A Minor Clarification
So a few days ago I wrote that I didn’t really have any shows that I watch on television. It turns out that this is not 100% accurate. There are, I believe, three television shows, that are still active, that I watch and have seen all the episodes aired so far. They are:
Tricia Helfer: Not ugly
Battlestar Galactica: My wife seems to think that this show sucks, but that’s because she’s not watching it. The final season begins tonight and I can’t wait to see how this all wraps up. This is one of those sci-fi shows which has more to do with human condition and not so much lasers or blowing up planets. The questions raised in parallel with current events are really interesting and make me think. And, yeah, I guess Tricia Helfer is pretty easy on the eyes, which doesn’t hurt.
LOST: My wife does not think this show sucks. Although it was touch and go for a while there with me, but I think they’ve gotten back on track. I bought episode 1 of LOST from the iTunes Store sometime after about 30 episodes had aired. Then I bought another, and another, and another, until I had watched the first 38 episodes of LOST and then I had to wait each week like the rest of America to find out was going to happen to Jack, Kate, Sawyer, Locke and the rest on The Island. In addition to the big mystery, just what is this island, there are all these little tangents and side mysteries to unravel. Lostpedia lists 99 mysteries with 30 solved, 32 partially solved and 27 unsolved. Plus I really love all the little easter eggs and cultural references built into the show. I was, for a time, quite obsessed with The Numbers. It’s the only show I’ve ever watched a second time just to try and find little clues in the background or in single frames. Just a lot of fun in so many ways. Only two seasons left for them to wrap up those 72 mysteries plus the other dozen or so that they’ll introduce over the next 2 seasons.
Don’t mess with Betty!
Mad Men: Another one Susie and I agree on. And another one I started watching on iTunes (specifically Apple TV) after people on Twitter would not shut up about it. I can’t quite put my finger on why I like this show so much. I guess it’s a combination of seeing what appears to be an authentic unvarnished look at the social, cultural, and political changes taking place as a backdrop to some really interesting characters working in a Madison Avenue ad agency during the 60s. In addition to a variety of minor characters, I keep watching to see how Dick Whitman becomes Don Draper and whether this dual life is ever reconciled. Peggy Olson’s climb to the top of Sterling Cooper in a man’s world and Betty Draper finding the role of housewife not what she had expected.
So those are my three shows. I can say that I have never seen a complete episode of any the the 37 different CSI shows. I watch the comically bad singing bits of American Idol from time to time, but could give a crap when it actually comes time to vote. I’ve not seen House or Prison Break. I nearly started watching Pushing Daisies but then I stopped. 24, Desperate Housewives, and Heroes were also good for one season, then I’d had enough. Just not a lot out there that grabs me and keeps me interested for any length of time I guess.
“This is one of those sci-fi shows which has more to do with human condition and not so much lasers or blowing up planets”
Which is a BSG fans defense of what is essentially the original BSG concept turned on its head then turned into a soap opera. Exchange “who is the father of Sarah’s baby” with “who’s the next Cyclon” and that pretty much caps it.
😉
I kid i kid.
I honestly haven’t watched it much since i found out they changed all the roles and relationships from the original, which was pretty dang awesome concept for a show.
You’re missing out man. Take for example the end of season 2, beginning of 3 where the Cylons capture most of the surviving human fleet, put a figurehead government in place and try to win the hearts and minds of humans. In the meantime, the (humans) good guys form an underground resistance which employs tactics such as suicide bombings as they only way they can fight back against the more advanced Cylon occupiers. A not so subtle attempt to demonstrate the moral ambiguities faced in very similar real world situations.
Dexter.
If you’re not watching Dexter you’re missing out on some of the best TV evar!!!!!
No, really.
Yep, I’ve heard that Dexter is really good. Trouble is it’s on Showtime (I think?), and I don’t have it. Of course if I were determined I’m sure I could find a way. After all I did see Rome before we were HBO subscribers.
House. The bomb.
After Galactica of course.
And Heroes wasn’t too bad this past season although it wasn’t tough to beat season 2…
Dexter seasons 1 and 2 are on iTunes.
Rome season 1 was good. 2 was utter shite. Also The Tudors is painfully bad too.
BSG, Lost, Heroes etc are all dragging on way too long. I dont have the patience for them.
Oh and House? Really? Even though he has the worst american accent in the history of british actors doing american accents?
I liked both seasons of Rome. The second not quite as much as the first, but still I wish I weren’t canceled. Tried the Tudors and couldn’t get through more than a couple episodes. And next time I see you I’m going to have to hear your version of an American accent 🙂
The Wire. It’s just amazing. The main problem is individual episodes aren’t always completely satisfying, you have to keep watching the full season. It’s like a book you can’t put down. At least give it a shot until episode 6 of season 1.