The Small Screen: TV

[DarthFed]

Okay, I've never seen Dexter, so I need advice from those who have: is it a good thing to have a serial killer as the hero of a TV show?

Does it glorify or trivialise murder in any way?

I'm serious! From a moral aspect and from the point of view of how nasty and explicit most films are, did the show Dexter pull a fast one and slip a germ into a system that's jaded and not keeping watch on what it feeds itself?

The plot is that Dexter is a serial killer who has a code hammered into him by his stepfather; that being to only kill bad people. That's where the "hero" part of it comes in. It is a terrific show, especially the first 4 seasons. There was definitely a dip after that and the last season (#8) was all around poor.

 

[DarthFed]

Anyone aside from me and JS see the Breaking Bad finale? It was very well done and left no loose strings. The one complaint, without giving anything away, is that it was a little predictable while the entire show was anything but. Breaking Bad is one that won't be forgotten anytime soon.

 

[Kieran]

Okay, I've never seen Dexter, so I need advice from those who have: is it a good thing to have a serial killer as the hero of a TV show?

Does it glorify or trivialise murder in any way?

I'm serious! From a moral aspect and from the point of view of how nasty and explicit most films are, did the show Dexter pull a fast one and slip a germ into a system that's jaded and not keeping watch on what it feeds itself?

The plot is that Dexter is a serial killer who has a code hammered into him by his stepfather; that being to only kill bad people. That's where the "hero" part of it comes in. It is a terrific show, especially the first 4 seasons. There was definitely a dip after that and the last season (#8) was all around poor.

He's a vigilante? Just to tease it out a bit, and I ask this as someone who hasn't watched it and is curious, would you say it redeems the notion of being a serial killer: it somehow shows that it's not always a huge crime?

How do they get around this? Or is Dexter considered a villain by fans of the show?

 

[DarthFed]

Okay, I've never seen Dexter, so I need advice from those who have: is it a good thing to have a serial killer as the hero of a TV show?

Does it glorify or trivialise murder in any way?

I'm serious! From a moral aspect and from the point of view of how nasty and explicit most films are, did the show Dexter pull a fast one and slip a germ into a system that's jaded and not keeping watch on what it feeds itself?

The plot is that Dexter is a serial killer who has a code hammered into him by his stepfather; that being to only kill bad people. That's where the "hero" part of it comes in. It is a terrific show, especially the first 4 seasons. There was definitely a dip after that and the last season (#8) was all around poor.

He's a vigilante? Just to tease it out a bit, and I ask this as someone who hasn't watched it and is curious, would you say it redeems the notion of being a serial killer: it somehow shows that it's not always a huge crime?

How do they get around this? Or is Dexter considered a villain by fans of the show?

He isn't really a vigilante because he has the need to kill, and his stepfather "made the most of it" you could say (Not exactly Boondock Saints here). As you will see on the show there are other problems created by his actions even if the "crimes" themselves are not a bad thing.

In some mythical world where a random guy like Dexter is able to find concrete proof that the people he kills are serial killers, rapists, etc. then taking out the trash is a good thing in my book. I don't think anyone watches the show and really sees him as a villain.

 

[Kieran]

Thanks Darth, that's interesting. I saw a few reviews of the Breaking Bad finale, all positive. Sounds like a hard show to live up to. You watch the start of Homeland yet? Haven't gotten round to it...

 

[DarthFed]

Thanks Darth, that's interesting. I saw a few reviews of the Breaking Bad finale, all positive. Sounds like a hard show to live up to. You watch the start of Homeland yet? Haven't gotten round to it...

Yeah, it's hard to place Breaking Bad in comparison to the couple other really really great shows I've seen. The Wire was outstanding but I didn't find it quite as entertaining as Breaking Bad and perhaps I wasn't as emotionally invested in how it was all going to end for everyone. Game of Thrones is still going on and is based off of books I am now reading. It could have a lot more seasons yet.

