What is the last Television series you watched?

[Unlucky Bastard 8,483]

6 hours ago, bruce marshall said:

No. The entire run was 4:3.

The br is 16:9.

Disgraceful. Don't watch or buy !

 

These DVD releases exist. I have both boxsets. I've checked them all. I'm right.

[bruce marshall 1,344]

2 hours ago, Unlucky Bastard said:

 

These DVD releases exist. I have both boxsets. I've checked them all. I'm right.

The entire run of BUFFY was filmed in 4:3.

The US  DVDs are all 4:3.

I thought FROM THE EARTH TO THE MOON is only available in its ORIGINAL presentation on VHS.

If you have it on DVD you are lucky!

[Unlucky Bastard 8,483]

2 minutes ago, bruce marshall said:

The entire run of BUFFY was filmed in 4:3.

The US  DVDs are all 4:3.

 

Yes, that's what I said. And Season 4-7 DVDs from PAL format regions were reformatted to 16:9. That's just a fact.

[bruce marshall 1,344]

19 minutes ago, Unlucky Bastard said:

Season 4-7 DVDs from PAL format regions were reformatted to 16:9. That's just a fact.

Tragic and shameful

[Unlucky Bastard 8,483]

[tomsmoviemadness 3,423]

Anyone watching S3 of Hacks?? I'm loving it!!!!

I feel like each episode is better than the one before. There's some really excellent writing and acting on display here.

 

The 2 episodes that dropped yesterday were especially great! With some great guest appearances. Which happen throughout the season and are all great!

 

Looking forward to the finale next week.

[Jay 38,816]

Yup, it's very good!  Seen 5 episodes so far.

[Marian Schedenig 8,804]

I just finished a Twin Peaks rewatch. Specifically I watched:

 

1. Fire Walk With Me
2. Season 1
3. Season 2
4. The Missing Pieces
5. Fire Walk With Me (again)
6. Season 3

 

…and I still can't make heads or tails of it and it's still as fascinating as ever, or perhaps even more so.

 

I don't remember if I was aware of how much some of it (mostly many of the Black Lodge scenes) owes to Kubrick's 2001: ASO. Everything from the stargate sequence to Bowman observing his older self in slow motion to him zooming towards the monolith is in there. Also curious to see what seem to be deliberate pastiches of Monty Python and Tarantino in several parts of the 2017 season.

 

I'll have to go through all the extras over the coming weeks until my memory fades too much (I know I've watched many of them before, but I don't remember if I ever went through them from start to finish).

 

But I'll also have to follow it up right away with the second part of my long hatched rewatch plan: A complete Gilmore Girls rewatch. Because much in that series seems to be specifically derived from Twin Peaks.

 

[Jay 38,816]

Why'd you watch the movie twice?

[Marian Schedenig 8,804]

1 hour ago, Jay said:

Why'd you watch the movie twice?

 

Because it's all so confusing I needed a refresher again already after the original two seasons. In fact, the first time I watched it on the projector (as I generally do with films); but I watched the original series (and most of S3) on the TV, and I also did the movie re-watch on the TV, in several chunks (before going to bed), and half of the bits I jumped into at the beginning of each chunk felt like I had never seen them before… Ultimately, I think the "cache size" needed to (somewhat) understand Twin Peaks by recognising references between scenes in different episodes and the film is simply more than my brain can hold.

[Unlucky Bastard 8,483]

Anyone else prefer the post-murder eps of Season 2?

[tomsmoviemadness 3,423]

The Gentlemen

 

I love Ritchie's film and this is basically that for 8 episodes, so I loved this.

Whole cast is great. Theo James is great in the lead, but make no mistake, this is Kaya Scodelario's show. She steals every scene she's in and looks absolutely spectacular. Loved her!

 

Score by Chris Benstead is also really fun. He's been growing as a composer over the last few years!!

 

I would watch another season of this should Netflix renew it.

