Help
So, I am wondering what everyones favorite HBO series?
I would start with the 3 monoliths - The Sopranos, The Wire and Oz.
Oz being my favorite and in my opinion, the best television program ever created. The Sopranos comes in second because there were so many strokes of genius throughout the series and I had never been so hooked on a show before. The Wire being my third, I do think it is overrated - essentially you get what you see, there are no undertones, nothing for deeper thought. Just a very gritty and realistic portrayal of urban America.
Special mention to Six Feet Deep, for probably the best ending in history of television (although The Sopranos blew me away) and to Deadwood.
Favorite HBO series?
#2
Hoods Balls 
- Malazan Heavy Infantry
-
- Group: Malaz Regular
- Posts: 96
- Joined: 14-August 07
- Location:Above the polar circle
- Interests:Cheating Death, Soldiering, Hunting, Soul Harvesting, Chemistry, Alchemy and Advanced Lipides.
Posted 30 November 2010 - 06:43 AM
Good shows all of them but the absolute best HBO show ever must be Homocide - Life on the streets.
The superfluous, that very necessary thing
How to cheat Death: http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=38...03730&hl=sv
How to cheat Death: http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=38...03730&hl=sv
#3
Ulrik
- Highest Marshall of Mott Irregulars
-
- Group: Team Quick Ben
- Posts: 1,104
- Joined: 04-August 09
- Location:Czech Republic
Posted 30 November 2010 - 07:18 AM
Rome, waaay ahead of other great HBO series.
Adept Ulrik - Highest Marshall of Quick Ben's Irregulars
Being optimistic´s worthless if it means ignoring the suffering of this world. Worse than worthless. It´s bloody evil.
- Fiddler
Being optimistic´s worthless if it means ignoring the suffering of this world. Worse than worthless. It´s bloody evil.
- Fiddler
#4
Gothos
- Map painting expert
-
- Group: Malaz Regular
- Posts: 5,428
- Joined: 01-January 03
- Location:.pl
Posted 30 November 2010 - 07:28 AM
1. The Wire
2. Rome
3. Boardwalk Empire
since I haven't seen Oz, or The Sopranos, or Deadwood, that might be just a list of the ones I actually saw.
Can't see anything beating The Wire though. Maybe Game of Thrones...
2. Rome
3. Boardwalk Empire
since I haven't seen Oz, or The Sopranos, or Deadwood, that might be just a list of the ones I actually saw.
Can't see anything beating The Wire though. Maybe Game of Thrones...
It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again; because there is not effort without error and shortcomings; but who does actually strive to do the deed; who knows the great enthusiasm, the great devotion, who spends himself in a worthy cause, who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement and who at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly. So that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat.
#6
Primateus
- E Pluribus Anus
-
- Group: Malaz Regular
- Posts: 2,348
- Joined: 03-July 10
- Location:A bigger town, but still small.
- Interests:Stuff, lots of stuff!
Posted 30 November 2010 - 08:42 AM
So far, for me it's
1. Rome
2. Deadwood
3. Oz
I haven't seen all of Oz, but I've seen more of it than Sopranos and The Wire, which is why I pick that one as number 3. Rome is just plain awesome.
As I mentioned in the ASoIaF thread though, I'm looking forward to Game of Thrones more than anything else since Farscape.
1. Rome
2. Deadwood
3. Oz
I haven't seen all of Oz, but I've seen more of it than Sopranos and The Wire, which is why I pick that one as number 3. Rome is just plain awesome.
As I mentioned in the ASoIaF thread though, I'm looking forward to Game of Thrones more than anything else since Farscape.
Screw you all, and have a nice day!
#7
Tsundoku
- A what?
-
- Group: Malaz Regular
- Posts: 4,983
- Joined: 06-January 03
- Location:Maison de merde
Posted 30 November 2010 - 09:27 AM
Definitely Deadwood and Rome, although I am also a big fan of Entourage.
This post has been edited by Sombra: 30 November 2010 - 01:22 PM
"Fortune favors the bold, though statistics favor the cautious." - Indomitable Courteous (Icy) Fist, The Palace Job - Patrick Weekes
"Well well well ... if it ain't The Invisible C**t." - Billy Butcher, The Boys
"I have strong views about not tempting providence and, as a wise man once said, the difference between luck and a wheelbarrow is, luck doesn’t work if you push it." - Colonel Orhan, Sixteen Ways to Defend a Walled City - KJ Parker
"Well well well ... if it ain't The Invisible C**t." - Billy Butcher, The Boys
"I have strong views about not tempting providence and, as a wise man once said, the difference between luck and a wheelbarrow is, luck doesn’t work if you push it." - Colonel Orhan, Sixteen Ways to Defend a Walled City - KJ Parker
#8
Primateus
- E Pluribus Anus
-
- Group: Malaz Regular
- Posts: 2,348
- Joined: 03-July 10
- Location:A bigger town, but still small.