Dexter is not Breaking Bad but it was a great show worth checking out. I saw the first Homeland episode and it was very good. Today I plan on watching the new one, Masters of Sex. I actually heard it was a good 1st episode, it's not like I'd only watch it for the hot naked chicks that are sure to be on it :snigger

 

[Kieran]

Today I plan on watching the new one, Masters of Sex. I actually heard it was a good 1st episode, it's not like I'd only watch it for the hot naked chicks that are sure to be on it :snigger

This is why I think crossover telly is the way forward. As in, please put Mrs Brody in Masters of Sex... lease: :

 

[DarthFed]

Today I plan on watching the new one, Masters of Sex. I actually heard it was a good 1st episode, it's not like I'd only watch it for the hot naked chicks that are sure to be on it :snigger

This is why I think crossover telly is the way forward. As in, please put Mrs Brody in Masters of Sex... lease: :

That'd be too good to be true. But Lizzy Caplan isn't chopped liver either.

http://images1.wikia.nocookie.net/__cb20110112031534/trueblood/images/1/16/Lizzy1.jpg

Saw the first episode last night and it was pretty good.

 

[Johnsteinbeck]

Anyone aside from me and JS see the Breaking Bad finale? It was very well done and left no loose strings. The one complaint, without giving anything away, is that it was a little predictable while the entire show was anything but. Breaking Bad is one that won't be forgotten anytime soon.

what a ride it was.

i agree that the finale was somewhat predictable, but i'm in no way complaining about it. but i felt that this was fitting. the climax of the show was Ozymandias - the finale (Felina) was simply to bring everything together in the end. by my calculations, Breaking Bad had a runtime of around 44 hours. so the last 50 minutes, which is well under 5% - that's not the time to make great turnarounds. just bring it home. and i thought they did that perfectly.

still, even the last episode kept me on the edge of my seat (even though i'd called his move in regard to the Schwartz's after the last episode, the scene was so perfectly crafted i still was close to biting my nails), had me laugh out loud (the Stevia moment, i know it's evil, but it was again just so perfect; and Walt's final confession (I did it for...) )... and yes, i'll admit it - i had quite watery eyes in the end.


so yes, i think it was a great ending to what is probably the Perfect tv show.

 

[DarthFed]

Anyone aside from me and JS see the Breaking Bad finale? It was very well done and left no loose strings. The one complaint, without giving anything away, is that it was a little predictable while the entire show was anything but. Breaking Bad is one that won't be forgotten anytime soon.

what a ride it was.

i agree that the finale was somewhat predictable, but i'm in no way complaining about it. but i felt that this was fitting. the climax of the show was Ozymandias - the finale (Felina) was simply to bring everything together in the end. by my calculations, Breaking Bad had a runtime of around 44 hours. so the last 50 minutes, which is well under 5% - that's not the time to make great turnarounds. just bring it home. and i thought they did that perfectly.

still, even the last episode kept me on the edge of my seat (even though i'd called his move in regard to the Schwartz's after the last episode, the scene was so perfectly crafted i still was close to biting my nails), had me laugh out loud (the Stevia moment, i know it's evil, but it was again just so perfect; and Walt's final confession (I did it for...) )... and yes, i'll admit it - i had quite watery eyes in the end.


so yes, i think it was a great ending to what is probably the Perfect tv show.

Well put. I think the "Stevia" part of it is one where we shouldn't have seen a certain flash forward earlier on in the season. I think before the last episode everyone suspected what Walt was going to do with the "gift" he retrieved. Small complaint I know. But the finale was very well done. And it was one hell of a roller coaster. I was left hating Walt for much of the show and then found myself suddenly rooting for him and it would go back and forth. I wonder if that was part of the design all along as we journeyed through the story of Walter White.

 

[brokenshoelace]

Anyone aside from me and JS see the Breaking Bad finale? It was very well done and left no loose strings. The one complaint, without giving anything away, is that it was a little predictable while the entire show was anything but. Breaking Bad is one that won't be forgotten anytime soon.

Watched every season of Breaking Bad this past month (had never followed the show before that). Mind blowing. Absolutely, without a doubt, one of the greatest TV shows of all time.

Agreed about the finale. It wasn't disappointing by any means, but it was pretty expected, and as a result, there were very few -- if any -- moments of tension, which is highly unusual for the show, especially its incredible last season. The garage scene at the end of the 9th episode (first episode of the second half of the season) is phenomenal. The tension was great.

Like Dexter, I think the best season was the fourth. Gustavo Fring is an awesome, awesome villain.

