Television TV Show Thread

[GearSolidMetal]

Just finished the 3rd episode of Yellowjackets, and something about it reminded me of 'Lord Of The Flies,' with the sub-plot with the crashed plane in the wilderness. It reminded me of an entertainment story from back in 2019 that some writer/director wanted to make a gender-swapped 'Lord Of The Flies' adaptation.

Wouldn't be surprised if there was a Sherdog thread about it back 5 years ago, the general public's opinion was the same as ours, which was -


So far, the show is entertaining to watch, and it's clear the formula works far better as a show than a movie.

But the biggest issue with the show is what we feared what would have been the biggest issue of a movie.... the majority of the female characters are basically men played as women. Gender-swapped 'Lord Of The Flies.'

But in a series there's far more time for development to display the trauma the characters went through with...

Spoiler

...being abandoned in the wilderness for 19 months, without food, surviving a winter or two, eventually killing eachother and cannibalizing them, cult-worship, and possible witchcraft

I haven't looked up spoilers, that's just what I've theorized from the few bits they showed in the 1st episode of the later stages of their time in the wilderness.

So its quite probable women that have gone through that trauma would develop more masculine traits, especially athletes.

 

[HenryFlower]

Can't imagine watching hours of this animation.
On a scale of 1 to 10, and Arcane is 10, this is 1.

Yes it's that bad.

what? the animation looks fine. you’re probably just mad that a character has blue hair

 

[GearSolidMetal]

what? the animation looks fine. you’re probably just mad that a character has blue hair

Blue hair is common for high schoolers.
That animation is 'fine' for you?
Some complained about X-Men'97 but I was 100% fine with it, and even praised its overall quality.
This animation is obviously bottom-dollar.

 

[GSP_37]

Can't exactly have a boy HS character give birth at the crash site.

Almost done watching Presumed Innocent on Apple TV+. Almost decided to skip it and cancel Apple TV+, but need to see what happens next. Will try to watch the Harrison Ford Greta Scacchi movie if I find it. I read there's a season 2.

 

[GearSolidMetal]

Just finished Season 1 of Yellowjackets and.... it started strong for the first four episodes but the pace of significant events slowed to a crawling pace with the 'whos banging who in the forest' soap opera drama back in 1996. The current-day events were actually less interesting.

The over-reliance of the mid-90s soundtrack is becoming a very annoying cliché, both in the 1996 events and current events, especially in the season finale when they all go to a high school reunion.

I mentioned previously how it was very clear it's a gender-swapped 'Lord Of The Flies' with the women basically acting like men, as well as the trauma the characters are suffering through in both time periods are reasons for the development of masculine tendencies? Well that works for the female characters.... the male characters of both time periods being complete demasculinized bitches is completely inexcusable.

Going to put my next point in spoilers because its related to politics.

Spoiler

The worst sub-plot of the current day was Taissa Turner's political run for office.
This show is on Showtime, known for having series dedicated to gay relationships, and they were trying to fake out the audience into believing they weren't going to write that a *Lesbian *Married *Mother *Democrat was going to lose an election?

So in the lead-up to the finale the writing made it seem like she was on the brink of leaving the race, that she was guaranteed to lose... bitch please.
In the finale it was shown on the local news broadcast that she had 'won' a shocking victory...
come on now. The writers weren't fooling anyone.

"The first black woman elected to the state's senate".... in New Jersey.

The performances are 'good.'
The writing is... well I'm still watching it.
The issue is that it follows an old formula of the first few episodes being 'great' to hook in the audience, and then lower the writing quality and pacing to 'just over meh' to keep them watching while extending out the seasons and series.

I heard the shows producers pitched the series as having five seasons.
I'm detecting with the shows premise it should be three seasons, maximum, and even then thats stretching it.

 

[GSP_37]

Finished Presumed Innocent on Apple TV+. Not sure if I want to renew for another month or try to squeeze in Sugar, Mosquito Coast S2, Foundation S2. Wanting to resume Netflix live action Fullmetal Alchemist, Night Agent, Paramount Landman.

 

[Marko Atanasovik]

Black Mirror, The Sopranos, Dark, Sons of Anarchy, Vikings, Game of Thrones, Dexter or Breaking Bad. What to look from it? I need good pacing and developed characters.