- Interests:Stuff, lots of stuff!
Posted 30 November 2010 - 09:36 AM
Gaaah, I forgot all about Entourage...
Yeah, switch Entourage with Oz on my list!
Yeah, switch Entourage with Oz on my list!
Screw you all, and have a nice day!
#10
Gothos
- Map painting expert
-
- Group: Malaz Regular
- Posts: 5,428
- Joined: 01-January 03
- Location:.pl
Posted 30 November 2010 - 09:50 AM
oh RIGHT! If we include Miniseries, my list looks differently (and I totally forgot it's HBO):
1. The Wire
2. Rome
3. Generation Kill
1. The Wire
2. Rome
3. Generation Kill
It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again; because there is not effort without error and shortcomings; but who does actually strive to do the deed; who knows the great enthusiasm, the great devotion, who spends himself in a worthy cause, who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement and who at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly. So that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat.
#12
Binder of Demons
- Lord of Light
-
- Group: Malaz Regular
- Posts: 1,617
- Joined: 02-March 07
- Location:Ireland
- - Thread Killer -
Posted 30 November 2010 - 10:19 AM
I'll go for
1. THE WIRE
2. GENERATION KILL
After that I can't really put one ahead of the rest. Loved Deadwood initially, but i never got to see all of season 3 and then it got canceled. Never got into the Sopranos, and didn't really enjoy the eps i did see.
You guys have made me curious about ROME now as well with such praise for it. Never saw it, but i know it's at my local library. Which is good as i've been wanting to find a new tv show to watch.
1. THE WIRE
2. GENERATION KILL
After that I can't really put one ahead of the rest. Loved Deadwood initially, but i never got to see all of season 3 and then it got canceled. Never got into the Sopranos, and didn't really enjoy the eps i did see.
You guys have made me curious about ROME now as well with such praise for it. Never saw it, but i know it's at my local library. Which is good as i've been wanting to find a new tv show to watch.
It is better to keep your mouth closed and let people think you are a fool than to open it and remove all doubt - Mark Twain
Never argue with an idiot!
They'll drag you down to their level, and then beat you with experience!- Anonymous
#13
dktorode
- Luck is my middle name, Mind you, my first name is Bad."
-
- Group: High House Mafia
- Posts: 2,188
- Joined: 03-September 05
Posted 30 November 2010 - 10:34 AM
Couldnt really name a favorite there are so many good ones but ill give Curb Your Enthusiasm an honorable mention since no one else is.
...┌∩┐(◣_◢)┌∩┐...
Why dont they make the whole plane out of that black box stuff?
Why dont they make the whole plane out of that black box stuff?
#14
Gothos
- Map painting expert
-
- Group: Malaz Regular
- Posts: 5,428
- Joined: 01-January 03
- Location:.pl
Posted 30 November 2010 - 11:24 AM
Binder of Demons, on 30 November 2010 - 10:19 AM, said:
I'll go for
1. THE WIRE
2. GENERATION KILL
After that I can't really put one ahead of the rest. Loved Deadwood initially, but i never got to see all of season 3 and then it got canceled. Never got into the Sopranos, and didn't really enjoy the eps i did see.
You guys have made me curious about ROME now as well with such praise for it. Never saw it, but i know it's at my local library. Which is good as i've been wanting to find a new tv show to watch.
1. THE WIRE
2. GENERATION KILL
After that I can't really put one ahead of the rest. Loved Deadwood initially, but i never got to see all of season 3 and then it got canceled. Never got into the Sopranos, and didn't really enjoy the eps i did see.
You guys have made me curious about ROME now as well with such praise for it. Never saw it, but i know it's at my local library. Which is good as i've been wanting to find a new tv show to watch.
Be advised though, it's a very naughty, cruel and brutal Rome. Arguably the most lifelike depiction on screen to date, at least of HOW the Romans rolled, if not presenting factual events all the time.
It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again; because there is not effort without error and shortcomings; but who does actually strive to do the deed; who knows the great enthusiasm, the great devotion, who spends himself in a worthy cause, who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement and who at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly. So that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat.
#15
polishgenius
- Heart of Courage
-
- Group: LHTEC
- Posts: 5,323
- Joined: 16-June 05
Posted 30 November 2010 - 12:44 PM
The Wire, Band of Brothers and Deadwood are the top three, but ordering them is difficult. The Wire came close to perfection but slipped a bit in the last two seasons, it has the advantage over Deadwood in terms of an ending but loses out in terms of that dip in quality that never really happened in Deadwood. Whereas Band of Brothers is almost flawless but also doesn't carry as much depth because of the length.
