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Last Active 12-23-19 9:27 pm
Joined 09-16-14
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| Uni's 2017 in TV
YEAR END LIST 6/14. This time around I'm looking into all the new television series released in 2017 I had a chance to watch and rate. (SE = Standout Episodes) | | 1 |  | Mother Feather
Mother Feather
Glow S1
Well, this was a ride. Let's just begin with the fact that Marc Maron is great in his usual character of a tired arsehole with some good somewhere inside (maybe) and Alison Brie, while clearly trying her best to come through as a dramatic actress, still seems a little undervetted. The writing has an interesting way of developing each character at a time; with one episode after another focusing slightly more at a different member of the wrestling crew and what they're going through. And a lot of the obstacles Mickey and Gus' relationship is running into in the show I found to be quite hard-hitting. Overall, it's an entertaining show that knows what it's about and knows how to seem both humorous and dramatic at the same time. 8/10
SE: The Wrath of Kuntar, Debbie Does Something, The Liberal Chokehold, Money's in the Case | | 2 |  | The Angelus
There Will Be No Peace
Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency S2
Another brilliant series cancelled too soon. After charming the absolute fuck out of me in the first season with its next level absurd humour and wild plot, the second season slowed down a little, delving into some unexpected territories with its characters. We finally get some explanation as to what exactly is Black Wing and what exactly are they capable of. The addition of John Hannah and Alan Tudyk was great. The overall story arch of this season was also properly ridiculous and the ever so pleasing reveals and twists that occurred are so damn fun. It's a fantastic show that was just a couple of notches too crazy for BBC America. Let's hope Netflix follows through on their plans and picks it up themselves, gives it the budget it deserves and we finally get to see [SPOILER] that agency they set up at the end in action and Todd finally getting together with Farah. 8/10
SE: Space Rabbit, The House Within a House, Girl Power, Nice Jacket | | 3 |  | Arc Iris
Moon Saloon
Legion S1
This was a much needed break from all the other one-dimensional superhero shows television has given us in recent years, from all the gradually bleaker and blander CW/DC series to the samey, seemingly down-to-earth, but ultimately repetative Netflix/Marvel collabs. The decision to give unto Fargo's Noah Hawley to adapt X-Men comics was great in in of itself. This show is extremely unusual in its approach and unorthodox execution. It's a hallucinogenic and atmospheric piece that immediately grips, but also disappoints in how short it is. C'mon, only 8 episodes? 9/10
SE: Chapter 1, Chapter 3, Chapter 5, Chapter 7 | | 4 |  | James
Laid
Love S2
Definitely an improvement over a very bumpy, inconsistent and sometimes downright tedious first season, but still having a lot of the same problems. Second season does carry a lot of the same somewhat underwritten feeling of the first one, but the drama and the romantic chemistry between the main characters is drawn out much better. The recurring characters get some well deserved development too and feel much more interesting. The relationship obstacles hit home, as well as the ins and outs of a life of a recovering alcoholic (I know my share...sort of). Overall, though the series isn't exactly a gold stadard of Netflix original content, at least Judd Apatow's down-to-earth look at relationships finally starts to get some sort of focused shape and is all the more interesting and thrilling to watch as the time goes. 8/10
SE: Shrooms, The Work Party, Marty Dobbs (this episode especially, some real shit here, man) | | 5 |  | Loyle Carner
Yesterday's Gone
The Great Indoors S1
I might get a lot of shit for this... then again, nobody watched it, so it's unlikely. I actually managed to like this. The jokes were decent, the premise was okay, the characters weren't annoying. It was all around fine. I don't really understand why did Stephen Fry chose this to be his big breakout in America, his part could have been played by anyone remotely British. But there is one tiny thing that pretty much ruins the whole thing. This one miniature problem. THE FUCKING LAUGH TRACK. Who uses a laugh track in 2017? How insecure are you about the quality of your sitcom that you need a synthetic laughter effect? This outdated piece of cringe is absolutely out of place and destroys any charm this sitcom had. And that's unfortunate. 6/10
SE: You Don't Know Jack, The Mediocre Outdoors, Relationship Jack, Cubicles, Party Paul, The Company Retreat | | 6 |  | Benjamin Clementine
I Tell A Fly
It shall be known that I did not find the start of this season to be even merely as striking or remarkable as the ones preceeding it. I did admire the play on coincidential crime and one misunderstanding leading to another. However, as the season unveiled and Noah Hawley's dubius masterplan was revealed to me I had to succumb to admission that the events unravelling in the third-of-all-good in Fargo might very well be the most devilishly ingenious in the series history. Season 3 took themes and character/plot structure directly out of the first two and mashed it together with a topping of its own twisted morality and storytelling nonchalance. It is an incredibly intricate and complex legion of tales all collated together into a lagune of utmost demonically hilarious misadventures. And will I be damned if the very final moments of doorgazing aren't irritatingly unnerving. | | 7 | | Benjamin Clementine
I Tell A Fly
[Fargo - CON'D]
Noah Hawley is officially on my list of most admired television authors not only for this brilliantly painted out season of Fargo, but also for the fact that he managed to pull it off simultaneously with his other project that is Legion. Standing ovation to you, sir. 9/10
