Speak Up Saturday & Friending Meme Announcement

[feurioo]

Welcome to the weekly roundup post! What are you watching this week? What are you excited about?

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This Valentine's Day, we're inviting you to "join the couch... and the conversation" in our tv_talk friending meme! Binge-watching pro or casual viewer? There's a spot for everybody on our tv_talk couch! Get ready to cozy up and share your love for television.

 

Let us know here in the comments if you have any questions.

Comments

[jo]

In terms of new shows/seasons, I started watching season 4 of Mythic Quest (Apple) and season 2 of The Night Agent (Netflix). I also watched the new Star Trek: Area 31 film. It wasn't great, mostly because it wasn't really about Area 31. I think people were expecting a sort of origins story about how the super-secretive Area 31 came to be, but it wasn't that at all. It was basically an adventure film for Michelle Yeoh. Who is great, don't get me wrong -- it was enjoyable on that front. But it was a let down in terms of the history of the organization. I also watched a documentary special, Ladies and Gentlemen: Fifty Years of SNL Music, which is what the title says -- a retrospective of the musical guests and music-related sketches that have featured on Saturday Night Live since it launched in 1975. It was really great. If nothing else, try to find the seven-minute long cold open online -- it's the most amazing music mash-up I've ever seen. If you're in the US, you can probably find it on the NBC website, but that's region locked so people outside the US can't access it that way. Questlove, who put the intro together, has it on his Instagram, and you don't need an account to watch it. Do check it out. It is simply amazing.

As for ongoing shows, I finished season 2 of Black Snow, and continued watching Dexter: Original Sin, Silent Witness, FBI, Curse of Oak Island, Will Trent, On Call, The Pitt, Severance, and High Potential. Side note re: High Potential -- it's finally available in the UK, and the Guardian review called it "Joyous, gorgeous, desperately needed trash TV", which pretty much sums it up.

Can't think of anything specific that I'm excited about. I do want to start watching Paradise, but probably won't start that until I finish The Night Agent.

[yourlibrarian]

Yes, I have to agree that this is the big problem with the Area 31 film. I mean, technically it involved the organization but it didn't even need to for the plot we got.

[shadowkat]

From what another poster on DW stated (selenak) - apparently Section 31 was supposed to be a series, got truncated into a film, and the series writers (two women) weren't allowed to adapt it to the film - all of which would have been problematic. Everyone who has posted on it - has said the same things, it's okay to watch - but probably as background noise. And they were disappointed.

[yourlibrarian]

Oh boy, what a mess. I didn't realize that the series had been written for at the time that it got changed to the film adaptation. Given all the delays it seemed obvious that Michelle Yeoh wouldn't be able to commit to something series length, especially as the star.

[shadowkat]

Yup, they intended on the series happening during or directly after Discovery, and before Yeoh's career took off after Everything, Everywhere, All at Once.

[tinny]

Thank you so much for the nudge towards the SNL music mashup! That's absolutely brilliant!

[violateraindrop]

Another week, another Netflix show which was canceled after one season. This one a bit more recent: Kaos. I only learned what this show was about when someone on DW posted about it. Before that, the marketing (for me) only existed in the form of Jeff Goldblum standing at a grill in a tracksuit.
It is a modern retelling of Greek mythology and I thought it was fantastic. It has diversity, drama, comedy, and seriously great world-building. A lot of it seems current (like Poseidon's yacht or Riddy's house), but there is also some 80s (or rather 70s-90s?) tech, like the phones and cars. Does religious belief reflect in technological advancement like that? I found that aspect super interesting.
Ironically, from the cast only the biggest name, Jeff Goldblum, didn't always work for me. He did Jeff Goldblum things. That was often just the Grandmaster in a velvet tracksuit. Maybe that was the intent behind casting him though.
The season/show ends on a cliffhanger. I would have loved to see more of this. The things set into motion would have been so cool to see played out screen. Still, I think it is worth watching for the cool world-building alone.

I watched the first three episodes of Paradise and it's really good so far, especially Sterling K. Brown. I can't wait to see where this is going.

[yourlibrarian]

A bit of a digression -- I started Paradise but have only gotten halfway through the first episode. I thought Brown was excellent in Supernatural where I first saw him. By coincidence he has just turned up in an episode of Boston Legal as a low IQ death row inmate. As good an actor as he is he seemed really miscast in it. He just always comes of as intelligent.

[violateraindrop]

When he got a bit more famous, I immediately thought "Oh, someone from Supernatural." :D
Now that you're saying it, he totally comes across like that.

[yourlibrarian]

Yes there have been a few guest stars who did quite well post their SPN appearances, but I think Brown may be the biggest.

[violateraindrop]

Definitely the most consistent. Alden Ehrenreich is up there though.