 

[brokenshoelace]

Anyone aside from me and JS see the Breaking Bad finale? It was very well done and left no loose strings. The one complaint, without giving anything away, is that it was a little predictable while the entire show was anything but. Breaking Bad is one that won't be forgotten anytime soon.

what a ride it was.

i agree that the finale was somewhat predictable, but i'm in no way complaining about it. but i felt that this was fitting. the climax of the show was Ozymandias - the finale (Felina) was simply to bring everything together in the end. by my calculations, Breaking Bad had a runtime of around 44 hours. so the last 50 minutes, which is well under 5% - that's not the time to make great turnarounds. just bring it home. and i thought they did that perfectly.

still, even the last episode kept me on the edge of my seat (even though i'd called his move in regard to the Schwartz's after the last episode, the scene was so perfectly crafted i still was close to biting my nails), had me laugh out loud (the Stevia moment, i know it's evil, but it was again just so perfect; and Walt's final confession (I did it for...) )... and yes, i'll admit it - i had quite watery eyes in the end.


so yes, i think it was a great ending to what is probably the Perfect tv show.

Well put. I think the "Stevia" part of it is one where we shouldn't have seen a certain flash forward earlier on in the season. I think before the last episode everyone suspected what Walt was going to do with the "gift" he retrieved. Small complaint I know. But the finale was very well done. And it was one hell of a roller coaster. I was left hating Walt for much of the show and then found myself suddenly rooting for him and it would go back and forth. I wonder if that was part of the design all along as we journeyed through the story of Walter White.

Yes, unlike Dexter Morgan (whom everyone always rooted for, myself included), I had a love-hate relationship with Walter White (simply from the perspective of whether I root for him or not), and I really think he was intentionally written that way. In fact, that's one of the things I appreciate the most about Breaking Bad -- they're not afraid to take risks with their main character, as opposed to the writers of Dexter who, no matter what happened, had to find a way to make Dexter look good in the eyes of everyone around him.

As far as Dexter being "no Breaking Bad," that's interesting. I think it was every bit as good for the first 4 seasons. However, what Breaking Bad did very well is know when to call it a day, as opposed to dragging out the show and thus, dropping its quality. Not to mention, its last season and climax were infinitely better. Overall, from start to finish, Breaking Bad was more tightly written and better structured.

 

[DarthFed]

Anyone aside from me and JS see the Breaking Bad finale? It was very well done and left no loose strings. The one complaint, without giving anything away, is that it was a little predictable while the entire show was anything but. Breaking Bad is one that won't be forgotten anytime soon.

what a ride it was.

i agree that the finale was somewhat predictable, but i'm in no way complaining about it. but i felt that this was fitting. the climax of the show was Ozymandias - the finale (Felina) was simply to bring everything together in the end. by my calculations, Breaking Bad had a runtime of around 44 hours. so the last 50 minutes, which is well under 5% - that's not the time to make great turnarounds. just bring it home. and i thought they did that perfectly.

still, even the last episode kept me on the edge of my seat (even though i'd called his move in regard to the Schwartz's after the last episode, the scene was so perfectly crafted i still was close to biting my nails), had me laugh out loud (the Stevia moment, i know it's evil, but it was again just so perfect; and Walt's final confession (I did it for...) )... and yes, i'll admit it - i had quite watery eyes in the end.


so yes, i think it was a great ending to what is probably the Perfect tv show.

Well put. I think the "Stevia" part of it is one where we shouldn't have seen a certain flash forward earlier on in the season. I think before the last episode everyone suspected what Walt was going to do with the "gift" he retrieved. Small complaint I know. But the finale was very well done. And it was one hell of a roller coaster. I was left hating Walt for much of the show and then found myself suddenly rooting for him and it would go back and forth. I wonder if that was part of the design all along as we journeyed through the story of Walter White.

Yes, unlike Dexter Morgan (whom everyone always rooted for, myself included), I had a love-hate relationship with Walter White (simply from the perspective of whether I root for him or not), and I really think he was intentionally written that way. In fact, that's one of the things I appreciate the most about Breaking Bad -- they're not afraid to take risks with their main character, as opposed to the writers of Dexter who, no matter what happened, had to find a way to make Dexter look good in the eyes of everyone around him.

As far as Dexter being "no Breaking Bad," that's interesting. I think it was every bit as good for the first 4 seasons. However, what Breaking Bad did very well is know when to call it a day, as opposed to dragging out the show and thus, dropping its quality. Not to mention, its last season and climax were infinitely better. Overall, from start to finish, Breaking Bad was more tightly written and better structured.

It's a matter of taste and definitely part of it is that Dexter took a large dip after the 4th season. Both shows were excellent but I'd say seasons 3-5 of BB was perhaps the best I've seen (Wire season 3 and 4 are up there and Game of Thrones 1 and 2 are up there). The writing for BB, especially regarding Walt, was stupendous.