[Koray Savas 2,254]

On 24/5/2024 at 7:08 PM, Marian Schedenig said:

 

Because it's all so confusing I needed a refresher again already after the original two seasons. In fact, the first time I watched it on the projector (as I generally do with films); but I watched the original series (and most of S3) on the TV, and I also did the movie re-watch on the TV, in several chunks (before going to bed), and half of the bits I jumped into at the beginning of each chunk felt like I had never seen them before… Ultimately, I think the "cache size" needed to (somewhat) understand Twin Peaks by recognising references between scenes in different episodes and the film is simply more than my brain can hold.

We live inside a dream. 

[Unlucky Bastard 8,483]

Jade give two rides

[tomsmoviemadness 3,423]

Hacks S3 x Episode 9

 

That was incredible!!!!!

I wanna start by saying that the "big" scene between Jean Smart and Hannah Einbinder was spectacular. Incredible dialogue and fantastic performances by both. If it were up to me, I would give an Emmy to Einbender. She was phenomenal.

 

There were, again, some really great guest appearances and I felt like everyone had something good to do this episode.

 

Also really liked how especially this episode Deborah got some really hard truths thrown at her by both her sister and Ava. And it seems like she's finally letting it get to her a bit.

 

The final scene of the episode was incredible and I can't wait to see what comes next season!!

[tomsmoviemadness 3,423]

Anybody else on here watching (or has watched) Ripley on Netflix???

 

I started it yesterday after being done with The Gentlemen and although it took me a while to get into it, after 4 episodes I'm so fascinated by the whole thing.

 

The black & white cinematography is absolutely stellar and some of the best I've seen on a tv show in a while.

The writing and directing are superb. I'm also enjoying Jeff Russo's score, which doesn't intrude, but complements the story nicely.

 

The whole cast is really strong, but this is 100% the Andrew Scott show. For large parts of the runtime it's just him and the audience so to speak and it's probably his best performance. He's magnificent.

Johnny Flynn & Dakota Fanning are both excellent as well.

 

I'm very excited for the other 4 episodes and should any of you want to start it, a quick reminder. Episodes 1 & 2 are bit more slow, but make a lot more sense after the 3rd and 4th episodes. The 3rd episode especially is bloody brilliant in my book.

[Unlucky Bastard 8,483]

Is that a new Alien TV series?

[tomsmoviemadness 3,423]

No, it's not.

 

It's about Tom Ripley.

 

 

[Nick1Ø66 5,593]

5 hours ago, Unlucky Bastard said:

Is that a new Alien TV series?

 

No, believe it or not.

[tomsmoviemadness 3,423]

Ripley

 

Finished it, absolutely brilliant! Both from an artistic and entertainment point of view.

 

Bloody fantastic!!

[Mephariel 481]

Just finished Drops of God on Apple TV. I loved it. How come nobody talks about this show?

[filmmusic 2,134]

This is what I'm watching now:

 

 

Is it girly?

Perhaps!

But I love such anime series which remind me of my childhood (like Hello Sandybell and Candy Candy).

[Jay 38,816]

 

Hacks (Season 3)

 

Probably the best season yet of what is becoming one of the best TV "dramedies" to come around.  It really is equal parts comedy and drama, and the comedy has been consistently good from the very beginning all the way through- every episode has given me multiple laugh-out-loud moments.  But the storytelling for the dramatic aspects has just gotten better and better over the 3 seasons, and this season was a brilliant example of writing a story with a twist at the end that isn't telegraphed or expected, yet is EXPERTLY foreshadowed and set up perfectly when you think about it after the fact. 

 

On top of the writing, the acting is just incredible, with newcomer Hannah Einbinder going toe-to-toe with the great Jean Smart and consistently proving to be up to the task.  Her two big scenes with Smart in the finale were incredible to watch (especially the first) for her acting alone.  I hope she has a long career after Hacks, but I'm glad we're at least getting a season 4 first!