[yourlibrarian]

I hadn't remembered he was in SPN!

[wearing_tearing]

*checks notes*

The Pitt: still pretty great! I'm tired of the gag with Whitaker getting his scrubs dirty. Last episode wasn't as tense and/or intense as the others, but it moved things along fine and gave us a little more detail on certain character dynamics!

Dalgliesh: I finished season 2 and HOT DAMN!!! Episodes 5-6, The Murder Room, were EXCELLENT! I loved the introduction of the mystery, the setting, the ensemble. I really felt the tension during these episodes and couldn't wait to figure out what happened. Now, however, I'm scared of starting season 3 because what if it's not as good :B

Say Nothing: I've watched only the first episode and all I'm able to say so far is that the performances are great. I read the book when it first came out and it was a memorable experience. I'm really intrigued with how they're going to explore everything in the show.

The Exorcist III: it only took my 84 years, but I finally watched this one! I highly recommend going from the first movie straight to this. It's great at its horror moments and the ending was amazing.

[yourlibrarian]

I've been wanting to see Dalgliesh. Good to know it's worth watching!

[china_shop]

Finished Shrinking, which we enjoyed overall. It feels done, but apparently there's a third season coming this year.

My partner and I started a rewatch of Severance season 1, so we can continue seamlessly into season 2. Wow, this show is creepy. I'd forgotten how much the low-affect vibe of the whole company space unnerves me.

In Kdramas, I finished the available episodes of Motel California, which I loved, aww, and started Love Scout, with which I am currently obsessed, omg, it's every bit as good as everyone said. (I'm about four episodes in, no spoilers please, don't tell me anything!!) Also, ha, it's so obvious that these shows were made for primarily female audiences: both male leads are effectively kind, patient logistical/emotional support modules whose lives revolve around women who, objectively speaking, treat them appallingly. Somehow, this feeds my soul. (/o\) :D :D :D

[feurioo]

Yay! I'm so glad you're enjoying Love Scout. It's been my feel-good show for the past couple of weeks. :)

[china_shop]

It's amazing! Thanks so much for reccing it here so enthusiastically. <3

[feurioo]

I somehow only read half of your comment yesterday, so this is why I'm asking you today to elaborate on your Love Scout/Motel California comparison. Can you tell me more about the ML and the way the FL treats him without being too spoilery?

[china_shop]

You mean in Motel California? It's friends-to-lovers, except that she is dealing with A LOT, which makes her prickly and avoidant. However much she pushes him away, he waits for her and supports her. (To be fair to him, she also gives him some encouragement, and they're clearly very important to each other in a non-romantic way too.)

[yourlibrarian]

We've been watching two shows about trains, one a History of them (via Disney+) and one of Rail Journeys from Above (via PBS). Only seen one episode so far of the latter and immediately wondered (a) How many people in Switzerland work on the railways vs actually use them, and (b) I was never going to take that journey. A whole city sliding away, falling boulders, possible avalanches...

I watched Ken Burns' documentary on The Buffalo, mostly while exercising in the morning. Nothing like genocide to start one's day... A good doc but depressing. Have been watching the one on Da Vinci and am not finding it all that engaging.

Will be finishing Moonflower Murders this weekend. So far definitely preferred Magpie, although the general setup is good. It just seems somewhat dragged out and listless to me. What finally struck me, thanks to starting Vienna Blood's latest season, is to realize that father and son Lieberman in Vienna play lovers in Magpie.

Took in another episode of All Creatures and a few more of Moonlighting S3. Mostly have been watching L.A. Law and Boston Legal.

[shadowkat]

Also watching All Creatures...the rail journey docs sound interesting, may have to hunt down the one on Disney +, probably won't be able to get the other one.

[alchemicink]

I've been watching the new season of Miss Scarlet (formerly known as "Miss Scarlet and the Duke" but the actor playing the Duke decided to leave after season 4 lol). Anyway, I'm enjoying this season so far, and I even like the new guy they added. I hate that these seasons are only 6 episodes long. It never feels like enough.

I've been rewatching Ultraman Arc (which ended it's 25-episode run last month). It was such a delightful series about imagining a better future and pushing forward when things are tough. The characters and the world fascinated me so much. The fight scenes were really fun to watch, and I loved the soundtrack 🥰

[olivermoss]

I finally finished the first season of 3 Body Problem (Netflix version). I love it, but it's a lot so I hadn't picked it back up. I was in the middle of it when I cancelled Netflix for a long while. I might finish it by reading the books. I have no idea when the next season is coming out.

I am also possibly rewatching S1 of Buffy. I've started at least.

Still just waiting on new seasons of new shows. But, while I wait for new Stranger Things I will be seeing the prequel stage show on Broadway (or that is the current plan at least) and also see Joe Keery's band when they are in town.

