[Tiste Simeon]

QuickTidal, on 22 August 2018 - 12:38 PM, said:

Tiste Simeon, on 22 August 2018 - 11:43 AM, said:

Yeah Matt Berry is great in it - he basically plays Matt Berry haha.

Incidentally, GARTH MARENGHI'S DARKPLACE is one of the funniest and most underrated shows I can think of. Only 1 season of about 6 episodes but it's brilliant. Richard Ayoade, Julian Barratt and Noel Fielding are all in it too.

You had me at Richard Ayoade, but Noel Fielding is the cream on the top! Will check it out.

Oh man this was like a precursor to the IT Crowd and The Mighty Boosh. Had an element of weirdness to it and is definitely not everyone's cup of tea but the premise and execution are amazing!

[Mezla PigDog]

Tiste Simeon, on 22 August 2018 - 07:27 PM, said:

QuickTidal, on 22 August 2018 - 12:38 PM, said:

Tiste Simeon, on 22 August 2018 - 11:43 AM, said:

Yeah Matt Berry is great in it - he basically plays Matt Berry haha.

Incidentally, GARTH MARENGHI'S DARKPLACE is one of the funniest and most underrated shows I can think of. Only 1 season of about 6 episodes but it's brilliant. Richard Ayoade, Julian Barratt and Noel Fielding are all in it too.

You had me at Richard Ayoade, but Noel Fielding is the cream on the top! Will check it out.

Oh man this was like a precursor to the IT Crowd and The Mighty Boosh. Had an element of weirdness to it and is definitely not everyone's cup of tea but the premise and execution are amazing!

It is often quoted in our house that we like to eat a bowl of soup with a pork pie or sausage roll on the side. I like to sing "I'm a one track lover/On a two lane highway".

[Maark Abbott]

QuickTidal, on 20 August 2018 - 12:31 PM, said:

I could understand if you'd watched a few...but after one episode you would have given up stuff like BUFFY, and FRINGE as well then...sometimes shows really do need time to find their feet and get into a niche in the writers room.

If I read a book which is the first in the series and it's bad, there's no incentive to continue. The first episode of Disenchanted told me it was just going to be tired fantasy tropes ostensibly attempting to self-parody but ultimately failing to do so. I don't much fancy wasting my time on something that didn't have a single smile-inducing moment in the first episode.

[Whisperzzzzzzz]

Maark Abbott, on 23 August 2018 - 07:42 AM, said:

The first episode of Disenchanted told me it was just going to be tired fantasy tropes ostensibly attempting to self-parody but ultimately failing to do so.

Then it lied, because it's not. I would suggest starting again at episode 6 or 7. From there to the end of the season, it's solid.

This post has been edited by Whisperzzzzzzz: 23 August 2018 - 12:16 PM

[QuickTidal]

Whisperzzzzzzz, on 23 August 2018 - 12:05 PM, said:

Maark Abbott, on 23 August 2018 - 07:42 AM, said:

The first episode of Disenchanted told me it was just going to be tired fantasy tropes ostensibly attempting to self-parody but ultimately failing to do so.

Then it lied, because it's not. I would suggest starting again at episode 6 or 7. From there to the end of the season, it's solid.

Agreed.

And Maark, Judging a show by the first episode is not equivalent to reading the first book in a series. The first book in a series is like a season of serialized TV (like GoT for example). So what you did is read two chapters and put it down. Which is fine if that's what you wish to do. I'm just saying it's not the most accurate of judgements.

[Maark Abbott]

QuickTidal, on 23 August 2018 - 12:31 PM, said:

Whisperzzzzzzz, on 23 August 2018 - 12:05 PM, said:

Maark Abbott, on 23 August 2018 - 07:42 AM, said:

The first episode of Disenchanted told me it was just going to be tired fantasy tropes ostensibly attempting to self-parody but ultimately failing to do so.

Then it lied, because it's not. I would suggest starting again at episode 6 or 7. From there to the end of the season, it's solid.

Agreed.

And Maark, Judging a show by the first episode is not equivalent to reading the first book in a series. The first book in a series is like a season of serialized TV (like GoT for example). So what you did is read two chapters and put it down. Which is fine if that's what you wish to do. I'm just saying it's not the most accurate of judgements.

Judgement in favour of Maark in the order of £5000. Payment to be made right now 'cause this a shakedown.

[TheRetiredBridgeburner]

Damages for invoking Maximum Disgruntlement?

