tv_talk | Speak Up Saturday

Watching Prétear, a ~13 episode magical girl anime. I've seen it before, and honestly prefer the manga adaptation. (I'm not sure which came first.) However, it was off the shelf for Reasons, including dusting, so in it went. Definitely the proper length, but a cute self-contained comedy OVA/special would be kind of fun.

I remember watching Pretear several years ago! Though now I can recall the characters but barely anything about the actual plot 😅 I agree that a little extra OVA would have been fun to have

It's basically magical-girl snow white, with bonus planet-saving. There's a bit of an epilogue on it, but I'd definitely watch another 22 minutes of A Day In The Very Weird Life, or something.

I managed to get through two series this week, in addition to my usual weekly viewing.

The first was Scrublands, a limited (4 episodes) Australian series about a journalist visiting a rural Aussie town to see how people are getting on one year after a mass shooting incident (currently showing in the UK on BBC 4, torrented at my end). It's based on a novel by Chris Hammer. I didn't know that when I started watching it, and have not read the novel. I am fine with it being a one-off as it is a self-contained story that wouldn't really lend itself to any sort of sequel. However, Hammer has written a second novel featuring the same journalist (and one of the other main characters, one of the townsfolk), so potentially I guess there could be another series based on that second book. Not sure that would qualify as a sequel if it's a completely different story. But I did like the journalist character, played by Luke Arnold of Black Sails fame (and probably other stuff, but Black Sails is the only other thing of his I know).

The other was the third season of Upload, which I quite enjoy. I am hoping that there is another season because this one ended with things still quite up in the air. Haven't heard anything official re: a season 4, however.

Weekly watches include Canadian and UK Bake Offs, Shetland, Curse of Oak Island, and Transplant (which is in its final season, so it doesn't matter if I'd like to see it continue -- it's ending). I also managed a few episodes of season 2 of Hope Street -- Season 3 starts in January.

I watched scrublands this week too, and quite liked it. Would definitely watch a second season. (Its streaming on STAN for anyone in Australia). The company that made it also made Jack Irish which is another aussie mystery/detective show that is quite good.

Season three of Only Murders in the Building, Yes, I would renew. I love cozy mysteries. Season One of World on Fire. I have season two on my DVR. It's a WW2 drama so I hope we get through the end of the European conflict. I doubt the BBC will go through VJ day. The Doctor Who special. If I get tired of new shows, I will rewatch Emma 2020, funny and a happy ending, very comfy.

I hope we get through the end of the European conflict. I doubt the BBC will go through VJ day.

I've not watched the series, but I read an interview with the show's creator (can't recall his name) saying he'd planned it as a 6-series story arc or something like that. Doesn't mean he'll get that, of course, but that is his vision for the series. They are working series 3.

I'm watching:

Taskmaster S16 finale. This season was absolutely amazing, so not only would I renew the show, but I would also bring back the contestants of season 16.

My Demon. I liked the first episode well enough. Wouldn't renew it because it was conceived as a one-season show. No second season necessary.

Squid Game: The Challenge. I watched 1,5 episodes. Don't get me wrong, the moment the show was announced, I already knew that it was unnecessary and against the spirit of the original show. I was mainly hoping that it would have some clever challenges like The Devil's Plan. It didn't. Just a lazy Squid Game copy. Wouldn't renew it.

Die Discounter S3. It's like a German Superstore, only with more slapstick. Quite stupid as well. Would renew it because I rarely watch German shows and I like this one for its overall silliness.

The Big Family Cooking Showdown S2. This week, I realized that this show was from 2018. For whatever reason, I was under the impression that it was quite recent. So, yeah, I would have renewed it but it was already canceled five years ago. What can you do?

The Curse. The most uncomfortable episode of television I've seen in a while. Sometimes, I find this sort of thing entertaining but here, I really didn't. I might give it another shot to see how the horror angle pans out but right now, I'm not feeling it. Wouldn't renew the show, at this point, because I feel that most horror shows work better as a standalone.

Edited 2023-11-25 15:39 (UTC)

I agree re Squid Game: The Challenge. It was wholly unnecessary to make and then they didn't even stick to the same games as the show, so it dropped even lower in my estimation. It was also very american focused, considering it was based on a Korean show. I know there were a few people from other countries, but I was hoping it would be a bit more international in feel. But I guess they have plans for "Squid Game: The Challenge Korea" and "Squid Game: The Challenge Italy" etc.

I've read that they primarily filmed in England which is quite interesting considering the super-American feel of the show. I would probably look into a Korean version simply to compare the type of contestants the show attracts over there.

But I guess they have plans for "Squid Game: The Challenge Korea" and "Squid Game: The Challenge Italy" etc.
Ugh. I really don't know what they're thinking. So far, I have barely seen any positive reactions to the show and it honestly seems like a PR nightmare in the making considering that contestants are now threatening to sue over the injuries they sustained during filming.

