The really great TV thread

[fanatic]

Do you guys recommend picking up the Battlestar Gallactica blu ray complete series?

I have to admit that I really knew nothing about this series until 5 minutes ago. Sometimes life gets busy, and gems get lost in the pile of entertainment sources I guess.

Sounds like a great plot-driven tv series, which appeals to me. I'm also a huge sci-fi fan and love when they tackle real issues.

I guess I'm going to like this series?

The complete series on blu ray was originally prices in the $200s I think (25 or so discs, 73 episodes I believe). I found it on amazon for about $175. What do you think? Wait longer? How else could I watch this series? Not sure I want to make a thousand trips to blockbuster, plus I don't want to rush a rental if we get busy.

Thanks!

[Zeppo]

You guys don't have Netflix up there? I'm not sure I'd want to buy a tv series myself, but maybe you could sell it off somehow once you were done with it?

I thought it was one of the better scifi tv shows I've yet seen. It is very serial, so you do have to watch from the start and see it in order. I thought the first season was the strongest by far, and that by the end it got pretty lost in some mythical, magical mumbo jumbo and had a totally different character and tone than when it started, but it's still worth watchg, I believe. To be fair, I was always a fan of the cheesy original series since it holds a powerful nostalgic pull for me, so I was in from the start, and the main reason I was excited about the new version was the presence of Ed Olmos and he does not disappoint.

If you like scifi tv shows, it's a must-see.

[fanatic]

You guys don't have Netflix up there? I'm not sure I'd want to buy a tv series myself, but maybe you could sell it off somehow once you were done with it?

I thought it was one of the better scifi tv shows I've yet seen. It is very serial, so you do have to watch from the start and see it in order. I thought the first season was the strongest by far, and that by the end it got pretty lost in some mythical, magical mumbo jumbo and had a totally different character and tone than when it started, but it's still worth watchg, I believe. To be fair, I was always a fan of the cheesy original series since it holds a powerful nostalgic pull for me, so I was in from the start, and the main reason I was excited about the new version was the presence of Ed Olmos and he does not disappoint.

If you like scifi tv shows, it's a must-see.

Hey Zeppo,

Nice impressions...thanks!

The Canadian Netflix selection is parallel to the DVD collection you would find at a garage sale - we ALWAYS get screwed when it comes to this type of stuff. Mind you, the documentary section is really well done.

You're probably right - find something to re-sell after. Maybe even DVD instead of blu ray for this series would do.

Looking forward to watching this series.

[Brando70]

I'll echo Zeppo's sentiments. I think the first couple of seasons of BG were simply brilliant. Tremendous writing and acting that turned into smart episodes and characters I really cared about. After that, it became a bit hit or miss -- still a lot of great episodes, but also some pretty mediocre ones and also a textbook jump-the-shark moment. What hurt the series for me was the finale -- it was the worst episode of the series for me by far. I remember my wife and both turning to each other and going, "WTF was that?!"

All in all, however, a great series and very worth seeing.

Another underrated, underwatched scifi series I recommend is Firefly. Completely different in tone, but also full of a lot of great episodes and charismatic characters.

[fanatic]

I'll echo Zeppo's sentiments. I think the first couple of seasons of BG were simply brilliant. Tremendous writing and acting that turned into smart episodes and characters I really cared about. After that, it became a bit hit or miss -- still a lot of great episodes, but also some pretty mediocre ones and also a textbook jump-the-shark moment. What hurt the series for me was the finale -- it was the worst episode of the series for me by far. I remember my wife and both turning to each other and going, "WTF was that?!"

All in all, however, a great series and very worth seeing.

Another underrated, underwatched scifi series I recommend is Firefly. Completely different in tone, but also full of a lot of great episodes and charismatic characters.

Cool, thanks.

When my wife asked me what Battlestar Galactica was last night, I explained that it was the show that Dwight from The Office liked..she just rolled her eyes at me. Let's see if I can get her on board for this series.

[Naples39]

I never watched BSG when it was on tv, but have been catching up on it recently.

The two-part pilot was really impressive, and the first two seasons were really good. I'm towards the end of season 3 right now, and the last few episodes have been stinkers if you ask me. Not sure what season 4 holds.