SE: Law of Vacant Places, The Law of Non-Contradiction, Who Rules the Land of Denial?, Aporia, Somebody to Love | | 8 |  | Porcelain Raft
Microclimate
American Gods S1
You wanna hear a real sad story? Look up the career of Bryan Fuller. He is without a question one of the most creative screenwriters and unique showrunners today. Behind his belt are some of the biggest television cult classics of recent years. However, despite of creating 5 (!) shows, he never got a chance of finishing any of them. Dead Like Me and Wonderfalls were both rating flops and got cancelled way too soon. Pushing Daisies was a hit, but then the Writers' Strike 2008 hit and the show was on the cutting line too. Hannibal was a big success, but it was also one of the most pirated shows of all time, which completely murdered the ratings and led to the show's cancellation. And now American Gods. | | 9 | | Porcelain Raft
Microclimate
[American Gods - CON'D]
It seems like this show should have been Fuller's ultimate retribution. Based on a widely acclaime Neil Gaiman story, big budget, big hype and great reviews upon arrival. But Bryan Fuller's storytelling style was a tad too off-colour (or maybe too colourful) and the network fought with him on a constant basis, eventually leading to his firing. Poor guy.
But the show is really odd, in teh best possible Fuller-ly way. It is beyond dreamy, visually gorgeous and trippy story-wise. The world-religion-inspired intro scenes are absolutely great. The intrigue and the atmosphere of not understanding what the hell is going on are just enticing and once everything started falling into place properly and you start to understand the plot, it is above satisfying. I'm just scared about the future of the show, now that Fuller (and Michael Green) ain't running it. 7/10
SE: The Lemon Scented You, A Prayer for Mad Sweeney | | 10 |  | Drab Majesty
The Demonstration
Mary Kills People S1
I was looking forward to this series, because I believe that Caroline Dhavernas might easily be the most underrated actress today. She's been on two hit series now (sure, both by Bryan Fuller) and her 'tough bitch' presence always makes up for some interesting television. So naturally I was excited to hear that she will get yet another lead on another promising show. Also the topic of euthanasia and all the moral and lawful ins and outs of it seemed interesting. But unofrtunately, while it is engaging and it does try to ask some serious questions, everything sems so needlessly rushed and on-the-nose. The very first episode throws you right amidst all the action. It feels as if the were supposed to be like two or three episodes before the pilot one to lead you into the plot (guess it goes to show you that a "3rd Episode Pilot" structure is not always anything above just bold). But outside of that, again, it is fairly interesting. | | 11 | | Drab Majesty
The Demonstration
[Mary Kills People - CON'D]
The constant obstacles Mary's undercover activities lead her to are intriguing and gripping and the show is overall fine for what it is. It's just executed a tad too crudely and cynically. 6/10
SE: I dunno, nothing really stuck out above the ground. | | 12 |  | The Great Old Ones
EOD: A Tale of Dark Legacy
Preacher S2
Second season of Preacher gets the Redeemer 2017 award. The first season is easily the most disappointing season of television I've watched in a loooooong time. It was some of the most uneventful, dreary and completely directionless boredomfests I've seen in my life. And that is surprising, given the source material and the people behind the show. But I do admire the fact that the creators decided to show us the backstory of the town first, before they would throw us right into the whole Preacher-like insanity. It was an interesting move, but a far from interesting execution. Now that the town is done with, we can finally endure on the crazy journey to find God. And boy do they bring it on here. Season 2 is a messed up, crazy and over the top ride with not as many action scenes as one would want, but they do come up, they arw worth every penny. 7/10
SE: Damsels, the fight at the end of Viktor, Pig, Puzzle Piece, Dirty Little Secret | | 13 |  | Brand New
Science Fiction
Doctor Who S10
Doctor Who has come a long way to become the single most efficient blend of entertaining and stupid, and while this season is not as directionlessly dull as let's say S8, it still leaves a strange aftertaste of a certain level of writing clumsiness. I appreciate the new creepy villains in the form of Monks, whose introductory episode is some of the creepiest shit, both visually and from the story-telling perspective, once the plot twist kicks in. That's some of the heaviest crap I've seen on DW in a while. This season also has some of DW's most visually beautiful episodes (Smile) and some of its worst special effects (The Eaters of Light and that NASA building in The Empress of Mars). Overall, there are some interesting stories with your usual DW silliness, pretending to be profound. I didn't mind Bill as a companion, but she's just like another Clara. They will have to make a whole next season about her to convince me that she is even remotely remarkable. | | 14 | | Brand New
Science Fiction
[Doctor Who - CON'D]
She just sort of exists around and is a means for Doctor to have another companion. Why didn't perfectly funny and adorable Nardole do, I do not know. I'd much rather see Doctor's endeavours with him. Well, at least Bill got a much nicer exit than the likes of Martha. Tiny liberal jackoffs in form of "History is a whitewash.", that gender stuff and subtle/obvious Trump remarks were annoying, but then again, it's DW, the show that made an episode about a dude who fucks a piece of concrete, so it's not like they actually give a fuck. Also, the Master's reappearance is just sort of slugging around and effectively leads only to the fact that he is her own enemy all along. An okay season, but nowhere outstanding. 6/10 P.S.: My reaction to the end of World Enough and Time was pretty much 'Fucking what the fuck, you fucking fucks, the fuck, what the fucking fuck what now?'