 

[the AntiPusher]

Game of Thrones has been on my "To do" list for a long time. Need to wade through Boardwalk Empire first, but took a peek at the Red Wedding scene - a good scene but not ground breaking stuff IMO - probably because I haven't seen the series before and not invested in the characters. Will buy it in though and catch up.

I heard it was considered really graphic and I'm guessing it's with what happened to Robb's wife in particular. But that's nothing I haven't seen on Spartacus, in fact your typical Spartacus fight scene makes all that look really tame.

Aside from that it's as BS said, you would have to watch the show to realize how huge that scene is and it really came out of nowhere.

Guys.. I just started watching the GOT and Wow! Great show, great actions, the women are forgettable but the dragon breeding chick and her slave(that sista is very lovely) but what happen to Theon Greyjoy is just inhumane(death would be better).. yikesuzzled

 

[DarthFed]

Game of Thrones has been on my "To do" list for a long time. Need to wade through Boardwalk Empire first, but took a peek at the Red Wedding scene - a good scene but not ground breaking stuff IMO - probably because I haven't seen the series before and not invested in the characters. Will buy it in though and catch up.

I heard it was considered really graphic and I'm guessing it's with what happened to Robb's wife in particular. But that's nothing I haven't seen on Spartacus, in fact your typical Spartacus fight scene makes all that look really tame.

Aside from that it's as BS said, you would have to watch the show to realize how huge that scene is and it really came out of nowhere.

Guys.. I just started watching the GOT and Wow! Great show, great actions, the women are forgettable but the dragon breeding chick and her slave(that sista is very lovely) but what happen to Theon Greyjoy is just inhumane(death would be better).. yikesuzzled

Hating on the women? I think they are quite fine. You must have caught up already then? Awesome show and the books seem to be great too as expected.

 

[RJD11]

I am a sucker for mystery shows . I loved Sherlock holmes and watched that . Waiting for BBC Sherlock season 3 . Other shows I watch are Psych , Person of Interest and Elementary . POI is my favourate show right now , season 1 was magnificant

I am a fan of POI too. Also Bones, Castle, Elementary, NCIS, and

The Mentalist. Basically all the same Genre.


The New show coming in the next couple of weeks called

" Almost Human " sounds like it will be interesting.


I also read that there will be another NCIS spin-off based

in New Orleans. Speaking of NCIS I heard another female

agent named Bishop will take Cote De Pablo's ( Ziva ) place.

They tried out Borin the Coast Guard chick last week and

I guess the ratings weren't high enough.

 

[Tennis-tennis]

So, none of u guys watch the CBS drama "The Good Wife"? It's actually pretty good except for the 3rd season.

 

[Kieran]

So, none of u guys watch the CBS drama "The Good Wife"? It's actually pretty good except for the 3rd season.

I like that show, excellent cast and I never noticed the third series being too bad, but then I'm sketchy on the details...

 

[Tennis-tennis]

I like that show, excellent cast and I never noticed the third series being too bad, but then I'm sketchy on the details...

The third series wasn't really bad(the only thing that was bad in this was Kalinda's husband storyline:nono) but the remaining four are just too good especially the current season. This show has the best guest stars on TV( love every episode that carrie preston is in).
This and Game of Thrones are my favourite shows on TV right now. They both have the perfect casting for every character.

 

[britbox]

Game of Thrones has been on my "To do" list for a long time. Need to wade through Boardwalk Empire first, but took a peek at the Red Wedding scene - a good scene but not ground breaking stuff IMO - probably because I haven't seen the series before and not invested in the characters. Will buy it in though and catch up.

I heard it was considered really graphic and I'm guessing it's with what happened to Robb's wife in particular. But that's nothing I haven't seen on Spartacus, in fact your typical Spartacus fight scene makes all that look really tame.

Aside from that it's as BS said, you would have to watch the show to realize how huge that scene is and it really came out of nowhere.

Guys.. I just started watching the GOT and Wow! Great show, great actions, the women are forgettable but the dragon breeding chick and her slave(that sista is very lovely) but what happen to Theon Greyjoy is just inhumane(death would be better).. yikesuzzled

Agreed! I got the 3 seasons last week and have gone through the whole lot already - gripping stuff.
The Red Wedding Scene made a lot more sense and it's magnitude much clearer when watched in context with everything else. I didn't actually have all that much natural sympathy toward Robb Stark.

Great series, really looking forward to Season 4.

Done Band of Brothers too (very good) and now got the first three seasons of Breaking Bad to feast on.