[feurioo]

I watched:
Love Scout: This will be a long, long week to wait for the next episode.

A Man on the Inside: Couldn't care less about the central mystery but I liked the parts that focused on family/friendship, health, and grief.

No Good Deed: A soapy drama without heart moonlighting as a dark comedy without the laughs.

Watson: I only genuinely liked the ending. The medical mystery was meh. They told us too much about Watson's team without letting us form an opinion first. The little bits and pieces about Sherlock didn't convince me he is a character worth waiting for. Maybe good casting will help. For me, it felt pretty dry, devoid of any humor and genuine intrigue.

[author_by_night]

A Man on the Inside: Couldn't care less about the central mystery but I liked the parts that focused on family/friendship, health, and grief.


I agree, and I think that was the heart of the show. Which makes me wonder what they're going to do in season two. Will that be more of a "whodunnit" than the first season? Or will they also focus more on a theme, with the mystery being in the background?

[shadowkat]

Since it's by the same writer who did Parks & Recreation, Good Place, Brooklyn 9-9, I'd say definitely the later. He's more of a comedy from character situations sort of a guy, with the plot being secondary.

[author_by_night]

Yeah, that's a good point. I was actually just rewatching TGP, and without getting into spoilers, each season is different, even if the basic theme is the same. Parks and Rec and B99 are more thematic, but they're not afraid to change things around. And all are very much character focused above all else.

How meta can we be on here? I have a sudden temptation to do a side-by-side comparison, even if it would be imperfect.

[shadowkat]

I think they'd allow it? I mean I've seen meta on this...I personally prefer meta to fanfic, but that's just because I like analyzing the heck out of things.

Michael Schurr - seems to be a light satirist who is mainly interested in character and workplace/philosophical satire. I'm not a fan of workplace satire (mainly because I'm living that and need to escape from it not watch it on television and I can't watch political satire any longer for the same reasons) but I do love philosophical and metaphysical satire - which was a good portion of the Good Place. I think he also did The Office, not certain.

[feurioo]

How meta can we be on here? I have a sudden temptation to do a side-by-side comparison, even if it would be imperfect.

Sorry for the late reply! You're always welcome to post meta on here! :) It should be under a cut if it's more than two paragraphs or contains spoilers. You should also note somewhere if your post contains spoilers (for the series as a whole/a specific season/a specific episode).

[shadowkat]

A friend of mine enjoyed No Good Deed, but I couldn't get into it - for more or less the same reasons you note above. I didn't find it funny, and I don't like the leads. Also there's no heart to it. I need to care about the characters - not be annoyed by them.

Man on the Inside is more about the characters than the mystery - I kind of forgot about the mystery while watching it. It reminded me a little of Only Murders in the Building in that respect, although I liked it better for some reason.

[shadowkat]

1. Rented "Conclave" on AppleTV - highly recommend. About the conclave of cardinals electing a new pope among their number, and the managing/dean of Cardinals attempting to unravel various mysteries as they arrive - it's suspenseful and full of twists and turns, with excellent performances all around.

2. Black Doves on Netflix US - which I'm enjoying.

3. Giving up on Project Runway S19 - the contestants are annoying, the hosts are down to Cristian Sirino - since Kari Kloss appears to have left. It's feeling a bit too much like a manipulated and somewhat nasty US reality series. (Jumped back over to Great British Bake Off - Celebrity Edition for a palate cleanser). After the 2nd Episode - where various contestants bully one into swapping models then bully her into leaving - I gave up. It was clearly manipulated and a bad look for all involved.
I shouldn't be rooting for the contestants to fail. S18 had it's irritating moments, but overall the contestants were far more likable.

[tinny]

Nothing much this week at all. I'm just leaving this comment here so I won't later think I've forgotten something. :D

The watchalongs went along as usual, nothing new to tell here.

I watched (well, skipped through and watched the main couple's scenes) eps 9-11 of Everlasting Longing. I don't know why I'm even watching this, but I like the couple! /o\ I still don't know how many eps it has, because I'm too lazy to look it up on mydramalist. Oi.

I also watched the first ep of En Place, another French show that comes highly recommended. It's about a social worker who kind of accidentally runs for President (of France). It's on Netflix. I don't think I can watch this now that there are elections here this month, but I'll keep it on the backburner. I liked that first ep a lot.

Oh, and the new High Potential ep. I still can't let go of my HPI addiction, so I'm watching this instead. I very much liked how much chief Soto was in this ep. I am starting to really like her, she's my favorite character right now.

That's all I watched, sigh. It amounts to about two hours of new tv in a week. Meep.

[feurioo]

Oh, I loved the first season of En Place! Still have to finish the second season. If you happen to like it, I'd also recommend Tout simplement noir (also starring/written by Jean-Pascal Zadi).