[tomsmoviemadness 3,423]

Yeaaah! Glad you also loved it

[Jay 38,816]

 

The Bear (Season 1)

 

I finally watched this show a couple months ago, after hearing endless hype about it since it came out.  It was...... fine?  I honestly was let down, I think *because* of all the hype; who knows how I would have taken this in if I wasn't bombarded by so much hype for it everywhere.  A specific aspect I was let down by was the much hyped "the entire episode is one long take!" episode, which I *really* wasn't impressed by; For one thing, the endless commercial breaks in the middle of the shot ruined the momentum constantly (what's the point of filming an episode this way when it won't be shown as a single take, even to people with paid ad-free Hulu subscriptions?), but also, I recently saw the film "Boiling Point" which did this same idea much better. 

 

Really the majority of the season is just peple yelling at each other, as they work towards a goal that isn't even really clear or established well.  The actors are all really good and I found myself somewhat interested in some of their struggles, but a lot of those are too underdeveloped to be that compelling.  And then the big reveal in the finale was a let down and very confusing.  I didn't really understand why his brother hid the money where he did, or why.  Maybe I missed something.

[Jay 38,816]

 

The Pentaverate

 

This is a pretty funny miniseries (6 half-hour episodes) by Mike Meyers that sometimes feels like a movie concept stretched out to ~3 hours, but otherwise feels nicely paced with an interesting story, compelling characters, and is probably the funniest thing he's been associated with since Austin Powers.  Meyers plays EIGHT different characters: All five (sort of) members of "The Pentaverate", a secret society controlling world events for centuries; and three different characters who want to expose them: a Canadian journalist attempting to get his job back; a New England conspiracy theorist, and a right-wing radio host.  Keegan Michael Key and Ken Jeong show up as replacement Pentaverate members; Debi Mazar is surprisingly funny and really good as the Pentaverate's Executive Assistant, and Jennifer Saunders shows up in two funny roles as well.  The story takes so many twists and turns over the 6 episodes and is delightful through because the comedy actually lands most of the time (which can't be said for a lot of Meyers other later works).  Can probabably be enjoyed just as much as a show you watch one per night (as we did) or binged as if it was a 3hour movie.

 

It's on Netflix

[tomsmoviemadness 3,423]

We Were The Lucky Ones (Hulu/Disney+)

 

I began watching this because I wanted to hear Rachel Portman's beautiful score in context and I ended up being completely captivated by it.

 

There have been so many WWII stories over the years, that sometimes they all become a bit like each other, however harrowing the stories are. This felt a bit like something not seen before. There were parts of the war shown here that I was not aware of. Be it places, the way people lived etc. It was both eye opening and educational.

 

This series focuses on a Jewish family from Poland who get seperated during the war in lot's of different ways. The story revolves around a dozen family members, scattered across Europe and other parts of the world. I was quite amazed by how the writers were able to make each and every story within the larger story interesting and engaging. It's was beautifully done.

 

The cast is very very strong. It's a mix of actors from the US and Europe which makes for a very nice and authentic balance. All actors do incredible work and the script asks them to go through a wide variety of emotions. Excellent.

 

So as a whole this was just really well done and a nice surprise. It's a story about WWII, so it's not always an easy watch. I would say the series gets better with each episode and although there are some story points that have been done before in other places, they always feel earned here.

Wouldn't mind this getting some nominations at the upcoming Emmy's. It honestly deserves to be there.

[tomsmoviemadness 3,423]

A Gentleman In Moscow

 

Beautiful! Truly something special.

Story is about a Russian aristocrat who after the revolution gets sentenced to live the rest of his life in the attic of a hotel in Moscow. The series follows him and the guests and people who work in the hotel.

 

Ewan McGregor gives maybe the best performance of his career. He is absolutely magnifcent from start to finish. He's such a brilliant actor and I'm glad he is still getting the opportunities to show how good he is.