Prison Break 7.3/10

First season 10/10
Others average.

 

[GSP_37]

Almost done watching Sugar on Apple TV+. Very close to being a normal detective type show...

EDIT: Finished Sugar. I read there's a Season 2 coming.

 

[HenryFlower]

Blue hair is common for high schoolers.
That animation is 'fine' for you?
Some complained about X-Men'97 but I was 100% fine with it, and even praised its overall quality.
This animation is obviously bottom-dollar.

yeah, i think it looks totally fine, but will be curious to see how i feel about it while consuming it in larger chunks once i actually start watching the series (first two episodes went up on Disney+ today i believe)

it’s wild to think anyone complained about the look of X-Men ‘97 prior to release, but i think i remember seeing some of that as well. those dweebs must’ve(/hopefully) scuttled back into their caves once the episodes dropped lol

 

[GearSolidMetal]

yeah, i think it looks totally fine, but will be curious to see how i feel about it while consuming it in larger chunks once i actually start watching the series (first two episodes went up on Disney+ today i believe)

it’s wild to think anyone complained about the look of X-Men ‘97 prior to release, but i think i remember seeing some of that as well. those dweebs must’ve(/hopefully) scuttled back into their caves once the episodes dropped lol

I recall a scene between Jean & Storm was released before the premiere to promote its release, and there was alot of close-ups while they were talking and it was clear thats not one of the strengths of the animation style.

Add to that the show was promoted in a means that it was very much going to be 'woke.'
*The producer/writer said his 'lived-experience' as a gay & black man had major influence in every aspect of the show's development.
*Morph was non-binary.
*The character models were said to be less shapely for the females.

So, those who said they didn't like the animation my have been influenced by the perception it was going to be a 'woke' show.

I watched it to form my own opinion, and while Morph quite obviously is now gay there were no hints he was non-binary.
There was a few wink-wink-nudge-nudges to social politics, but nothing that wasn't easily ignored.
All the characters were slightly less muscular when compared to the original models of the 90s show, but it was barely noticeable.

My conclusion to all of that is professional critics are largely liberal/leftist and if they're told a series is going to be promoting their politics they will undoubtedly give it high scores to encourage others that don't know or care about the politics to promote it... even if the show itself isn't quite as obviously political, they may believe it is because of the power of suggestion.

 

[HenryFlower]

I recall a scene between Jean & Storm was released before the premiere to promote its release, and there was alot of close-ups while they were talking and it was clear thats not one of the strengths of the animation style.

makes sense. facial expressions—speaking mouths especially—always seem to be where long-form animation will be at its wonkiest (exceptions, like Arcane, exist ofc, but, like, Arcane is in a league of its own, pun intended), so i do kinda agree that people were looking for things to nitpick because they already decided the show sucked before it even released

Add to that the show was promoted in a means that it was very much going to be 'woke.'
*The producer/writer said his 'lived-experience' as a gay & black man had major influence in every aspect of the show's development.
*Morph was non-binary.
*The character models were said to be less shapely for the females.

So, those who said they didn't like the animation my have been influenced by the perception it was going to be a 'woke' show.

it was a “““woke””” show though, tbf

I watched it to form my own opinion, and while Morph quite obviously is now gay there were no hints he was non-binary.

it didn’t happen super often or anything, but anytime characters would refer to Morph they would always use they/them pronouns

There was a few wink-wink-nudge-nudges to social politics, but nothing that wasn't easily ignored.
All the characters were slightly less muscular when compared to the original models of the 90s show, but it was barely noticeable.

i do think Cyclops & Wolverine were a little more lean-looking when in costume, but still yolked. Beast was probably the most noticeable character model that was less shredded compared to the original imo

 

[GearSolidMetal]

it was a “““woke””” show though, tbf

Don't start.
They whole 'X-Men has always been woke' debate was already long, annoying, and already was debated in the X-Men'97 thread even before the show came out. You're more than welcome to look up that old thread.

I've always been fine with entertainment that promotes politics different than mine as long as its not the main focus, and to entertain the audience. When holier-than-though writers and producers turn an entertainment medium into their preachy soapbox it becomes condescending propaganda.