SE: Extremis, World Enough and Time | | 15 |  | Fred Thomas
Changer
Powerless S1
I'll be brief with this one: This was just painful. The humour in this comedy series reached from meh to cringeworthy. The characters were unremarkably typical; from the dreamy-eyed optimistic girl, to a sickish boss, to even an ever so slightly more in touch with reality Abed Nadir. It's a shame. 4/10
SE: Pilot (I guess) | | 16 |  | Dr. Dre
Compton
Quacks S1
Doctorly comedy from the period of great medical discoveries. It is absolutly disgusting, but strangely funny. I suppose the near-cynical approach to comedy and the often too disgusting a setting kept me from enjoying it completely. That's really the only gripe I can think of with it. Also, Rupert Everett is in this, yay. 7/10
SE: Episode 1, 3, 6 | | 17 |  | Pink Floyd
The Dark Side of the Moon
Game of Thrones S7
I won't go on dissecting this season. There has been enough of that done around the internets. I will just say that I hate that the writers are suddenly scared of killing off important characters. #TormundShouldHaeDiedAtThatFuckingLake 7/10
SE: The Spoils of War, Beyond the Wall | | 18 |  | Trisomie 21
Le Repos Des Enfants Heureux
Rick and Morty S3
Let's not kid ourselves, the third season of Rick and Morty is their weakest. But that doesn't mean it is bad. It isn't. It's just a tad patchy, having both the show's best and easily worst episodes ever. I have no real complaints story-wise, but just the consistency was slightly lacking.
8/10
SE: The Rickshank Redemption, The Whirly-Dirly Conspiracy, Rest and Ricklaxation, Ricklantis Mixup | | 19 |  | Veil Of Light
Front Teeth
Sherlock S4
Eeeeeeeeeeeeehhhh... Sherlock fell so low. This is no longer that smart, eccentric reinvention of the old shtick, this is a full on sketchy silliness, where twists exist just because, Sherlock acts like a confused little wimp with no grasp on his surroundings and Mary just won't fucking die and keeps coming back in those stupid goddamn tapes. The Toby Jones episode has been quite a trippy little ride for the most part, but that's about it. It is just so damn cringeworthy to watch. Sorry. 5/10
SE: The Lying Detective | | 20 |  | Grouplove
Big Mess
BoJack Horseman S4
I have a feeling that now that the show went full on bitter, the writers have a hard time reminding everyone that it is still a comedy. For that reason we have the awkward episodes like Underground. But nevermind. With the fourth season, BoJack Horseman reached its highest emotional highs. It is beyond riveting and crushing at times. And so help me god if Kate Purdy doesn't get her own show in at least two years. The stuff she could give us. 9/10 (10/10 if you forget Underground)
SE: The Old Sugarman Place, Hooray! Todd Episode!, Stupid Piece of Shit, Ruthie, lovin that cali lifestyle!!, Time's Arrow | | 21 |  | Care
LUV IN THE RUINS
Archer: Dreamland
Even this far into its run, Archer is still a fresh, funny, stylish show. And now that it got its hands on the period concept after its arguably weakest season, it got even more stylish and off-the-hook. I don't really know where are they going with that Archer-in-a-coma thing now that this season finished with no resolution of the question, but I might be even more intrigued now. 8/10
SE: Jane Doe, Sleepers Wake, Waxing Gibbons, Gramarcy Halberd! | | 22 |  | Have a Nice Life
Deathconsciousness
Stranger Things S2
Without a question, this has flaws. But they don't overshadow the goods. This season is overall more thrilling and ambitious than the first, in spite of virtually cutting off Mike and El, as well as taking some rather stupid turns. 8/10
SE: Will the Wise, Dig Dug, The Spy, The Mind Flayer, The Gate | | 23 |  | Of Montreal
Rune Husk
The Leftovers S3
Yyyyyyyyyeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeessssssssss!!!!! The catharsis! 9/10
SE: G'Day Australia, Certified, The Most Powerful Man in the World (and His Identical Twin Brother), The Book of Nora | | 24 |  | The Afghan Whigs
In Spades
Angels in America
