'll get to), has some terrific characters, and the first two seasons are fantastic. On the other hand, while we were always supposed to suspend disbelief, I do think they're getting close to jumping the shark and they need to be careful.

Some of the stories are just too eye-rolling. Yes, Claire's connection with Tom Yates sheds even more light on her character (and she is the MVP of the show, which says a lot since Spacey is spectacular as you'd expect), but seriously? The first lady of the United States having an affair with some writer, while campaigning, no less? And all things considered, they're not even being THAT discrete about it.

Things really took a turn for the outrageous towards the end (from Conway's family stay at the White House to the live broadcasting of a terrorist beheading... Again, it's good TV but it's a tad disengaging given how unbelievable it is (especially the latter).

My final gripe with the season is how horribly miscast Conway is. He got better towards the end but he's completely out-acted by everyone around him.

It's still a great show and well worth watching.

 

[DarthFed]

It's a bit of a sad moment as Banshee had its series finale on Friday. It was a bit of a rushed season (only 8 episodes instead of the usual 10) and it had its obvious flaws. The show in general had its fair share of randomness and unrealistic events but it was always wildly entertaining. As I mentioned earlier it was the ultimate man's show. Not great in the traditional sense but it's one of a kind.

 

[Kieran]

Any Ray Donovan fans here? I'm late to the game, but binge watching season 1...

 

[DarthFed]

^ Great show. Very dark but it's entertaining with plenty of substance and great acting as well with Liev Schreiber and Jon Voight. You are probably thinking I watch way too much friggin TV and you are probably right!

 

[Kieran]

^^ You and me both, brother! I have season 2 of Marco Polo pending. But in my defence, I never watched Game of Thrones, Breaking Bad, Dexter, The Wire, and I've only seen two seasons of The Walking Dead...

 

[DarthFed]

GOT, Breaking Bad, and The Wire are probably the three best shows I've ever seen. Dexter was very good too. You should stop procrastinating

I saw the 2nd season of Marco Polo. Pretty slow at times but it built up well for an explosive ending. Still definitely worth watching though I liked the first season better.

 

[the AntiPusher]

GOT, Breaking Bad, and The Wire are probably the three best shows I've ever seen. Dexter was very good too. You should stop procrastinating

I saw the 2nd season of Marco Polo. Pretty slow at times but it built up well for an explosive ending. Still definitely worth watching though I liked the first season better.

Kieran , Darth is correct..you have been watching," the David Ferrer "of cable television.

 

[DarthFed]

^ LOL, that is a pretty good analogy.

 

[Kieran]

Haha, poor Daveed!

I will watch them shows someday, but the missus is squeamish about violence, so that limits my options. We watch stuff like Spiral (french TV show) and The Bridge (Danish/Swedish), which have violence too, but somehow she can stomach that. They're not too violent though. Psychologically challenging, which is what Breaking Bad is, I suppose. I'll get around to them, especially GoT, someday, just at the moment, we're on a Ray Donovan kick, then we'll watch some Marco Polo, then we'll be looking for something new...

 

[DarthFed]

Ray Donovan is very good but it does have its moments of extreme violence just to warn you in order to prepare the missus! And I'd say Banshee is probably not a show for her to watch, that's kind of a man's show anyways.

 

[Kieran]

I heard good things about Banshee, but I know what you mean about it being "a man's show". But it's also great quality, apparently. I think of Marco Polo as being "a man's show" too, for maybe similar reasons.

You ever watch any of the foreign shows, like The Bridge, Spiral, Borgen (Danish)? They're very high quality, and Scandinavia seems to be on a roll, what with Scandi-noir books being so popular. America has remade The Killing, and though I watched a couple of episodes, I much prefer the original. The Bridge has also been remade, by the US, and as The Tunnel, a French/British remake...