Mary Elizabeth Winstead also gives the best performance of her career. She's just wonderful. There is quite a large supporting cast and they're all terrific.

 

The writing, production, costumes and directing are all expertly done.

Add to that Federico Jusid's fantastic score and you have one of the best series of the year.

 

Highly recommended.

[Unlucky Bastard 8,483]

I'm up to Season 3 of Millennium. I miss Frank's hot wife. This show is the Angel of the X-Files universe – short-lived, dramatically sudden cast changes, and tonally inconsistent. I remember this show being touted as edgy television for its time, but it's disappointingly tame. X-Files was still gorier and grosser.

[Edmilson 8,521]

My brother recently introduced me to Smiling Friends. It's a very funny adult comedy cartoon whose episodes are 11 minutes long instead of 23, so it has less time for filler and the comedy is more concentrated.

 

It's also very weird with a surrealistic humor and situations, with things dropping out of thin air, ridiculous situations, etc. It kinda reminded me of early Rick and Morty but even more absurdist than that show. 

 

The president episode is the best. It almost had me dying from laughter during its 11 minutes 

[Marian Schedenig 8,804]

I guess this is the best thread to put this lovely new interview with Steven Moffat about Coupling:

https://www.thespoilist.com/steven-moffat-interview-nine-and-a-half-months-couplings-finale

[Jay 38,816]

Man I loved that show back in the day.  I should rewatch it sometime.

 

I liked the US remake too

[Davis 2,757]

One of the greatest sci-fi productions I have ever seen. Each little segment is unique, the stories are thought-provoking, the animation is captivating. Don’t miss it if you love science-fiction.

[Sweeping Strings 2,560]

14 hours ago, Marian Schedenig said:

I guess this is the best thread to put this lovely new interview with Steven Moffat about Coupling:

https://www.thespoilist.com/steven-moffat-interview-nine-and-a-half-months-couplings-finale

An interview with Moffat where Doctor Who doesn't get mentioned still feels like a comparative rarity. His new comedy-drama sounds promising - 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Douglas_Is_Cancelled

 

[Marian Schedenig 8,804]

5 hours ago, Davis said:

One of the greatest sci-fi productions I have ever seen. Each little segment is unique, the stories are thought-provoking, the animation is captivating. Don’t miss it if you love science-fiction.

 

I find the merits of the individual episodes very inconsistent, but that's alright for an anthology series. Some of it is very good indeed. I hope they make another one.

 

4 hours ago, Sweeping Strings said:

An interview with Moffat where Doctor Who doesn't get mentioned still feels like a comparative rarity.

 

Especially considering this is mainly about Coupling's lesser final series, which is filled with Who fanboy stuff (before Moffat thought he might someday contribute to an actual Who episode, I suppose). Come to think of it, back in the day, Coupling was probably the first time I came in contact with Doctor Who - and I expect sometimes I didn't even notice it (e.g. when Steve mentions Daleks in his cushion rant - I probably had never heard of Daleks at that point).

[Tom Guernsey 2,575]

14 minutes ago, Marian Schedenig said:

 

I find the merits of the individual episodes very inconsistent, but that's alright for an anthology series. Some of it is very good indeed. I hope they make another one.

Agreed. My other half found it a bit too grim sci-fi but the tone is obviously quite variable albeit

with a slight black mirror vibe at times. There were a couple that could probably withstand a longer treatment* although one in particular I had in mind I cannot for the life of me remember which it was (and I’ve just read through all of the IMDb plot descriptions lol). Will have to watch the whole lot again I think.
 

*although let’s face it, we might wish it but would almost certainly be disappointed such is the way of these things!

 

21 minutes ago, Marian Schedenig said:

Especially considering this is mainly about Coupling's lesser final series, which is filled with Who fanboy stuff (before Moffat thought he might someday contribute to an actual Who episode, I suppose). Come to think of it, back in the day, Coupling was probably the first time I came in contact with Doctor Who - and I expect sometimes I didn't even notice it (e.g. when Steve mentions Daleks in his cushion rant - I probably had never heard of Daleks at that point).