FWIW, my wife has never even seen star wars and would say she hates sci-fi, but she started watching episodes over my shoulder, and eventually started asking to watch the episodes out of the blue. Now I'm not allowed to watch without her. I have friend who has had the same experience with his girlfriend.

[webdanzer]

I always feel heartache and a bit of anger when BSG is mentioned. I LOVED it early on, but I really feel like it was run into the ground as it went. The writers really lost their focus, and the show suffered for it.

I always tell people to watch the pilot and the first episode of season 1 (best individual ep, IMO) at the very least if they are or have ever been at least halfway interested in Sci-Fi or character driven drama. I still recommend folks watch it, but warn them about my misgivings on the show's ultimate destination.

I actually still haven't bought it myself because of how it ended.

Fan, we have actually discussed the show a lot here already. Some good opinions if you do a search.

[Lancer]

This discussion about BSG has got me interested in maybe renting it. I'm not a huge sci-fi fan, so would the story still appeal to me? I like say Star Wars but don't go overboard as a fan. But I really dislike Star Trek and the whole 'trekkie' type of deal. Where does BSG fall compared to those 2 or is it completely different? Is it like Deadwood in space?

[Zeppo]

Brando, Firefly is one of my all time favorites as well. I really didn't react well to the first episode Fox aired (it would've been nice to start with the pilot), but after a little while I was loving it. Of course, by the time I was really hooked it was all over. Even though the serial elements of the story are relatively minimal, it still would have been nice to have had the chance to see the episodes in order.

Fox really screwed that show. I don't think I'm much of a Joss Whedon fan otherwise, but I really liked Firefly. It's certainly not everyone's cup of tea, but it ranks very, very highly with me.

Same goes for Farscape as well. Definitely not for everyone, but there's never been anything else like remotely it.

[webdanzer]

I don't think I'm much of a Joss Whedon fan otherwise, but I really liked Firefly. It's certainly not everyone's cup of tea, but it ranks very, very highly with me.

Ditto. In fact, I *know* I'm not a Whedon fan save for Firefly. His writing tramples over good characterization in most of his other stuff, (The Voice of Whedon emerges from several puppet bodies!), but it just worked in Firefly.

[Brando70]

BSG is most definitely not in the Star Trek or Star Wars vein, and aside from the premise, not like the 70s iteration of the show. At the expense of using an overused word, it's very gritty and like a war series set in space, with some of the good elements of 24 thrown in. The best thing about it was how it would tackle moral quandaries in an intelligent and sometimes surprising way.

Firefly is another one where people who aren't really into scifi can enjoy it. The Western/space hybrid is a little off-putting at first, but the show has tremendous heart. I especially loved how it could be light and humorous or dark and serious without suffering from a tone shift.

[Naples39]

Reminded of this thread just now--walking around downtown with my wife after lunch and the sidewalk was torn up with exposed wires. She said "look at all those wires and hookups...it's like the Hybrid." LOL

[dbdynsty25]

Lights Out cancelled...son of a...

http://www.deadline.com/2011/03/fx-cancels-lights-out/

[pk500]

Lights Out cancelled...son of a...

http://www.deadline.com/2011/03/fx-cancels-lights-out/

F*CK. I love that show. Yeah, I know it's boxing, so it's alluring as hell for me. But a work colleague doesn't care about boxing and still digs this show. I only wish there were more cats like DB and my colleague at work.

[Lancer]

I've been watching since ep 4 or 5, and it's good, but it's dragging right now. I don't know if anyone could stand these characters for another season.

[pk500]

I've been watching since ep 4 or 5, and it's good, but it's dragging right now. I don't know if anyone could stand these characters for another season.

I sure could. I think the characters are quite compelling.

[dbdynsty25]

I've been watching since ep 4 or 5, and it's good, but it's dragging right now. I don't know if anyone could stand these characters for another season.

You probably should start from episode 1...you know, where they introduce and explain the characters. Hard to pick up a character driven show halfway through the season. Maybe that's just me.

[ScoopBrady]

That sucks. I enjoy the show despite having the last 4 episodes sitting on the DVR.