Currently watching the second episode of My Demon. Can I just say that, apparently, I have no concept of time? I remember Kim Yoo-jung being sixteen years old when Moonlight Drawn by Clouds came out. Her My Demon character is supposed to be in her late 20s, and I thought to myself: "What? In her 20s already? Is KYJ even 20 yet?" Turns out, it's been 8 years and she's 24 years old.

Re: The show. It gives me Doom at Your Service vibes. I'm not generally the type of person who enjoys fantasy romances but that show truly worked its K-drama magic on me in its first couple of episodes. So far, My Demon hasn't managed to grab me in the same manner but it's fun (apart from the unnecessary drama).

What I liked:
- The chemistry between the leads. Didn't completely buy their first meeting in episode 1 but I definitely DIG the developments in early episode 2. That's what I came here for. (Not so much towards the end.)

- The Batman-Alfred relationship between Gu-won and Bok-gyu.

- That it got silly in the second episode. Episode 1 was a little too much drama towards the end, so I immensely appreciated the light-hearted start of episode 2.

- The second male lead is sweet. I hope he won't turn into an ass once he realizes that his feelings will remain one-sided. (I would genuinely ship him with the female lead if there was a chance of them ending up together. My ideal outcome: He gets his own personal happy ending.)

Meh:
- I don't really care about Do-hee, her side of the plot, or the company conspiracy involving unnecessary thriller elements.

- A crazy killer on the loose (tied to the aforementioned company conspiracy).

- The second female lead seems to be a jealous harpy. Here's hoping it's just a bad first impression or they are deliberately planning to subvert the stereotype.

- If you make the sweet second male lead a Bad Guy to be surprising, you're on my shit list, show. I already hated when Crazy Love did it.

Off to watch Doctor Who now.

Good to know about Squid Game. I liked the original well enough but was only going to watch the sequel if it was particularly good.

It's not a sequel. This is a British reality game show based on the concept of Squid Game.

Wow -- that's not a game show I thought they'd find contestants for 😉

I am planning to watch the Doctor Who special. I'm a bit eh about it though, as Doctor Who has lost some of its shine imo, but I'm very excited about Catherine Tate and David Tennant teaming up again.

I also have plans to watch Faraway Downs, and a british period series called The Doll Factory. Also, Slow Horses season 3 is starting so definitely that.

The Doctor Who special was surprisingly good - and quite funny in spots. It also resolves the Donna Noble problem - which was highly controversial - in a good way.

I've watched the first two episodes of Pit Babe, the Thai BL show that is the first live action Omegaverse show. I'll stick with it a bit, but I mostly find it boring.

I am also working my way through season 1 of White Collar. I think I never saw the final season, so I am doing a full series watch-through right now. It may or may not happen, but Matt Bomer has said that there is serious talk of reviving the show. I know some others in fandom are also doing a re-watch right now so the show is having a bit of a popularity bump.

Oh interesting! I'd certainly be glad to see either a revival or a TV movie of it.

Yeah, I hope it happens!

It may or may not happen, but Matt Bomer has said that there is serious talk of reviving the show.

Ooh, really?! Ha! (It would be so sad without Mozzie and June, though...)

Yeah, them being gone would be tragic. Still, I am curious what comes of it, and I need to finally finish the series when I get time

I watched all of the David Beckham documentary on Netflix. As well known as he is, and though I enjoy soccer, I knew very little about him. It was interesting though I was disappointed that there was so little about his time in the U.S.

Have also started The Diplomat and the new season of the GBBS. Am on the last season of The Americans.

Actually had a chance to watch a few things this week. I somehow convinced my mom to watch the live action One Piece series with me. I'd already watched it once, and I think I enjoyed it even more on a rewatch. Definitely looking forward to season 2 eventually.

I watched a few Stargate SG-1 reruns on TV. But it was season six which I've always been sort of "meh" about. (It's been too long, but I'd totally give SG-1 a bonus little miniseries that's just the team having fun on the base or hanging out on Earth. Let them have a break from evil aliens for a bit)

The GundamInfo YouTube channel has all 50 episodes of Turn A Gundam available now until Dec 10 (unfortunately I think it's United States only). So I started watching that today and am enjoying it so far. But it's Gundam so I'm sure it'll break my heart soon lol

Lastly, I ended up watching a bunch of college basketball. My team was in a little tournament where they won their first game 😀 and then lost the second 😩 Oh well... Such is life

Edited 2023-11-26 01:47 (UTC)

I've always meant to watch Turn-A, but I never get around to it. IIRC I have both a very old bootleg set from the days when NA never thought it's turn up, and the barebones DVD sets from around when Bandai NA died?

I'm only 8 episodes in so far, but I'm really enjoying it

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