 

No Jeff. Although I always thought Oliver made a perfectly decent alternative. I’ve never seen the US version although isn’t that basically Friends?! I think Coupling has dated much better than Friends. There’s some moments of genius in Coupling.

I had to lookup the sofa rant but made the mistake of doing so on a train so now everyone thinks I’m a crazy person (no comments please). I have a bit of a Mandela effect on this as I had it in my head that he calls cushions lifeboats for sofas. But he doesn’t. I think it’s quite a good joke but I have no idea where it comes from… 

 

https://youtu.be/Lp0-8Ibkczc?si=1S7beqrOuMuBFldW

[Marian Schedenig 8,804]

36 minutes ago, Tom Guernsey said:

No Jeff. Although I always thought Oliver made a perfectly decent alternative.

 

Moffat makes some nice comments about that in the interview, and I think he's right. Taken on his own, Oliver is a good character, and in general the last series isn't bad, and actually decently funny. But it just (almost) never goes beyond just trying to see the final series through and clinging on for dear life.

 

36 minutes ago, Tom Guernsey said:

I’ve never seen the US version although isn’t that basically Friends?! I think Coupling has dated much better than Friends. There’s some moments of genius in Coupling.

 

You could say the UK version is basically Friends, too, just more British and entirely about sex. I've only seen the first US episode (it's on YouTube, or at least was), and that was nothing more than a 1:1 remake of the original show - only the acting was off (despite some generally good actors), and the timing was totally off, and while I can watch the original for the umpteenth time and still laugh out loudly, I found nothing remotely funny in the remake version. The exact same lines in the exact same scenes just fell flat. Goes to show perhaps how good the original cast is, and how well made the series was overall. But Jay says the later US episodes are better.

 

 

Ultimately, I still think the first three series of Coupling are the absolute pinnacle of sitcom. I can rewatch them endlessly.

[Davis 2,757]

1 hour ago, Marian Schedenig said:

I find the merits of the individual episodes very inconsistent

 

42 minutes ago, Tom Guernsey said:

Agreed. My other half found it a bit too grim sci-fi

I haven’t seen anything quite like this series. Could you recommend something similar? I haven’t seen Black Mirror, but I understand it’s live-action. Is it worth watching?

[Marian Schedenig 8,804]

I love Black Mirror. The quality of the episodes gets more uneven as the series goes on, but I grant them that this is in part to them trying not to repeat themselves. They also get more varied, with people arguing that some episodes "aren't Black Mirror" anymore, although I mostly disagree with that, especially for the episodes which are mostly mentioned in that context (there's a general misunderstanding that Black Mirror is about the negative impact of future technology, but by Charlie Brooker's own comments that was never the core idea). At it's best, Black Mirror is among the best things on "TV". At its very worst, it's competent but bland; but usually even the lesser episodes are still good. And pretty much anything in the first three and much of the fourth season is gold. One of my least favourite episodes is essentially a remake of one of the more thought provoking ST:DS9 episodes (the one starring Jonathan Banks).

[Davis 2,757]

2 minutes ago, Marian Schedenig said:

I love Black Mirror. The quality of the episodes gets more uneven as the series goes on, but I grant them that this is in part to them trying not to repeat themselves. They also get more varied, with people arguing that some episodes "aren't Black Mirror" anymore, although I mostly disagree with that, especially for the episodes which are mostly mentioned in that context (there's a general misunderstanding that Black Mirror is about the negative impact of future technology, but by Charlie Brooker's own comments that was never the core idea). At it's best, Black Mirror is among the best things on "TV". At its very worst, it's competent but bland; but usually even the lesser episodes are still good. And pretty much anything in the first three and much of the fourth season is gold. One of my least favourite episodes is essentially a remake of one of the more thought provoking ST:DS9 episodes (the one starring Jonathan Banks).