[Maark Abbott]

TheRetiredBridgeburner, on 23 August 2018 - 02:01 PM, said:

Damages for invoking Maximum Disgruntlement?

I have advantage on disgruntlement checks, so yes.

[Andorion]

Ok.. some questions from the guy who never watches any TV - I am watching X Files - the 90s series. I quite like it.

Does it stay good throughout?
Also what is the deal with Firefly and Serenity? I swear I see them referenced everywhere.

[QuickTidal]

Andorion, on 24 August 2018 - 01:32 PM, said:

Ok.. some questions from the guy who never watches any TV - I am watching X Files - the 90s series. I quite like it.

I mean mostly for the first bunch of seasons...but after they moved production (at the behest of David Duchovny) to LA form Vancouver it suffered, and when they introduced the new leads it suffered, and it's utterly PEPPERED with shitty filler episodes. Somewhere online you should find episode lists that show that you NEED to watch for canon/serialized arcs..and what you can skip. I'd follow one of those. And avoid the new revived seasons like the plague...and I say that as someone who has a very good friend who was on the ground as an assistant director and documentarian on the shoot for both revived seasons (she thinks they are great, I disagree)....they are bad and they mess up any idea you had of what was going on in the original series.

Andorion, on 24 August 2018 - 01:32 PM, said:

Also what is the deal with Firefly and Serenity? I swear I see them referenced everywhere.

FIREFLY is COWBOY BEEBOP in live action. Imagine if Han Solo was a Western-themed guy in more than style, and ran a ship full of other moderately criminal but not really people in a universe that looks like the old west in space. That's FIREFLY. It's entertaining, but is only one season and doesn't give you much in the way of resolution...and SERENITY was Joss's chance to make a movie sequel...and it's fine...but not great b any stretch. I LIKED FIREFLY...but I didn't love it like so many others do...and you have to deal with the fact that since then show aired..one of the main and most beloved characters (Jayne Cobb) is played by Adam Baldwin who is now an ultra-right wing nut job of the Bundyville variety. He's a raging, racist, sexist dick and it makes me really unable to appreciate FIREFLY in hindsight.

This post has been edited by QuickTidal: 24 August 2018 - 02:14 PM

[TheRetiredBridgeburner]

QT's description of Firefly is pretty spot on - I am however in the camp of those who absolutely adore it. It's my comfort telly after a bad day in a really big way.

Adam Baldwin's awful, sure.... but other characters are played by Nathan Fillion, Alan Tudyk, the late Ron Glass and Jewel Staite (to name a few) and they're all great. Bound to be a bad apple in a bunch I suppose (okay, really bad in this instance).

Agree with Serenity too - it was the only chance they had to wrap up some of the story (there had been an arc planned for at least one more series) and it's fine. Not brilliant, but it has its moments and is overall an enjoyable watch with some key gut-punch moments.

This post has been edited by TheRetiredBridgeburner: 24 August 2018 - 02:51 PM

[Andorion]

QuickTidal, on 24 August 2018 - 02:11 PM, said:

Andorion, on 24 August 2018 - 01:32 PM, said:

Ok.. some questions from the guy who never watches any TV - I am watching X Files - the 90s series. I quite like it.

I mean mostly for the first bunch of seasons...but after they moved production (at the behest of David Duchovny) to LA form Vancouver it suffered, and when they introduced the new leads it suffered, and it's utterly PEPPERED with shitty filler episodes. Somewhere online you should find episode lists that show that you NEED to watch for canon/serialized arcs..and what you can skip. I'd follow one of those. And avoid the new revived seasons like the plague...and I say that as someone who has a very good friend who was on the ground as an assistant director and documentarian on the shoot for both revived seasons (she thinks they are great, I disagree)....they are bad and they mess up any idea you had of what was going on in the original series.

Andorion, on 24 August 2018 - 01:32 PM, said:

Also what is the deal with Firefly and Serenity? I swear I see them referenced everywhere.

FIREFLY is COWBOY BEEBOP in live action. Imagine if Han Solo was a Western-themed guy in more than style, and ran a ship full of other moderately criminal but not really people in a universe that looks like the old west in space. That's FIREFLY. It's entertaining, but is only one season and doesn't give you much in the way of resolution...and SERENITY was Joss's chance to make a movie sequel...and it's fine...but not great b any stretch. I LIKED FIREFLY...but I didn't love it like so many others do...and you have to deal with the fact that since then show aired..one of the main and most beloved characters (Jayne Cobb) is played by Adam Baldwin who is now an ultra-right wing nut job of the Bundyville variety. He's a raging, racist, sexist dick and it makes me really unable to appreciate FIREFLY in hindsight.

