Latest TV Shows
Thanks to some kind friends overseas, I’ve been able to see some of the new series there are, and new seasons of existing seasons. Here’s what we’ve got coming
Heroes – this is the major new hit in the US. Twelve strangers all discover they have powers of some sort and they have to come together to stop an unimaginable disaster. It’s got the mystery of Lost, some wonderful characters and one big over-arching plot. Hiro is my favourite hero – everyone loves him and he even has his own blog!
Robin Hood – a new adaptation from the BBC. I like it. The Robin is very arrogant but appealing. And the Sherriff is wonderfully wicked. Oh yes Marian kicks ass also.
Torchwood – another BBC new series – a spin off from Dr Who set in Cardiff. It’s a mixture of a grimy crime series but with aliens and technology. Oh yes Captain Jack is the main lead.
Grey’s Anatomy – Season Three hasn’t quite got the drama of the previous seasons. The Meredith/McDreamy saga can only go on so long. And all the characters are becoming too nice. Bring back the Nazi!
House – episodes are still mainly stand alone, but with a bit more plot development happening in terms of House who has his leg get better.
Boston Legal – starting to go off this one. Shatner is still hilarious as Denny Crane, but not enough focus on Alan Shore and his outrageous unethical legal strategies. Becoming too much of a soap opera.
Battlestar Galactica – Season Three rocks. It has some amazing plot twists and amazing scenes such as where the Galactica screams towards a planet at full speed, lets off its fighters and then ports away just before it crashes. And you see the Pegasus take on three Cylon base ships. BG has become the cult programme for Sci Fi fans.
Lost – the mystery is starting to fade, but still enough to keep it interesting. I don’t see too many more seasons for it though.
Desperate Housewives – this went downhill in Season Two but Season Three has picked up the pace again. The Carlos/.Gaby wars are priceless and last week the episode with hostages was a stunner. They’ve regained the ability to surprise.
South Park – the second half of Season Ten is as offensive as also. To be balanced they do a two parter taking the piss of atheists which is fun.
November 27th, 2006 at 7:59 am
I watch and read some SF, but Battlestar Galactica? maybe I still haven’t recovered from the original series.
November 27th, 2006 at 8:27 am
To my chagrin, I must admit to a shameful addiction to Lost. I have no idea why I like it so much. I think my interest in Prison Break requires no other explanation than the lead actor.
November 27th, 2006 at 8:42 am
Andrew W. wrote:
I watch and read some SF, but Battlestar Galactica? maybe I still haven’t recovered from the original series.
Very different beasties – the new series is darker, better written and acted and not quite so, shall we say, campy. I don’t know why TV3 is still sitting on season two, but I was pleasantly surprised that when I went into Whitcoulls to buy the DVD set the day after it was released, the saleswoman said (at lunchtime) “this is the fifth one of these I’ve sold today, and I’ve never heard of Battlestar Galactica.”
And, sorry, I’ve gone off Grey’s Anatomy – I want Addison, Bailey, Christina and Alex to get evil again, and start smacking down the pouting whiners. If Addison ever snarls at Meredith, “You can have the flaky jerk, you whore. I’m off to make George cry” then I’m back.
November 27th, 2006 at 9:15 am
I’ll put in a vote for Studio 60. Its from Aaron Sorkin of West Wing fame and is in a similar sort of style.
Great scripting and great actors ( Matthew Perry , Amanda Peet, The guy who plays Josh on the West Wing, Christian babe).
November 27th, 2006 at 9:39 am
the new series of Boston Legal isnt bad. they have introduced a new lawyer who is pretty funny. (the guy who fought russel crowe in cinderella man).
they do keep rehashing charactors a bit much – the “hands” guy is on about 5 of the first 9 episodes with different “problems” i guess thats what happens when you win an emmy?
Prison Break season 2- first 6 episodes are crap. gets better from there.
November 27th, 2006 at 9:58 am
You don’t need friends overseas, you just need bittorrent
It’s amazing really. I’ve been able to start downloading recent episodes of Battlestar Galactica a few minutes before they go to air in California, and start watching them before they’ve finished there. This is presumably because people on the east coast of the USA (which sees them three hours earlier) have digital video recorders that do Divx, thus avoiding a tedious encoding step.
Series three has been quite topical. A lot of people’s reactions to the first episode were “omg! It’s Iraq … and .. and … the Psilons are the USA!” That’s not *quite* true, but the show does manage to make quite intelligent examinations of some controversial and topical subjects such as suicide bombings.
November 27th, 2006 at 10:48 am
Don’t talk to me about TV, I am still pissed off at them for cutting short the last series of the Sopranos.
BTW..does anybody know where I can find the missing episodes of the Sopranos on the net?
November 27th, 2006 at 11:14 am
Try:
http://thepiratebay.org/search.php?q=sopranos
November 27th, 2006 at 2:32 pm
A brief warning: you’ll be disappointed.
November 27th, 2006 at 2:35 pm
Which, I might add, you won’t be with “Battlestar Galactica”. Start with the mini-series and work your way along — it’s a deeply satisfying show with a/ very little excessive bang-bang nonsense, and b/ very high production standards.
November 27th, 2006 at 8:01 pm
Pah! its a sell out homo love fest compared to the original epic. Starbuck a chick?! Fuck off!
November 27th, 2006 at 11:11 pm
James:
I’m quietly astounded by folks who don’t bat an eyelid at a show premised on the near-total genocide of the human race – and then things really take a turn to the dark side -, but that gets your panties in a wad? LOL… and I can assure you Kara ‘Starbuck’ Thrace is no dyke, just more man than you’ll ever be and more woman than you’ll ever have.
November 28th, 2006 at 2:35 am
Bruce – when I refer to friends from overseas, I don’t specify how they help me access them
November 28th, 2006 at 6:33 am
The BBC version of Robin Hood has been lambasted for its cringing PC storylines. It has already halfed its viewers since it began.
I preferred the Robin of Sherwood series that you can still see on SKY here in the UK.
November 28th, 2006 at 7:19 am
I’ve been thinking about revisiting Robin of Sherwood but resisted because I didn’t think it would have dated very well. Is it still worth seeing, or is it pretty cringe-worthy?
I was browsing around the DVD shelves at the library the other day and found ‘Brideshead Revisited’, which I instantly rented having fond memories of watching it on TV. It stands the test of time – although watching it as an adult it’s pretty clear that Sebastian and Charles were more than just really good friends. I can’t believe I didn’t see that at the time.
I plan to raid the library for more of those old British miniseries. ‘I Claudius’ and ‘The Singing Detective’ are high on the list.
Agree that BattleStar Galactica is the best thing on TV. Heard about the concept for Season 3 the other day and my jaw dropped at the sheer ballsiness of a sci-fi show engaging with contemporary issues like that.
Of course, the other really good show at the moment is ‘The Wire’.
November 28th, 2006 at 12:12 pm
Danyl – oh yes the whole humans as the resistance (whether French in WWII or Iraqi) with suicide bombings, executing collabators etc was superb. The secret trials also were great viewing as they made you think.