That is was X-Men'97 wasn't.

it didn’t happen super often or anything, but anytime characters would refer to Morph they would always use they/them pronouns

I've been meaning to rewatch it for a while, but from what I remember on my first viewing other characters didn't use they/them pronouns referring to Morph. That would have been very noticable and obvious.

However, I don't recall anyone referring to Morph as 'He/Him' either.

Regardless, as I said earlier if thats the wink-wink-nudge-nudge to the trans-community thats fine with me. And I'd tip my hat to the writer for making it very subtle.

i do think Cyclops & Wolverine were a little more lean-looking when in costume, but still yolked. Beast was probably the most noticeable character model that was less shredded compared to the original imo

Quite ironic the character that'd be in his mid-to-late 70s by 1997 would be the most shredded.

 

[GearSolidMetal]

 

[GSP_37]

Watched 1st ep of HULU's Paradise. Would have continued but am watching Apple TV+ Mosquito Coast S2 before subscription expires.

 

[I Am Legion]

Don't start.
They whole 'X-Men has always been woke' debate was already long, annoying, and already was debated in the X-Men'97 thread even before the show came out. You're more than welcome to look up that old thread.

I've always been fine with entertainment that promotes politics different than mine as long as its not the main focus, and to entertain the audience. When holier-than-though writers and producers turn an entertainment medium into their preachy soapbox it becomes condescending propaganda.

That is was X-Men'97 wasn't.

I've been meaning to rewatch it for a while, but from what I remember on my first viewing other characters didn't use they/them pronouns referring to Morph. That would have been very noticable and obvious.

However, I don't recall anyone referring to Morph as 'He/Him' either.

Regardless, as I said earlier if thats the wink-wink-nudge-nudge to the trans-community thats fine with me. And I'd tip my hat to the writer for making it very subtle.

Quite ironic the character that'd be in his mid-to-late 70s by 1997 would be the most shredded.

I always say it....if the quality is good, no one cares. When it sucks, it gets highlighted because they chose diversity over quality. There is a difference between organic diversity and forced agendas or "heavily influenced" by being LBG. Animation is tricky. The genre is flooded with Gay writers and directors. It has to have the style people like, characters, plots, etc. Without a focus on what makes people love them--the characters, it will suffer. Vox Machina was great. Plenty diverse, even gay stuff. No one gave a shit because it was GOOD.

 

[I Am Legion]

For those of you that appreciate the old Steve Martin and Martin Short movies. For those that loved the old mysteries and ensemble cast based classics like Clue and Deathtrap. I can't recommend Only Murders In The Building, enough. I know it will not be everyone's cup of tea. It will probably skew to an older crowd. But this shit is funny, and fun, and silly and wonderfully done. I just finished season 3, and I was laughing out loud at the one liners and performances. Selena is the straight man to the two Vets and the trio do a murder podcast in an old historic Apartment building in NYC. I am telling you, it brings me back to the late 70s and early 80s NYC. I remember buildings and tenants like these. Great guest spots with Paul Rudd, Jane Lynch, Nathan Lane, Sting, Matthew Broderick, Meryl Streep, Michael Rapaport, Tina Fey, Shirley Maclaine, all brilliant.

 

[My Spot]

You'll enjoy Season 2 more because...

Just finished S2. The new chick was hot but the ending with the Taylor Sheridan character saving everyone was ridiculous. And the whole "cartel just kidnapped a US rep on US soil but we have to be careful or China will invade Taiwan" nonsense plot.

 

[fingercuffs]

Watched 1st ep of HULU's Paradise. Would have continued but am watching Apple TV+ Mosquito Coast S2 before subscription expires.

I love Melissa (actually hung out with her for a weekend at an Alias con) but season 2 was terrible. I didn't even finish it.

 

[BangBang]

I'm.teally enjoying the 3rd season of From.

 

[TKing]

Also started Paradise, 1st episode was very solid and set up a good foundation. 2 and 3 hop around alot, I dont need to see the backstory of every single person. I'll give it a full watch, Sterling Brown is a damn good actor and he will carry the show.