[dbdynsty25]

That sucks. I enjoy the show despite having the last 4 episodes sitting on the DVR.

They are gonna finish out the season at least. Not sure how they are gonna end it but I've got to assume they knew this was coming given the abysmal ratings.

[Jimmydeicide]

Im getting free Starz channel and joined "Pillars of the earth' mid way thru im guessing dont know how many episodes i missed but im really digging it they show 2 episodes back to back on a friday.
Ive seen 6 so far its Good stuff. Check it out if you have a chance.

[Lancer]

After the Morales fight the shows gone dead. Having the crazy guy trainer there was a waste of time, 2 episodes down the drain. I like Stacey Keech and the dynamic with his son and now that has been missing the past 2-3 weeks. I wish they would have played more on his relationship with the thug guy who's going out with his sister.

[RobVarak]

I'm thrilled that Fringe just got picked up by Fox for a 4th season! I had slept on this show, but a friend has been hounding me to get into it for years. Blew threw the first two seasons on DVD in about a month, and it's really, really good. It started out a bit shaky, but really found its footing midway through the first season. John Noble is positively brilliant as Walter Bishop, and the show is worth watching for him alone.

I think the show was badly served by being launched while Lost was still on. It's an excellent show in its own right, more intimate and quirkier than Lost, but I think a lot of people just saw it as a second-rate JJ Abrams creation. It's definitely got a strong X-Files vibe, but it is much, much less stingy about moving the meta-narrative along quickly.

I recommend it if you like SciFi, X-Files, Lost etc.

[Lancer]

I am interested in Fringe too, been watching it when it's been on and off a few times.

I talked to someone who is a big fan and they've told me don't even bother with season 1, just start w/ season 2.

Is that what you would agree with as well?

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Big Love on HBO just finished up and it was a pretty good ending, won't give it out. Some say it was a cop-out but I did like it, considering the main character had become very unlikable. I only started watching the last 2 seasons and I enjoyed it, especially last season with the whole political angle they brought to the series.


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Game of Thrones is about to start on HBO as well. This one looks like a winner. I did watch one episode of Pillars of Earth and wasn't impressed, but one show doesn't make a series so I may give it a try again.

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Shameless on Showtime has gotten pretty good. I hated it the first few episodes just because it was so depressing, but I guess that was the point. I stuck with it because there was nothing for me to watch and the show has been fairly decent.

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One show on Showtime series that was really short but somewhat enjoyable was 'Episodes'. It as the guy from friends on it playing himself , Matt LeBlanc, and he does a great job playing himself hehe. It's a quirky show and it's sometimes its hard to figure out the heavy english accents of some of the characters but it's entertaining. PK500 will probably get a kick out of the english sayings and use them in his postings on this website.

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Man vs Wild is back on - the first 3 shows have been terrific, but the last one this week was one of those 'best of' which sucked. I dont' know where else this dude will have to go since it seems he's conquered every type of terrain here on planet Earth.

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The Office -wow this show has sucked the last few years compared to the first 3-4 seasons, but last night's episode was one of the best. SPOILERS - Michael proposed and is going to move out to Colorado. Will Ferrell will finish the last month of the show until the new season starts next fall.

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Rodster - know of any deals coming up for Fringe Seasons 1 / 2?

[RobVarak]

I am interested in Fringe too, been watching it when it's been on and off a few times.

I talked to someone who is a big fan and they've told me don't even bother with season 1, just start w/ season 2.

Is that what you would agree with as well?

I can't endorse that, although I understand the sentiment. First of all, the later development of the story is much better (and makes more sense) if you see Season One. There are also some classic episodes that are among the series' best.

I don't think the early episodes are outright bad. The writing's just a bit clunky, the characters not yet fully developed and a clear too-many-cooks sense lingers around the whole thing. But it's well worth sitting through 3 or 4 clunkers (really that's all there is at the most, IMO) for the gems and the overall understanding of what's going down.

[Naples39]

I missed the start of fringe, but on my vague recollection it started getting good midway through season 1, and season 2 was good. I'm not liking season 3 as much, but still dvr'ing.

Basically the only show I watch now, mainly because Walter is awesome.