So you’re recommending the first 4 seasons?

[Marian Schedenig 8,804]

I'm recommending the whole thing, plus the specials, plus the interactive branching Netflix special thingy (Jabberwocky). I liked the first two of the five episodes in the latest series very much. Generally the third got by far the most praise, but I thought it didn't leave up to its own promises and found it rather disappointing. I actually liked the last two episodes better, even though they were more convoluted and perhaps odd than usual, but I enjoyed them for their originality. I'm very much looking forward to the next series.

[Davis 2,757]

7 minutes ago, Marian Schedenig said:

I'm recommending the whole thing, plus the specials, plus the interactive branching Netflix special thingy (Jabberwocky).

Whoa, easy there, tiger.

[Jay 38,816]

The episodes of the US Coupling that just remake UK episodes are bad, just pale imitations of the originals. The later episodes where they find their footing and tell their own stories that play to the new cast's strengths are much better. At least that's my memory from watching them when they came out, I haven't revisited (either show) since

[Sweeping Strings 2,560]

19 hours ago, Marian Schedenig said:

 

Moffat makes some nice comments about that in the interview, and I think he's right. Taken on his own, Oliver is a good character, and in general the last series isn't bad, and actually decently funny. But it just (almost) never goes beyond just trying to see the final series through and clinging on for dear life.

 

 

You could say the UK version is basically Friends, too, just more British and entirely about sex. I've only seen the first US episode (it's on YouTube, or at least was), and that was nothing more than a 1:1 remake of the original show - only the acting was off (despite some generally good actors), and the timing was totally off, and while I can watch the original for the umpteenth time and still laugh out loudly, I found nothing remotely funny in the remake version. The exact same lines in the exact same scenes just fell flat. Goes to show perhaps how good the original cast is, and how well made the series was overall. But Jay says the later US episodes are better.

 

 

Ultimately, I still think the first three series of Coupling are the absolute pinnacle of sitcom. I can rewatch them endlessly.

US remakes of British sitcoms are a bad idea, generally speaking. The US Inbetweeners was awful, a painfully sanitised pale imitation.   

[Tom Guernsey 2,575]

39 minutes ago, Sweeping Strings said:

US remakes of British sitcoms are a bad idea, generally speaking. The US Inbetweeners was awful, a painfully sanitised pale imitation.   

Clunge!

[Jay 38,816]

On 04/06/2024 at 11:46 AM, Jay said:

 

The Bear (Season 1)

 

I finally watched this show a couple months ago, after hearing endless hype about it since it came out.  It was...... fine?  I honestly was let down, I think *because* of all the hype; who knows how I would have taken this in if I wasn't bombarded by so much hype for it everywhere.  A specific aspect I was let down by was the much hyped "the entire episode is one long take!" episode, which I *really* wasn't impressed by; For one thing, the endless commercial breaks in the middle of the shot ruined the momentum constantly (what's the point of filming an episode this way when it won't be shown as a single take, even to people with paid ad-free Hulu subscriptions?), but also, I recently saw the film "Boiling Point" which did this same idea much better. 

 

Really the majority of the season is just people yelling at each other, as they work towards a goal that isn't even really clear or established well.  The actors are all really good and I found myself somewhat interested in some of their struggles, but a lot of those are too underdeveloped to be that compelling.  And then the big reveal in the finale was a let down and very confusing.  I didn't really understand why his brother hid the money where he did, or why.  Maybe I missed something.

 

 

The Bear (Season 2)

 

Wow!  This season was SOOOO much better than season 1, I almost can't even believe it.  At first I felt like it was kind of just more of the same, but then one episode changed me around completely.   And that wasn't "Fishes", the much hyped episode which, much like the "one-take" episode of season 1, I was ultimately let down by. It felt like they were so pleased with how many big names they got to play all these new characters (Jamie Lee Curtis! Bob Odenkirk! John Mulaney! Sarah Paulson! Gillian Jacobs!) that they didn't tighten up the script at all; I didn't feel that this episode needed to be over an hour long. As much as Carmy's family and past is super important to the ongoing story, the fact is I am much more invested in the ongoing story and only need to know a little about this stuff, not an indulgent amount like this.