Thanks for the X Files tip - will look for that episode list. For the moment, I just really like the chemistry of the lead actors

TheRetiredBridgeburner, on 24 August 2018 - 02:51 PM, said:

QT's description of Firefly is pretty spot on - I am however in the camp of those who absolutely adore it. It's my comfort telly after a bad day in a really big way.

Adam Baldwin's awful, sure.... but other characters are played by Nathan Fillion, Alan Tudyk, the late Ron Glass and Jewel Staite (to name a few) and they're all great. Bound to be a bad apple in a bunch I suppose (okay, really bad in this instance).

Agree with Serenity too - it was the only chance they had to wrap up some of the story (there had been an arc planned for at least one more series) and it's fine. Not brilliant, but it has its moments and is overall an enjoyable watch with some key gut-punch moments.

Regarding Firefly and Serenity, thanks for the feedback! Seems to be slightly divisive, guess I will find out for myself.

[QuickTidal]

TheRetiredBridgeburner, on 24 August 2018 - 02:51 PM, said:

but other characters are played by Nathan Fillion, Alan Tudyk, the late Ron Glass and Jewel Staite (to name a few) and they're all great. ).

This totally accurate. Every last one of the rest of the cast besides Baldwin are amazing.

[Tiste Simeon]

QuickTidal, on 24 August 2018 - 04:56 PM, said:

TheRetiredBridgeburner, on 24 August 2018 - 02:51 PM, said:

but other characters are played by Nathan Fillion, Alan Tudyk, the late Ron Glass and Jewel Staite (to name a few) and they're all great. ).

This totally accurate. Every last one of the rest of the cast besides Baldwin are amazing.

I find I can look past it tbh mainly cos actually he plays the guy pretty well...

FWIW Firefly/Serenity are among my favourites I have watched both many times and love them! Well worth watching even if only the once.

[Slow Ben]

Tiste Simeon, on 24 August 2018 - 05:05 PM, said:

QuickTidal, on 24 August 2018 - 04:56 PM, said:

TheRetiredBridgeburner, on 24 August 2018 - 02:51 PM, said:

but other characters are played by Nathan Fillion, Alan Tudyk, the late Ron Glass and Jewel Staite (to name a few) and they're all great. ).

This totally accurate. Every last one of the rest of the cast besides Baldwin are amazing.

I find I can look past it tbh mainly cos actually he plays the guy pretty well...

FWIW Firefly/Serenity are among my favourites I have watched both many times and love them! Well worth watching even if only the once.

Firefly is awesome.

[worry]

Yah I think Baldwin is good in the role too, despite his IRL awfulness. The show is mostly great w/ a couple dud episodes...which isn't even that big a deal cuz the characters are good regardless. Like if the show had a longer run, it wouldn't even be that big of a deal to have a Sliders-level plot tossed in once in a while (I'm looking at you, brothel episode). And what ended up being the series finale just happens to be the best episode, so there's that.

And I like the movie a lot. It serves most of the characters well, the stakes feel real, the horror elements are effective, the action is generally much better than serviceable, and Summer Glau really nails it.

[TheRetiredBridgeburner]

Luv2B_Sassy, on 24 August 2018 - 07:48 PM, said:

Summer Glau really nails it.

Couldn't agree more. To say she was only around 17 when they filmed Firefly she does a cracking job throughout it and Serenity.

[acesn8s]

What happened with Adam Baldwin?

Firefly is a really fun show to watch.

[Coco with marshmallows]

decided to give Disenchantment a whirl given the mixed reviews in here.

I like it. Is it great? No.

Is it entertaining enough? Yes, for me.

[Tiste Simeon]

Coco with marshmallows, on 27 August 2018 - 09:06 PM, said:

decided to give Disenchantment a whirl given the mixed reviews in here.

I like it. Is it great? No.

Is it entertaining enough? Yes, for me.

I finished it today. I really enjoyed it by the end, quite a moving final episode in honesty. Not expecting that. Will definitely watch a second season.

This post has been edited by Tiste Simeon: 28 August 2018 - 12:00 AM