I can't carry it for you, but I can carry you.
#16
Primateus
- E Pluribus Anus
-
- Group: Malaz Regular
- Posts: 2,348
- Joined: 03-July 10
- Location:A bigger town, but still small.
- Interests:Stuff, lots of stuff!
Posted 30 November 2010 - 12:59 PM
Damnation!
Once more I forgot something. Gothos is right, if we include mini series the list is different
1: Rome
2: Generation Kill
3: Deadwood
Once more I forgot something. Gothos is right, if we include mini series the list is different
1: Rome
2: Generation Kill
3: Deadwood
Screw you all, and have a nice day!
#17
MTS
- Fourth Investiture
-
- Group: Malaz Regular
- Posts: 4,334
- Joined: 02-April 07
- Location:Terra Australis
Posted 30 November 2010 - 01:18 PM
Can't really name a favourite, as HBO has yet to disappoint, but I'd like to give honourable mentions to Mr. Show with Bob and David, Hung and Eastbound and Down.
Antiquis temporibus, nati tibi similes in rupibus ventosissimis exponebantur ad necem.
Si hoc adfixum in obice legere potes, et liberaliter educatus et nimis propinquus ades.
Si hoc adfixum in obice legere potes, et liberaliter educatus et nimis propinquus ades.
#18
Gothos
- Map painting expert
-
- Group: Malaz Regular
- Posts: 5,428
- Joined: 01-January 03
- Location:.pl
Posted 30 November 2010 - 01:19 PM
polishgenius, on 30 November 2010 - 12:44 PM, said:
The Wire, Band of Brothers and Deadwood are the top three, but ordering them is difficult. The Wire came close to perfection but slipped a bit in the last two seasons, it has the advantage over Deadwood in terms of an ending but loses out in terms of that dip in quality that never really happened in Deadwood. Whereas Band of Brothers is almost flawless but also doesn't carry as much depth because of the length.
While I'll certainly agree that seasons 4 and 5 derive in theme from the first three, I wouldn't call them weaker, and I don't think they slipped in any way, shape or form. Sure, the drug trade takes a back seat there, but as I see it the series evolved and expanded to encompass a whole city's life, from bottom to top. While politics and newspapers aren't neccesarily as 'cool' as cops and dealers, the creators of the show made an outstanding job of bringing these areas home without any bullshit to make it look cooler. Bubbles setting his life straight is quite possibly my favourite theme of the whole series.
There is, of course, the issue of me totally, and I meant TOTALLY, wanting to murder the shit out of Jimmy fucking McNulty in Season 5. And even Lester joining in. Bloody hell. Even though I see the sense behind his actions. Goddamn chaotic neutral. Or maybe neutral evil even.
It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again; because there is not effort without error and shortcomings; but who does actually strive to do the deed; who knows the great enthusiasm, the great devotion, who spends himself in a worthy cause, who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement and who at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly. So that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat.
#19
Tsundoku
- A what?
-
- Group: Malaz Regular
- Posts: 4,983
- Joined: 06-January 03
- Location:Maison de merde
Posted 30 November 2010 - 01:26 PM
Damn, forgot Band of Brothers (required watching during basic) was HBO. I've heard good stuff about Generation Kill too.
"Fortune favors the bold, though statistics favor the cautious." - Indomitable Courteous (Icy) Fist, The Palace Job - Patrick Weekes
"Well well well ... if it ain't The Invisible C**t." - Billy Butcher, The Boys
"I have strong views about not tempting providence and, as a wise man once said, the difference between luck and a wheelbarrow is, luck doesn’t work if you push it." - Colonel Orhan, Sixteen Ways to Defend a Walled City - KJ Parker
"Well well well ... if it ain't The Invisible C**t." - Billy Butcher, The Boys
"I have strong views about not tempting providence and, as a wise man once said, the difference between luck and a wheelbarrow is, luck doesn’t work if you push it." - Colonel Orhan, Sixteen Ways to Defend a Walled City - KJ Parker
#20
QuickTidal
- Lord of the Kicks
-
- Group: Team Quick Ben
- Posts: 22,097
- Joined: 05-November 05
- Location:Victoria Peak
- Interests:DoubleStamping. Movies. Reading.
Posted 30 November 2010 - 01:39 PM
Rome
Band Of Brothers
The Pacific
Deadwood
AKA Genre shows that coast a lot of money are always done well on HBO.
Band Of Brothers
The Pacific
Deadwood
AKA Genre shows that coast a lot of money are always done well on HBO.
"When the last tree has fallen, and the rivers are poisoned, you cannot eat money, oh no." ~Aurora
"Someone will always try to sell you despair, just so they don't feel alone." ~Ursula Vernon
"Someone will always try to sell you despair, just so they don't feel alone." ~Ursula Vernon