I don't really have a thread for this one. Normally, I would just tell you about it in a separate list of theatre performances I watched, but year after year I miss out on theatre more and more. So all I watched this year is incredibly flashy, rushed and a tad ovebearing production of Tony Cushner's Gay Fantasia on National Themes. This 6 hours long two-part monstrosity is filled with both hilarious dialogue, but also heart-wrenching drama. But even in spite of its original cultural influence and the star power behind this production, I felt like it was a bit too vignette-like, over the top and on-the-nose. In that, all the social/political themes that arose felt quite forced, each of the stories told seemed like they are way too rushed and inconsistent. Andrew Garfield as Prior Walter is so far over the fucking top that he should win Olympic medal in gymnastics for an outstanding performance in bending over, that's how far up his own arse that performance was. | | 25 | | The Afghan Whigs
In Spades
[Angels in America - CON'D]
Nathan Lane was unquestionably the best part of the entire show, though. Overall, I enjoyed the creative approach to this production, but whether it was the fault of the original play or this adaptation, the intertwining stories felt disconnecting and too fast-paste with all the emotional component being somewhat one-note, it seemed to me, and therefore the flow of the narrative became pretty much dull. Things started to turn up in the second part, where all the subtle oddity of the first one turned into full-out phantasmagoria. It's decent, but just kind of lacking much of anything to offer above being just entertaining a lot of the times and also outside of its truly stunning visual component; the scenes with The Messenger/The Angel and the final confrontation of Roy and Ethel alone deserve all the praise in the world. (But 2x3 fucking hours) 6/10 | | 26 |  | Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds
Let Love In
Peaky Blinders S4
How in the world is this so goddamn good? If anyone had any doubts about Peaky Blinders being the most intense, well-written, consistent and hard-hitting series on today, this season should have obliterated those sinful doubts. What a nerve wrecking ride. Adrien Brody somehow managed to appear as a terrifying, but also lawful villain. Cillian Murphy is still that too smart for his own good, antagonistic bastard. Aidan Gillen is here too... yeah.. that's a thing. And the score got a handful of new Red Right Hand covers (and they finally played Mercy Seat, so that's also cool). Good goddamn! 10/10
SE: The Noose, Heathens, Dangerous, The Company | |
Papa Universe
12.23.17 | on a soup break, will finish later | Marehelm
12.23.17 | Damn, no Twin Peaks: The Return? | Papa Universe
12.23.17 | nah. i kinda skipped the original too. didn't get through the first five or so episodes and then bailed on it.. | Risodo
12.23.17 | No Archer S8? | Papa Universe
12.23.17 | oh yeah, forgot about that | teamster
12.23.17 | I love the theme song for Stranger Things.... | klap
12.23.17 | watch the americans | Papa Universe
12.23.17 | sure alright | Chortles
12.23.17 | ^^^^ | Papa Universe
12.23.17 | no Star Trek Discovery or Brooklyn Nine Nine, because their seasons aren't over yet | GordonRamsay
12.23.17 | not bad, not bad
but I'd add my 2017 series, The F Word | neekafat
12.23.17 | Legion was godly, doctor was a massive letdown after S9 being so excellent | Papa Universe
12.23.17 | you people are making me want to watch Twin Peaks: the Oringinal | Prancer
12.23.17 | Have you ever watched Mr. Robot? It's my favorite show on TV right now. | Papa Universe
12.23.17 | nope | JeetJeet
12.23.17 | Mr Robot and Twin Peaks, along with Legion, Fargo, and The Leftovers were the top 5 shows of the year. Legion in particular really blew me away tho. | Papa Universe
12.23.17 | all done, I might have forgotten some, but we'll get to them | neekafat
12.24.17 | Mr Robot season 3 was excellent yeah | Papa Universe
12.27.17 | Just finished Peaky focken Blinders! |
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