 

However, the very next episode, "Forks", was amazing, and is really when everything gelled for me and I realized why so many have found this show so special.  Richie was never one of my favorite characters at all, but by the end of this episode I felt like I finally "got" him completely.  It was pretty surprising how effective this was at making me like him as he learns and grows from his week at the fancy restaurant, helped by wonderful performances by the guy he worked directly under and the great Olivia Colman too.  I loved the bit where he described the suit as like his armor, and the "every second counts" mantra is a compelling thesis that explains the rest of the season (and Carmy's approach to running The Bear).

 

The final two episodes of the season that pay off the whole season's buildup of opening the new restaurant were also very effective, especially since I kind of thought episode 9 would show the friends and family opening and then 10 the real opening, only for 9 to suddenly end as service is about to start at the friends and family.  And then episode 10, wow, having Carmy locked in the fridge as the rest of the team pulls off everything was a cool plot device, especially when it got kicked up a notch by Claire hearing his mini revelation that maybe she'd only get in the way of his success, and then his giant fight with Richie.  Ultimately, this season finale was sort of a perfect example of what a good season finale should do: Payoff everything that built up all season, but also leave interesting new threads and dynamics to look forward to in the next season.  What will happen with Carmen and Clair, and what will happen with Carmen and Richie.

 

I'm hooked now!

[tomsmoviemadness 3,423]

Glad you enjoyed Seaaon 2 more.

 

I agree that "Fishes" is good, but it mostly remembered because of the cast,  which are all very strong. But is becomes a bit messy at points and really relies on it's cast and the tension they create.

 

But "Forks" was just incredible. What a way for a character to evolve in just one episode. It was brilliant.

 

I also really loved "Honeydew", which focused on Marcus. There was a sense of serenity throughout that storyline, which was so nice. And just like Olivia Colman does in "Forks", Will Poulter gives a really nuanced and quiet performance in a very loud show. Which was just really nice. Perfectly cast.

[Jay 38,816]

Yes I realized I should have mentioned "Honeydew" when I found the picture I used for the post, which was after I had already typed it out and didn't want to change it.

 

But yes really, it was the one-two punch of Honeydew and Forks that did it for me.  Interestingly, two episodes that don't focus on Carmy, but on two other members of his team "finding their calling" as it were, something that he already had happen off-screen, before the show began.  And likewise, Tina sort of has that experience in season 2 as well, without her own episode.  Now I'd really like a Sydney episode that matches Marcus's and Richie's, but I don't know if we'll get one.  It seems like she arrived at the restaurant already in the place that Marcus and Richie get to.

 

Another thing that improved season 2 over 1 was having lots more of Natalie ("Sugar") too.  She's a GREAT fit with the rest of the cast, and I love her different energy than the kitchen staff has.  I've liked Abby Elliot since she was on SNL and its nice to see her killing it in a dramatic role.

[crocodile 8,366]

I watched the first season of Interview with the Vampire. Not exactly up there with the best but I quite enjoyed it overall. While deviating from the book considerably in some respects, it finds its footing by relying on its three leads. And as a domestic drama, it works fairly well.

 

The score wasn't bad either.

 

Karol

[filmmusic 2,134]

Watching this anime:

 

Some episodes are directed by Miyazaki!

Lots of chases, in a light adventure/comedy series. The animation reminds of Ghibli films sometimes.

I'm in episode 6 and apparently there is only one "villain", who - I understand - is in the whole series. That's a bit of weak if you ask me, story-wise. I'd prefer it if it were several villains, one in each episode.